1. Award-Winning Poet Donald Hall Passes Away. 

Donald Hall, a prolific, award-winning poet and man of letters widely admired for his sharp humor and painful candor about nature, mortality, baseball and the distant past, has died at age 89.

Hall’s daughter, Philippa Smith, confirmed Sunday that her father died Saturday at his home in Wilmot, New Hampshire, after being in hospice care for some time.

“He’s really quite amazingly versatile,” said Hall’s longtime friend Mike Pride, the editor emeritus of the Concord Monitor newspaper and a retired administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes. He said Hall would occasionally speak to reporters at the Monitor about the importance of words. Hall was the nation’s 2006-2007 poet laureate.

Starting in the 1950s, Hall published more than 50 books, from poetry and drama to biography and memoirs, and edited a pair of influential anthologies. He was an avid baseball fan who wrote odes to his beloved Boston Red Sox, completed a book on pitcher Dock Ellis and contributed to Sports Illustrated. He wrote a prize-winning children’s book, “Ox-Cart Man,” and even attempted a biography of Charles Laughton, only to have the actor’s widow, Elsa Lancaster, kill the project.

But the greatest acclaim came for his poetry, for which his honors included a National Book Critics Circle prize, membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a National Medal of Arts. Although his style varied from haikus to blank verse, he returned to a handful of themes: his childhood, the death of his parents and grandparents and the loss of his second wife and fellow poet, Jane Kenyon.

“Much of my poetry has been elegiac, even morbid, beginning with laments over New Hampshire farms and extending to the death of my wife,” he wrote in the memoir “Packing the Boxes,” published in 2008.

2. EAM Sushma Swaraj Introduces `Passport Seva App`.

Getting a valid passport will now be much easier for the applicants with the government launching a Passport Seva App on Tuesday. The app, which was launched by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, makes the process for obtaining a passport much easier.

Swaraj, while addressing the officials of several Passport Seva Kendras and members of the Ministry of External Affairs on the occasion of Passport Seva Diwas, stated that the two new schemes - Passport application from anywhere in India and filling passport application forms from mobile phones – would now make the procedure for obtaining passports simpler.

While terming it as a "passport revolution", the minister said that the simplified new passport application rues will make things much easier for hundreds of Indian citizens willing to undertake a Haj pilgrimage.

3. S Ramesh Appointed Chairman Of CBIC.

Senior bureaucrat S Ramesh has been appointed as chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the apex policy-making body for indirect taxes, according to an official order.

He will succeed Vanaja N Sarna, who superannuates on June 30.

Ramesh, a 1981 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), is at present the member in the board, mandated with the responsibility of implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He has been appointed as chairman of the CBIC with the status of special secretary to the central government, the order said.

Sarna was appointed as chief of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), which has now been rechristened as the CBIC, in March last year. She was instrumental in the implementation of the GST from July 1 last year. Official sources said Sarna may be appointed as chairperson of the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), the IT backbone of the GST, after her retirement.

Senior IRS (Customs and Central Excise) officer Raj Kumar Barthwal has been named as new member in the CBIC in place of Ramesh, the order said. The CBIC, which works under the Finance Ministry, is headed by a chairman and can have a maximum of six members. AKV

4. SBI MD Sriram Resigns Amid IDBI Stake Sale Buz.

SBI managing director B Sriram has resigned from the country’s largest lender after his appointment as chief executive of IDBI Bank, sources said. The development assumes significance amid reports that insurance behemoth LIC is mulling acquiring a majority stake in the debt ridden state-owned bank.

The government last week appointed Sriram as managing director and CEO of IDBI Bank for a temporary period of three months.

He has put in his papers and his resignation from the board of SBI has been forward to Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acceptance, sources said, adding the competent authority will take a final call on the matter.

Sriram took charge of IDBI Bank on June 22 following M K Jain demitting office to take over as Deputy Governor of RBI. The ACC approved the appointment of Sriram as MD and CEO of IDBI Bank for three months with effect from M K Jain’s demitting office, said an order issued last week by the Department of Personnel and Training.

 1. Legendary Mimicry Artiste Nerella Venumadhav Passes Away. 

Noted mimicry artiste Nerella Venumadhav died after a brief illness at his home in Mattewada in Warangal city in Telangana. He was 85 and is survived by wife, two daughters, and two sons.

