GSAT-15

 

The Indian Space Research Organisation has given the nation the most appropriate Diwali gift - An indigeneously made communications satellite GSAT-15. It was successfully launched at 03:04 am (IST) today, using one of the world's largest rockets - the Ariane-5. The launch took place from Kourou in French Guyana in South America.The GSAT-15 satellite weighs 3164 kilograms and has been made at a cost of Rs 278 crores. It carries a suite of 24 transponders which will help in Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting. It also carries a GPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload operating in L1 and L5 bands, which will help in aircraft navigation.

Loan Agreement with Asian Development Bank

The Union Government on 9 November 2015 signed 273 million US dollar loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to continue improving rural roads in the States of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.The loan agreement was signed by S Selvakumar, Joint Secretary (Bilateral Cooperation), Department of Economic Affairs and Teresa Kho, Country Director of ADB. 

Ethics Officer (Ombudsman) at BCCI

Former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Justice Ajit Prakash Shah, was on 9 November 2015  in appointed as the ethics officer (ombudsman) at Board of Control for CricketIndia (BCCI). He will preside as the sole decision maker on all conflict of interest issues plaguing Indian cricket.The decision to appoint an ombudsman was taken at the Board's 86th Annual General Meeting to end the problem on conflict of interest in the Board. This is being considered as a BCCI’s clean-up operation.

Vice-chairman of Bank of International Settlement

Raghuram Rajan, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor who has been a vocal votary for increased co-ordination among central banks, has been elected vice-chairman of the Bank of International Settlement (BIS). Mr. Rajan will have a three-year term as vice-chairman of the BIS.

Mr. Rajan is the first Indian central bank Governor to become the vice-chairman of BIS.BIS is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and acts as a coordinating body among central banks to ensure global monetary and financial stability. The BIS board meets at least six times a year.Mr. Rajan was appointed Governor of the RBI in September 2013, and was given a three-year term. This new role of Mr. Rajan will surely boost his chances for an extension next year, according to central bank watchers.