Saudi Arabia King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz died

After the death of Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, his brother and Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was named as the new king of the world’s top oil exporting nation. Salman is best known for overseeing the development of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, during his nearly 50 years as its governor. He also gave women the right to vote and to compete in the Olympics.

SBI signs 100 mn euro loan pact with EIB

India’s largest bank State Bank of India (SBI), has signed a loan agreement for 100 million euro (about Rs. 700 crore) with European Investment Bank (EIB). This agreement was facilitated by SBI Capital Markets, a subsidiary of SBI.

Vodafone appoints Sunil Sood as India CEO

Vodafone has appointed Sunil Sood as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for its India operations. He will be the first Indian CEO of Vodafone. He will replace Marten Pieters  who will step down on 1 April 2015. Presently, he is Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company.

Jhumpa Lahiri wins DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2015

Indian-American Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has won prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2015. The fifth edition of this prize was announced at the Jaipur Literature Festival. She has received the prestigious $50,000 DSC Prize for her book The Lowland.

Kerala to get first International Institute of Music

A Trust headed by Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has been entrusted with the responsibility to set up the Institute. The government will only provide the land and all the other infrastructure facilities will be built by a trust managed by Khan’s family. The school will be under the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi but would have a separate body to govern it. All kinds of music, musical instruments and musical systems will be taught at the Institute.