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EDITORIAL

The fate of this State election has repercussions, nationally No matter who wins, the Karnataka Assembly election is set to redraw the political landscape at the national level prior to the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. True, elections are due later this year in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, but the Karnataka verdict could colour these too. Winning Karnataka is essential for the BJP’s plans to present itself as a truly pan-Indian party, one with a presence in the south. It will also provide a fillip to its unrealistic boast of creating a Congress-mukt Bharat. For the Congress, Karnataka is critical. It is the only really large State where it is in power and the only one in the south, if we discount Puducherry. It is nowhere close to being a contender in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and currently is a poor second to the TRS in Telangana and the LDF in Kerala. A loss in Karnataka will be perceived as a serious setback to the Congress’s plans to mount a challenge to the BJP next year. For the BJP, a failure to wrest Karnataka will be difficult to ingest. As the principal opposition party that won a majority of the Lok Sabha seats from Karnataka in 2014, the BJP was the front-runner until the last bend. Over the last year, there is a perception that it has lost some of its earlier connect with the southern State, allowing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to stage a fightback. With regional sentiments running high, the consolidation of the Hindu vote is not happening in favour of the BJP; indeed, Mr. Siddaramaiah has shrewdly and cynically fanned linguistic and caste emotions to paint the BJP as a pro-Hindi party opposed to regional sentiments. To this end, the Congress pushed ahead with its plans for a separate Karnataka flag, and the status of a religion for the Lingayat sect. The return of B.S. Yeddyurappa to the party has increased the BJP’s vote-share in the northern and central parts of the State. But as the party’s chief ministerial candidate, the Congress has been given a handle to raise the corruption bogey given the cases he was embroiled in; at the same time, his candidature has diminished the force of the charges against the Congress government on this very ground. The big question is whether there exists a latent anti-incumbency sentiment that the BJP can tap into. The one certainty about this election is that the Janata Dal (Secular) will come in third; whether it is in a position to play king-maker in a hung Assembly remains to be seen. Although Mr. Siddaramaiah betrayed political insecurity by contesting two seats and secured a seat for his son, he managed to keep the focus on Karnataka and prevent the election from being transformed into a presidential-style national face-off between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi. There is something to be said for this, but in what opinion polls suggest will be a really tight race, all bets seem to be off.repercussion (noun) – consequence, result, effect/outcome.landscape (noun) – the distinctive features of a field of activity.colour (verb) – influence, affect, distort.fillip (noun) – stimulus, boost, encouragement.discount (verb) – ignore, overlook, dismiss.second (ordinary number) – secondary, lower, subordinate.mount (verb) – organize, prepare, arrange.wrest (verb) – wrench, snatch, take control of (power).ingest (verb) – absorb, assimilate, digest (information). bend (noun) – loop, deviation, deflection.consolidation (noun) – unification, combination, connection.shrewdly (adverb) – cleverly, astutely, wisely.cynically (adverb) – ironically, desperately, in a distrustful way.fan (verb) – intensify, increase, agitate.linguistic (adjective) – relating to language.paint (verb) – portray, depict, represent.push ahead (phrasal verb) – proceed, continue, progress (with a curse of action).give a handle to (phrase) – to facilitate, to furnish/provide.bogey (noun) – nightmare, horror/dread, curse/bane.embroil (verb) – involve, entangle/enmesh, catch/mix up.latent (adjective) – hidden, concealed, inactiveanti-incumbency - a situation which is against elected officials currently in powertap - utilize, use, exploitbetray (verb) – be unfaithful to, be disloyal to, break the trust in.face-off (noun) – confrontation, fight, conflict.all bets are off (phrase) – the outcome is unpredictable.#FancyJ

