Mars Curiosity Rover found the evidence of waist-deep flowing stream on the Planet

Scientists at NASA on 27 September 2012 announced that the Mars Curiosity Rover has discovered stream bed gravel, which hints towards the presence of waist-deep water on the surface of Mars in the past.

The co-investigator of Curiosity Science, William Dietrich from University of California, Berkeley stated that for the first time water transported gravel was seen on Mars. Rebecca Williams a scientist at Curiosity Rover stated that the shape of these gravels proves that they have been transported by some means but its size proves that it can’t be transported by the wind or some other medium of erosion.

The findings of the scientists following the proofs provided by the cameras of the curiosity rover indicate that once upon a time the dry planet Mars was once wet with the presence of water that followed their for millions or thousands of years.

Scientists at NASA concluded that rover’s central goal was to identify a potentially habitable site on Mars and till now it succeeded in achieving it. Some proofs related to presence of flowing water near by the landing site of rover, the Gale Crater were determined by the presence of pebbles and gravels in the area.

Election Commission prohibited use of animals in Election Campaigns

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The Election commission on 27 September 2012 directed the Political Parties and candidates not to use birds and animals in the campaigns. The commission also directed that in case the use of animal is unavoidable then the party or candidate will have to ensure that no harm is caused to the animal including violation of any law as well as cruelty towards the creature.

To justify the decision the commission pointed towards Article 51(g) of the Indian Constitution that states compassion for all living creature as well as Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act, 1960. The commission also pointed towards the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 that prohibits overloading and torturing of the animals. The Election Commission has also sent letters to the political parties as well as the Chief Electoral Officers of every state and union territories.

The decision was made following the representations received by the election commission by some organization and individual stating the cruelty that animals suffered during the election campaign of the political parties.

Former Navy Chief Nirmal Verma appointed as Indian envoy to Canada

Nirmal Verma, the former navy chief on 27 September 2012 was appointed as India’s high commissioner to Canada. His appointment to the post happened on the recommendation of the PMO to the president, who cleared his name for the vacancy.

Admiral Verma, will soon leave for Ottawa to join the office because Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit is scheduled to India in the near future.

Jaideep Sarkar appointed as the new envoy to Israel

Jaideep Sarkar on 27 September 2012 was appointed as the new Indian Ambassador to Israel. The IITian and diplomat, is a private secretary to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a joint secretary of external affairs ministry, has replaced Navtej Sarna, the former ministry spokesperson.

Indian first National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra died

The first National Security Advisor of India, Brajesh Mishra died on 28 September 2012 at New Delhi after suffering from a heart ailment. Mishra (84) played a pivotal role in making of the foreign policies during the NDA regime of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and was a trouble shooter to him.

Brajesh Mishra

Son of the former congress Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, late Dwarka Prasad Mishra and one of the titans among the Indian diplomats, had several credentials in his account like:

1. He was Indian permanent representative to Geneva
2. Had been Indian ambassador to Indonesia
3. From June 1979 to April 1981, he was Indian permanent representative to United Nations, where he continued till June 1987 on deputation
4. He was a member of Bhartiya Janata Party from April 1991 to March 1998
5. Was the principal secretary to former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee from November 1998 to 23 May 2004

It was under his series of guidance related to foreign policies and the security exercises that motivated the NDA government to practice Pokharan-2. His strategic planning to involve US on the strategic dialogue involved Vajpayee’s bus journey to Pakistan.

India successfully launched its Heaviest Satellite GSAT-10

The advanced communication satellite GSAT-10 of India was successfully launched on 28 September 2012 on board Ariane-5 rocket from European spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket placed GSAT-10 in the elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) within 30 minutes and 45 seconds of its launch from the French station just after injecting the European co-passenger ASTRA-2F in the orbit.

IGSAT-10 is the 101st space mission for ISRO is a Rs 750 crore project that includes development of the satellite along with its launch from the European launching station. The 3400 kg lift-off is the heaviest satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organization headquartered at Bangalore. Designed with a life span of 15 years the satellite will expand Indian radio-navigation, direct-to-home broadcasting and telecommunication services to the next level.

Soon after successful injection of the satellite in the space, the command of control was taken by the ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka. K Radhakrishnan, chairman of ISRO declared that the satellite will come into operation from November 2012 for being used by the general community.

