GENERAL NEWS INDIA – NOV. & DECEMBER 2009

Thursday, November 26th 2009
India remembers, Mumbai attacks: one year on
Ceremonies were held in Mumbai to mark the first anniversary of a series of devastating attacks on this day on the city by militants. The attacks, which began on 26 November 2008 and lasted nearly three days and left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen. A court in Pakistan charged seven people in connection with the attacks, including alleged mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi - head of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba on Wednesday. 

Tuesday, December 01st 2009
After Kaiga N-plant vigil to be tightened says Govt
Following the Kaiga Nuclear plant sabotage case the government has asked for more strict rules of vigil at the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd(NPCIL) facility at Mallapur. It has been termed as an act of mischief by the corporation and the government where around 50 employees at the facility were found to have been exposed to radiations as traces of tritium treated water(heavy water D20) was found in a water cooler. A small unit of heavy water (D20) was mixed in a water cooler. And all those who drank water from that particular water cooler were tested a little high level of radiation effects. As the threat of 'Insider collusion' which is a distinct possibility at atomic plants like Kaiga , former Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) chairman A Gopalakrishnan suggested that AERB given a predominant role in internal security monitoring at atomic plants. The NPCIL has 17 atomic plants across the country. The Prime Minsiter has how ever clarified that the incident at Kaiga will not have any bearing on India's International nuclear programme.

Friday, December 04th 2009
India decides to reduce emissions by 20-25%
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh announced in the Lok Sabha about India's decision to reduce its carbon intensity levels by 20-25% on its 2005 levels over the next 11 years. The minister pointed out that India had already achieved 17.6% reduction in carbon intensity between 1990 and 2005. However this move could restrict the country's economic options. The planning commission is certain that the target could be achieved as it would be part of the Low Carbon growth Plan included in the 12th five year plan.

Tuesday, December 08th 2009
India and Russia sign trade and Nuclear deals
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev had a formal meeting on Monday to give the bilateral ties between the two countries a well needed nudge in the right direction. The meeting resulted in a good many agreements which included the establishing of a credit line worth $100 million. PM Singh also discussed issues concerning security and N-trade. Both nations signed a nuclear agreement which is expected to give a momentum to India's nuclear trade. President Medvedev also clarified that the civil nuclear co operation pact with India would not be affected by the G8 statement.