HOTLINE

A hotline is a point-to-point communications link in which a call is automatically directed to the preselected destination without any additional action by the user when the end instrument goes off-hook.[2] An example would be a phone that automatically connects to emergency services on picking up the receiver. Therefore, dedicated hotline phones do not need a rotary dial or keypad. A hotline can also be called an automatic signaling, ringdown, or off-hook service. True hotlines cannot be used to originate calls other than to preselected destinations. However, in common or colloquial usage, a "hotline" often refers to a call centerreachable by dialing a standard telephone number, or sometimes the phone numbers themselves. This is especially the case with 24-hour, noncommercial numbers, such as police tip hotlines or suicide crisis hotlines, which are manned around the clock and thereby give the appearance of real hotlines. Increasingly, however, the term is found being applied to any customer service telephone number. now, India is having hotlines with THREE countries. They are 1.PAKISTAN On 20 June 2004, both India and Pakistan agreed to extend a nuclear testing ban and to set up an Islamabad–New Delhi hotline between their foreign secretaries aimed at preventing misunderstandings that might lead to nuclear war.[4] The hotline was set up with the assistance of United States military officers. 2.USA In August 2015 the hotline between the White House and New Delhi became operational. The decision of establishing this hotline was taken during Obama's visit to India in January 2015. This is the first hotline connecting an Indian Prime Minister to a head of state. 3.CHINA India and China announced a hotline for the foreign ministers of both countries while reiterating their commitment to strengthening ties and building "mutual political trust". Militaries of India and China have agreed to set up a hotline between the headquarters after the informal summit between PM Modi and president Xi jin ping in wuhan. #FancyJ

EDITORIAL

Malaysians bring back the 92-year-old veteran in a historic electionMahathir Mohamad’s spectacular victory in Malaysia’s elections has the potential to spur democratic movements across Southeast Asia, where one-party rule and the military’s preeminence are pervasive. Winds of change could be in the offing, with elections looming in a number of countries. A clear majority for the opposition Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) in the new federal legislature signals Mr. Mohamad’s resounding comeback. Outgoing Prime Minister Najib Razak’s overall economic track record was not sufficient to salvage the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front), or its principal party, the United Malays National Organisation. Neither did his government’s stringent curbs on media freedoms, last-minute meddling with electoral constituencies and promises of generous handouts do the trick. This is a historic transition, with UNMO ousted from power for the first time. Mr. Mohamad had helped found UNMO, held power between 1981 and 2003, and in 2009 handpicked Mr. Razak for the big post. Now, the 92-year-old challenged the party that was once his, with the single objective of overthrowing his old protégé. Mr. Razak’s alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar embezzlement scandal in a sovereign wealth fund appears to have turned the popular mood. Investigations in several countries into investments in the fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad, dented the country’s reputation as a regional tiger economy. The scandal and Mr. Mohamad’s strong Malay nationalist credentials gave the opposition the momentum it had long sought. Also, he forged an alliance with his arch-rival, Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of the Alliance of Hope, now in prison. Mr. Mohamad’s return to the Prime Minister’s office after more than a decadecoincides with the recovery of global commodity prices to Malaysia’s advantage. A regional heavyweight in the 1980s and 1990s, he was known for grandstanding on Asian values of collective well-being over the West’s emphasis on individual rights. He may find little need for such sermons on the world stage today, given the West’s diminishing appetite to hold leaderships to account on their human rights record. In any case, Mr. Mohamed has recast himself, and his promise to uphold the rule of law will strike a chord among both his domestic audience and across the ASEAN belt. The region has come to regard lack of democratic accountability as stumbling blocks to consolidating gains from economic integration. It remains to be seen how Mr. Mohamad honours his word to hand over charge to Mr. Ibrahim, whose return to politics is subject to a royal pardon. That would be a statesmanly gesture to cap an epoch-defining victory.spur (verb) – motivate, encourage, stimulate.preeminence (noun) – superiority, supremacy, predominance.pervasive (adjective) – prevalent, common, widespread/ubiquitous.wind of change (phrase) – a force/influence that can not be stopped and so change is going to happen.in the offing (phrase) – on the way, coming soon, likely to happen.loom (verb) – be imminent, impend, be close.resounding (adjective) – unmistakable, huge/massive, enormous.salvage (verb) – save, rescue, protect.stringent (adjective) – strict, severe, tough/rigorous.curb (noun) – restriction, restraint, stricture.meddling (noun) – interference, intrusion, intervention.constituency (noun) – a group of voters in a specified area. generous (adjective) – lavish, bountiful, abundant.handout (noun) –  aid, benefit,  (financial) support.do the trick (phrase) – be effective, achieve the desired result.protégé (noun) – a young person who is taught and helped by someone who has a lot of knowledge and experience; student, trainee.embezzlement (noun) – misappropriation, theft, stealing.sovereign wealth fund (noun) – it is a state-owned investment fund used to protect or boost the national economy and to benefit its citizens.dent (verb) – diminish, reduce, undermine.credentials (noun) – achievement, aspect, quality.forge (verb) – build, form, create.arch-rival (noun) – adversary, opponent, nemesis.heavyweight (noun) – very important person, leader.grandstanding (noun) –  a way of speaking/acting to get attention from the spectators (people) and then influencing them.sermon (noun) – lecture, tirade, speech/discourse (as/of a firm warning).appetite (noun) – desire, hunger, longing/liking.hold someone to account (phrase) – to require a person to explain or to accept responsibility for his or her actions; to blame or punish someone for what has occurred.recast (verb) – change, alter, transform/remodel.uphold (verb) – maintain, preserve, protect.rule of law (phrase) – the principle of governance in which no person, institution (public or private) and government itself are above the laws. These laws are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated and they are also consistent with international human rights norms and standards.strike a chord (phrase) – cause/arouse someone to feel emotion/sympathy.regard (verb) – heed, pay attention to, take notice of.stumbling block (noun) – obstacle, impediment, disadvantage.consolidate (verb) – strengthen, secure, reinforce/fortify.royal pardon (noun) – release from punishment granted by a monarch (king/queen).statesmanly (adjective) – relating to the experienced, respected political leader.epoch (noun) – era, period, time.#FancyJ

