Venus lost Djokovic win in the Wimbledon

June 29, 2014, 5:15 am

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 Venus Williams made it clear she has no intention of retiring following her painful Wimbledon exit.

Venus´s 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 third round defeat against fellow former champion Petra Kvitova on Friday means the five-time Wimbledon winner has failed to reach the last 16 at a major since 2011.

At 34, Venus was the oldest woman left in the Wimbledon singles and, plagued for the last three years by Sjogren´s Disease -- an immune system disease that leaves her battling fatigue and joint pain -- she hasn´t won a Grand Slam since securing the last of her seven major titles in 2008 at Wimbledon.

Djokovic overcame a hard fall in the third set to advance to the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 Centre Court win over Gilles Simon.

Leading 3-2 in the third set and with Simon serving, Djokovic lunged for a forehand shot and fell hard to the grass, rolling over and grabbing his upper left arm and grimacing in pain.

But after taking a medical timeout and receiving treatment by a trainer, he recovered to play out the final four games of the match, breaking Simon’s serve in the final game, his seventh break in the match.

“I basically had a strong impact on the shoulder,” Djokovic said. “When I stood up, I felt that click or pop. I feared maybe it might be a dislocated shoulder ... or joint problem.

“But luckily for me it was only an impact that had a minor effect on the joint and the muscles around, but no damage, significant, that can cause a bigger problem. I just came from the doctor’s office, ultrasound. It’s all looking good.”

Djokovic will next play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat Jimmy Wang of Taiwan 6-2, 6-2, 7-5, in the fourth round on Monday.

“There is two days off, I’m going to try to recover and get ready,” Djokovic said. 

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June 30, 2014, 3:42 am

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GOPIO NEWS SPECIAL BULLETIN -- JUNE 30, 2014

