NSA = The post was created in 1998 to oversee the management of National Security, both in the immediate term and long term. First NSA Brajesh Mishra held the position till 2004. He was succeeded by J.N. Dixit, who died in harness ( while in the post or duty ) in January 2005. Both were former Foreign Secretaries. Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon, who retired as Foreign Secretary last year will be the 4th NSA. succeeding M.K. NARAYANAN, who has been designated as West Bengal Governor.

BIG 5 States or ' Suicide Belt' in 2008 - Maharshtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

" A.R. RAHMAN - the Musical Storm" - a biography of A.R.R written by Kamini Mathai.

"Bharat Asmita" - award for P.Sainath - the rural affairs editor of "The Hindu"