PAY COMMISION

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Decesion of the Indian Government on sixth Central Pay Commision RECOMMENDETIONS :
  • Revision of pay scales of employees of autonomous bodies, etc -DOWNLOAD
  • Resolution containing Government's decision on sixth cpc Report -DOWNLOAD
  • ccs ( Revised Pay ) Rules 2008 - DOWNLOAD
Government of Madhya Pradesh (Finance Department)
DAIR ORDERS,6th Pay Notification

10% Relief Order (Pensioner) DOWNLOAD
20% Relief Order ( Contingency ) DOWNLOAD
6th Pay Commision Relief (Notification) DOWNLOAD
DA Order ( Pensioners )30 July 2008 DOWNLOAD
DA Order ( Pensioners )25 june 2008 DOWNLOAD

PUNJAB FIFTH Pay Commision Report DOWNLOAD

Union Bank of India Probationary Officers Exam, 2008

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Union Bank of India Probationary Officers Exam., 2008
English Language : Solved Paper
(Held on 7-9-2008)

Directions—(Q. 1–15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

Over the past few decades, many Asian nations transformed from poverty into global competitors. From 2003 to 2007, Asian economies expanded at an average annual rate of 8•1%, triple that of advanced economies. Over the same period, inflation in Asia averaged only about 3•5%. But Asia could be facing turbulent economic times. In May, the average inflation rate throughout the region reached nearly 7%, led by spikes in oil and food prices. In India, inflation jumped to an 11•6% annual rate in June, according to the latest government figures, the highest in 13 years.

Policymakers and central bankers are forced to raise interest rates and limit credit to get inflation under control. But these same measures suppress the investment and consumption that generates growth. The combination of slowing growth and soaring inflation makes economic policy-making tricky. Inflation stirs up the middle classes because it can quickly erase years of hardwon personal gains. Inflation is cruel to the poor, because families have to spend a larger share of their meagre incomes on necessities. In the Philippines, farmers, unable to afford fuel for tractors, use water buffaloes to plough their fields.

But to avoid unrest, leaders cannot blindly adopt rigid anti-inflation measures. Voters won’t hesitate to remove from office any politician who doesn’t deliver the goods. So they cannot overreact to the inflation threat and scale down economic growth in the process. Developing nations need to grow quickly to create jobs and increase incomes for their large populations. With prices soaring, doing nothing is not an option. Most central banks in Asia have started raising interest rates. The Reserve Bank of India increased its benchmark rate twice last month to a six year high of 8•5%.

The challenge is especially difficult because currently, inflation is not of domestic origin. Prices are being driven higher by a global surge in oil and food prices, which individual governments can do little to control. Of course, inflation is not just a problem in Asia. World Bank President Robert Zoellick called rising food and oil prices a man-made ‘catastrophe’ that could quickly reverse the gains made in overcoming poverty over the past seven years. For now, though, there is more talk than action on the international front, so Asian governments are on their own.

Even though inflation throughout the region is likely to continue to rise in coming months, no one is expecting an economic calamity. According to the Asian Development Bank Asian countries have large hard currency reserves and relatively healthy banks, and so are far better prepared to absorb external shocks than they were during the region’s last recession ten years ago. Asian policymakers have learned their lessons and are more alert.

1. Which of the following can be said about Asian economies during the period from 2003- 2007 ?
1. Though inflation was rising at the time politicians did not pay much attention.
2. Many of the poor countries were able to compete internationally.
3. The growth rate of Asian countries was facilitated by growth in advanced countries.
(A) All 1, 2, and 3
(B) Only 1
(C) Only 2
(D) Both 1 and 2
(E) None of these

2. Which of the following is not an anti-inflation measure being used by Asian countries ?
1. Increase in benchmark interest rate by a central bank.
2. Checks on lending.
3. Subsidising fuel for farmers.
(A) Only 3
(B) Both 1 and 2
(C) Both 2 and 3
(D) Only 2
(E) None of these

3. What makes it difficult for Asian countries to control inflation ?
(A) Restrictions by organizations like the Asian Development Bank
(B) Governments are indecisive and adopt counterproductive measures
(C) The problem is global in nature, not restricted to their individual countries
(D) Countries have never faced a financial crisis
(E) Economic growth rate cannot occur in the absence of inflation

4. Why are experts not very concerned about the impact of inflation on Asian economies ?
1. Asian countries have not maintained substantial hard currency reserves.
2. The condition of Asian banks is currently both stable and strong.
3. The Asian Development Bank will bail them out of any trouble.
(A) Only 1
(B) Both 1 and 3
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Only 2
(E) None of these

5. What is the author’s advice to politicians regarding the handling of inflation ?
(A) They should focus on preventing agitations among their citizens not implementing antiinflation measures
(B) They ought to implement anti-inflation measures even at the cost of losing office
(C) They must focus on maintaining high economic growth rate as inflation will taper off on its own
(D) Countries should handle the problem independently and not collectively
(E) None of these

6. What could the impact of stringent inflation measures be ?
(A) Increased consumption as families spend a larger part of their income on essential goods
(B) Politicians may be voted out of power
(C) Economic growth rate remains constant
(D) Oil prices within the country remain stable despite high global prices
(E) None of these

7. Why is high economic growth necessary for developing countries ?
(A) To catch up with the growth rate of the advanced countries
(B) To sustain their economies despite the ill effects of inflation
(C) To provide better educational opportunities to their citizens
(D) To create employment opportunities for citizens
(E) None of these

8. Why has inflation been referred to as a ‘catastrophe’ ?
(A) Prices of essential commodities are unaffordable for all
(B) Our past efforts to reduce poverty will be nullified
(C) Governments are unstable and do not take stringent decisions
(D) It has divided countries rather than ensuring co-operation among them
(E) None of these

9. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage ?
1. Growth rate in advanced countries was low so the effects of inflation were not felt.
2. Closing the economy to global markets will reduce inflation.
3. India has been the most severely affected by inflation.
(A) None
(B) Only 1
(C) Only 2
(D) Both 2 and 3
(E) All 1, 2 and 3

10. Which of the following factors was responsible for inflation in India ?
(A) Reserve Bank India raising the interest rates very frequently
(B) High population growth
(C) Sudden rise in prices of oil worldwide
(D) Reckless competition with China
(E) None of these

Directions—(Q. 11–13) Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

11. stirs
(A) trembles
(B) moves
(C) mixes
(D) inspires
(E) agitates

12. scale
(A) descent
(B) climb
(C) hindrance
(D) cut
(E) measure

13. origin
(A) ancestry
(B) source
(C) inauguration
(D) down
(E) heritage

Directions—(Q. 14–15) Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

14. turbulent
(A) quiet
(B) rest
(C) soothes
(D) stormy
(E) lawful

15. gains
(A) decreases
(B) fails
(C) deprives
(D) frauds
(E) losses

Directions—(Q. 16–20) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentences to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and ‘No correction is required’, mark (E) as the answer.

