Current Affairs Today – March 30 2017

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

Parliament Passes Finance Bill 2017
i. On 30^th March 2017, the Indian parliament passed Finance Bill 2017. The passage of this bill before the beginning of next financial year justifies Govt.’s move of advancing the date of presenting Union Budget and thus will lead to early implementation of proposals.
ii. On 29^th March 2017, Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament)had returned the Finance Bill 2017 to the Lok Sabha with five amendments moved by the member of opposition party – three amendments moved by Digvijay Singh of Congress Party and two amendments moved by Sitaram Yechury of  CPI-M party.
iii. In this context, it is important to note that BJP-led NDA Govt. does not have a majority in Rajya Sabha.

LED Lights, Energy Saving Fans Distribution Scheme – launched by Virbhadra Singh
i. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh officially launched the LED Lights, Energy Saving Fans Distribution scheme on March 29, 2017. As the part of the scheme, LED tube lights and energy-efficient fans are distributed to promote energy saving.
ii. The distribution of LED tube lights and energy saving fans is carried out under Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and Appliances for All (UJALA) scheme
iii. The Himachal Pradesh government on September 2016, launched the UJALA scheme to distribute subsidized CLF bulbs and LED lights, which helped in saving energy worth about Rs 200 crore and the present initiative is an extension of that scheme.

Centre to build 1 crore houses under PMAY-G by 2019
i. In a written reply to question raised in Lok Sabha, Ram Kripal Yadav – Minister of State for Rural Development mentioned that Central Govt. has approved the construction of 1 crore houses under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Grameen (PMAY-G) with the financial outlay of Rs 81,975 crore during the period of 2016-17 to 2018-19.
ii. This decision is a part of Govt. efforts to achieve ‘Housing For All by 2022’ mission set by PM Modi.
iii. This approval to build 1 crore houses under PMAY-G by 2019 constitutes the first phase of action plan.

Manoj Sinha Releases Postage Stamp on ‘Cub Scouts’
To commemorate the Centenary year of Cub Scouts in India and abroad, Minister of Communications and Minister of State for Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha released a Postal Stamp on Cub Scouts on March 30, 2017.
About Cub Scouting
i. Cub Scouting is a worldwide Scouting movement that aims to promote character development, learn the responsibilities of citizenship, and personal fitness.
ii. Cub Scouting is basically for the children between the age group of 8-11 years.
iii. It involves games, stories, play acting, handicrafts among other outdoor and survival activities.
Scouting
i. Scouting is a movement that aims to help young citizens in their physical, mental and spiritual development so that they can play constructive role in the society.
ii. It aims to contribute towards the education of young people through firm law and rules to build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individual.
iii. Originally, Scouting was developed for youth between the ages of 11 and 17 to engage in activities in public parks, open spaces and wherever they found a suitable place.
iv. Bharat Scouts Guide is the national Scouting and Guiding association of India.

Water sharing between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana – KRMB to look after the issue
The issue in sharing of water from river Krishna between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is to be looked after by Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) as informed by Minister of state for Water Resources and River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in Lok Sabha.
♦ The Central government has constituted the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to look into the issue.
Background
i. In the month of January, 2017, The Ministry of Water Resources formed a committee to address issues related to the management of the waters of Krishna River between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
ii. The committee was headed by former Central Water Commission (CWC) chairman AK Bajaj.
iii. Based on the committee’s suggestion Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) is brought on behalf of Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014.
Role of Krishna River Management Board (KRMB)
♦ The main role of KRMB will be issuing water release orders from time to time based on ad-hoc arrangement.
♦ The order must be accepted by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for sharing Krishna river water.
♦ The final allocation is to be made by the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal -II.
Telangana                                                          Andhra Pradesh
Capital: Hyderabad with 31 districts                     Capital: Amaravati with 13 districts.
Chief Minister: Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao.    Chief Minister: N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Governor: E. S. L. Narasimhan.                             Governor: E. S. L. Narasimhan.

