a) Appointments
Congress selects Raja, Suresh Kalmadi and Kanimozhi as members of standing committee
The congress on 3 October 2012 nominated the former Union Minister, A. Raja, Kanimozhi and Suresh Kalmadi as the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Energy, Home Affairs and External Affairs respectively.Raja was arrested in the 2G scam case on February 2 last year and is on bail since 15 May 2012. Suresh Kalmadi, who was accused in the Commonwealth Games scam case, spent about nine months in jail and was released on bail on 19 January 2012. DMK MP Kanimozhi, also an accused in some cases related to the 2G spectrum allocation, was nominated to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs.
Ajit Saran Appointed as Secretary in National Commission for Women
Senior IAS officer Ajit M Sharan was appointed as Member Secretary in National Commission for Women (NCW). Ajit Sharan is a 1979 batch officer of Haryana cadre.
Vivek Rae appointed new MSME secretary
On 5th October 2012 the government appointed Vivek Rae as secretary, ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises. Rae, a 1978 batch IAS officer of the UT cadre, is currently director general, acquisition, defence ministry. He will take over from RK Mathur.
Anil Kumble appointed chairman of ICC Cricket Committee
Former India captain Anil Kumble was unanimously appointed chairman of ICC`s Cricket Committee by the game`s governing body, replacing West Indies great Clive Lloyd on 11th October 2012.
Jaspal Rana appointed junior pistol chief coach
Multiple Asian Games gold medallist, Jaspal Rana, has been appointed chief coach for junior pistol shooters by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on 16th October 2012.
Ashok Kumar appointed India’s ambassador to Brazil
Mr. Ashok Tomar has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Brazil on 31st October 2012.
b). Resigns
Michael Schumacher announces retirement from Formula One
Michael Schumacher has announced that he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season.Schumacher’s announcement follows news last week that he will be replaced at Mercedes by Lewis Hamilton in 2013.
UP revenue minister resigns due involved in CMO abduction
UP revenue minister Vinod Singh was forced to resign on 12th October 2012 for his alleged involvement in the abduction of Gonda chief medical officer (CMO) SP Singh.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna resigned
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has resigned from his post ahead of on 28th October 2012 cabinet reshuffle.
Badminton Player Peter Gade Retired From International Career
Danish legend Baminton Player, Peter Gade on 30 October 2012 retired from international badminton.
c). Deaths
Historian Eric Hobsbawm dies, aged 95
Eric Hobsbawm, one of Britain’s most eminent historians, has died at the age of 95, on 1st October 2012 at the Royal Free Hospital in London .Mr Hobsbawm, a historian in the Marxist tradition, wrote more than 30 books.He published his final book, “How to Change the World”, in 2011.
Freedom fighter, ex-Governor Satyanarayana is dead
Freedom fighter and former governor of Uttar Pradesh B Satyanarayana Reddy died at a hospital in Hyderabad on 6th October 2012.
Zimbabwe cricket coach Kevin Curran passes away
Kevin Curran, the former Zimbabwean all rounder and coach, has died in Mutare on 10th Ocober 2012.
Cambodia ex-king Sihanouk dies
Cambodia’s former king Norodom Sihanouk died on 15th October 2012 in China at Beijing.
Bandya Kakade dead
Bandya Kakade, former India football goalkeeper, passed away here on 18th October 2012 evening. Kakade and Kuppuswami Sampath (MEG, Bangalore) were the two goalkeepers of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games. Kakade was also part of the Indian team
Yash Chopra, the ‘King of Romance’ passes away
Yash Chopra, one of Bollywood’s most well-known filmmakers, died of dengue fever on 21st October 2012.
Eminent litterateur Sunil Gangopadhyay passes away
Eminent litterateur and Sahitya Akademi President Sunil Gangopadhyay died at his South Kolkata residence on 23rd October 2012 following a massive heart attack.
d). Visitors
U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner to visit India on Oct. 9
U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner visit India on 9th October 2012 to participate in the third annual meeting of the U.S.-India Economic and Financial Partnership with Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.
Australia PM Julia Gillard begins India visit
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has begun a three-day visit to India.The two countries are expected to announce negotiations on civil nuclear co-operation during Ms Gillard’s visit.
Suu Kyi to visit India next month
After 40 years, Myanmar’s Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will travel to India on November 13. She will deliver the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on November 14.
Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education, New Zealand visited India
Hon. Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, New Zealand visited the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi on 18th October 2012.
Ex-Bangladeshi PM Khaleda Zia to meet PM Manmohan Singh
Bangladesh’s former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who is on a week-long trip to India, will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singhin New Delhi on 28th October 2012.
e). Miscellaneous
Pakistan spinner Rehman hit with ban after failed drug test
Pakistan’s Abdur Rehman has been banned from cricket for 12 weeks after testing positive for cannabis during his recent stint with Somerset.
Mukesh Ambani richest Indian
The China-based research firm Hurun releases a report on 10th October 2012 declared Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani is the richest person in India.
Hyderabad’s last Nizam named all-time richest Indian
Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam (or ruler) of Hyderabad is India’s all-time richest person.According to a new inflation-adjusted list of the world’s richest people of all time, the Nizam, who ruled Hyderabad between 1886-1967, was ranked sixth with $ 236 billion.
Mukesh Ambani tops Forbes India rich list
Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is the richest Indian for the fifth year in a row with a net worth of $21 billion, according to the Forbes India rich list.
Manju Seth appointed as next Ambassador of India to Madagascar
Ms Manju Seth has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Madagascar.She is presently Consul General of India in Reunion Island, which is a French-administered territory in the Indian Ocean between Mauritius and Madagaskar.