Altamas Kabir sworn-in as 39th Chief Justice of India

Justice Altamas Kabir on 29 September 2012 was sworn-in as the new chief justice of India by President Pranab Mukherjee. He took over the office from Justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia, who retired after serving the Supreme Court for two and a half year. 64 year old Altamas Kabir will be in the office for a period of nine months, from 29 September 2012 to 18 July 2013. His oath ceremony was conducted at the ceremony held at Ashoka Hall of Rastrapati Bhawan.
At the swearing ceremony some of the dignitaries present were Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari, working Chairperson of NDA L.K. Advani, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, RJD leader Lalu Yadav along with several Union Ministers.
About Justice Altamas Kabir
Justice Altamas Kabir was appointed as the Judge of Supreme Court on 9 September 2005 and is known for some of the landmark judgments related to election laws and human rights. He pursued his MA in LL.B from University of Calcutta and started his career as a practitioner in civil and criminal cases in the year 1973 at District court of Calcutta. Altamas Kabir was first time appointed as a permanent judge in the Calcutta high Court on 6 August 1990 and has served the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court.
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Indian Constitution and Article 124 to 147 states about the composition of Supreme Court of India. Supreme Court of India consists of one Chief Justice and 31 judges. The bench that comprises 2 or 3 judges is termed as a Division Bench and the one that bench that consists of five or more judges is termed to be a Constitutional Bench.
Tenure and qualification of Judges in Supreme Court
President appoints the judges of the Supreme Court and the retirement age of these judges is 65. For being a judge or chief justice of a Supreme Court one must fulfill the following qualifications:
1. He must be an Indian Citizen
2. Should have served the High Court as its Judge for at least 5 years
3. He should have served the high court as its advocate for a period of 10 years
In case their occurs a vacancy in the CJI office due to any reason, the president appoints the acting Chief Justice as the Chief Justice of India from amongst the judges of the Supreme Court. The salaries and other allowances of the Judges in India are charged from the Consolidated Fund of India. At present the salary structure is:
1. Chief Justice of Supreme Court-Rs 1 Lakh
2. Other Judges of SC: Rs 90,000
Removal of Judges
The Judge can be removed from India on certain ground that includes incapacity to hold the office or proven misbehavior. They can be removed only after the resolution of both the houses of Indian Parliament that is supported by the majority of two-third of the members voting and present. The two judges against whom the proceeding was initiated:
1. V Ramaswami in 1993 was the first judge against whom the proceedings were initiated
2. Soumitra Sen in 2011 was the second judge against whom these proceedings were initiated

Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia retired-

The Chief Justice of India Sarosh Homi Kapadia, retired on 28 September 2012 from the post after serving the Supreme Court for two and a half years. Justice Kapadia, who turned up to be 65 years in age sworn in as the thirty-eighth CJI and served the Supreme Court from 12 May 2010 and retired, on 28 September 2012. While holding the office as a judge for a period of 22 years, Justice Kapadia never took a leave.

After his retirement, Justice Altamas Kabir took over the job as the Chief Justice of India from 29 September 2012. The Chief Justice of India sworn-in to the post by the name of God by the president of India. His appointment to the position is mentioned in article 124 of the Indian Constitution.  The chief Justice of India also acts as the acting President of the nation in case the office of the President falls vacant due to any reason like his death, resignation or removal via impeachment and the Vice-President is not available to take on the charge of the acting president. 

The only Chief Justice, who has served as the acting President of India

Sir Mohammad Hidayatullah, who served the nation as eleventh CJI (17 December 1905 - 18 September 1992) has also served as the acting President of India being an ex-officio CJI from 20 July 1969 to 24 August 1969, after Dr. Zakir Hussain died as a president in office and the then Vice-President V.V. Giri resigned from the post of acting President to participate in the Presidential Election.

 

September Current Affairs

1)Cairn Energy sold 8 percent stake in Cairn India

The British oil and gas exploration and production company Cairn Energy plc on 25 September 2012 sold 8 per cent stake in Cairn India for a net realization of about US Dollar 910 million.

2)Waheeda Rehman to receive Lifetime Achievement Award during 14th Mumbai Film Festival

Waheeda Rehman, the veteran actress of Bollywood has been nominated to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented to the actress during the forthcoming 14th Mumbai Film Festival going to start from 18 October 2012 and end on 25 October 2012.

3) R Lakshmipathy elected as chairman of the Press Trust of India

 R Lakshmipathy, the publisher of Tamil daily Dinamalar, was elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Press Trust of India (PTI) on 24 September 2012 after the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Lakshmipathy, has served as PTI Chairman twice earlier and is also a member of press council. He is succeeding M P Veerendrakumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Mathrubhoomi group of newspapers.

