June 2011

WHO claims that the “New Delhi superbug” - The New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) - remains a global concern because it renders anti-microbials ineffective. The Union Health Ministry had rubbished claims in Lancet, a British Medical Journal, when it had published a report in 2010 that this gene originated in India. It described the Lancet’s conclusions as “unfair” maintaining that Indian hospitals are perfectly safe for treatment. Some people argue that this is an attack on India by vested interests that are unable to reconcile themselves to the fact that India is becoming a hot destination for Medical Tourism.

The Big Blue i.e. IBM turned a 100 (in terms of operations) on June 16, 2011. IBM has over 6000 patents, easily the highest for any company.

The National Rural Health Mission has adopted the Rashtriya Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram, a scheme to provide all required health-care facilities to pregnant women and infants free of cost, for the entire country.

‘TigerText’, a software that enables control over messaging, makes its rounds around cyberspace.

The Supreme Court appointed a special committee to examine the secret chambers of the Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple in Kerala. The chambers are said to store the treasures of the erstwhile rulers of Travancore.

The Punjab Mail, which runs from Ferozepur to Mumbai, has entered its 100th year of service. She was earlier known as the Pride of Punjab and was introduced by the British in 1912 between Peshawar and Mumbai.

Ban Ki-moon has been re-elected as the UN Secretary-General for a second five-year term.

Christine Lagarde has been elected as the Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF). In her earlier avatar she was the Finance Minister of France.

Tahawwur Rana, a Chicago-based Pakistani native, was acquitted by a US jury of conspiracy to provide material support to the terrorists who attacked Mumbai in November 2008. He was, however, found guilty of helping to plan an attack on the Copenhagen offices of Jyllands-Posten newspaper.

Gina Rinehart is an Australian businesswoman who owns a mining firm Hancock Prospecting. Citigroup estimated that she could become the world’s richest person by overtaking Carlos Slim, the Mexican magnate who is worth $73 billion.

JCT Football Club, Phagwara has decided not to field any team in any tournaments from now on. This brings to an end 40 years of association with the Beautiful Game.

Haryana defeated Karnataka 2-1 to annex the Senior National Hockey championship title.