Human computer, Shakuntala Devi dead

Math whiz Shakuntala Devi popularly known as human computer passed away at the age of 80.

Ms. Devi held a Guinness World Record for her lightening-speed calculations. Among her distinctions was her ability to, given a date in the last century, mentally ascertain the day.

In 1977, she calculated the 23rd root of a 201-digit number in just 50 seconds. In 1980, she multiplied two 13-digit numbers given to her randomly by the Computer Department of Imperial College, London.

defence ministry finalised a new procurement policy

ndia’s defence ministry finalised a new procurement policy under which Indian public and private sector will be given first priority for military procurements and will help in plugging loopholes that allow corruption.

Major changes in the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the apex decision-making body of the Ministry

The government would make all efforts to create genuine level-playing field for Indian manufacturing industries.

The new policy changes will also end the virtual monopoly of the public sector undertakings (PSUs) and ordnance factories in the defence sector as they will not be automatically nominated for maintenance and repair of systems procured from abroad, as private firms will be allowed to take part in these contracts

The financial powers of the Services chiefs and the chief of the Coast Guard have been enhanced from Rs. 50 crore to Rs. 150 crore for capital acquisition cases.

Sebastian Vettel won Bahrain Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel extended his lead in this year’s title race when he claimed victory for Red Bull at the Bahrain Grand Prix

It was Vettel’s second win in four races this year and the 28th of his career. The German’s victory saw him move into sixth on the all-time list of Grand Prix wins, taking him past Jackie Stewart.

World Bank scheme to benefit seven low-income States

To reduce poverty and increasing prosperity world bank will lend to the 7 poorest state’s in India.

Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh will be benefited by the world bank programme.

It is a part of country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for India (2013-17), which proposes a lending programme of $3 billion-5 billion every year over the next four years

The Bank’s objective is to bring down poverty levels in the seven low-income States to just 5.5 per cent in 2030 from 29.8 per cent in 2010.

60 per cent of the financing will go to State government-backed projects and 30 per cent will go to low-income or special category States where public services face high delivery costs.

Under the Bank’s previous support strategy plan, 18 per cent of its lending went to these States.

Infosys results worries IT sector

The second-largest IT services company in India Ltd., suffered a loss of Rs. 36,000 crore for the company in market capitalization and saw a sharp decline in share prices.

G8 accord to end sexual violence in conflict zones

Foreign Ministers of the world’s eight most advanced countries (G8) adopted a “historic” declaration committing the international community to tackle sexual violence in conflict zones.

The agreement, reached on the sidelines of discussions on North Korea and Syria ahead of the summit of G8 leaders in June, was hailed by Foreign Secretary William Hague as a “turning point” in the campaign against “war zone rape”.

Benod Behari Choudhury,Chittagong uprising hero passed away

The last of the revolutionaries who took part in the Chittagong armed uprising, Benod Behari Choudhury, died at the city hospital after a multi-organ failure late on Wednesday evening. He was 102.

The revolutionary used to live in Chittagong in Bangladesh and was brought here in January for treatment as he was suffering from respiratory problems.