NATIONAL OCTOBER 2009

NATIONAL OCTOBER 2009

• According to Registrar General of India, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) for the year 2008 was 53 per 1000 infants which were 57 per 1000 in 2006. The least IMR was in Kerala – 16 per 1000. 
  
• The highest broad-gauge railway line from Anantnag to Kajigund in Kashmir was started by the Prime Minister. It was built on an altitude of 1772m. 
  
• The Election Commission has recognised Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena as a State party in Maharashtra and will allot a permanent election symbol of the party’s choice. 
  
• India has declared itself free from the Avian Influenza (H5N1). The notification was issued to the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) on October 22. A country can declare itself free from birdflu, if there is no outbreak for three months. With the declaration, the country can hope to revive its poultry trade. 
  
  India notified the outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Assam (18 epicentres), West Bengal (11) and Sikkim (1) between November 2008 and May 2009. 
  
• Indian Pilgrims were advised not to visit Pakistan as the country is witnessing terror attacks regularly. 
  
• Pranab Mukherjee started National Skill Development Corporation in New Delhi. It’s a public private partnership organization which aims to develop skills for 30% people by 2022.
  
• Congress and NCP alliance has won in the general assembly elections of Maharashtra. Asok Chavan was elected as the Chief Minister. Congress won 82 seats, NCP -62 and BJP and Sivasena – 90 out of 268 seats. 
  
  In Haryana, Congress won 40 seats, Indian National Lokda(INLD) – 31 and BJP – 4. Bhupinder Singh Hooda was re-elected as the CM.
  
  In Arunachal Pradesh too Congress stood out as the single major party. Dorjee Khandu was re-elected as the CM.

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF) would jointly initiate “National Institute for Research on Climate and Environment” in Bangalore. The institute would use space-based and ground-based observation systems to create an indigenous “nucleus” for research into all issues relating to climate, including the impact of climate change on aspects of the economy such as agriculture and water.
  
• Two satellites would be launched between 2010 and 2011 to measure and monitor greenhouse gases. While a micro-satellite would be launched in 2010 to study aerosols, another dedicated satellite in 2011 would monitor greenhouse gases such as methane and trace gases.
  
• Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari released a book, 'Unleashing India, Water: Elixir of Life' authored by Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily, which makes a strong case for a changeover from the existing conventional method of flow or flood irrigation to total coverage under drip and sprinkler methods. Mr Moily dedicated the book to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.
  
• 2010 was declared as the year of Tigers. ‘The Year of the Tiger’ will start on February 14th at Corbett National Park.
  
• The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) has appointed Abdul Rahman as special Ambassador to Kashmir. 
  
• On the eve of 50th anniversary of Panchayat Raj system, 2009-10 was declared as the year of “Gramasabha”. The NREG Act was renamed as Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act. 
  
• Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were affected with severe floods. 
  
• The Centre has declared dolphins a national aquatic animal in order to save the rare freshwater species from disappearing from the country's aqua map.