16. The main objective of the workshop has made children aware of Western classical music.
(A) will make children aware
(B) is to make children aware
(C) is making aware children
(D) awareness of children
(E) No correction required

17. Afraid of missing her train and was late for the meeting, Sunita arrived an hour early at the station.
(A) but later for
(B) and been late to
(C) after being late
(D) and being late for
(E) No correction required

18. As a famous historian he has travelled around the world giving lectures on rare subjects.
(A) rarely to subjects
(B) of rare subject
(C) with rarest of subject
(D) in subjects rarely
(E) No correction required

19. The stadium wherever the opening ceremony will be held next month, is equipped with the latest facilities.
(A) in the opening ceremony
(B) which the ceremony will open
(C) where the opening ceremony
(D) that the opening ceremony
(E) No correction required

20. There will be a trend of unseasonal rainfall in April, in recent years.
(A) There has been
(B) It has been
(C) There is being
(D) It may have been
(E) No correction required

Directions—(Q. 21–25) In each of the following sentences there are two blank spaces. Below each five pairs of words have been denoted by letters (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E). Find out which pair of words can be filled up in the blanks in the sentence in the same sequence to make the sentence meaningfully complete.

21. A committee has been…………..to…………..the transformation of the city into an international finance centre.
(A) constituted, convert
(B) appointed, oversee
(C) converged, evaluate
(D) inducted, change
(E) inaugurated, determine

22. Keeping in mind the…………..to develop the sector the government has………….. solicited foreign investment.
(A) importance, never
(B) proposal, forcibly
(C) objective, wanted
(D) view, discretely
(E) need, actively

23. In his speech he vowed to…………..the four billion unbanked individuals across the world into the…………..of financial inclusion.
(A) represent, sphere
(B) target, area
(C) bring, realm
(D) engage, achievement
(E) convince, era

24. Although he puts in…………..of overtime and takes few holidays, he…………..cannot support his family.
(A) sufficient, however
(B) lot, besides
(C) much, thus
(D) plenty, still
(E) frequency, yet

25. They have been…………..on incentives to…………..these practices are implemented at grass root level.
(A) relying, ensure
(B) improving, secure
(C) advocating, confirm
(D) debating, necessitate
(E) focusing, display

Directions—(Q. 26–30) Rearrange the following six sentences (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them—
1. It was a cycling race launched in 1903, by Henri Desgrange, a magazine editor in Paris.
2. The Tour de France is a test of human endurance.
3. His idea worked and the magazine boomed.
4. His aim was to boost the circulation of his magazine.
5. He wanted to achieve this by covering every stage of the three week long, 3,500 kilometre long cycling race.
6. Till today the race remains more popular than he could ever have dreamed.

26. Which of the following should be the first sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5

27. Which of the following should be the second sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5

28. Which of the following should be the third sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5

29. Which of the following should be the fifth sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 6

30. Which of the following should be the sixth (Last) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 5
(E) 6

Directions—(Q. 31–40) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The letters of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)

31. On account of the week (A) / long strike the factory (B) / was forced to close and (C) / next month’s shipment will delay. (D) No error. (E)

32. Since the US economy experiences (A) / a recession many Asian countries (B) / are likely to have (C) / reduced growth rates this year. (D) No error. (E)

33. Oil is now so expensive that (A) / India will have to cut subsidies (B) / instead face running out (C) / of funds to import oil. (D) No error. (E)

34. It is unlikely that you will (A) / find a more qualified and experience (B) / candidate than Mr. Prasad (C) / for the post of President. (D) No error. (E)

35. On account of the rising (A) / costs many people are (B) / finding it difficult (C) / to feed their families. (D) No error. (E)

36. By marketing agriculture (A) / products well, we (B) / can ensure that (C) / farmers make a good profit. (D) No error. (E)

37. The promotion means (A) /that you may be (B) / post in Chennai (C) / from next month. (D) No error. (E)

38. This project is (A) / too big to (B) / undertake successfully at (C) / such short of notice. (D) No error. (E)

39. When our company was (A) / faced financial difficulties (B) / the training budget was (C) / the first to be cut. (D) No error. (E)

40. Conservationists believe that (A)/better management of national parks (B)/is the only way to save (C)/India’s tiger population from extinction. (D) No error. (E)

Directions—(Q. 41–50) In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

In July 2008, one of the most inspiring leaders of our times, will …(41)… his ninetieth birthday. Nelson Mandela retired from politics in 1999, but he has remained …(42)…, continuing his work through the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The foundation has launched an Aids awareness campaign, 46664, named …(43)… Mandela’s prison number. He has also set up a scholarship programme whose …(44)… was to promote leadership among young Africans.

During the 1990s, …(45)… I worked with Mr. Mandela on his autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom”, I …(46)… his leadership first hand. During his election campaign we were on board a plane discussing his book. Twenty minutes …(47)… to landing the engine failed. Many began to panic. The only thing that …(48)… them was looking at Mandela, who was reading his paper as if he was a passenger on a morning train to work. The plane landed safely and when we got into the car taking us to the hotel he …(49)… to me, “I was terrified on the plane !” As a leader he realized he was a model for others and this gave him the strength to …(50)… over his own fear.

41. (A) tribute
(B) remember
(C) honour
(D) celebrate
(E) rejoice

42. (A) resigned
(B) active
(C) influenced
(D) participant
(E) reserved

43. (A) by
(B) with
(C) after
(D) as
(E) thereafter

44. (A) wish
(B) pursuit
(C) result
(D) plot
(E) aim

45. (A) when
(B) that
(C) period
(D) later
(E) alongside

46. (A) felt
(B) acquainted
(C) experienced
(D) underwent
(E) learned

47. (A) before
(B) sooner
(C) close
(D) prior
(E) advance

48. (A) calmed
(B) soothing
(C) composed
(D) restraint
(E) discipline

49. (A) speaks
(B) confided
(C) confidentially
(D) entrusted
(E) assured

50. (A) success
(B) overcame
(C) dominate
(D) victory
(E) triumph

Answers :
1. (E) 2. (C) 3. (C) 4. (D) 5. (C)
6. (B) 7. (B) 8. (B) 9. (D) 10. (C)
11. (E) 12. (D) 13. (B) 14. (A) 15. (E)
16. (B) 17. (D) 18. (E) 19. (C) 20. (A)
21. (B) 22. (E) 23. (B) 24. (D) 25. (A)
26. (B) 27. (A) 28. (D) 29. (C) 30. (E)
31. (D) 32. (A) 33. (C) 34. (B) 35. (E)
36. (A) 37. (C) 38. (C) 39. (B) 40. (E)
41. (D) 42. (B) 43. (C) 44. (E) 45. (A)
46. (C) 47. (D) 48. (A) 49. (B) 50. (E)


Dena Bank (Clerk) Exam., 2009

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(Held on 8-3-2009)
English Language : Solved Paper

Directions—(Q. 1–15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

Bhaskar was a wealthy, wordly wise merchant. On his deathbed, he called his only son, Nakul, and gave him some advice. “When you do business and travel to an unknown land, make sure you know the local culture well. Try to gain as much information as you can. This and presence of mind will come to your rescue.” Bhaskar died a few days later and Nakul began looking after the business. Once, he travelled by ship to a distant country where he stayed at an inn. He began talking to the owner and ended up telling him all about his life and the business had come to conduct.

