NEWSMAKERS
TOPIC OF THE WEEK
Subhendu Guha
Scientist Subhendu Guha, noted for his pioneering work in amorphous silicon, wins the 2005 World Technology Award in energy.
Young Achievers
Ajit Divakaruni
Ajit Divakaruni, senior honors student at College of Science at University of Arizona (UA), is one of 40 2006 Marshall Scholars.
Kiran Pendri,    Desh Mohan

Amardeep Grewal Abhinav Khanna
Siemens Westinghouse Science Competition; Kiran Pendri, Desh Mohan, Abhinav Khanna and Amardeep Grewal were 4 students of South Asian origin among the 19 national finalists in individual and team categories. More..
  :: 36th International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
Living legend of Hindi films, Dev Anand, going round the Film Bazaar at 36th International Film Festival of India in Panaji, Goa, on Nov. 25. The festival drew to a close on Dec. 4 with the screening of Belgian-French production 'L'Enfant,' directed by Jean Pierre & Luc Dardenne. Iranian film 'Iron Island,' directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, bagged the Best Film Award even as a heated debate continued over the choice of Goa as the permanent venue of the annual extravaganza which gives Indian film afficionados the chance to catch up with the latest trends in world cinema. (Photo, as it appears on pib.nic.in)
SPECIAL REPORT
  :: Manmohan Singh's 4-day Russia Visit
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at Moscow's Kremlin, on Dec. 6. India's prime minister arrived in Moscow for talks with President Putin and other Russian officials on energy and security cooperation and increasing purchases of Russian military hardware. (Photo: AFP)                                                          More..
HEADLINE NEWS
BILL GATES IN INDIA: Microsoft chief Bill Gates, during his 4-day visit to India, announced at a press conference in New Delhi on Dec. 7 that Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion in India and also partner with the government in pushing e-governance which would help add value to the manufacturing sector. RIGHT TO WEAR TURBAN: Sikhs can wear their turbans in drivers' license photos, France's highest administrative body ruled on Dec. 5, overturning an earlier denial of license to a Sikh who refused to take off his turban for the photo. MICHIGAN KIRPAN CASE: United Sikhs, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan and attorney Mike Gibbs persuaded a City of Detroit prosecutor to drop charges last month against Sukhpreet Singh, a 23-year-old Wayne State University student, for wearing a kirpan on the university campus.
Late News
GRAMMY NOMINATIONS: Playback singer Asha Bhonsle and Pandit Ravi Shankar's daughters, Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones, have been nominated for the 2005 Grammy Awards, according to news reports. GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS: Three Hindi films, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Black,' Amol Palekar's 'Paheli' and Yash Chopra's 'Veer-Zarra,' have qualified for nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, which precedes the Oscars. The three films are among a total of 60 foreign films selected for nomination to the 63rd edition of the awards.