IIT Madras Signs MoU with Indian Army to Enhance Critical Technological Areas
The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army on March 28, 2017 to address the technological gap in the armed forces.
♦ The MoU was signed between IITM Director Bhaskar Ramamurthi and Deputy Chief of Army Staff (P&S) Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha.
Key Features of the MoU
i. The MoU provides a platform to institutions like IITs to closely work with the army officials to identify the critical gap in technological areas in army so as to enhance them.
ii .It envisages seamless interaction between the IITM faculty and the Army officers to identify the areas where the institute can contribute positively to enhance the capabilities of Indian Army.
iii .As per the MoU, Indian Army will sponsor four officers for doctoral programmes as well as 15 officers for five-day Technology Development Programme on a biannual basis.
Key Commanders of Indian Army
♦ Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): General Bipin Rawat
♦ Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS): Lieutenant General Sarath Chand

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Donald Trump signs Executive Order to Roll Back Obama’s Climate Change Measures
i. Doing away with former US President Barak Obama’s initiative to combat climate change, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order on March 29, 2017 to scrap Clean Power Plan that aims to reduce carbon emission by power plants.
ii .Signing of the executive order is part of the promise made by Trump during his election campaign to support the coal industry.
iii. The clear difference in views of both the Presidents raises questions over America’s leadership in international campaign against global warming.
Clean Power Plan
♦ Former President Obama had introduced Clean Power Plan in 2014 to tackle climate change in line with the commitments made in Paris agreement in 2015.
♦ The plan required the states to cut carbon emissions from power plants by 32% by 2030.
♦ It also imposed ban on the leasing of federal land for coal mining for a three-year period.
Key Highlights
i. As per Trump’s view, environment protection and economic growth is two different things.
ii. The executive order will help to ensure that without sacrificing thee economic growth and job, country can still have clean air and water.
iii. The order directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take steps to frame policies reflecting the new order including standards for coal- fired and natural gas-fired plants as well as lifting ban on setting up new coal plant in US.
iv. All the environmental agencies have been directed to review policies, plans that hinders the domestic energy production.
v. Trump aims to completely become energy independent without the need to import from outside nation.
vi. Executive order is aimed at bringing more jobs back to the lagging coal industry.

BANKING & FINANCE

Axis Bank Partners with Wells Fargo for Inward Remittances
i. Mumbai based Axis Bank has signed an agreement with Wells Fargo, America’s third largest bank by asset, to offer real time remittances by Indian Diaspora in US back to their relatives in India.
ii. Under the agreement, any Indian Diaspora customer of Wells Fargo can transfer money to their relatives in India without any transaction cost.
iii. However, the agreement also envisages that the Indian beneficiary who is to receive the monetary value should have an account with Axis Bank to receive the amount.
iv. Besides, there will also be no restrictions on the amount of transfer.
v. The tie up is expected to enhance the customer base of both the banks.
vi .Earlier, Wells Fargo has signed similar tie-ups with ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank. It aims to tap private banks as they have large customer base.
Keys

Kotak Mahindra Bank Launches 8-11 App to Double Customer Base
i. Private sector lender, Kotak Mahindra bank has launched an innovative account opening system on March 29, 2017 under the name 8-11 which can be used from anywhere and anytime.
ii. The app 8-11 was launched by bank’s Vice-President Uday Kotak in New Delhi.
iii. The name 8-11 is inspired from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s November 8 demonetization move.
iv. The aim of launching the 8-11 app is to increase the customer base of the bank within 18 months from existing 8 million.
Features of 8-11 App
♦ The users can open the account within five minutes using the Kotak Mahindra’s mobile banking system.
♦ It will allow users to open a zero-balance, zero-charge account even at midnight to offer free digital services.
♦ Only Aadhaar card and PAN card is needed for opening the account.
♦ 8-11 will offer customers up to 6 percent interest on their savings account balances.
♦ It will offer over 100 features including deposits, fund transfer and even purchases on Flipkart, PVR and other establishments.
♦ KMB is the first lender in the country to use the Aadhar-based OTP for the account opening.
Kotak Mahindra Bank
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ Founded: 2003
♦ Founder & Executive Vice Chairman & MD: Uday Kotak