Sports

Famous Stadiums and Sports Government of India has recently constituted “National Playing Fields Association of India (NPFAI)” under an ambitious scheme of ‘Kendriya Yuva Evam Khel Mantralay’ to sater to the development of Games & Sport and the players as well. Stadium Sports Places Indraprastha Stadium Indoor Games Delhi Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Athletics Delhi Ferozeshah Kotla Ground Cricket Delhi Ambedkar Stadium Football Delhi Shivaji Stadium Hockey Delhi National Stadium Hockey Delhi National Stadium Hockey & others Mumbai Wankhede  Stadium Cricket Mumbai Brabourne Stadium Cricket Mumbai Eden Gardens Cricket Kolkata Green Park Stadium Cricket Kanpur Keenan Stadium Cricket Jamshedpur Nehru (Chepak ) Stadium Cricket Chennai Varabati Stadium Cricket Cuttack Aintree, Doncaster, Epsom Horse racing England (U.K.) Flemington Horse racing Melbourn (Australia) Headingley Manchester Cricket England (U.K.) Lords, Oval, Leeds Cricket England (U.K.) Black Heath Rugby Football London (U.K.) Wimbledon Lawn Tennis London (U.K.) Wembley Stadium Football London (U.K.) Brookland Football England (U.K.) Twickenham Rugby Football England (U.K.) Putney Mart Lake Boat race England (U.K.) Trent Bridge Cricket England (U.K.) White City Dog race England (U.K.) Hurlington Polo England (U.K.) Henlay Regata England (U.K.) Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Syndey Cricket Australia Yankee Stadium Boxing New York (USA) Brooklyn Baseball New York (USA) Forest Hill Tennis USA Sendy Lodge Golf Scotland   National Games and Sports of Some Countries Country Sports United States of America Baseball Spain Bull-fighting Canada Ice Hockey India Hockey Russia Chess Scotland Rugby Football England Cricket Japan Ju-Jitsu Australia Cricket Pakistan Hockey China Table Tennis Court, Campus or Field Associated with Sports Court/ Campus/ Field Games Sports Court Tennis, Badminton, Net Ball, Handball, Volleyball, Squash, Kho-kho, Kabaddi Diamond Baseball Ring Sketing, Boxing Course Golf Pool Swimming Board Table tennis Mat Judo, Karate, Taikwondo Arena Horse riding Vellodrome Cycling Field Polo, Football, Hockey Track Athletics Pitch Cricket Greens Bowls Rink Curling, Ice hockey Range Shooting, Archery       Number of Players in Some Popular Sports/Games Sports Number of Players (on each side or in each team) Baseball 9 Rugby football 15 Polo 4 Water polo 7 Kho Kho 9 Kabaddi 7 Hockey, Football and Cricket 11 Netball 7 Volleyball 6 Badminton, Tennis and Table Tennis 1 or 2 (Singles & Doubles respectively) Basketball 5 Gymnastic Several individuals compete simultaneously Billiards/ Snooker 1 Boxing/ Chess 1 Bridge 2 Croquet 13 or15 Gold Several individuals compete simultaneously Locrosse 12 # ARCHANA