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GOPIO NEWS SPECIAL BULLETIN June 30, 2014 A Publication of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Issue: XIII-5 June 30, 2014 Join Our List In This Issue GOPIO ORGANIZES SUCCESSFUL 25th ANNIVERSARY JUBILEE CONVENTION GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION EDITORIAL BOARD Quick Links GOPIO Home GOPIO News Archives New Chapter Inititiave GOPIO Constitution GOPIO History GOPIO Accomplishments GOPIO Business Council Bulletin Board GOPIO Publications and Articles NOTE: GOPIO News is a FREE bi-monthly newsletter of GOPIO International, based in the USA. We need your help in reaching out more NRIs/PIOs around the world. Please go to the bottom of the news bulletin and click theFORWARD button and type e-mail addresses of your friends and relatives. One could also subscribe this newsletter by visiting www.gopio.net and type in the e-mail address. All preivous issues of GOPIO News are provided at GOPIO News Archives. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter in future, please click SafeUnsubscribe at the end of this newsletter. GOPIO is a community supported non-profit organization taking up issues of the Indian Diaspora and attempting to unifying the community in its common causes. Support GOPIO by becoming a Life Member or chapter member. Once can become Life Member online by visiting http://www.gopio.net/online_membership.html. GOPIO ORGANIZES SUCCESSFUL 25th ANNIVERSARY JUBILEE  CONVENTION     The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) has concluded its 25th Anniversary (Jubilee) Convention 2014 in Port of Spain in Trinidad & Tobago, with a memorable and successful celebration from 27th May through 30th May, 2014 coinciding with the 169th anniversary of Indian Arrival Day commemoration in Trinidad & Tobago. The convention theme was "Indian Diaspora Today & Tomorrow".    The convention was a historic event in the Indian Diaspora, attended by delegates from several countries where GOPIO is prominent - where persons of Indian origin reside in substantial numbers, and many from countries with fewer than 10% of the population. Countries include: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, India, Reunion Island, Mauritius, South Africa, Netherlands and other countries of the European Union (EU), United Kingdom, Canada, USA, the Caribbean region: Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Belize, St. Vincent, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Jamaica, Grenada and St Lucia. Among the many events of the convention, some of the notable highlights include: A notable welcome reception at the Diplomatic Centre residence of Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minsiter Kamla Persad-Bissessar; GOPIO's elections for new officers; GOPIO International Council Meetings; an all-day academic conference based on the convention theme of "Indian Diaspora Today & Tomorrow"; GOPIO delegates as special guests at cultural performances held at National Cultural of Indian Culture (NCIC); and unveiling of a historic arrival monument at Waterloo-by-the-Sea marking the first arrivals of indentured Indian laborers in Trinidad on 30th May 1845. GOPIO 25th Anniversary Convention Team The convention team organized around the GOPIO chapter in Trinidad & Tobago, worked diligently with dedicated and focused efforts to plan, coordinate and hold a magnificent GOPIO milestone convention in a country distant from the other regular venues which GOPIO has used over the years for its major events. Members of the convention team:  Ena Maraj, (Convention Co-Convener, president of GOPIO International chapter of Trinidad & Tobago); Dr. Arnold Thomas, (General Convener & Conference Co-Coordinator,  GOPIO International Coordinator Caribbean (St Vincent); other convention team members: Ramdai Sookdeo (Convention Secretary); Mahadaye Ramlagan (Registration & Assistant Treasurer); Seeta Sahatoo (Assistant Convention Secretary; Shalima Mohammed (Public Relations Coordinator, (Indian Arrival Monument Co-Coordinator); Navin Rampersad (Treasurer); Geeta Sahatoo (Hospitality Coordinator); Karran Nancoo (Legal Advisor); Dr. Kumar Mahabir (Conference Co-Coordinator); Ramnarine Bissoon (Arrival Project Liaison, Community Coordinator, Conference Site Co-Coordinator); Dr. Indrani Rampersad (Conference Co-Coordinator); Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh (Conference Co-Coordinator); Dr. Visham Bhimull (Youth Program Coordinator); Marilyn Hosein (Events Coordinator & Transportation Coordinator); Molly Mangray, Amanda Gangaram, Rowena Singh and Vanita Rampersad (Administrative and Support Coordinators); Deo Gosine (Grand Patron, Special Projects Coordination and Support); Aleem Mohammed (Community Liaison); Don Khan (Indian Arrival Monument Facilities & Hospitality Coordinator); Ramesh Kalicharan (Souvenir Brochure); Netram Rambudhan (Convention Assistant Treasurer & GOPIO International Treasurer); Seeta Sahatoo & Mahadaye Ramlagan (Delegates' Souvenir Welcome Kit);Nohar Singh (Delegates' Travel & Holiday Packages); Munish Gupta (Conference Site Co-Coordinator & GOPIO Jubilee & Life Membership Recognition).  