CCEA approved 1.90 crore lakh package on debt restructuring for the SEBs

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 24 September 2012 approved a 1.90 lakh crore package on debt restructuring for the state-electricity boards. The taken step will allow the state- distribution companies (DISCOMS) to facilitate their turnaround. The committee met under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and gave its nod to the package forcing the red marked distribution companies to start the fresh round of tariff increase.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Resigned 

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar resigned on 25 September 2012 after the alleged corruption charges on him in awarding irrigation projects when he was state's water resource minister. It was alleged that there were discrepancy committed in granting administrative approvals to projects involving several crore of rupees during his tenure as an Irrigation Minister between 1999 and 2009.

Alleagation claim that Ajit Pawar had approved 38 projects worth Rs 20,000 crore in 2009 without clearance of governing council of Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC).

Pakistani-origin women appointed as Norwegian Cultural Minister

Hadia Tajik, a 29 year old women of Pakistani origin was appointed as Norwegian Cultural Minister on 24 September 2012. Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg appointed her to this post during the cabinet reshuffle activity. She is the youngest minister and first Muslim in the Norwegian Political history.

Double Trap Shooter, Ronjan Sodhi won Silver at ISSF World Cup 

Mary com became the brand ambassador of Super Fight League (SPL) 

The Super Fight League is promoted by IPL team Rajasthan Royals' co-owner Raj Kundra and Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt.

Ramesh Abhishek appointed as FMC chairman

An IAS Officer of 1982 Batch Bihar Cadre, Ramesh Abhishek on 24 September 2012 was appointed to be the Chairman of Forward Markets Commission (FMC). His pay-scale and rank has been elevated to that of the additional secretary and FMC Chief respectively.

Forward Markets Commission (FMC)

With its headquarters at Mumbai, Forward Markets Commission (FMC) is a regulatory authority established under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act 1952. The body is responsible for taking care of forward and future markets of India and is a part of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Dearness Allowance (DA) hiked for Union Government Employees

The Union government on 24 September 2012,  hiked Dearness Allowance (DA) by 7%, benefiting its 80 lakh employees and pensioners and costing the exchequer an additional Rs7408 crore annually

Aishwarya Rai appointed as International Goodwill Ambassador

The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as its International Goodwill Ambassador.

Her job will be now is to raise global awareness on protecting children from HIV infection and to increase access to antiretroviral treatment.

The appointment came a day before the start of the annual debate at the UN General Assembly. Aishwarya has been involved in humanitarian issues for many years and will now have a special focus on HIV/AIDS.

John Terry, the former England Captain announced his retirement from International Football 

John Terry, the captain of Chelsea in the premier league announced his retirement from International Football on 24 September 2012. The central defender came up with this decision one day before the Football Association was supposed to hear the claim of using racial abusive language in the notorious Anton Ferdinand incident.

International day of Peace observed worldwide

International day of peace also called as World peace day was celebrated worldwide on 21 September 2012. The day is dedicated to peace, providing opportunities to different organizations, individuals and nations to create a practical act of peace.

In 1981, The United Nations General Assembly declared, in a resolution sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica as the International Day of Peace devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace.
It was 21 September 1982 when the first international peace day was celebrated.
Later, In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.

C.P. Joshi appointed as the new Railway Minister

C.P. Joshi, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister on 24 September 2012 took an additional charge of the Railway Ministry after the exit of Mukul Roy. 

With this responsibility in the hands of C.P. joshi, the railway ministry has landed down in the hands of Congress after 17 years. The last railway minister from congress was C.K. Jaffer Sharief (1991-95). Joshi is a congress MP from Bhilwara in Rajasthan. His primary and secondary education was completed from his place of birth in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. He graduated from M.B. College Udaipur with a B.A. degree in Law. He completed his masters’ degree in Physics and holds a Ph.D in Psychology.

Mukul Roy, leader of Trinamool Congress and a member of Rajya Sabha resigned from the position on 21 September 2012 after his party withdrew support from the government. Mukul Roy replaced Dinesh Trivedi as railway minister on 14 March 2012. 

Process of allocating the ministry/appointment of a minister:

Under article 75 (1) - Prime Minister of India is selected by the President and the ministers are appointed by the president on advice of the Prime Minister. The portfolio allocation to different ministers is also done by him.

Some of the railway ministers of the Indian Union before Mukul Roy:

1. Dinesh Trivedi- 12 July 2011- 14 March 2012
2. Mamata Banerjee- 2009–2011, she resigned from the ministry on 19 May 2011
3. Laloo Prasad Yadav- 2004–2009
4. Nitish Kumar- 2001–2004

The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh managed the railway portfolio for a period of about two months after Mamata Banerjee resigned from the position.