EDITORIAL

The development of the Chabahar port needs to be viewed as Iran’s call for “engagement”. After U.S. President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the Irannuclear deal, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has indicated that his government remains committed to that pact and that he would be negotiating with the deal’s remaining signatories — the European countries, Russia and China — to salvage the deal if possible. For Tehran, a lot is riding on how these powers engage in the coming months. India too has a lot at stake in this regard. Iran’s attempt to woo Chinese investment in Chabahar, often projected as India’s pet project (and a response to Gwadar in Pakistan), has raised eyebrows in New Delhi. Inviting Chinese investment is perceived as an attempt to dilute Indian influence. The view from Tehran The development of the Chabahar port, however, needs to be viewed as Iran’s call for “engagement”. The participation of Pakistan’s Minister of Shipping at the inauguration ceremony made it clear that for Iran Chabahar means business. Post-sanctions, the development of the Chabahar port reflects Iranian quest for multilateralism, and China by default is an important player in the Iranian scheme of things. Given the overt hostility of the Trump administration towards Iran, it is imperative for Tehran to maintain cordial relationship with a rising power like China. China is one of the few countries which never severed its ties with Iran. In fact, it had played a crucial role in bringing Iran to the diplomatic table to negotiate the P5+1 nuclear deal. A recent World Bank report estimates substantial acceleration in Iran’s GDP growth rate (6.4%) in the year 2016 due to lifting of sanctions. This rebound is poised, if all goes well after the U.S. action, to get further impetus from Iran’s participation in China’s connectivity projects. China was also one of the countries that maintained steady trade relations with Iran even during the sanctions era. In fact, trade figures rose from $4 billion in 2003 to $53 billion in 2013. A large chunk of China-Iran trade is petroleum-based products. China is the largest importer of Iranian oil. As of August, 2017 crude and condensate export from Iran to China was approximately 733,000 bpd (barrels per day); a rise of 11% compared to previous year. Besides, China’s iron-ore buyers see in Iran an alternative to Australia and Brazil. Over the years, China has emerged as Iran's leading trade partner. Post-sanctions, Chinese President, Xi Jinping was the first head of state to visit Iran, in January 2016. On the sidelines of his visit, both countries decided to increase their bilateral trade to $600 billion in the coming decade. Iran, with its massive infrastructural needs, sees China as its most valued partner and Beijing has been investing in Iran in crucial sectors like railways. China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC), a state owned investment wing has extended $10 billion credit line to Tehran. Besides, China Development Bank has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iranian government worth around $15 billion. Chinese investments in Iran are part and parcel of its ambitious $1 trillion Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Apart from their economic rationale, these investments are also a means to generate political confidence/acceptability for a China-centric world order. Iran perceives the BRI as a project that would make it an indispensable transit hub for countries like China, India and Russia and an effective antidote to the U.S. sanctions. Iran’s premium geographical location (as a bridge between Persian Gulf and Central Asia) along with a relatively stable political architecture makes it a central player for China’s BRI. This will give China de-facto control over two of the three major routes to world markets. In addition to their economic partnership, China and Iran share substantial