Venumadhav served as an MLC in 1971 in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. He rose to international fame after his enthralling performance at the United Nations. He was conferred scores of awards, including the Padma Shri in 2001.

A veteran mimicry artiste, Venumadhav, was born on December 28, 1932 in Mattewada. He began his passion – mimicry - at the age of 15. Over the years, he mastered the art and inspired scores of people to take up the art form. He was instrumental in introducing a course in mimicry in several institutions, including the Telugu University.

Venumadhav was recently felicitated by the Telangana government on State formation day on June 2. Public representatives and people from different walks of life expressed their grief over his demise.

2. ICICI Bank Names Sandeep Bakhshi As COO.

ICICI Bank Ltd.’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Chanda Kochhar will go on leave till an independent probe into allegations of impropriety against her is completed.

The private lender named Sandeep Bakhshi as its chief operating officer for five years, according to a bank statement filed with the stock exchanges after a day-long board meeting. Bakhshi, currently COO designate, will take over as COO on June 19 or on receiving regulatory and other approvals, whichever is later.

He will be responsible for handling all the businesses and corporate centre functions at the bank, said the statement. All executive directors on the board of ICICI Bank and the executive management will report to him. While he will report to Kochhar, during her leave Bakhshi will report to the board, the bank said.

Kochhar, who the bank had earlier said was on a planned annual leave, will continue in her role as managing director and chief executive officer.

“In line with the highest levels of governance and corporate standards, Ms. Chanda Kochhar has decided to go on leave till the completion of the enquiry as announced on May 30, 2018.”- ICICI Bank statement .

3. Pulitzer Prize-Winning Political Commentator Charles Krauthammer Passes Away.

Charles Krauthammer, a longtime Fox News contributor, Pulitzer Prize winner, Harvard-trained psychiatrist and best-selling author who came to be known as the dean of conservative commentators, died Thursday. He was 68.

His death had been expected after he wrote a heartbreaking letter to colleagues, friends and viewers on June 8 that said in part “I have been uncharacteristically silent these past ten months. I had thought that silence would soon be coming to an end, but I’m afraid I must tell you now that fate has decided on a different course for me…

“Recent tests have revealed that the cancer has returned. There was no sign of it as recently as a month ago, which means it is aggressive and spreading rapidly. My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over.” The letter continued, “I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life -- full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living.”

In recent years, Krauthammer was best known for his nightly appearance as a panelist on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” and as a commentator on various Fox news shows.

Following the news of the death of his “good friend,” Baier posted on Twitter, “I am sure you will be owning the panel discussion in heaven as well. And we`ll make sure your wise words and thoughts - your legacy - will live on here.”

4. B Sriram Appointed IDBI Bank`s MD And CEO.

State Bank of India`s (SBI) Managing Director B Sriram was appointed as the IDBI Bank`s CEO and managing director for a temporary period of three months, according to an official order. He has been appointed in place of incumbent Mahesh Kumar Jain who was recently named Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Sriram as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IDBI Bank for a temporary period of three months with effect from Jain`s demitting office, the order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.

Sriram has been working as the MD (Corporate and Global Banking) in SBI since July 2014. He had been Managing Director of State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur. Sriram joined the government-run bank in 1981 as a Probationary Officer.

During over three-decade-long cState Bank of India (SBI) managing director Balasubramanyam Sriram has been appointed the managing director and chief executive officer of IDBI Bank for a period of three months. He will replace the incumbent, Mahesh Kumar Jain, who has been appointed the deputy governor of the Reserve of Bank India (RBI).

The appointments committee of the cabinet has approved Sriram’s appointment as CEO of IDBI Bank for a temporary period of three months with effect from Jain’s demitting office, the order issued by the personnel ministry said.

Jain, who has been the managing director and CEO of IDBI Bank since March 2017, is expected to take charge as the fourth deputy governor at RBI on Friday. He succeeds S.S. Mundra, who retired in August 2017.

Sriram is due for retirement in September this year, which is one of the reasons for him being given a three-month term at IDBI. He has been working as the managing director in-charge of corporate banking and stressed assets resolution at SBI since July 2014. Sriram was also one of the candidates shortlisted for the post of RBI deputy governor, along with Jain.