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

‘India Pride Award’ – infrastructure development won by AAI and best performance won by NTPC
i. On March 28, 2017 Airports Authority of India (AAI) was awarded with Dainik Bhaskar’s India Pride Awards 2016 -17 for “Excellence in Infrastructure Development” in the category of Public Sector Undertaking. In addition to that, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited also won the India Pride Awards 2016 -17 for “Excellence in Performance in the Power Sector” in the category of Public Sector Undertaking.
ii. Both the awards were presented by Union Minister of Communications (Independent charge) Manoj Sinha in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Pakistan Appoints Sima Kamil as the First Woman Chief of Leading Bank
i. Sima Kamil, a veteran Pakistani banker has become the first female to be appointed as the President and CEO of one of the largest commercial bank of Pakistan.
ii .Kamil was on March 27, 2017 appointed as the President of United Bank Limited (UBL), one of the top 5 banks of the country.
iii. Initially she will serve as the deputy CEO at UBL and eventually take over as the President and CEO on June 1, 2017 after the incumbent CEO Wajahat Hussain retires.
Sima Kamil’s Career Background
♦ Kamil has obtained her business degree from Kingston University in the UK and an MBA from the City University, London.
♦ She has over 25 years of experience in the banking industry. Prior to her appointment, Kamil worked at leading Habib Bank Ltds (HBL) Branch Banking since 2011.
♦ Earlier, she was the director of a microfinance industry in Pakistan named First MicroFinance Bank and also has working experience at international financial institutions such American Express, Standard Chartered Bank.
About United Bank Limited
UBL is one of the largest commercial bank in Pakistan with an asset size of Rs. 1 trillion. It operates 1,281 branches all over Pakistan, including 22 Islamic banking branches and one branch in Karachi export processing zone, and 18 branches outside Pakistan.
♦ Headquarter: Karachi, Pakistan
♦ CEO: Wajahat Hussain
♦ Founded: 7 November 1959

Germany’s Montblanc Appoints AB de Villiers as Brand Ambassador
i. South Africa’s leading cricketer, AB de Villiers, has been appointed as the new brand ambassador of the Germany based Montblanc International.
ii. He has been selected to represent the company in South Africa as well as India.
iii. The 33 year old player would endorse all the products of the company ranging from watches, writing instruments, men’s accessories and leather goods.
About AB de Villiers
♦ Abraham Benjamin de Villiers was born on February 17, 1984 in South Africa. He currently captains the South African One Day International (ODI) team.
♦ The batsman made his international debut in a Test match in 2004, first ODI in 2005 and debut in Twenty20 International in 2006.
♦ He also holds the World record of fastest 50, 100 and 150 in one-day international cricket, fastest test century and fastest T20I 50 by a South African.
♦ Besides, he also holds the record for most test innings (78) without registering a duck.
Montblanc
Montblanc International is a German manufacturer of luxurious items like luxury writing instruments, watches, jewellery and leather goods.
♦ Founded: 1906
♦ Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany
♦ CEO: Nicolas Baretzki