defence cooperation with each other. After the 1979 revolution, Tehran has been dependent on Beijing for meeting its defence requirements. China has supplied Iran with surface-to-air missiles and has also trained Iranian nuclear scientists. The November 2016 agreement signed between defence ministers of both countries entails regular military-to-military exercises. In 2014, both countries held joint naval drill in the Gulf. There have been intermittent talks between China and Iran for the sale of J-10 multirole combat aircraft to Tehran. China, being permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, could be of great strategic help for Iran when it comes to vetoing any proposal against Iran in the United Nations. A parallel, China-dominated global order suits Iran more than the U.S.-centric world order. India’s policy options This strong relationship between Tehran and Beijing makes it pertinent for New Delhi to navigate its interests in the region accordingly. To assume that Iran would help India counter Chinese influence in the region might be wishful thinking. India needs to resist the temptation of falling prey to “excessive securitisation” in the case of Chabahar agreement in particular and India-Iran relations in general. For India, to be an influential player in the region, economics and politics should complement and not substitute each other. India will have to capitalise upon the existing synergies. It is imperative to compliment geopolitical premises with robust commercial exchanges. In collaboration with countries like Japan, India should offer favourable terms of trade in the region vis-à-vis China. To consolidate its strategic depth in the region, India should focus on initiatives like frequent joint naval exercises in the Persian Gulf. Iran, on the other hand, would do well by maintaining a fine balance between the elephant and the dragon. Experiences of countries like Sri Lanka should encourage prudent thinking on the part of Iranian policy-makers. New Delhi will have to adopt a nuanced approach towards Chinese investment in Iran, especially now that Tehran’s reliance upon Beijing is only likely to grow after Mr. Trump’s exit from the nuclear pact. Some form of Chinese participation in the Chabahar project would be helpful for the future of the project, especially if the terms and conditions are clearly specified. India and China are exploring joint economic projects in Afghanistan; they can surely also extend this engagement to the Chabahar.salvage (verb) – protect, preserve, conserve.woo (verb) – try to attract, persuade, tempt.raise eyebrows (phrase) – show surprise.sanctions (noun) – action taken, or an order given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc (Courtesy: VOA Learning English).multilateralism (noun) – a method of coordinating  relations between groups of three or more states (countries).overt (adjective) – clear, visible, apparent.cordial (adjective) – friendly, warm, good-natured.rebound (noun) – an increase in something (value, amount) after a decline.impetus (noun) – stimulus, boost, encouragement/motivation.be part and parcel of (phrase) – be an important aspect/feature of.rationale (noun) – reason/basis; principle.antidote (noun) – solution, remedy, panacea.de-facto (adjective) – Latin, literally meaning ‘of fact’; actual, real, effective.entail (verb) – cause, produce, generate.intermittent (adjective) – irregular, occasional, periodic.veto (verb) – reject, rule against/rule out, prohibit (a proposal/decision).global order (noun) – the order of international institutions and agreements.pertinent (adjective) – relevant, suitable, appropriate/germane.fall prey to (phrase) – be vulnerable to, succumb to, fall victim to.synergy (noun) – collaboration, unity, understanding.vis-a-vis (preposition) – in relation to, with regard to.prudent (adjective) – wise, advisable, sensible.reliance (noun) – dependence; trust/confidence on something.#FancyJ

