US, India and Afghanistan held its First Trilateral Discussion

US, India and Afghanistan held its first ever trilateral meeting on 25 September 2012. The major point of discussion was on the situation in Afghanistan along with the issue of terrorism.

The discussion marks the strengthening of Afghanistan relation with India and US who are totally behind the vision of a secure, peaceful, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan living in peace, security, friendship and cooperation with its region and the wider world.

The meeting was held at the Afghan Mission in New York and was attended by Joint Secretary (Pakistan/Afghanistan/Iran) Y K Sinha and Joint Secretary (America) Jawed Ashraf from the Indian side, Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Marc Grossman and Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake.

The discussions also mark the beginning of a series of consultations among the  three governments, who share common interests across South and Central Asia and who have pledged to work together on common challenges and opportunities including combating terrorism and violent extremism, reviewing cultural exchanges and increasing regional trade, investment and economic integration.

Sandeep Patil appointed as the Chief for BCCI Senior Selection Committee

Former Cricketer and all-rounder, Sandeep Patil was appointed as the Chairman of the five member senior selection committee of BCCI on 27 September 2012. The other four members of the committee include Saba Karim, Roger Binny, Vikram Rathour and Rajinder Singh Hans.

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.