The following day, Nakul was heading to the bustling market when a one armed man rushed up to him and said, “Your father took one of my arms as a loan. You must return it to me.” Not knowing what to do, Nakul asked the man to meet him the next day. A little later, a woman came upto Nakul and said, “Your father married me and would send me money every month. This responsibility is now yours.” Again Nakul asked for a day’s respite and walked on. On the way he stopped at a tavern and ate breakfast. While paying for his meal the owner said, “The only payment I want is for you to make me happy.” Though he had to pay only two coins, Nakul gave the man five, but the man still maintained that he was unhappy. That evening Nakul met a man who invited him to a game of dice. Unaware they were playing with a trick dice, he lost every game. The winner set him an unusual condition, “Drink all the water in the sea or give me all the goods on your ship.” Nakul said he would give him his decision the next day. That night as Nakul lay on his bed, he remembered his father’s words, “In a foreign land only your wits will come to your aid.”

The next morning, as soon as he reached the marketplace, the one armed man appeared. Nakul smiled when he saw him and said, “My father took many such loans and our house is full of hands. I shall take your other arm, find the matching one and repay you.” The man ran away petrified. He then approached the woman who claimed to have been married to his father. “My father was wrong not to tell us about you. Come home with me and help my mother in the fields.” The woman left without a word. Next, Nakul went to the tavern and standing outside shouted, “Hail the King ! Your king is great !” “I am happy to hear you say that”, was the only response the tavern owner could give.“ If you are happy,” continued Nakul, “I have paid for my meal.” Nakul then sought out the man who had won at dice the previous night. “I shall gladly drink all the water in the sea provided you bring me the water in jugs.” The man made a quick getaway when he heard this. Nakul returned home after conducting much business. He was far richer in wisdom too.

1. Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage ?
(1) Nakul preferred sailing to working in the fields with his mother.
(2) Bhaskar’s second wife was a greedy woman.
(3) Bhaskar did not have faith in Nakul’s ability to successfully run the business.
(A) None
(B) Only (1)
(C) Both (1) & (3)
(D) Both (2) & (3)
(E) Only (2)

2. Why did Nakul visit a far-away country ?
(A) It was his father’s final request
(B) To acquire knowledge about a different culture
(C) To mee some of his father’s acquaintances
(D) To trade and do business
(E) None of these

3. How did Nakul manage to deal with the people who tried to swindle him ?
(1) His father provided him with the solution in a dream.
(2) He threatened them with dire punishment.
(3) He gave into their demands and paid them off.
(A) None
(B) Only (2)
(C) Only (3)
(D) Both (1) & (2)
(E) None of these

4. Why wasn’t Nakul able to win any of the games while gambling ?
(A) He was not a skilful player
(B) He was distracted while playing
(C) The other players were cheating with a trick dice
(D) He was not well versed with local rules
(E) None of these

5. Which of the following best describes the one armed man’s reaction when he met Nakul for the second time ?
(A) He was upset because Nakul refused to honour the debt his father owed him
(B) He was angry at Nakul for laughing at his plight
(C) He was frightened since Nakul had threatened to cut-off his remaining arm
(D) He was worried about what action Nakul would take against him for trying to cheat him
(E) He admired Nakul for outwitting him.

6. Why did Nakul confide in the innkeeper ?
(A) The innkeeper was an old friend of his father
(B) He was drunk and unaware he was confiding in a stranger
(C) He was still upset by his father’s death and wanted to talk to someone
(D) By confiding in the innkeeper he hoped to get information about the local customs
(E) None of these

7. Why did Nakul pay the tavern owner five coins instead of two ?
(A) Not being familiar with the foreign currency he made a mistake
(B) Nakul did not have the exact change
(C) He left a tip to show his appreciation for a good meal
(D) He thought the extra money would make the innkeeper happy
(E) He wanted to create a favourable impression

8. Which of the following can be said about Nakul’s father ?
(A) He was adventurous and had travelled all over the world
(B) He was rich and experienced in the ways of the world
(C) He was prosperous because he had duped a lot of people
(D) He favoured Nakul among all his children
(E) He was poor and knew about various cultures

9. Why did Nakul have a good opinion of the King of the faraway country ?
(1) He encouraged trade and his subjects were prosperous.
(2) He ensured that visitors were treated with hospitality.
(3) There were many facilities for entertainment there.
(A) Only (1)
(B) Only (2)
(C) Both (1) & (3)
(D) Only (3)
(E) None of these

10. What was Nakul’s overall experience in the far-away country ?
(A) It was an unpleasant one and he decided it would be his last trip
(B) It was a profitable one and he learnt a lot
(C) It was stressful and he was glad to return home
(D) It was sad since people kept recounting memories of his father
(E) None of these

Directions—(Q. 11–13) Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in EANING to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

11. conduct
(A) behaviour
(B) handle
(C) action
(D) habits
(E) guide

12. respite
(A) stop
(B) part
(C) delay
(D) rest
(E) relax

13. unknown
(A) undecided
(B) anonymous
(C) renowned
(D) unidentified
(E) unfamiliar

Directions—(Q. 14–15) Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in MEANING to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

14. appeared
(A) evaporated
(B) died
(C) invisible
(D) vanished
(E) faded

15. matching
(A) duplicate
(B) dissimilar
(C) original
(D) identical
(E) single

Directions—(Q. 16–20) In each sentence below four words have been printed in bold which are lettered (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these words may be wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the wrongly spelt or inappropriate word. The letter of that word is the answer. If all the words are correctly spelt and are appropriate the answer is (E), i.e., ‘All Correct.’

16. To find a solution (A) to the problem, we met (B) daily after work and contributed (C) our ideals. (D) All Correct (E)

17. After the presentation (A) it was clearly (B) that they were not interested (C) in financing (D) the project. All Correct (E)

18. In my opinion it will be difficult (A) to persuade (B) the employees to accept (C) these changes (D) in the rules. All Correct (E)

19. This is the first time that he has been selected (A) to give a speech (B) at the anual (C) conference. (D) All Correct (E)

20. Inspite of my attempts (A) to encourage (B) him to continue (C) studying (D) he decided to take up a job All Correct (E)

Directions—(Q. 21–25) Rearrange the following Six sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
(1) At seventy-eight her fingers became too stiff to hold a needle so she began painting.
(2) I decided to tell this boy the story of Ann Moses.
(3) “She began a career at eighty, so if you believe in yourself anything is possible.” I ended.
(4) At the age of twenty-seven, a boy was discouraged about his career.
(5) She struggled hard to raise five children by doing embroidery and working on a farm.
(6) She went on to paint over 2,000 pictures which became famous.

21. Which of the following will be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (2)
(B) (3)
(C) (4)
(D) (5)
(E) (6)

22. Which of the following will be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)

23. Which of the following will be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (4)
(E) (5)

24. Which of the following will be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (2)
(B) (3)
(C) (4)
(D) (5)
(E) (6)

25. Which of the following will be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) (1)
(B) (2)
(C) (3)
(D) (5)
(E) (6)

Directions—(Q. 26–30) Which of the phrases (A), (B) (C) and (D) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentence to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and No Correction is Required, mark (E) as the answer.

26. During the meeting he discussed each of the suggestions and how they are could be implemented.
(A) that they are
(B) why they could
(C) how it could
(D) when there can
(E) No Correction Required

27. When he finished his studies, there was a lot of pressure by him joining our family business.
(A) on him joining
(B) in his joining
(C) on him to join
(D) joining
(E) No Correction Required

28. It is disappointment that the majority of farmers who took loans last year have failed to repay them.
(A) is disappointment in
(B) is disappointing that
(C) is to disappoint
(D) has disappointed to
(E) No Correction Required

29. When I studied engineering thirty years ago, there was less as ten female students in my class.
(A) were smaller than
(B) was little as
(C) was lower than
(D) were less than
(E) No Correction Required

30. Once the manager approves the plans, it was easy convinced the rest of the team.
(A) was easily convinced
(B) will be easy to convince
(C) has easily convinced
(D) being easy to convince
(E) No Correction Required

Directions—(Q. 31–40) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The letter of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E) i.e. ‘No Error’. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any.)