Superlatives in India

The Longest River Bridge Mahatma Gandhi Setu Patna (5.575 km.) The Largest Lake Wular Lake (J & K) The Largest Dam Bhakra Dam, on Sutlej river (Punjab) The Largest Desert Thar (Rajasthan) The Largest cave temple Kailash Temple ( Ellora, Maharastra) The Largest mosque Jama Masjid (Delhi The Longest tunnel Jawahar Tunnel, Banihal Pass (J & K) The Largest Delta Sunderbans (W. Bengar) The State with maximum forest area Madhya Pradesh The Longest Corridor Corridor of Ramnathswami Temple at Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) The highest Waterfall Jog or Garsoppa (Karnataka) The Longest Road Grand Trunk Road (Kolkata to Delhi) The highest Gate way Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri( U.P.) The Longest River The Ganga (2640 km. long) The Largest Museum Indian Museum, Kolkata The largest Dome Gol Gumbuz, Bijapur (in Karantaka) The tallest Statue Gomateswara (Karnataka) The largest Public Sector Bank State Bank of India The biggest canti lever Bridge Rabindra Setu or Howrah Bridge (Kolkata) The Longest Canal Indira Gandhi Canal or Rajasthan Canal (Rajasthan) The Longest Railway Platform Gorakhpur (U.P.) The biggest Stadium Yuva Bharti (Salt Lake) Stadium Kolkata The most populous City Mumbai (Maharashtra) The largest Sea Bridge Anna Indira Gandhi Bridge (Tamil Nadu) The longest Passenger Train Route Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari The Oldest Church St. Thomas Church at Palayar, Trichur (Kerala) The Longest National Highway NH-7 (Varanasi to Kanyakumari) The State with Longest Coast Line Gujarat The highest Lake Devtal Lake, Gadhwal (Uttarakhand) The largest Saline Water Lake Chilka Lake (Orissa) The Largest Fresh Water Lake Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh) Largest Cave Amarnath (J & K) The Longest River of Southern India Godawari The Longest Dam Hirakud Dam (Orissa) The highest Gallantry Award Param Vir Chakra The highest Award Bharat Ratna The largest Gurudwara Golden Temple, Amritsar The longest Sea Beach Marina Beach (Chennai) The Highest Road Road at Khardungla, (in Leh-Manali Sector) The Largest Artificial Lake Govind Sagar ( Bhakhra Nangal) The Highest Batttle field and the Longest Glacier Siachen Glacier The Biggest River Island Majuli Bramhaputra river, (Assam) The Largest Planetarium Birla Planetorium (Kolkata) The Highest Airports Leh Airport (Ladakh) # ARCHANA

Indian Folk Dances

                            States and their Folk Dances Jharkhand Chhanu, Sarahul, Jat-Jatin, Karma, Danga, Bidesia, Sohrai. Uttarakhand Gadhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila, Chappeli. Andra Pradesh Kuchipudi (Classical), Ghantamardala, (Ottam Thedal, Mohiniattam, Kummi, Siddhi, Madhuri, Chhadi. Chhattisgarh Goudi, Karma, Jhumar, Dagla, Pali, Tapali, Navrani, Diwari, Mundari. Arunachal Pradesh Mask dance (Mukhauta Nritya), War dance. Himachal Pradesh Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Nati, Dangi, Chamba, Thali, Jhainta, Daf, Stick dance etc. Goa Mandi, Jhagor, Khol, Dakni etc. Assam Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal, Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai etc. West Bengal Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan etc. Kerala Kathakali (Classical), Ottam Thulal, Mohini-attam, Kaikottikali, Tappatikali, Kali Auttam. Meghalaya Laho, Baala etc. Manipur Manipuri (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat etc. Nagaland Chong, Khaiva, Lim, Nuralim etc. Orissa Odissi (Classical), Savari, Ghumara, Painka, Munari, Chhau, Chadya Dandanata etc. Maharashtra Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada, Tamasha, Mauni, Powara, Gouricha etc. Karnataka Yakshagan, huttar, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi Gujarat Garba, Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai. Punjab Bhagra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman etc. Rajasthan Ghumar, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal, Panihari, Ginad etc. Mizoram Khanatm, Pakhupila, Cherokan etc. Jammu & Kashmir Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, kud Dandi nach, Damali. Tamil Nadu Bharatnatyam, Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi, Uttar Pradesh Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita. Bihar Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama-Chakwa, Bidesia, Jatra etc. Haryana Jhumar, Phag Dance, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor etc. # ARCHANA