Sriram has worked in various roles in domestic as well as in international markets in his nearly three decades of experience at SBI. He also served as the managing director and CEO of the State Bank of Bikaner, an associate bank that was later merged with SBI.reer, he held several positions and also had a stint at SBI`s Singapore office. His appointment signals the government`s efforts to ensure that the bank does not remain headless after Jain`s appointment in the central bank.

5. Australian Golfer Peter Thomson Passes Away.

Hailed as a hero to some and as golf royalty to others, Peter Thomson, a five-time winner of the British Open and the only player in the 20th century to win the tournament for three straight years, died Wednesday. He was 88.

Thomson had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for more than four years and died at his Melbourne home surrounded by family members, Golf Australia said.

The first Australian to win the British Open, Thomson went on to secure the title five times between 1954 and 1965, a record equaled only by American Tom Watson.

The Australian’s wins came in 1954, ’55, ’56, again in 1958 and lastly in 1965 against a field that included Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Only Harry Vardon, with six titles between 1896 and 1914, won more.

Thomson also tied for fourth at the 1956 U.S. Open and placed fifth in the 1957 Masters. He never played the PGA Championship.

In 1998, he captained the International side to its only win over the United States at the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne.

Asked by The Associated Press in 2011 how he’d like to be remembered, Thomson replied: "A guy who always said what he thought."

Veteran Australian golfer Karrie Webb was among the first to tweet her condolences, saying she was "saddened to hear of the passing of our Aussie legend and true gentleman of the game …. so honoured to have been able to call Peter my friend. RIP Peter."

Former PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said Thomson was "a champion in every sense of the word, both on the course and in life."

"Many know him as a five-time champion golfer of the year or as a three-time captain of the Presidents Cup International team." Finchem added. "But he was also a great friend, father, grandfather and husband. He was golfing royalty, and our sport is a better one because of his presence."

6. Arijit Basu Appointed SBI`s New Managing Director.

The appointments committee of the cabinet has appointed Arijit Basu as the new Managing Director of State Bank of India. In a notification, the cabinet committee said Basu has been appointed as MD till October 31, 2020.

Prior to this, Basu was heading the corporate accounts group as the deputy managing director and handling stressed assets. Basu returned to SBI two months ago after serving as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at SBI Life Insurance for four years.Two days ago, SBI`s Managing Director B Sriram was temporarily appointed as the Chief of IDBI Bank for a period of three months.

Sriram will take charge as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDBI Bank after existing Chief MK Jain got recently appointed as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor.A graduate in Economics and a Master of Arts in History, Basu started his career with the bank almost 35 years ago as a probationary officer.According to the SBI Act, the bank can have up to four managing directors.

1. Sharad Kumar Appointed Vigilance Commissioner In CVC.

Former NIA chief Sharad Kumar was on June 10 appointed vigilance commissioner in the probity watchdog CVC, officials said.

The 62-year-old Kumar, a 1979-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, retired in September 2017 after heading the National Investigation Agency for over four years.

According to an official order, Mr. Kumar has been appointed vigilance commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission for a term of four years or till he attains the age of 65. The post was lying vacant since February. According to the rules, Mr. Kumar’s tenure will come to an end in October 2020.

The Commission comprises of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and two vigilance commissioners. At present, K.V. Chowdary is the CVC and T.M. Bhasin is the other vigilance commissioner.

2. Arvind Saxena Appointed As Acting UPSC Chairman.

Union Public Service Commission member Arvind Saxena has been appointed as the acting chairman of the commission from 20 June, a government order said.

Saxena, a 1978-batch Indian Postal Service officer, will take over the charge from incumbent Vinay Mittal who completes his term at the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 19 June.

A latest government order said Saxena will "perform the duties of the post of chairman, UPSC" with effect from 20 June till further orders or till completion of his tenure on 7 August, 2020. Saxena joined the UPSC in May, 2015 after he completed his stint in the Aviation Research Centre (ARC).

The officer has also worked in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) after he joined it in 1988 and "specialised in the study of strategic developments in neighbouring countries".