Photo above: Some of the members of the Convention team with GOPIO Officials Convention Advisors: Sunny Kulathakal; Munish Gupta; Dr. Piyush Agrawa; Umesh Chandra; Dr. Thomas Abraham; Dr. Sai Giridhar; J. Nami Kaur; Amb. R. Dayakar; Netram Rambudhan; Rajindre Tewari; Dr Jagat Motwani; Loshni Naidoo; Dr. Sushila Gidwani-Buschi; Dr. Renuka Misra; Sudha Acharya; Prof. Clem Sankat; Ramesh Kalicharan; Prof. Brindsley Samaroo; Balkrishna Naipaul; Prof. Mahin Gosine; Anita Bhat; Alkesh Sharma; Mahavir Arya; several council chairpersons and co-chairpersons; life members and chapter members. Grand Patrons & Advisors: Surichange Bank NV, Suriname (Dr C. Baidjnath Misier, founder & chairman) Labidco Port Services Ltd - Trinidad & Tobago (Deo Gosine, founder & chairman)    GOPIO International Council Meetings GOPIO International Council convened at the Radisson Hotel in Port of Spain shortly after the conclusion of GOPIO' Executive Council meeting on 28th May, 2014. After opening remarks, President Ramsaran reported major activities of GOPIO in his terms which was followed by financial report by Treasurer Netram Rambudhan. GOPIO Foundation report was presented by Executive Trustee Dr. Thomas Abraham which was followed by GOPIO International Coordinators reporting their activities for the regions.     Photo above: GOPIO's outgoing Executive Council Team   GOPIO Executive Council Elections & New Team    Nominating Committee headed by Rajindre Tewari conducted the election for the 2014 to 2015 for the various positions in the Executive Council of GOPIO International. The following officials were elected by unanimous vote: o    President - Ashook Ramsaran o    Executive Vice President - Sunny Kulathakal o    Senior Vice President - Dr. Piyush Agrawal o    International Coordinator North America - Dr. Renuka Misra o    International Coordinator Caribbean. - Dr. Arnold Thomas o    Chairman GOPIO International, Inder Singh, was elected for another term.    Photo Above: GOPIO Elected Officials for 2014-2015. GOPIO Chairman Inder Singh, President Ashook Ramsaran, Executive Vice President Sunny Kulathakal, Senior Vice President Dr. Piyush Agrawal, International Coordinator North America, Dr. Renuka Misra, and International Coordinator Caribbean, Dr. Arnold Thomas.   All previously appointed positions expired on May 28, 2014 with the end of the previous term and new appointments of suitably qualified candidates will be announced shortly after GOPIO' Executive Council approval. GOPIO By-Laws Updates approved: No changes except corrections of errors, omissions, spelling and nomenclature mistakes - Per list circulated previously and read by Chairman Inder Singh. GOPIO International Council circulated 30 days in advance to general membership and life members. GOPIO to organize membership feedback and commentary via website. Chapter delegates eligible for voting to be further clarified and defined relative to membership. GOPIO has not conformed to its mandate in accordance with Clause 1 - Name and Purpose: The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (abbreviated as GOPIO) is a secular, nonpartisan, non-sectarian, not-for-profit global organization engaged in prompting the well being of non resident Indians and people of Indian origin, enhancing interaction and communication between these groups living in different countries and in furthering their linkages with India.  