GENERAL NEWS – MARCH & APRIL 2009

Sunday, March 08th 2009
Telescope launched by NASA
NASA launched its telescope 'Kepler' into space late on the night of 6th March 2009. The telescope was launched on a historic voyage to hunt for other planets like the Earth in the Milky Way galaxy. Kepler's mission will continue for at least three and half years and will cost $600 million. 

Thursday, March 19th 2009
Naipaul, Mahasweta Devi short listed for Man Booker International
Noted Bengali writer Mahasweta Devi and the Trinidad based writer of Indian origin V S Naipaul are among the 14 authors from across the globe to have been short listed for the Man Booker International prize. The 60,000 pounds worth prize recognizes the lifetime achievement of a litterateur. The 14 authors who have been short listed come from 12 countries and seven of the works are in translation.

Friday, April 17th 2009
ISRO to put high end satellite in orbit on Monday
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will put its first radar imaging satellite (Risat) in orbit on Monday the 20th of April. The Risat is capable of watching the Earth under all weather conditions, day and night. ISROs launch vehicle the PSLV (C-12) will take off with the satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. The Risat will be put in an orbit 550 kilometers from the Earth.

Tuesday, April 28th 2009
Yesteryear's actor Feroze Khan passes away
Bollywood actor, director and producer Feroze Khan who had been battling cancer for the past one year passed away at his farmhouse in Bangalore early on April 27th. His son actor Fardeen Khan performed the burial rites in Bangalore. Some of his well known works in Bollywood have been movies like Dharmatma, Qurbani, Dayavan and Jaanbaaz. Qurbani (1980) was his biggest career hit. He was also known as bollywood's ultimate style icon.

Wednesday, April 29th 2009
TCS CEO awarded top British honor
Tata Consultancy Services' Chief Executive and Director Mr. S Ramadorai has been honoured with a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to Indo-British economic relations. The honor was conferred by Vicki Treadell, the British deputy high commissioner in Mumbai.