31. It is sad that in (A) / our country education is (B) / available only to those (C) / whom can afford it. (D) No Error (E)

32. I was determined (A) / to learn everything (B) / I could from the people (C) / off the village. (D) No Error (E)

33. During the holidays (A) / I am often worked (B) / in my uncle’s shop to (C) / earn some pocket money. (D) No Error (E)

34. Most banks did not taken (A) / her plan to set up (B) / a factory in (C) / the area seriously. (D) No Error (E)

35. Every year we have (A) / a function where (B) / the children of our staff (C) / is awarded scholarships. (D) No Error (E)

36. Many of the funds (A) / I needed to buy (B) / my own house were (C) / given by my father. (D) No Error (E)

37. Since he was from (A) / the district and able to (B) / speak the language locally, (C) / they trusted him. (D) No Error (E)

38. Every month he would (A) / meet the employees to (B) / discuss their problems (C) / and answer their questions. (D) No Error (E)

39. I had to work full time (A) / so I could not devote (B) / as much time as (C) / I wanted to playing cricket. (D) No Error (E)

40. He did not even (A) / have no property (B) / to sell to (C) / cover his losses. (D) No Error (E)

Directions—(Q. 41–50) In the following passage there are blanks each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each five words are suggested one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

I was born and …(41)… up in a village by my grandparents. We had two granaries to …(42)… the rice that
we grew. …(43)… the better quality ‘white’ rice was kept in the granary in the front of the house, the …(44)… quality ‘red’ rice was kept in the granary at the back. We never had …(45)… money in the house, so those who came to ask for alms were given rice. My grandmother would send me to the front granary to bring rice for them, but when she cooked for …(46)… of us she would use the red rice. I was …(47)… by her behaviour.

One day, I asked her why she did this ? She …(48)… and said something I will never forget. “…(49)… whenever you give something to somebody, give the best in you, never the second best.” …(50)… director of a foundation, if I help people today, it is because of this lesson she taught me.

41. (A) raised
(B) adopted
(C) grown
(D) brought
(E) grew

42. (A) pick
(B) save
(C) supply
(D) cultivate
(E) store

43. (A) Instead
(B) While
(C) Yet
(D) Therefore
(E) For

44. (A) less
(B) worse
(C) defective
(D) inferior
(E) best

45. (A) plenty
(B) vast
(C) lots
(D) sufficiently
(E) much

46. (A) all
(B) remaining
(C) gathering
(D) none
(E) those

47. (A) puzzled
(B) confusing
(C) worrying
(D) frightened
(E) angry

48. (A) pleased
(B) shouted
(C) smiled
(D) advised
(E) hugged

49. (A) remember
(B) pray
(C) memorise
(D) think
(E) appeal

50. (A) when
(B) since
(C) only
(D) perhaps
(E) as

Answers with Explanations
1. (E) 2. (D) 3. (E) 4. (C) 5. (C) 6. (D) 7. (D) 8. (B) 9. (B) 10. (B)
11. (B) 12. (E) 13. (E) 14. (D) 15. (B) 16. (D) Change ‘ideals’ to ‘ideas’.
17. (B) Change ‘clearly’ to ‘clear’.
18. (E)
19. (C) Change ‘anual’ to ‘annual’.
20. (D) Change ‘studying’ to ‘study’.
21. (E) 22. (D) 23. (C) 24. (A) 25. (D)
26. (C) Change ‘how they are could ‘to’ how it ‘could’.
27. (C) Change ‘by him joining’ to ‘on him to join’.
28. (B) Change ‘is disappointment that’ to ‘is disappointing that’.
29. (D) Change ‘was less as’ to ‘were less then’
30. (B) Change ‘was easy convinced’ to ‘will be easy to convince’.
31. (D) Change ‘whom’ to ‘who’
32. (D) Change ‘off’ to ‘of’.
33. (B) Change ‘am often worked’ to ‘often work’.
34. (A) Change ‘did not taken’ to ‘did not take’.
35. (D) Change ‘is’ to ‘are’.
36. (A) Change ‘Many’ to ‘Most’.
37. (C) Change ‘the language locally’ to ‘the local language’.
38. (E)
39. (D) Change ‘playing’ to ‘to play’.
40. (A) Delete ‘did not’ It is redundant.
41. (D) 42. (E) 43. (B) 44. (D) 45. (E) 46. (A) 47. (A) 48. (C) 49. (A) 50. (E)

Election News 2009

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Ten Naxal strikes in five states on polling day, at least 11 killed
Thu, Apr 16 01:35 PM
Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar/Patna/ Raipur/Mumbai, Apr 16 (ANI): A series of Naxal-related attacks rocked five states - Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, disrupting the first phase of the five-phased general elections on Thursday.

At least 11 people were killed, including nine security personnel and two civilians in Jharkhand and Bihar.

According to M L Kumawat, Director General, Border Security Force (BSF) Thursday's was the most violent series of attacks by the rebels.

The first attack took place in Jharkhand's Latehar District, in which nine people including seven BSF personnel were killed.

According to police, the Maoists detonated a landmine under a bus that was ferrying BSF personnel to a polling station near Aara village, about 140 km from Ranch. Later, the Maoists ambushed the BSF bus.

The driver of the vehicle and the attendant, too, were killed in the attack and seven others including polling staff and security personnel are reportedly injured.

According to reports, four poll officers have been kidnapped in Latehar.

In another strike, two home guards were killed when Naxals attacked a police patrol party in Bihar's Gaya district. Six people, including two women were injured in the attack.

The attackers also looted four police rifles and Electronic Voting Machines.

In Chhattisgarh, the Naxals attacked polling booths in Bijapur and Dantewada districts. Two polling parties were forced to return from Jagampal village in Bijapur District.

In South Bastar, the Naxals targeted Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) personnel deployed in Dantewada.

According to reports, blasts also took place at polling booths in Gotabanur and Narayanpur.

Voting will end in Bastar and Kanker seats by 3:00 p.m., while polling stations in the other nine seats will close at 4:00 p.m.

In Orissa, Maoists attacked three polling booths in Andrahill village and set fire to voting machines and a vehicle in Malkangiri district.

In Maharashtra, a police base camp was attacked at Binagundha in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli District.

The Maoists have called for a complete boycott of the polls in the state. (ANI)

ANI

Sikhs in Pakistan pay Rs.20 mn to Taliban

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Thu, Apr 16 01:04 PM
Islamabad, April 16 (IANS) Pakistan's Sikh community has been forced to pay Rs.20 million as 'jizia' (tax) to the Taliban so as to return to their homes and resume business, a newspaper said Thursday.

The minority Sikh community Wednesday met the Taliban demand in return for 'protection' in Orakzai Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the Daily Times reported.The Taliban then released Sikh leader Sardar Saiwang Singh and vacated the community's houses. The militia announced that the Sikhs were now free to live anywhere in the area.
'They also announced protection for the Sikh community, saying no one would harm them after they paid jizia. Sikhs who had left the agency would now return to their houses and resume business,' an official said.