Reception at Prime Minister's Residence   A highlight of GOPIO's 25th Anniversary Jubilee Convention 2014 was the special welcome reception of all GOPIO delegates at the Diplomatic Centre residence of the Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar on 28th May. The reception was hosted by Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration with Minister Dr Roger Samuel making the initial remarks after a welcome prayer by Brother Harripersad Maharaj, followed by remarks by GOPIO International president Ashook Ramsaran and presentation of gifts. Prime Minister Bissessar formally welcomed GOPIO's delegates, recounted GOPIO's special reception/dinner during the visit to the Kolkata Memorial on 12th January, 2012 and thanked GOPIO for "holding its 25th Anniversary Jubilee Convention in the twin islands of Trinidad & Tobago". GOPIO made presentations of gifts and books to Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar: Special Kashmiri shawl by Kedar N. Gupta (India); GOPIO 25th Anniversary Jubilee Souvenir Brochure by Ramesh Kalicharan, editor (USA); portrait and tribute to late Nelson Mandela by Rita Abraham (South Africa); books by Dr. Mahin Gosine (USA); Dr Jagat Motwani (USA); Balkrishna Naipaul (Canada); GOPIO 1st convention stamp by Dr. Thomas Abraham (USA); and book presentation by Dr C. Baidjnath Misier (Netherlands).     Photo: T&T officials in the receiving line to welcome GOPIO delegates Business-to-Business Seminar On 28th May, a Business-to-Business seminar featuring prominent scholars and business leaders was held at the Radisson Hotel. It was sponsored by Trinidad & Tobago's Ministry of Trade & Investment with focus tohighlight the many economic opportunities of the Caribbean region at this convention. Sessions included: o    Investment & Trade Opportunities in Trinidad & Tobago; o    Investment & Trade Opportunities in St Vincent & Grenadines; o    Investment & Trade Opportunities in Guyana; o    Success Stories of Doing Business in the Caribbean; o    Free Enterprise, Market Economy and Business Successes; o    The Growth of Education and Medical Services for Bi-Lateral Trade; o    Media as Marketing Tool in Emerging Economies Speakers and presenters were: Dr. Chan Misier (Chairman, Surichange Bank NV, Netherlands & Suriname); Dr Yesu Persaud, Chairman Demerara Bank, Demerara Distilleries (Guyana); Deo Gosine (Founder & President of Labidco Port Services, Trinidad & Tobago), Dr. Sid Gautam (Center for Entrepreneurship, USA), Ishwar Ramlutchman (Founder & Chairman, AC Industrial, South Africa); Ashok Motwani (DNN News, India). Romanee Kalicharran (USA) made a special film presentation of "The Voyage". Academic Conference: "Indian Diaspora Today and Tomorrow"  The Academic Conference segment of the convention was a full 1-day event held on 29th May at the Radisson Hotel. There were several sessions designed round the convention theme of "Indian Diaspora Today & Tomorrow" The chief guest at the Inaugural Session was Indian High Commissioner HE Gauri Gupta and the keynote speaker Dr Mahin Gosine, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at State University of New York, USA. Dr. Kumar Mahabir, Assistant Professor at University of Trinidad and Tobago, concluded the session. Conference Sessions: Inaugural Session I: Indian Diaspora Today & Tomorrow Session II: The Indian Diaspora: Issues, Challenges & Opportunities Session III: Global & Regional Diaspora Investments & Economic Opportunities Session IV: Diaspora's Youth, Children, Gender & Inter-Generational Issues Session V:  Multi-Cultural Diversity & Inter-Ethnic Cooperation in the Indian Diaspora Session VI:  Education, Science & Technology as Significant Assets in the Indian Diaspora Session VII: Health, Wellness, Lifestyle & Nutritional Factors in the Indian Diaspora Session VIII: GOPIO's 25th Anniversary Resolutions Session IX: Wrap-up & Conclusion Inaugural Session I: Indian Diaspora Today & Tomorrow Session Chairperson: Dr. Arnold Thomas (St Vincent) Session Co-Chairperson: Dr. Kumar Mahabir (Trinidad and Tobago) Program: o    Introductory Remarks: Dr. Arnold Thomas (St Vincent) o    Welcome: Ena Maraj (Convener, Trinidad and Tobago) o    Remarks: Inder Singh (Chairman, GOPIO International, USA) o    Remarks: Ashook Ramsaran (President, GOPIO International, USA) o    Remarks: Dr. Jagat Motwani (Founding Life Member, GOPIO International, USA) o    Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Deo Gosine (GOPIO Life Member, TnT) o    Keynote Speaker: Dr Mahin Gosine, Prof of Sociology and Anthropology at SUNY, USA Focusing on the Indian Diaspora and the story of "From Scars to Stars" o    Introduction of Indian High Comm.: Ms. Mahadaye Ramlagan (GOPIO Chapter TnT) o    Remarks by Indian High Commissioner Gauri S. Gupta Focusing on the progress of the Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean Region o    Presentation of Tokens: Ms. Shalima Mohammed (GOPIO Chapter Trinidad and Tobago) o    Book Releases (Listed above): Moderator:  J. Nami Kaur (Secretary, GOPIO Int'l, USA) o    Conclusion: Dr. Kumar Mahabir (Co-Chairperson, Trinidad and