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Dubai based Souq.com bought by Amazon
i. Amazon the World’s biggest E-commerce industry has confirmed its acquisition of Souq.com, the company from Dubai headed by Ronaldo Mouchawar which has 8.4 million products.
ii. Middle East online retailer was bought by Amazon in a neck to neck bidding between Dubai billionaire Mohamed Alabbar’s Emaar Malls.
iii. The value of the deal is not revealed but it is higher than USD 800 million tabled by Emaar Malls. By this deal with Amazon, Souq.com will have access to Amazon’s global platform and its faster delivery systems to cut delivery times.
About Amazon
♦ Amazon is an electronic commerce and cloud computing company that was founded on July 5, 1994.
♦ Based in Seattle, Washington, it was founded by Jeff Bezos.
♦ It is the largest Internet-based retailer in the world by total sales and market capitalization. It is ranked 4^th in the Most Valuable Public Company.
About Souq.com
♦ Souq.com is an E-commerce platform founded by Ronaldo Mouchawar in 2005.
♦ It is often called as the Amazon of the Middle East region.
♦ Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, the company is backed by Tiger Global Management.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Online Vigilance Clearance System and E-Service Book launched by Central Government
i. Mr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region launched the Online Vigilance Clearance System and E-Service Book in New Delhi on March 30, 2017. Central Vigilance Commissioner, K V Chowdary, was also present on this occasion.
ii. The Online Vigilance Clearance System is only available for board-level appointments done by Public Enterprises Selection Board for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE).
iii. The E-Service Book will electronically maintain service records of the employees including leave, house building allowance, history of work done at various departments.

F.D.A. Approves First Drug to Treat Severe Multiple Sclerosis
i. On 28^th March 2017, Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A), the federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services approved the first drug to treat Severe Multiple Sclerosis.
ii. This approval came as a ray of hope for all such patients who so far did not have any approved drug for treatment.
iii. The drug called Ocrevus will be sold by Genentech Company owned by the Swiss pharmaceutical major Roche.

Centre Launches Mobile apps eChallan, mParivahan to Check Traffic Violations
i. The government has launched two new Android based Apps- echallan and mParivahan, to provide transparency in enforcement of traffic rules as well as enable the citizens to report any traffic violation or road accident.
ii. The two initiatives launched by the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways  are a part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India campaign that seeks to develop cashless India by adopting digital measures for daily activities.
iii. While the system is already functional in all regional transport offices in Uttar Pradesh, the transport department and traffic police departments in a number of other states are soon to adopt the system shortly.
iv. This initiative will help to improve the efficiency of the roadways system in India which is still lacking behind and is based on pen and paper medium.
v. With the help of the two apps, law makers can issue digital challans to the law breakers and keep a track of all the violations.
Key Features of eChallan
♦ eChallan is an Android-based mobile app integrated with back-end web application for the Transport Enforcement Wing and Traffic Police to manage traffic violations.
♦ The app will help the traffic police to enforce transport laws by issuing digital challans and completely digitise the process of dealing with wrong-doers.
♦ It is also a single platform to connect all stakeholders. The system will help in easing operation and monitoring.
Key Features of mParivahan
♦ m-parivahan is a citizen-centric app. It provides various transport-related services to the citizens like obtaining virtual driving licence and registration certificates through back-end connection to the transport national register.
♦ It also facilitates adding any vehicle to the app which would in future help to gain all the detail regarding the vehicle including owner’s driving licence and registration certificate.
♦ Besides, m-Parivahan app also helps people in reporting any road accidents or even report law breakers by clicking the pictures and uploading to Transport ministry account through app.

Suresh Prabhu Launches High Speed Internet Service at National Rail Museum
Suresh Prabhu, the Minister of Railways launched a high speed free Wi-Fi service for the visitors at National Rail Museum, New Delhi on March 30, 2017.
About Wi-Fi Services in National Rail Museum
i. The free Wi-Fi service at the National Rail Museum has been commissioned by the RailTel through ‘RailWire’ platform, the retail Broadband distribution model of RailTel to make available ICT (Information and Communications Technology) to general public.
ii. RailTel jointly with technology giant Google has commissioned the service that will provide world class internet experience to the hundreds of people visiting the Museum every day.
iii. RailTel has used a total of 23 access points, 11 access switches and 1 Fiber switch  to create Wi Fi facility at the National Rail Museum and will ensure high definition video, download a book or a new game among others.
iv. Apart from this RailTel is also planning to provide high speed internet service at 5 more tourists’ places in Delhi including Red Fort, Humayun Tomb, Safdarjung Tomb, QutubMinar and Rajpath Lawns.
About RailTel Corporation
♦ RailTel Corporation is a “Mini Ratna (Category-I)” PSU under Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
♦ It is one of the largest telecom services providers with Pan-India optic fiber network with the objective of creating nationwide broadband, telecom and multimedia network.
♦ RailTel focuses on providing Broadband Telecom Network & Multimedia Network in addition to modernization of Train operations and administration network systems for I
Keys:
♦ Founded: September 2000
♦ Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana
♦ Chairman & MD: R.K. Bahuguna