Indo Asian News Service

Supreme Court releases Varun Gandhi for two weeks

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Thu, Apr 16 12:15 PM
New Delhi, Apr.16 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the release of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi on parole for a period of two weeks after it received an undertaking from him that he would not indulge in communally sensitive and hate speeches.

The apex court, however, said that Gandhi would have to give a new undertaking to the District Magistrate of Etah.

Gandhi was booked under the National Security Act (NSA) for an alleged hate speech delivered in his parliamentary constituency of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh last month.

The release of Gandhi came even as the Uttar Pradesh Government, which is headed by Chief Minister Mayawati, said that it would go ahead with a hearing of the NSA case against Gandhi. The State Government said that it has instructed an advisory board to take the matter up. The advisory board is scheduled to meet on April 18.

The BJP welcomed the Supreme Court order. Party spokesman Balbir Punj said that imposing the NSA on Gandhi was a blatant misuse of the law and government by the BSP administration in the state.

On Wednesday, a lawyer representing Varun Gandhi revealed that his client has given an undertaking to the Supreme Court that he will not make any more hate speeches, raising prospects of his early release on bail from the Etah District Jail where he has been lodged under the National Security (NSA) Act.

According to the lawyer, an affidavit has been submitted to Etah District Magistrate Gaurav Dayal in this regard. The affidavit will be forwarded to the Supreme Court that had adjourned the hearing of Varun's bail plea till April 16.

Varun had moved the Supreme Court seeking relief to allow him to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Pilibhit, and according to Dayal, has promised not to give provocative speeches that violate the Constitution or lead to any law and order problem.

"In his affidavit Varun had promised that he will not deliver any hate speech and that he will follow the model code of conduct," news reports quoted Varun''s lawyer Prashant Singh Atal, as saying.

The apex court had said on Monday said Varun''s plea for bail could be accepted only if he comes out with a promise that he will not make provocative speeches during his campaign.

Varun''s affidavit also states that his actions were not in violation of Constitution and that he has obeyed the law. (ANI)

ANI


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Richest politicians

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Thu, 16 Apr 2009 India Today
A lean bare man on the banks of a river near Champaran, his eyes moist with sadness, letting go of his shawl for a poor woman downstream to cover herself and her child. This poignant moment from Richard Attenborough's biopic on Gandhi is perhaps the most eloquent image of selfless politics.
The gentle giant loved as Bapu and revered as the Mahatma epitomised the philosophy of public service as one who gave up everything to be one among the huddled millions. Nearly a century later there is little evidence in reel or real life of the high moral ground once straddled by that generation.
The brazen parade of the Prada Prado set zipping across cities in cavalcades, appropriating security funded by public money is evidence that politics has since morphed into a largely self-serving enterprise. The pretense of khadi and Gandhian values went out of vogue with the Gandhi cap long before the Gucci generation stormed the political arena in the 1980s.
The transition is best described by Rajiv Gandhi who said at the Congress Centenary in Mumbai in 1985 that politics has been reduced to brokers of power and influence, who dispense patronage to convert mass movement into feudal oligarchy . Yes there are those who enter politics to serve the public cause but they are exceptions rather than the rule. Entering public life is now an investment of time and effort for dividends to be earned from political entrepreneurship. A joint study by INDIA TODAY and EmpoweringIndia.org (an initiative of the Liberty Institute) of the reported assets of our elected representatives reveals a startling contrast between the rulers and the ruled.
In a country where over 77 per cent of the populace, or an estimated 836 million people, earn an income of Rs 20 per day and over 300 million are living below the poverty line, nearly half the Rajya Sabha members and nearly a third of those from the Lok Sabha are worth a crore and more. Just the top ten Rajya Sabha members and the top ten Lok Sabha members have reported a cumulative net asset worth Rs 1,500 crore. The 10 top losers in the last Lok Sabha polls including Nyimthungo of Nagaland who reported total assets of Rs 9,005 crore is Rs 9,329 crore. Members of legislative assemblies seem wealthier than many MPs. The top five MLAs across the 30 states are worth Rs 2,042 crore. Of these 150 crorepati MLAs, 59 don't even have a PAN card.
1. T. Subbarami Reddy
Indian National Congress
Rajya Sabha, Andhra Pradesh
Total Assets: Rs 239.6 cr
2. Jaya Bachchan
Samajwadi Party
Rajya Sabha, Uttar Pradesh
Total Assets: Rs 214.3 cr
3. Rahul Bajaj
Independent
Rajya Sabha, Maharashtra
Total Assets: Rs 190. 6 cr
4. Anil H. Lad
Indian National Congress
Rajya Sabha, Karnataka
Total Assets: Rs 175 cr
5. M. Krishnappa
Indian National Congress
MLA, Vijay Nagar, Karnataka
Total Assets: Rs 136 cr
6. MAM Ramaswamy
Janata Dal (Secular)
Rajya Sabha, Karnataka
Total Assets Rs 107.7 cr
7. Anand Singh
BJP
MLA, Vijayanagara, Karnataka
Total Assets: Rs 239 cr
8. Anil V. Salgaocar
Independent
MLA, Sanvordem, Goa
Total Assets: Rs 91.4 cr
9. N.A. Haris
Indian National Congress
MLA, Shanti Nagar, Karnataka
Total Assets: Rs 85.3 cr
10. Mahendra Mohan
Samajwadi Party
Rajya Sabha, Uttar Pradesh
Total Assets: Rs 85 cr
And don't look for a correlation between the state of the state and the wealth of the legislators. Uttar Pradesh boasts of the largest number of people 59 million or over a third of its population living below the poverty line. Not only is Mayawati the richest chief minister in 30 states, the state also boasts of 113 crorepati MLAs. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh which has over 25 million of the 60 million people living below the poverty line boasts of 80 crorepati MLAs. The Marxists are the stark exception in this study too. The CPI(M) has 301 MLAs across 10 states but has only two MLAs with declared assets of over Rs 1 crore. Of the 537 candidates who contested on a CPI(M) ticket, only seven had assets of over Rs 1 crore, of which five lost in the elections.
As the old maxim goes, power begets power and money attracts riches. Clearly, it pays to be in power. Take the last round of Assembly elections which afforded the study an opportunity to compare the increase in wealth. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh where the BJP was in power, the average assets of candidates increased by five times.
In Karnataka too where the Congress ruled in rotation with Deve Gowda's JD(S), Congress candidates reported a fivefold rise in their assets. Mercifully, wealth doesn't always ensure success. In all, 365 crorepatis contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2004; 88 lost their deposits, and 114 came second.
Last December in Delhi the Congress learnt this important lesson again when they found that Congress candidates who lost in Delhi were on an average richer than those who won. But wealth clearly does matter, all other things being constant.
The caveat emptor here, as with all matters concerning transparency in public life, is that we are going by what the political class has chosen to declare. After all, the statement of assets filed by candidates is at best a confession of sorts mandated by two Supreme Court judgements of May 2002 and March 2003.
There are several gaps in the information available. Of the 542 Lok Sabha members, details of assets are available for only 522. Similarly in the Rajya Sabha, only 215 members have filed details of assets.
There is no institutional mechanism to cross-check facts, nor is there a requirement for candidates to declare the source of wealth, or the increase in wealth of candidates in subsequent declarations. In Mizoram for instance, none of the 10 top candidates have reported possessing a PAN card even though their wealth is in excess of Rs 1 crore.
What is worse is that although MPs who are ministers file annual statements of their assets, the information is not available to the public. This virtually negates the concept of scrutiny that would prevent misuse of position of power and enrichment. Indeed, what should be openly available is denied even under the Right to Information Act.
It is tragic that the Office of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who has been described as integrity personified has been made party to this decision to deny the information. Again, while Central ministers are required to file a statement of assets, there is no such requirement for ministers in states.
The adulterous cohabitation of power and pelf is conspicuous across the political spectrum. The chasm between the declared and perceived reality is all too obvious to be missed. Contrast the wealth reported and wealthy lifestyles of those elected to high office.
Clearly the tip of the benami iceberg has not even been touched. In a country with a stark asymmetry in opportunities and ability, political power enables bending and twisting of policy, converting politics into the elevator politicians ride to reach the pot of gold. Living room conversations in middle and upper middle class homes are dotted with whose son, daughter or son-in-law is raking it in using the benami route to accumulate property and assets.
Television footage of currency notes being waved in Parliament during the last trust vote, the airborne campaigns witnessed during the polls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, money spent in fielding dummy candidates, funding of party offices, travel in Toyota SUVs costing over Rs 75 lakh each and private charters that politicians avail of to fly within the country are all pointers that are hard to ignore.
Bankers and brokers talk in not so hushed tones about the role of politicians in corporate scams. There is also speculation about the real beneficiary and benami ownership of at least two airlines, several real estate ventures, pharmaceutical units and infrastructure companies. The corporate concept of 'sleeping partner' has a whole new connotation in the political world. As long as the real incomes, wealth and funding of politicians remain opaque, governance will continue to suffer and democracy will be rendered more often on the liability side in the balance sheet of development.
Television footage of currency notes being waved in Parliament during the last trust vote, the airborne campaigns witnessed during the polls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, money spent in fielding dummy candidates, funding of party offices, travel in Toyota SUVs costing over Rs 75 lakh each and private charters that politicians avail of to fly within the country are all pointers that are hard to ignore.
Bankers and brokers talk in not so hushed tones about the role of politicians in corporate scams. There is also speculation about the real beneficiary and benami ownership of at least two airlines, several real estate ventures, pharmaceutical units and infrastructure companies. The corporate concept of 'sleeping partner' has a whole new connotation in the political world. As long as the real incomes, wealth and funding of politicians remain opaque, governance will continue to suffer and democracy will be rendered more often on the liability side in the balance sheet of development.
with Sangram K. Parhi and Shyamlal Yadav
Empowering India www.EmpoweringIndia.org has diligently tried to compile over 45,000 affidavits of candidates who contested for state assemblies and Lok Sabha seats, in the past five years. In this process of digitisation, there are possibilities of errors. We will greatly appreciate if the readers point out any mistakes that come to their notice. For authentic copies of affidavits, please consult the web site of Election Commission of India.
Content courtesy: www.indiatoday.in/bts
Shankkar Aiyar

