India at a glance in 2013

Highs

SACHIN TENDULKAR became first sportsperson to be conferred Bharat Ratna. He left the game after breaking almost all records in cricket.

CNR RAO an eminent scientist was also awarded the Bharat Ratna this year.He has published over 1,400 research papers and 45 books.

Anna Hazare made Lokpal Bill a reality after 46 years of wait. Almost all parties converged to push the Bill through Parliament.

ASHOK KHEMKA an IAS officer has been transferred 45 times by Haryana government after he exposed corruption in the state.

NOTA The newly introduced NOTA (None of the above) made a notable impact in recently held state assembly elections in five states.

Food for all: The National Food Security Bill, 2013 received the assent of the President and came into force from 10th September 2013

New anti-rape law: Prez Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to Anti-rape Bill which ensures life term and even death sentence for rapists.

GenX power: In recently held state elections a high voter turnout was recorded. Enrolment of young voters has resulted in the unusually high voter turnout in polls.

caged parrot: CBI chief Ranjit Sinha accepted SC observation that agency is a ‘caged parrot.’

APOLOGY: Sinha apologised for his comments on rape. “I regret any hurt caused by comments that was not intended." He had said: “If you cannot prevent rape, you enjoy it.”

SHAME! Rajesh and Nupur Talwar were found guilty of killing their daughter, Aarushi, domestic help Hemraj. They were sentenced for life imprisonment.

Sept 13, 2013: Dec 16 Gang-rape: Death to all four accused

All the four convicts in December 16 gang-rape and murder case were awarded death penalty by Delhi court. The victim’s family demanded nothing less than capital punishment, the convicts -- Mukesh (26), Akshay Thakur (28), Pawan Gupta (19) and Vinay Sharma (20) -- have begged for mercy before Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna, who had held them guilty of gang-rape and “cold blooded” murder of a “defenceless” 23-year-old girl in a premeditated manner.

Cyclone Phailin Packing heavy rains and destructive winds, hit very close to Gopalpur on the Odisha coast. Over eight lakh residents in the state and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh moved inland to shelters in the hope of riding out the dangerous storm. The timely alert and rescue work by Odisha Govt saved thousands of lives. UN too hailed the rescue efforts.

TRAGEDY 5,360 dead

Uttarakhand govt puts number of dead in floods and landlides at 5,360. Scores of houses were damaged in the landslides, triggered by heavy rains. An official statement said the Mandakini and Alkananda caused extensive damage during the June 16, 17 deluge. Over 10,000 stranded pilgrims were rescued.

SARKAR AAP KI

Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP has rewritten the grammar of politics in Delhi and may possibly do so elsewhere during the 2014 General Elections. He took oath as Delhi Chief Minister, promising a corruption-free government and new style of governance without arrogance of power.AAP scored a stunning debut in electoral politics winning 28 of the 70 seats.

In a warning to his minsters and partymen, he said they should not get arrogant with power. "We were born to remove the arrogance of big parties. We should be wary that no other party has to take birth to dismantle us".

DIPLOMAT ROW! Devyani Khobragade was hand-cuffed, strip-searched in US on charges of visa fraud.

Homosexuality: Within 9 days of SC verdict upholding Article 377, Centre moved court seeking a review.

Lows

Lalu Yadav RJD chief was convicted in a 17-year-old multi-crore Fodder Scam for allegedly swindling more than Rs 37 crore. He lost his Lok Sabha seat.

Pawan Kumar Bansal Rly Minister Pawan Bansal resigned after his nephew was held for accepting Rs.90 lakh as bribe on his behalf for promoting Sr Rly official.

TARUN TEJPAL: Tehelka editor-in-chief was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a young colleague. He remains behind bar in Goa as his bail has been rejected.

Ashwani Kumar: Law Minister resigned after the SC came down heavily on CBI for allowing Law Min to vet draft of CBI report on Coalgate