Current Affairs February 2014
Eminent painter Mr. Prokash Karmakar passed away
The veteran Indian painter Mr. Prokash Karmakar (81) passed away in Kolkata due to age related illness. The painter was best known for his landscapes and nudes.
About Mr. Prokash Karmakar
- Born: 1933 in Kolkata.
- Inspired by the works of Picasso and other masters of the 19th century Impressionism.
- Works: Permanent collections of the National Gallery of Modern Art, Lalit Kala Akademi in Delhi and Lucknow Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata.
- Awards: Lalit Kala Akademi National Award, RabindraBharatiUniversity Award, BirlaAcademy of Art and Culture, Calcutta, etc.
- His Official Website: http://www.prokashkarmakar.com/
His paintings reflect his perception and interpretation of nature (both orderly and chaotic), life (both rural and urban), and form (from soft to sharp), without reference to religion.
German Chancellor Ms. Angela Merkel awarded Israel’s highest civilian honor
The German Chancellor Ms. Angela Merkel awarded the Presidential Medal of Distinction (Israel’s highest civilian honor) by the President of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres. She was awarded with this medal for her firm commitment to the security of Israel along with her fight against anti-Semitism and racism in particular through education.
About Presidential Medal of Distinction (Israel’s highest civilian honor)
- The medal features the North Star (to symbolize the (“right path”) and a seven-branched menorah or Jewish candelabrum – the symbol of Israel – inscribed with the phrase “From his shoulders and upward,” from the Book of Samuel 9:2.
- Open to Israeli citizens and non-citizens.
- Awarded every year by the President to a person for his/her extraordinary contribution to the country.
- Past recipients of the medal: U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra director Zubin Mehta, human rights activist Elie Wiesel, etc.
Note: Anti-Semitism is a hostile belief or behavior towards Jews as a religious or racial group and the term was coined in 1879 by the German agitator, Wilhelm Marr to designate the anti-Jewish campaigns underway in central Europe at that time. The person who holds the position of ant-Semitism is known as anti-Semite.
National Lok Adalat to be held in Nagpur on April 12, 2014
Due to large number of pending cases, the District Legal Services Authority is organizing a National Lok Adalat at Nagpur on April 12, 2014.
- The National Lok Adalat will be conducted at all levels right from the Supreme Court, High Courts, it benches upto the Taluka Courts.
- The mechanism of Lok Adalats available for disposal and resolution of disputes will be used to clear pending cases at the earliest by sorting out suitable ones.
In the National Lok Adalat, cases viz. criminal compoundable cases, negotiable instrument act Cases U/S 138, motor accident claim petitions, accident information report (AIR), state transport cases and matrimonial and family courts cases will be taken into account.
NTPC to set up Kajra Thermal Project in Bihar
NTPC will set up a 1,320 MW thermal power project at Kajra in Lakhisarai district of Bihar. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NTPC, Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL) and Lakhisarai Bijlee Company Private Limited (LBCPL) at Patna in Bihar.
- Estimated cost of the project: Approx Rs. 9200 crore.
- The plant would have two units of 660 MW each.
Note: In the joint venture, NTPC would have 74% stake and the rest would be with BSPGCL.