Profile: Lalu Prasad Yadav

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Among the most charismatic of politicians in India, the incumbent Union Railways Minister and RJD President, Lalu Prasad Yadav began his political career early and was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1977 as a 29-year-old. A sitting MP from Chapra, Bihar, here's more on Lalu Prasad Yadav:
Date of Birth - June 11, 1948
Place of Birth - Phulwaria, Bihar
Father - Late Kundan Rai
Mother - Marachhiya Devi
Marital Status - Rabri Devi
Sons -2, Daughters - 7
Positions held in public life:
1977 - Elected to the 6th Lok Sabha as a 29 year-old
1990-1997 - Bihar Chief Minister
1996 - National President of Janata Dal
1997 - National President of the newly formed RJD
2004 - Union Railways Minister
Lalu Yadav's declared assets:
Bank balance - INR 12.22 lakh
Immovable assets - nil
60 cows and 36 calves - INR 10 lakh
Vehicle - 1990 model Maruti 800 - INR 15000/
1977 military disposal jeep - INR 10000/
The affidavit of his wife Rabri Devi (former Bihar CM) and his children indicate that they are richer than Lalu himself. (Source: PTI)
Education:
B.A., LL.B.
Educated at Patna University, Patna, Bihar
Lalu and his team have been credited with turning the fortunes of the Indian Railways, which was until then a loss-making organization.
After his Railways success, Lalu had been invited by several top Business Schools that included IIM-A and Ivy League schools to address their students.
Laluisms:
I will make Bihar's roads as smooth as Hema Malini's cheeks.
When people see how I manage to work my way out of tough situations, it gives them hope in their own life.
If you do not milk the cow fully, it falls sick.
I work so much. If I don't get all the comforts, I will turn mad.
On forming a separate front with SP and LJP, Lalu said, "We are here to show the country that we are united. We will continue to work together after the Lok Sabha polls, even in the next Assembly elections. We have nothing to do with the Third Front. We are still with the UPA."
On Varun Gandhi: "If I were the country's home minister, and if Varun had said this, then I would have run a roller over his chest and thought about the consequences later."

Source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/slideshow/profile-lalu-prasad-yadav.html

Israeli missile deal major poll issue: CPI-M

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Israeli missile deal major poll issue: CPI-M 
Tue, Apr 14 10:27 PM

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tuesday said a $1.4 billion missile deal India has signed with Israel would be a major issue during the Lok Sabha polls, the first phase of which commences Thursday.
'It is already a major issue in Kerala. In West Bengal also, this issue will come up as part of a larger question as to how the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has dealt with alleged cases of corruption,' CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat told reporters here.
'This Rs.10,000-crore deal was signed only two days before the elections were announced. We have been writing to the prime minister for the last one year not to sign the deal,' Karat said.
The CPI-M leader said: 'The same government had filed an FIR against a former defence minister for alleged irregularity in a defence deal involving the same company. So we will make this a major issue.'
The deal, for the supply by Israel Aerospace Industries of an anti-missile air defence system, was signed in February but made public only in March. It is the biggest defence deal between the two countries.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony has defended the deal, saying it was 'clean' and contains a clause providing for its cancellation if it is proved kickbacks were involved.
Karat also referred to the alleged scam related to 2G spectrum allocation by the telecom ministry.
'The licenses given were undervalued. These companies are selling them at five or six times the amount. The total loss to the exchequer is Rs.one lakh crore,' he said.
Karat said his party had asked for a probe, but the government had refused this.
Asked about his party's alliance with Abdul Nasser Madani's People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Kerala, Karat said the PDP had supported the Congress in 2001 on the condition that the party secure Madani's release from jail in connection with the Coimbatore blasts.
In 2006, Madani accused the Congress of betrayal and supported the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).
'Madani has been acquitted in the blast case. We have not entered into an alliance with him. If they support us, why should we reject their support?' he asked.
Karat, on the contrary, accused the Congress of trying up with an 'extremist organisation' in Kerala, the National Development Front.
'It's name may sound very innocuous. But intelligence reports say that it is extremist and violence prone. Such organisations should not be encouraged,' Karat maintained.

Indo Asian News Service 

Source:http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090414/818/tnl-israeli-missile-deal-major-poll-issu.html

Reuters.com - Indians help Africa's leather trade whip recession

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Indians help Africa's leather trade whip recession
Wed Apr 15 02:54:12 UTC
By Katrina Manson

OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - In the sulphurous stench of a Ouagadougou tanning factory, leather technician Riyaz Kamal checks the thickness of a goat hide which may end up as a pair of Italian designer shoes.