Tobago) o    Thanks & Appreciation: Dr. Arnold Thomas (Chairperson, St Vincent)  Photo above: GOPIO Officials with Indian High Commissioner Gupta Session II: The Indian Diaspora: Issues, Challenges & Opportunities Session Chairperson: Umesh Chandra (International Coordinator, Oceania - Australia) Session Co-Chairperson: T. Ramappa (GOPIO Chapter of Bangalore, India) Speakers & Program: o    Dr. Winston Tolan (Jamaica, West indies) o    Dr. Kumar Mahabir (Trinidad and Tobago) o    Prof. Parmatma Saran (USA) o    Q/A: Moderator - Umesh Chandra (Session Chairperson, Australia) o    Conclusion: T. Ramappa (Session Co-Chairperson, GOPIO of Bangalore, India) o    Presentation of Tokens: Ms. Nadira Narine & Ms. Camelia Singh (GOPIO of Guyana) Session III: Global & Regional Diaspora Investments & Economic Opportunities Session Chairperson: Jeevan Zutshi (GOPIO Regional Coordinator, USA) Session Co-Chairperson: Gem Madhoo-Nascimento (GOPIO of Guyana) Speakers & Program: o    Dr. Sid Gautam (USA) o    Mr. Munish Gupta (USA/India) o    Dr. Yesu Persaud (Guyana) o    Conclusion:  Ms. Gem Madhoo-Nascimento (Session Co-Chairperson, Guyana) o    Presentation of Tokens: Lucienne Sacarbany (GOPIO Martinique) o    Thanks & Appreciation: Marilyn Hosein (GOPIO chapter of TnT) Session IV: Diaspora's Youth, Children, Gender & Inter-Generational Issues Session Chairperson: Ishwar Ramlutchman (South Africa) Session Co-Chairperson: Jagdish Lodhia (GOPIO chapter Sydney NW, Australia) Speakers & Program: o    Dr. Kamla Tewarie (Trinidad and Tobago) o    Rita Abraham (GOPIO's Women's Council, South Africa) o    Sudha Acharya (SACSS, USA) o    Tivesh Nair (Youth - GOPIO Cape Town, South Africa) o    Uresha Moodley (Youth - GOPIO Cape Town, South Africa) o    Dr. Bisham Bhimull (GOPIO Trinidad and Tobago) o    Conclusion:  Jagdish Lodhia (Session Co-Chairperson, Australia) o    Presentation of Tokens: Tara Gosine (USA/Trinidad and Tobago)   Photo above: Conf. Panel Family and Youth - Jagdish Lodhia concluding the session Session V:  Multi-Cultural Diversity & Inter-Ethnic Cooperation in the Indian Diaspora Session Chairperson: Krishen D. Needar (Trinidad and Tobago) Session Co-Chairperson: Romanee Kalicharran (USA) Speakers & Program: o    Balkrishna Naipaul (Canada) o    Dr. Arnold Thomas (St Vincent) o    Keith Compton (St Lucia) o    Romanee Kalicharran - A special presentation of "The Voyage" o    Shadel Nyack Compton (Grenada) o    Conclusion:  Romanee Kalicharran (Session Co-Chairperson, USA) o    Presentation of Tokens: Elie Shitlou, Claude Sheikboudhou  (Guadeloupe)   Photo above: Conference panel on Multi-Cultural Diversity & Inter-ethnic Cooperation in the Indian Diaspora Session VI:  Education, Science & Technology as Significant Assets in the Indian Diaspora Session Chairperson: Ashok Motwani (India) Session Co-Chairperson: Deo Gosine (Trinidad and Tobago) Speakers & Program: o    Dr. Thomas Abraham (USA) o    Dr. Clem Sankat (University of West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago) o    Dr. Gary Brar (AUB, Barbados) o    Ashok Motwani (India) o    Kewal Kanda (USA) o    Conclusion:  Deo Gosine (Session Co-Chairperson, Trinidad and Tobago) o    Presentation of Tokens: Inder Singh (USA)  Photo above: Conf. Panel Science and Tech Panel - Dr. Thomas Abraham Speaking    Session VII: Health, Wellness, Lifestyle & Nutritional Factors in the Indian Diaspora Session Chairperson: Dr. Renuka Misra (USA) Session Co-Chairperson: Dr. Ramesh Pandey (USA) Speakers & Program: o    Dr. Vivian Rambihar (Canada) o    Swami Chidananda (India) o    Dr. C. Baidjnath Misier (Netherlands) o    Dr. Rini Johar (USA) o    Conclusion:  Dr. Ramesh Pandey (Session Co-Chairperson, USA) o    Presentation of Tokens: Sylvia Perez (Belize); Yamonee Barbaro (USA) Photo above: Conference session on Health, Wellness, Lifestyle & Nutritional Factors in the Indian Diaspora. Dr. Renu Misra chairing the session,   Session VIII: GOPIO's 25th Anniversary Resolutions Session Chairperson: Dr. Piyush Agrawal (USA) Session Co-Chairperson: Harbachan Singh (USA) Thanks & Appreciation: Farouk Samaroo (USA) Session IX: Wrap-up & Conclusion    Session Chairperson: Dr. Arnold Thomas (St Vincent) Speaker: Ashook Ramsaran (USA) Thanks & Appreciation: Ena Maraj (Trinidad and Tobago) Resolutions On 28th May at Session VII "GOPIO Resolutions- GOPIO's 25th Anniversary Jubilee Convention 2014", chaired by Dr. Piyush Agrawal, the following resolutions were adopted for action by GOPIO and advisory/notification to respective government and agencies: o    Salutations to Indian