‘Aviation Turbine Fuel-Digital Issue and Payment’ launched by IAF Chief
Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa officially launched the e-billing system for the Indian Air Force (IAF) called Aviation Turbine Fuel-Digital Issue and Payment (ATF-DIP) in New Delhi on March 28, 2017. The new system of ATF-DIP will be implemented from April 1, 2017.
♦ The e-billing system is to be started on behalf of government’s flagship Digital India program. It is implemented for the quick clearance and accounting of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) bills to oil supplying Public Sector Units (PSU).
Need for e-billing
i. The fuel management system in Indian Air Force (IAF) involves over two lakh transactions per year
ii. On implementation of ATF-DIP system it will be easier to make the payment and it can be made in an orderly manner.
About Indian Air Force (IAF)
♦ Indian Air Force (IAF) is the armed air force of Indian armed forces which is founded on 8 October 1932, headquartered in New Delhi.
♦ It is the 4^th largest air force in the world with 170,000 personnel and 1,500 aircrafts which is topped by USA then Russia and Israel.
♦ The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) is Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa.
♦ The motto of IAF is “Touch the Sky with Glory”

ENVIRONMENT

Argentine Senate Passes Bill to Legalize Medical Use of Cannabis Oil
The Senate of Argentina unanimously voted favoring a Bill on March 29, 2017 by 58-0 to legalize the use of cannabis oil and other derivatives obtained from marijuana, for medical use.
♦ While the Bill was already passed by the lower house earlier, the Senate too gave the final approval to the Bill, which now requires the signature of the President Mauricio Macri.
♦ The Cannabis oil and other marijuana derivatives are found to be effective in treating diseases ranging from HIV to Epilepsy.
Key Features of the Bill
i. As per the Bill, a regulatory framework would be constituted to prescribe and distribute the cannabis oil and other derivates to the patients.
ii. The Bill also seeks to organize a medical marijuana research program at the Ministry of Health. Patients who will join this program would be given free access to cannabis oil and other derivatives.
iii.The government agencies have also been authorized to grow marijuana for research purposes, to produce cannabis oil and derivatives for patients.
iv. Besides, the Bill has also removed the ban on importing cannabis oil and allowed Argentines to buy it with a prescription.
v. The state can import cannabis derivatives until they become sufficient in producing it locally.
Other Countries to Legalize Marijuana
♦ Uruguay became the first country in the world to fully legalize marijuana right from the stage of production, sale and consumption, however only registered users can avail the benefit.
♦ Colombia, Chile, Mexico, California, Massachusetts, Maine and Nevada have all legalized the cultivation and use of marijuana for medical and scientific purposes.
♦ Canada aims to legalize the medicinal plant by 2018.
About Marijuana
i. Marijuana is banned in many nations because it is considered as a drug similar to alcohol or cocaine causing intoxication. Despite its intoxicating properties, marijuana has several chemicals that are very useful mainly for treating mental disorder and anxiety.
ii. The most famous medical product produced from marijuana is the cannabis oil that can treat chronic pain, muscle spasms, improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS or even reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy.