Kamal is one of three Indians working at Burkina Faso's only tannery who left their homeland for a country ranked the world's second least developed by the United Nations, lured by the prospect of higher pay.

"In India you have to get more experience -- experienced technicians only can get more money there. So here I'm getting more than I can earn in India," said Kamal, whose income at the Tan-Aliz plant is nearly three times what he earned in India.

The firm and its 300 workers are part of a lucrative global trade, supplying some of the biggest fashion labels including Italy's Gucci.

However, the global downturn has sent demand for luxury products tumbling and Burkina's nascent leather industry is feeling the effects of the credit crunch.

"There is a lot of reduction in demand ... because of that even I have huge stock here, which needs to be sold," said Tan-Aliz's general manager, Mahanmadou Ouedraogo, sitting on a pile of neatly bundled white sacks lying unsold.

When the Group of 20 world leaders met in London in early April to discuss their response to the economic crisis, critics reminded rich governments they must not abandon the poor countries that will feel the brunt and are likely to face rising poverty and social unrest.

The World Trade Organisation has forecast global commerce will shrink by 9 percent this year, its biggest contraction since World War Two, because of falling demand.


LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN

Moving to this hot, dusty and landlocked country was a leap into the unknown for the three Indian leather experts.

They packed Spanish phrasebooks only to discover that Burkina Faso -- a country they had never heard of -- speaks more French. They struggled over how to pronounce their new city's tongue-twisting name: "Wa-ga-du-gu".

It is a far cry from the leather industry they grew up with in India, where the city of Chennai alone has nearly 1,000 tanneries and shoe factories. In Burkina, Tan-Aliz is the only one and it does not yet produce shoes.

Its hides may come from village goats and sheep, but they go to some glamorous destinations: between 70 and 80 percent are exported to Italy, and a small quantity to Spain and India.

Tanning is an important chance to earn foreign revenue for the poor former French colony, which depends mostly on cotton.

Tan-Aliz, the largest leather plant in this part of West Africa, processes 25,000 skins a day and turns over 5 billion CFA francs ($10.5 million) a year, mopping up 85 percent of all Burkina's goat and sheep skins.

Ouedraogo has limited options for weathering the economic and trade crisis. He hopes to develop finished products for the local market, such as shoes, sofas and briefcases, but for now domestic buyers make up only 3 percent of the market.

There is not a customer in sight at the Tan-Aliz factory boutique, filled with bags etched with images of local drums and brightly coloured sofas too expensive for most people here.

Despite the downturn, the factory is so hungry for more and better skins -- it is not currently reaching its capacity of 30,000 a day -- that it is even setting up in Niger, too.


ASIA THE ANSWER

As with many industries, he hopes the answer to his problems may lie with Asia.

"China, definitely, also can give us a new opportunity because it is a huge market, and you have also the possibility to sell a range of articles," he said.

Growing the leather industry should help reduce Burkina Faso's dependence on cotton farming, which makes it especially exposed to market fluctuations. Cotton prices have nearly halved in the past year because of global uncertainty.

"There is a need, a very acute need, for the economy to get transformed and to get diversified in order to cushion against this vulnerability," said Galina Sotirova, country representative for the World Bank.

Livestock and associated products already account for 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product and are the second largest source of export income after cotton, accounting for 25 percent of the country's total exports.

"The skins industry profits the nation greatly -- the state just as much as the population," said Smalya Traore, a factory employee sorting through incoming skins in the open air before sending them into the factory for treatment.

The Indian workers are happy to be here, too.

"My boss is taking care of us Indians here. He has given everything to us, more than what we expect," said Kamal, explaining that, while Indian employers yell a lot, his Burkinabe boss has never raised his voice.

Kamal and his two Indian co-workers, part of a 150-strong Indian community, cook curry at home and regularly go to see Bollywood movies in cinema-loving Ouagadougou, which hosts Africa's FESPACO film festival every two years.

"In another country we are watching our Indian films, so it boosts us," said Kamal, whose wife has just given birth thousands of miles away and who sent pictures of his baby via the Internet. "It feels just like we are in India."



© Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved. 2009


Pakistan seals sharia deal

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Pakistan seals sharia deal
Pakistan's President has signed an accord to put some of the country under Islamic law as part of efforts to end a Taliban insurgency despite fears it would encourage extremism.




Kasab's mother to meet him in India: Pranab

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Mumbai/Jangipur, WB (PTI): The mother of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman in the Mumbai terror attack case, is coming to India to meet him, as the stage is set for the start of the trial of the Pakistani national in Mumbai on Wednesday.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee referred to the visit of Kasab's mother while stressing that Pakistan should not delay investigations on the pretext of clarifications, a day after Islamabad sought more specific information from New Delhi on its probe into the Mumbai attacks.
Kasab is currently lodged in a high security central prison in Arthur road in Mumbai.
Mr. Mukherjee told reporters at Jangipur in West Bengal it was a reality that many people were killed in the Mumbai attacks, one terrorist had been arrested and that he had made certain confessions. His mother was also coming to Mumbai to meet him, he said.
"These are the realities. These are the facts. If somebody wants to evade and avoid these facts, what can we do?" he asked.
"The matter should not be delayed on this or that issue, or on this or that clarification. We are prepared to give them any information that they want, provided we have the information," Mr. Mukherjee said.

Election Basics: Voting myths

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Content courtesy: www.jaagore.com
1.I can vote only from my place of birth/permanent residence
Not true! You can register to vote from any place in India so long as you're an eligible voter i.e.
You're an Indian citizen.
You're 18 years of age or older.
You've been an ordinary resident, which means that you've been staying at your current address for at least 6 months (not 5 years, another myth!).
You're not registered elsewhere.
2.I do not have sufficient proof of residence to register as a voter
Are you sure? Most voters, who think they lack necessary documents, actually do have them. Did you know that the house lease agreement, mobile or landline bills or your driver's license are all accepted types of address proof documents? Moreover, this document is required only for the BLO (Booth Level Officer) to come and verify your residence status. It is therefore not essential for the address proof document to directly have your name, but needs to only have the address of the place where you are staying. You can use address proof document on the name of your parents, relatives, friends etc. with whom you are staying.Students, who are eligible voters, can register even from their hostels by submitting the Student Declaration Form signed by their college dean/principal/registrar along with the voter registration form.
3.Voter id card is essential for voting
This is one of the most common voting myths! Though voter identification is required by most states during voting, Voter ID card is not the only form of identification that is accepted. The Election Commission of India accepts most of the common documents as identity proof such as PAN card, driving license, ration card, student's ID card, passport etc. In any case, it's a good idea to get your Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) since the Election Commission may make it mandatory in the future.What is essential for voting however is that your name should be mentioned in the latest voters list of your constituency. How do you get to know that now? Simple, use our online voter search engine.
4.Registering to vote is a very cumbersome process
We would have agreed with you, but not anymore! Now you can easily register to vote on this website with the following steps:
Fill out the online voter registration form on the Jaago Re! website (www.jaagore.com). It's easy and takes only 3 minutes!
Take a printout of PDF form (4 pages) generated after you complete your online registration. Take the printout of the main voter registration form (2 pages) in back-to-back format and fill in other details (eg. name of family members already registered), if applicable
Sign and submit this Form along with necessary address proof and identity proof document, at the office of your local Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). You will find this address and its location on your city map which you can see on the first page of the PDF form generated online. DO NOT forget to ask the receipt for your application.
Confirm your form submission with Jaago Re! by messaging *"vote confirm" to 56767 from your mobile number, as registered under your profile. Once your address verification is completed by a government official (BLO), your name will be included in the next revision of voter lists for your city. We will track and confirm your status of voter registration by email and SMS, as soon as your city voter lists get revised!
5.The only 2 kinds of elections are parliamentry and assembly elections
As a registered voter you can vote in more than 2 elections! Besides Parliamentary and Assembly elections, you can also vote in your Local Body Elections or Municipal Elections (as called in cities).India has a 3 tier federal structure with governments at the union, state and local levels. In cities, the Municipal Corporation is your Local Body or Local Government, and you can vote in Municipal Elections once every 5 years to elect your Corporator or Councilor. They in turn elect the municipal council and the mayor, who take all major decisions affecting your city. To learn more about how your city's governance works, please visit your respective CITY page on this website. In villages, the Gram Panchayat functions as the Local Government with elections once every 5 years.Additionally, if you are residing at Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra or Uttar Pradesh and belong either to Teacher's Constituency or Graduate Constituency, you are also eligible to vote for Legislative Council elections, to elect your MLC.

