SCHOLARS CLUB

                   2011 - Nobel Peace Prize A record 241 candidates have been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Institute in Oslo said tuesday, with WikiLeaks and people linked to revolutions in the Arab world known to be in the running. "It increases almost every year," Nobel Institute director Geir Lundestad told media, pointing out that in 2010, the record-breaking number had been 237 candidates.

  Mahashivrati  'Shivratri' festival is most scrupulously observed by the Kashmiri Pandits, the ancient and original inhabitants of Kashmir. They make thorough preparations and collect eatables, fruits and sweets. The entertainment of the Sivratri festival extends to about three weeks in Kashmiri Pandit house-holds. 

Budget 2011-2012  Speech of Pranab Mukherjee  Minister of Finance February 28, 2011 Madam Speaker, I rise to present the Union Budget for 2011-12. We are reaching the end of a remarkable fiscal year. In a globalised world with its share of uncertainties and rapid changes, this year brought us some opportunities and many challenges as we moved ahead with steady steps on the chosen path of fiscal consolidation and high economic growth.

Highlights of Union Budget 2011-12 * Direct tax sops to result in Rs 11,500 cr net revenue loss * Investment-linked deductions for fertilisers and developers of affordable housing * Low withholding tax of 5% for notified infra funds * Foreign dividend tax rate cut to 15% for Indian companies

26,000 colleges to be connected with fibre optics: Sibal In an effort to build an international highway of information, 26,000 colleges and 800 universities in the country would be connected with fibre optics in the next three to four years, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said on 27/02/2011.