AML and CFT

What is Money Laundering? Criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, corruption and others, tend to generate large amounts of profits for the individuals or groups carrying out the criminal act. However, by using funds from such illicit sources, criminals risk drawing the authorities' attention to the underlying criminal activity and exposing themselves to criminal prosecution. In order to benefit freely from the proceeds of their crime, they must therefore conceal the illicit origin of these funds. Briefly described, "money laundering" is the process by which proceeds from a criminal activity are disguised to conceal their illicit origin. More precisely, according to the Vienna Convention and the Palermo Convention provisions on money laundering, it may encompass three distinct, alternative actus reas: (i) the conversion or transfer, knowing that such property is the proceeds of crime (ii) the concealment or disguise of the true nature, source, location, disposition, movement or ownership of or rights with respect to property, knowing that such property is the proceeds of crime; and (iii) the acquisition, posession or use of property, knowing, at the time of the receipt, that such property is the proceeds of crime. The international standard for the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism has been established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which is a 33-member organization with primary responsibility for developing a world-wide standard for anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism. The FATF was established by the G-7 Summit in Paris in 1989 and works in close cooperation with other key international organizations, including the IMF, the World Bank, the United Nations, and FATF-style regional bodies.What is Financing of Terrorism? Terrorist financing involves the solicitation, collection or provision of funds with the intention that they may be used to support terrorist acts or organizations. Funds may stem from both legal and illicit sources. More precisely, according to theInternational Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, a person commits the crime of financing of terrorism "if that person by any means, directly or indirectly, unlawfully and willfully, provides or collects funds with the intention that they should be used or in the knowledge that they are to be used, in full or in part, in order to carry out" an offense within the scope of the Convention. The primary goal of individuals or entities involved in the financing of terrorism is therefore not necessarily to conceal the sources of the money but to conceal both the financing and the nature of the financed activity. How are Efforts to Combat Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism linked? Money laundering is the process of concealing the illicit origin of proceeds of crimes. Terrorist financing is the collection or the provision of funds for terrorist purposes. In the case of money laundering, the funds are always of illicit origin, whereas in the case of terrorist financing, funds can stem from both legal and illicit sources. The primary goal of individuals or entities involved in the financing of terrorism is therefore not necessarily to conceal the sources of the money but to conceal both the funding activity and the nature of the funded activity. Similar methods are used for both money laundering and the financing of terrorism. In both cases, the actor makes an illegitimate use of the financial sector. The techniques used to launder money and to finance terrorist activities/terrorism are very similar and in many instances identical. An effective anti-money laundering/counter financing of terrorism framework must therefore address both risk issues: it must prevent, detect and punish illegal funds entering the financial system and the funding of terrorist individuals, organizations and/or activities. Also, AML and CFT strategies converge; they aim at attacking the criminal or terrorist organization through its financial activities, and use the financial trail to identify the various components of the criminal or terrorist network. This implies to put in place mechanisms to read all financial transactions, and to detect suspicious financial transfers.#FancyJ

