Fashion lovers and viewers of FTV Channel in India will miss their channel and international models and fashion shows for 10 days from 12th March. According to Ministry of Information & Broadcasting the transmission or re-transmission of FTV Channel has been prohibited w.e.f. 7.00P.M on 12th March 2010 till 7.00 P.M on 21st March, 2010 through Cable Television Networks and any other platforms throughout the country.

This is second time when the channel has been prohibited for transmission. Earlier, Ministry had prohibited the channel in for about two months in 2007 due to objectionable shows of naked models. Later on, the transmission was permitted after the channel regretted for its error.

“It was noticed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting that a programme on FTV Channel was telecast on 4.9.2009 at 15:37:34 hours and 19:01:48 hours showing women with nude upper body which was offending against good taste and decency. The visuals were found to be obscene, denigrating women and were not suitable for children and unrestricted public exhibition”, the Ministry says adding that action has been taken under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

The existing Civil Services (Prelim) Examination will be replaced by Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has given approval for the proposal for introduction of the Aptitude Test for Civil Services Examination. This has been informed by Prithvi Raj Chavan, Minister of State of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions in the Lok Sabha today. According to the Minister the CSAT is expected to come into effect from Civil Services Examination, 2011.

It is notable that UPSC had recommended to replace Preliminary exam into Civil Services Aptitude Test. On November 12th last year UPSC Chairman DP Agrawal said in a function that the proposed Aptitude Test would have two objective papers for all participants of the examination. The recommendations have been made on the basis of Administrative Reforms Commission’s report.

Earlier, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her lecture at UPSC on “Governance and Public Services” on 12th November asked the commission to bring reforms in the selection process and public services. In her address she said “There are several issues on which fresh perspectives are always required so as to bring in reforms. Some of the pertinent questions are whether the selection procedure adequately looks for qualities and skills required in a changing environment in which Civil services work… Better systems of selection will in the long run have a positive effect on the quality of governance.”

Junior Bachchan, Abhishek and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today launched WWF’s Earth Hour 2010 at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) office in New Delhi. The Earth Hour is being observed on March 27, 2010 from 8:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M this year.
As a concerned individuals for the planet, Abhishek along with Sheila Dikshit lit the ‘candle of hope’ encouraging citizens of India to ‘switch on’ their minds and showcase solidarity and commitment towards climate change and energy conservation by ‘switching off’ the light for one hour. They also took pledge to intensify campaign for this purpose. They were joined by Ravi Singh, CEO of WWF India. Earth Hour 2010 is expected to be a culmination of over one billion people around the globe, in more than 6000 cities and towns worldwide, turning off lights and showing support for action on climate change.
Interacting with media Abhishek Bachchan said, “as responsible citizens of this planet, it is extremely crucial for us to address the colossal problem of climate change through ensuring responsible action and adopting a sustainable way of life. It is time that we take a collective pledge to ‘switch on’ our minds and take one simple step to ‘switch off the lights’ on March 27, 2010 from 8:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.”
According to Ravi Singh, CEO, WWF India, the campaign will be joined by 92 countries and 878 cities.

Historic Women Reservation Bill to grant 33% reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies passed in the Rajya Sabha today with over two-third majority. There has been a long wait of over 13 years for the historic bill. Experts believe that the bill will bring a new era of women in the country.

IGNOU’s Vice-Chancellor VN Rajasekharan Pillai has praised UK Open University. Citing its example Pillai has said that IGNOU too would give emphasis on quality research. “Many Open Universities in the world, like the UK Open University, the Open University of Netherlands and Hong Kong Open University support extensive doctoral and post-doctoral research. They have excellent research portfolios and vibrant research communities which are enhanced through collaborations with top-ranking research institutions worldwide”, said Pillai in a release issued by IGNOU. However, he has not given any roadmap for Indian model for research through distance education.

However, he has said that strict enforcement of quality criteria, following international benchmarks in research, is the only way to curb these undesirable practices. He further added that, ”We cannot take a stand that the Open University and Distance Education system will not be able to provide the facilities and ambience for High quality research. State-of –the –art research laboraties, even in sophisticated science and technology areas, are available in the Open University system”.