The UPSC conducts civil services examination annually in three stages—preliminary, main and interview—to select officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

3. Veteran Journalist Adiraju Venkateswara Rao Passes Away.

Senior journalist and writer Adiraju Venkateswara Rao passed away here. He was 79. Rao had not been keeping well for some time and the end came late last night, sources said.

Rao, a native of Khammam district, worked in different Telugu and English newspapers. He also authored several books, the sources said. He played an active role in the separate Telangana agitation in 1969 and the state government honoured him during the Telangana formation day celebrations recently, a release from the Chief Minister’s office said.

Condoling the death of Venkateswara Rao, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao recalled his services to achieve separate Telangana as well as in the fields of journalism and literature, it said.

1.  Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra Gets Additional Charge Of DRDO Chairman.

The government has asked Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra to hold additional charge of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after its head S. Christopher`s tenure ended on Monday.

"The competent authority has approved assignment of additional charge of the post of Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development to Sanjay Mitra, Defence Secretary, for a period of three months with effect from May 29, 2018 and until further orders," an official statement said.

Christopher was given one year`s extension beyond the prescribed age last year. Though he had been gunning for another extension but the government had dropped hints it was not very keen on retaining him.

According to defence sources, two scientists - G. Satheesh Reddy, scientific advisor to the Defence Minister, and Sudhir Mishra, head of BrahMos Aerospace, - were in the fray to replace Christopher.

Christopher took over as the head of DRDO in May 2015.

The premier defence research organisation has often been criticised for delayed projects with most of its ventures -- be it Tejas light combat aircraft or long-range surface-to-air missile systems -- have repeatedly missed deadlines, causing huge cost overruns.

2. MK Jain Appointed RBI Deputy Governor.

The Centre has appointed MK Jain, Managing Director and CEO of IDBI Bank, as the RBI’s Deputy Governor.

Jain will fill a position that had been lying vacant since August 2017 after the retirement of SS Mundra.

With the appointment of Jain, the Centre has stuck to the tradition of having a commercial banker occupy this post of RBI Deputy Governor (reserved for bankers). The central bank now has four serving RBI Deputy Governors.

Jain has been appointed for a term of three years, Financial Services Secretary, Rajeev Kumar, tweeted on Monday.

It may be recalled that a first round of interview held after Mundra’s retirement did not lead to any appointment. The government had gone in for second round of interviews. Of the forty applicants, about five were shortlisted, including two serving bureaucrats.

1. Home Minister Launched Online Analytical Tool To Monitor Foreign Contributions Under FCRA.

Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh here today launched an Online Analytical Tool to facilitate closer monitoring of the flow and utilisation of foreign contributions received by various organisations registered or permitted under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.  This web-based tool enables decision-makers in various Departments of Government to scrutinise source of foreign funds and their actual use in India.  It gives them capacity to take data-driven and evidence-based decisions regarding the compliance of the provisions of the FCRA, 2010.  It has analytical features to conduct big data mining and data exploration.  Its dashboard will be integrated with the bank accounts of the FCRA-registered entities through the Public Financial Management System for updation of transactional data on a real-time basis.

Shri Rajnath Singh witnessed a presentation on various aspects of the Analytical Tool and appreciated the painstaking work done by all concerned officials.  Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba, Director (IB)  Shri Rajiv Jain, DG (NIC) Smt. Neeta Verma and officials of Ministry of Home Affairs were present.

There are approximately 25,000 active organisations registered under The FCRA, 2010.  Foreign Contributions worth Rs.18,065 crores were received by such organisations from foreign donors for various social, cultural, economic, educational and religious activities during financial year 2016-17.  Each FCRA-NGO conducts multiple financial transactions in receiving and spending the foreign contribution.  Therefore, there are hundreds of thousands of such transactions annually which can be monitored effectively through this tool.  It will, therefore, help the stakeholders in  Government to better regulate acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions.

2. Amit Khare Assumes Charge As I&B Secretary.

Amit Khare, a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, today assumed charge as Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on superannuation of N K Sinha.

Prior to the appointment as Secretary, Khare was Additional Chief Secretary, Jharkhand government, an official release said.

Earlier, he has served as Principal Secretary, Finance & Planning Department, Jharkhand government.

Khare has also worked as Member Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.

He is an MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad, and holds a Certificate in Public Administration from Syracuse University, US.