SPORTS

BCCI Senior Trophies – Tamil Nadu Cricket team becomes the 1^st to win in all forms
Tamilnadu State cricket team won the Deodhar Trophy on March 29, 2017. By this win, Tamilnadu State cricket became first state team to win all the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) senior level matches.
List of trophies won by Tamilnadu State cricket team
1.Ranji Trophy – 1954 (as Madras) and1987,
2.Irani Cup – 1988,
3.Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – 2007,
4.Vijay Hazare Trophy – 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2017,
5.Deodhar Trophy -2017
About Tamilnadu State cricket team
i. Tamilnadu State cricket team is a domestic cricket team representing the state of Tamil Nadu which is run by Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.
ii. Founded on 1930, the team was known as Madras till the year 1970-71.
iii. The team has Abhinav Mukund as First Class Captain and Vijay Shankar as List A and Twenty20 Captain.
About Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
♦ Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the national governing body for cricket in India founded in 1926 and formed in December 1928.
♦ Headquartered at Wankhede Stadium in Maharashtra, the Chief Executive of the board is Mr. Rahul Johri.
♦ Anil Kumble: Indian men’s team coach
♦ Purnima Rau: Indian women’s team coach

Srinath Narayanan is all set to become India’s 46th Grandmaster in Chess
i. Srinath Narayanan, the 23-year-old Chess player from Chennai, Tamilnadu is in his track of becoming the 46^th Grandmaster in the history of this sport.
ii. The milestone was achieved by him after defeating GM David Anton Guijarro from Spain at the Sharjah Masters 2017 chess tournament held on March 29, 2017.
iii. The 45^th Grandmaster title was held by Aryan Chopra from New Delhi. He is currently the grandmaster in the world.
Srinath Narayanan Achievements
♦ At the age of 8, Srinath Narayanan became the India’s youngest Fédération Internationale Des Échecs (i.e., World Chess Federation) rated player in 2002.
♦ In the Under-12 World Championship held in France, he finished as a joint Champion of the tournament in the year 2005.
♦ He won his first Grandmaster (GM) norm in 2012 by winning theAsian Junior Chess Championship which he won again in 2013.
♦ He became an International Master at the age of 14 and crossed the 2500 ELO rating at the Sharjah Masters.So far he has won 5 Grandmaster norms.

World Olympic medals stripped from Runner Abeylegesse 
i. Elvan Abeylegesse, the 34 year old Turkish long-distance runner stripped of Two Olympic silver medals and One Championship medal after she was found positive in re-analysis of an in-competition doping test which was done on August 25, 2007.
ii. This was declared by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on March 28, 2017.
iii. Her results dated from August 25, 2007 to August 25, 2009 have been stripped. She was also banned for playing in International games from September 29, 2015 to September 28, 2017.
iv. Medals stripped from Elvan Abeylegesse
1.World Athletics Championships, 2007- Silver medal held in Osaka.
2.Beijing Olympics, 2008 – Silver medals in 5000 meters and 10,000 meters.
About International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)
♦ International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is the international governing body for the sport of athletics formed on 17 July, 1912.
♦ It is headquartered in Monaco with 215 member federations.
♦ The President of IAAF is Sebastian Coe from United Kingdom.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu Releases Book Titled “Indian Railway- The weaving of a National Tapestry”
A book on the history of Indian Railways titled “Indian Railway-The weaving of a National Tapestry” was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on March 30, 2017.
♦ Author: The book has been jointly authored by Shri Bibek Debroy (Member, NITI Aayog), Shri Sanjay Chadha (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce) & Ms. Vidya Krishnamurthi.
About the Book
i .The book has been written with the theme Historical Development of Railways in India.
ii. The theme of the book has been beautifully explained using different chapters on the development of the Railway system in India in chronological order.
iii. It covers the early Indian Railway life from 1830-1947. To make it interesting, the authors have written the book in story telling manner.
iv. The story ranges from early plans for building railways in the India in the 1830s, and covers the period of consolidation and change during the 1870s. The last chapter covers the period from the beginning of 20th century until Independence.
v. Beginning from the 20th century, the book provides valuable piece of information on topics like early movies on railway, the history of railway police forces etc.
vi. The book throws light on many unknown facts about Indian Railways which were not known to Public.
vii. The cover of the book depicts a steam loco which used to pull the meter gauge loco in Rajputana Malwa region.