 

Caroline Wozniacki won the WTA Title at Korean Open 

Danish Caroline Wozniacki, the former world number one player won the Korean Open WTA Title on 23 September 2012. She defeated, the third seeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi in the finals by 6-1, 6-0.

The Malayalam film actor, Surendranatha Thilakan died

Abhishek Matoria elected as the President of Indian Boxing Federation

Abhishek Matoria, a BJP MLA from Rajasthan was elected as the President of Indian Boxing Federation on 23 September 2012. Abhay Singh Chautala, the outgoing President was elected to be the Chairman of the Federation. Chautala has served the president as its President for three terms.

Deepika Kumari won Silver at Recurve World Cup 

 

Aung San Suu Kyi received US Congress Highest Honour

The Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi received, the US Congress highest Civilian Honour at a ceremony organized in the Capitol Rotunda on 19 September 2012, before her meet with the US president Barack Obama. Before her, the recipient of this award includes George Washington, Pope John Paul II and Dalai Lama-the Tibetan Buddhist Leader. During her 15 year long house arrest against the military rule in Myanmar, she received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2008.

India and Nepal signed MoU for constructing School Building

Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and Nepalese authorities signed an MoU on 19 September 2012 for granting the amount to Shri Mahendra Higher Secondary School in Achham district

Foreign Investment cap hiked to 74 percent for Broadcasting Services

 

The Government of India on 20 September 2012 hiked the foreign investment cap for the broadcasting service providers to 74 percent. The registered hike in foreign investment cap is for service providers of Direct to Home (DTH), modernized cable network and mobile television. This move of the government will allow the global players in acquiring major stakes in the broadcasting companies. Before his decision was passed, the eligibility of DTH and multi-system cable operators to make foreign investment was limited to 49 percent only. In its decision last week, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared its stand on the companies of broadcast content that the TV news Channels and FM radio channels can have a foreign investment cap of 26 percent. This decision was made to make sure that majority of control remains back in the hands of Indian Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Affairs -1

Tata Steel won a high-speed Rail Contract of Value Rs 315.15 Crore in France-

Famous Urdu Poet Muzaffar Razmi died at Kairana in Shamli district –

 Union Government decided to launch Saksham to Educate Adolescent Boys . The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development decided to launch a scheme called Saksham to empower adolescent boys by educating them on gender sensitivity and moral behaviour

Plastic Omnium Planned to build its Third Factory in Russia . Plastic Omnium, the French Auto Part supplier on 18 September 2012 declared their plan to build a factory in Russia

Women and Child Development Ministry launched a Web Portal named Track Child

Salman Rushdie released his Book Joseph Anton =Joseph Anton the 633 page book depicts a memoir of Salman Rushdie during his 10 years long run to protect himself from the Fatwa issued by his name was released on 18 September 2012

Russia declassified the existence richest diamond field of the world . Russian government on 18 September 2012 declassified its diamond reserves formed after a 7 kilometer wide asteroid stroked the graphite rich area of Russia, about 35 million years ago

Najeeb A Majeed became the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province .United People’s Freedom Alliance’s former minister and provincial councillor Najeeb A Majeed became the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, on 18 September 2012

New Nuclear Safety Agency launched in Japan

World Bank appointed Onno Ruhl as the country director for India

India signed a memorandum of understanding with Egypt

International/World Current Affairs 2012. India and Egypt on 18 September 2012 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in New Delhi to establish an institutional framework for their ongoing cooperation in the field of election management and administration

Delhi High Court gave a nod to installation of GPS system in Auto Rickshaws

India Offered Telecom Support to Turkmenistan

International/World Current Affairs 2012. India has assured Turkmenistan of all cooperation in Information and Communication technology (ICT) for the mutual benefit of both the countries

FICCI General Secretary Rajiv Kumar Resigned -India Current Affairs 2012. Rajiv Kumar, secretary-general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on 18 September 2012 left the industry association because he wanted to return to academics

Rajiv Mehta appointed as Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau

China signed 16 new Agreements with Sri Lanka

Cash Reserve Ratio slashed to inject Rs 17000 crore, Repo Rates remained unchanged

Economy Current Affairs September 2012.Reserve Bank of India on 18 September 2012 injected a liquidity of around Rs 17000 crore by slashing down the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 25 basis points to 4.50 percent from 4.75 percent

Golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar grabbed third Asian tour title

ITC launched Grand Chola a luxury five Star hotel in Chennai

US and Japan agreed to deploy advanced missile defense system

International/World Current Affairs 2012. The United States and Japan on 17 September 2012, announced an agreement to set up second advanced missile defense radar on Japanese province

.Sunita Williams, the astronaut of Indian American origin, took over the command of International Space Station on 15 September 2012