Event June 2008

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Palace Turns Musuem
2.Phoenix Mars Lander begins digging
*Acar bomb blast outside Danish embassy in Islamabad kills 6.
3.UN Secretary General urges the food crisis summit in Rome to help spread of starvation by lowering trade barriers and removing export bans,4. Barack Obama claims Democratic presidential nomination, after an epic battle with Hillary Clinton
*$3 b. of emergency aid an­nounced by the UN in Rome to meet the global food crisis.

.5. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd suggests a European Union style bloc comprising India, USA,China and Australia for Asia Pacific cooperation
*Hillary Clinton endorses herrival Barack Obama putting an end to her campaign for nomination
*Maoists stake claim for Nepal Prime Minister
*Astronauts open a new science lab in ISS
*Deposed Nepal King Gyanendra to move to a palace outside Kathmandu

6. 23 killed in two blasts in Sri Lanka
*Turkisu court overturns a law allowing women to wear the head scarf at university
*Hillary and Obama hold meeting

7. Oil prices shoot to over $139
*Musharraf says he is not quitting
*A row erupts over plans to instal Hitler in Madame Tussaud's new Berlin museum
*Serbia's Ana Ivanovic wins French Open
*Prachanda rejects G.P. Koirala's candi­dature for President of Nepal proposed by Nepali Congress
*An Israeli Minister's threat that a military attack on Iran could become inevitable spurs oil prices

8. Mine explosion in Ukraine trips 37, kills four
*ANC chief jacob Zuma in New Delhi
*Ratael Nadal equals Bjorn Borg's record for four consecutive French Open crowns, beating Federer
*Man goes on' stabbing spree in Tokyo, killing 7
*oSouth Asians in Durban threatened with violence if they don't pack their bags and leave.

9. Iran opposes move for US bases in Iraq
*Bangladesh Government imposes a gag order on Sheikh Hasina.

10. Saudi Arabia calls for a meeting of oil produces
*Venczuela and Cuba to install an under sea optical fibre cable connecting the two to counter US embargo
*Irish voters go to the polls for a referendum on the Lisbon treaty
*Cazprom expects oil to hit $250

11.29 die as a Sudanese airliner bursts into flames on landing at Khartoum
*Sheikh Hasina released on parole for eight weeks
*Nepal's former king Gyanendra vacates Narayanhiti palace

12.Sheikh Hasina leaves Dhaka for US for medical treatment

13.Irish 'No' to Lisbon Treaty, leads to EU crisis
*China and Taiwan sign agree­ments to improve flight connectivity and tourism
*President George Bush has a special protocol audience with the Pope.

14.Earthquake of 7.2 magnitude jolts northern japan
*PCB reduces Shoaib Akhtar's 5-year ban for indiscipline to 18 months
*'Discovery' lands safely at Kennedy Space Centre after delivering part of a lab to ISS
*1100 inmates escape from Afghan jail when Taliban rebels blast it open
*lran not to halt uranium enrichment despite fresh Rafael Nadal EU incentives.

15.Narayanhiti palace in Kathmandu becomes a national museum
*GJM begins Darjeeling bandh
*Afghan president Karzai warn" Pakistan over 'terrorist nests'
*China has bumper qrain harvests for the fifth year
*I thiopia appeals tor $325 rn. in aid, as people needing emergency assistance are around 4.6 m
*Floods in Lowa.

16.Crude price touches 5140
*Nepal's Prachanda wins the country's top peace award alonq with jimmy Carter
*12 policemen killed by LTTE suicide bomber in Vavuniya
*Hundreds of families flee their homes in southern Afghanistan as Taliban insurgents take over several villages.

17.California begins issuing same-sex marriage licences.

19.Crude rises to $1 37 a barrel e Severe flooding in US Midwest
*Senator John McCain wants 45 new nuclear reactors built in the US by 2030
*Suu Kyi is 63, confined to her home for 12 years

20.Maoist ministers quit Nepal ministry after they fail to agree on power-sharing
*About 100 Japanese committed suicide everyday last year.

21.China accepts Sikkirn as a part of India
*UPA allies don't favour early election
*IAEA chief EI-Baradei warns against Iran attack.

22.in Zimbabwe, Tsvanqiri quits race, as he thinks a tree and felir poll is impossible .
*In Jeddah meeting of oil-producting and consuming countries Indian F.M. proposes a price band mechanism to regulate oil prices
*Philippines ferry capsizes: hundreds feared dead.

23.Navvaz Sharif barred from contesting parliamentary by-elections
*Zimbabwe Tsvanqirai takes refuge at Dutch embassy.

25.Seven Party Alliance of Nepal agree on constitution amendment
*'Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai wants political prisoners released before talks
*28 tribal leaders killed by Taliban
*Proliferation of jelly fish in seas resulting from climate change and overfishing

26.G.P. Koirala resigns as PM of Nepal
*North Korea hands over detailed nuclear list to China
*Afghanistan accuses Pakistan intelligence of organising the failed plot to kill Karzai
*Al-Qaeda bid to regroup in Saudi Arabia foiled by Riyadh.

27.Crude oil rises to $142 a barrel
*North Korea's nuclear tower demolished
*US Supreme Court upholds an individual's right to have a gun.

28.PPP for Kashmir autonomy
*Nelson Mandela is 90.

29.Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the final ofthe Euro 2008 in Vienna. Xavi Fernandez voted player of Euro '08
*Robert Mugabe sworn in Zimbabwe President, for the sixth time
*US Senate approves a Bill to remove Nelson Mandela from a terror watch list
*Nethertands bans smoking in cafes from July 1

30.OPEC says oil prices might touch $170 in a few months
*Prince Charles sets up a £ one b. investment fund for sustainable urban development
*Crude rises to $ 143 a barrel.

Flag List-Africa

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CONGO REPUBLIC OF THE

CONGO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE

COMOROS

CHAD

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

CAPE VERDE

CAMEROON

BURUNDI

BURKINA FASO

BOTSWANA

BENIN

ANGOLA

ALGERIA