EDITORIAL

Abandoning the daily price revision of petrol and diesel sets back an important reformThe price of oil has been shooting up for weeks now, with Brent crude oil futures hitting their highest level in more than three years on Monday, at more than $75. But for two weeks now, the state-owned oil companies have kept petrol and diesel prices unchanged. Since April 24, the oil companies have abandoned the daily price revision. Since then, the prices of petrol and diesel in the national capital, for instance, are stuck at ₹74.63 and ₹65.93, respectively. This is a glaring freeze, given that since the Centre introduced the dynamic pricing mechanism in June last year allowing oil marketing companies (OMCs) to revise fuel prices daily, the retail prices of various domestic fuels had been on a steady uptrend owing to the steep rise in international crude oil prices. The price of Brent crude oil, it is worth noting, has rallied by more than 50% since June last year. Against this background, domestic fuel prices were raised to their highest level since late-2013 last month until the price freeze began on April 24. The new pricing mechanism also caused prices to show more volatility on a daily basis compared to the earlier regime when prices were revised periodically, mostly on a fortnightly basis. Further, the rise in domestic fuel prices in response to rising crude oil prices has been quite inelastic recently. Petrol and diesel prices rose by 1 to 2% in April while Brent crude rose by more than 8%. This comes as a pleasant surprise considering that domestic fuel prices, which while not falling to an equal extent when crude prices witness a sharp drop, generally keep pace with any rise in oil prices.The retail price of petrol is a hot political subject and successive governments at the Centre are routinely held responsible for it. It is therefore speculated that the OMCs are under pressure from the government to withhold upward revisions in the days before Karnataka goes to the polls. While Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated last month that the OMCs have not been instructed to refrain from raising prices, no reason for the freeze has been offered. The performance of OMC stocks in the last few weeks also suggests that the markets are not convinced. It bears repeating, in the wake of the upcoming State elections and the general election next year, that the Centre must resist the temptation to go back on its previous reforms to the fuel pricing policy. After all, it is now clear that the policy of offloading the burden of high fuel prices on consumers by transferring the burden on to the OMCs is unsustainable in the long run. The government should opt to ease the burden of fuel taxes. The best way to do this might be to bring domestic fuels under the purview of the goods and services tax. For now, there is enough room to bring down prices by reducing excise duties on oil.freeze (noun) – an act of keeping something at a fixed state.set back (phrasal verb) – delay, hinder, impede.shoot up (phrasal verb) – rise, go up, soar/surge (price/amount).Brent crude (noun) – a classification of crude oil produced from the oil platform in the North Sea.glaring (adjective) – obvious, blatant, flagrant.uptrend (noun) – an upward tendency.owing to (phrase) – because of, as a result of, on account of.steep (adjective) – sharp, sudden, rapid.rally (verb) – increase after a decline.volatility (noun) – the state of being legally responsible to change in a very sudden or extreme way.regime (noun) – system, plan, scheme.fortnightly (adjective) – happening every two weeks.inelastic (adjective) – insensitive/unconcerned to changes in price.keep pace with (phrase) – progress at the same speed as.withhold (verb) – hold back, control, stop.refrain (verb) – stop, desist/abstain, hold back.in the wake of (phrase) – aftermath, as a result of, because of.offload (verb) – transfer, shift, jettison.purview (noun) – range, scope, ambit.#FancyJ

Important Defence Exercises

Important Defence Exercises between India & WorldGaruda: India-France Hand-Hand: India-China Indra: India-Russia JimexIndia-Japan Malbar: Us-India Shade: Naval Forces Of India, Japan And China Surya Kiran: India And Nepal Varuna: France And India Simbex: Indian Navy With Republic Of Singapore Navy Ibsamar: India with Brazil And South African Navy Konkan: Indian Navy and Royal Navy Of Britain Ausindex: Indian & Australian Navy Indradhanush Or Rainbow: India-Uk Air Exercises Nomadic Elephant: Indian Army Exercises with Mongolia Ekuverin: Maldives & India Garuda Shakti: India & Indonesia Mitra Shakti: India-Sri Lanka  Naseem Al-Bahr: India-Oman# ARCHANA

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