Mariamma Koshy appointed as the full-time President of Hockey India

Wave Group was announced as the owner of Delhi Franchise of Hockey India

Sports Current Affairs September 2012.Hockey India on 17 September 2012 announced Wave Group as the owner of the Delhi Franchise of Hockey India League (HIL)

Virat Kohli became the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year

Defence Minister, A.K. Antony opened an Army Hospital in Male

International/World Current Affairs September 2012.On his three day visit from 15 September 2012 to 17 September 2012 to Maldives the Defence Minister of India, A.K. Antony opened Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) hospital, SENAHIYA at Male on 16 September 2012

Anuraag Thakur, BCCI Joint Secretary became a member of Asian Cricket Council

Shimla Municipal Corporation introduced Green Tax on vehicles entering Shimla

Chidambaram pitched for Prime Minister led National Investment Board      

IRCTC introduced Interbank Mobile Payment System

Important days

9-Jan    NRI Day
10-Jan    World Laughter Day
12-Jan    National Youth Day
15-Jan    Army day
25-Jan    National Voters day
26-Jan    India’s Republic Day, International Customs Day
30-Jan    Martyrs’ Day; World Leprosy Eradication Day

2nd Sunday of February    World Marriage Day

14-Feb    Valentine Day
24-Feb    Central Excise Day
28-Feb    National Science Day
Second Monday March    Commonwealth Day
8-Mar    International Women’s Day; Intl. literacy Day
15-Mar    World Disabled Day; World Consumer Rights Day
18-Mar    Ordnance Factories Day (India)

21-Mar    World Forestry Day; International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

22-Mar    World Day for Water
23-Mar    World Meteorological Day
24-Mar    World TB Day
5-Apr    International Day for Mine Awareness; National Maritime Day
7-Apr    World Health Day
17-Apr    World Haemophilia Day
18-Apr    World Heritage Day
21-Apr    Secretaries’ Day
22-Apr    Earth Day
23-Apr    World Book and Copyright Day
1-May    Workers’ Day (International Labour Day)
3-May    Press Freedom Day; World Asthma Day
May 2nd Sunday    Mother’s Day
4-May    Coal Miners’ Day
8-May    World Red Cross Day
9-May    World Thalassaemia Day
11-May    National Technology Day
12-May    World Hypertension Day; International Nurses Day
15-May    International Day of the Family
17-May    World Telecommunication Day
24-May    Commonwealth Day
31-May    Anti-tobacco Day
4-Jun    International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
5-Jun    World Environment Day
June 3rd Sunday    Father’s Day
14-Jun    World Blood Donor Day
26-Jun    International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
1-Jul    Doctor’s Day
6-Jul    World Zoonoses Day
11-Jul    World Population Day
August 1st Sunday     International Friendship Day
6-Aug    Hiroshima Day
8-Aug    World Senior Citizen’s Day
9-Aug    Quit India Day, Nagasaki Day
15-Aug    Indian Independence Day
18-Aug    IntI. Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
19-Aug    Photography Day
29-Aug    National Sports Day
2-Sep    Coconut Day
5-Sep    Teachers’ Day ; Sanskrit Day
8-Sep    World Literacy Day (UNESCO)
15-Sep    Engineers’ Day
16-Sep    World Ozone Day
21-Sep    Alzheimer’s Day; Day for Peace & Non-violence (UN)
22-Sep    Rose Day (Welfare of cancer patients)
26-Sep    Day of the Deaf
27-Sep    World Tourism Day
1-Oct    International Day for the Elderly
2-Oct    Gandhi Jayanthi
3-Oct    World Habitat Day
4-Oct    World Animal Welfare Day
8-Oct    Indian Air Force Day
9-Oct    World Post Office Day
10-Oct    National Post Day

October 2nd Thursday    World Sight Day

13-Oct    UN International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
14-Oct    World Standards Day
15-Oct    World White Cane Day (guiding the blind)
16-Oct    World Food Day
24-Oct    UN Day; World Development Information Day
30-Oct    World Thrift Day
9-Nov    Legal Services Day
14-Nov    Children’s Day; Diabetes Day
17-Nov    National Epilepsy Day
20-Nov    Africa Industrialization Day
29-Nov    International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People
1-Dec    World AIDS Day
3-Dec    World Day of the Handicapped
4-Dec    Indian Navy Day
7-Dec    Indian Armed Forces Flag Day
10-Dec    Human Rights Day; IntI. Children’s Day of Broadcasting
18-Dec    Minorities Rights Day (India)
23-Dec    Kisan Divas (Farmer’s Day) (India)
25-Dec    Christmas Day