Democracy & Fair General Elections in India o    Enhancing the Relationship between India & its Diaspora o    Streamlining the process of Indian Consular Services o    Review of OCI/PIO/OIC Policies Needed o    Proposal for International Indian Emigration Day o    India's Opportunity to Engage the Diaspora o    GOPIO's Continuing Efforts at Outreach to the Diaspora o    Limitations on Import/Export of Indian Currency on NRIs/PIOs o    Towards a More Peaceful Co-Existence of PIOs in Multi-Ethnic Societies o    Indian Visas On Arrival Program o    Addressing Human Rights Violations in the Diaspora These resolutions titled "GOPIO's 25th Anniversary Jubilee Convention 2014" are posted on GOPIO's website atwww.gopio.net. Book Releases At the conclusion of Inaugural Session I: "Indian Diaspora Today & Tomorrow", the following books were released: Balkrishna Naipaul (Canada): Sangam: The Jhansi Legacy Indina High Commissioner Gauri Shanker Gupta: Unraveling Mysteries of Life Dr. Yesu Persaud (Guyana): Reaching for the Stars - An Autobiography Dr. Jagat Motwani (USA): India Reborn: Bharat Mahan as Perceived by Westerners Dr. Mahin Gosine (USA): Eight Great Virtues of Leadership Dr. Kumar Mahabir (Trinidad & Tobago): Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean Dr. Chan Misier (Netherlands): Spiritual Management and Road to Eternity Ramesh Kalicharan, Editor (USA): GOPIO 25th Anniversary Jubilee Convention Souvenir Brochure The Moderator of the "Book Releases" segment was J. Nami Kaur, Secretary of GOPIO International Photo above: Book Release - GOPIO International Coordinator Caribbean, Dr. Arnold Thomas (St Vincent); Balkrishna Naipaul (founding Life Member, Canada); Dr. Yesu Persaud (founding Life Member, Guyana); Dr Kumar Mahabir (Co-Chair, GOPIO Academic Council, Trinidad & Tobago); Dr. Jagat Motwani (founding Life Member, USA); Shri Gauri Gupta, Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad & Tobago); Dr. Mahin Gosine (Co-Chair, GOPIO Academic Council, USA); J. Nami Kaur (Secretary, GOPIO International, USA) Jubilee Recognition Awards Gala The Jubilee Recognition Gala was another highlight of GOPIO's 25th Anniversary (Jubilee) Convention 2014, held on 29th May, 2014 in the Grand Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel in Port of Spain. In attendance was Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad & Tobago, Shri Gauri Gupta; Trinidad & Tobago's Minister of Trade & Investment, Dr. Vasant Bharath; and Min. Ramona Ramdial, Minister in the Ministry of Environment & Water Resources. The event was emceed by prominent radio and television host Zelisa Boodoosingh and was broadcast live courtesy of Dr Hans Hanoomansingh (Heritage Radio).    Photo above: GOPIO Jubilee Recognition Awardees with Minister Dr. Vasant Bharath, Min Ramona Ramdial, Indian High Commissioner Shri Gauri Gupta and GOPIO Officials GOPIO's Jubilee Recognition for outstanding achievements in selected categories were accorded to several persons "who contributed to the betterment of people of the Indian Diaspora. The Jubilee Recognition recipients achieved significant and prominent levels of stature and recognition in their respective fields of endeavor and have served interests of people in their respective countries of domicile and others as well, in addition to generating pride and respect among the Indian Diaspora and others in country of birth or domicile". Each GOPIO's Jubilee Recognition awardee (or representative for posthumous recognition) was presented with a GOPIO Jubilee award. Posthumous Recognition:Henri Sidambaron (Guadeloupe); Dr. Najma Sultana (USA); Baleshwar Agrawal (India); Lall Paladee (Trinidad & Tobago); Dr Cheddi Jagan (Guyana). Friends of GOPIO: HE Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent & Grenadines; Hon Albert Ramdin, Deputy Secretary General of Organization of American States (USA); Hon. Chandrikapersad Santokhi Chairman of Progressive Reform Party (Suriname). Professional, Civic, Culture, Entrepreneurship, Media, Philanthropy: National Indian Cultural Centre - NCIC (Trinidad & Tobago); John Barath (Trinidad & Tobago); Brenda Gopeesingh (Trinidad & Tobago); Dr. Hans Hanoomansingh (Trinidad & Tobago); Sattaur Gafoor (Guyana); Dr Yesu Persaud (Guyana); Chancellor of Judiciary & Chief Justice Carl Singh (Guyana); Dr C. Baidjnath Misier (Netherlands); Dr. Lakshmi Persaud (United Kingdom); Ishwar Ramlutchman (South Africa); Nicole Vaitylingon (Guadeloupe); Kamaludin Mohammed (Trinidad & Tobago); Dr. Vivian Rambihar (Canada); Ashok Motwani (India); Dr. Parmatma Saran (USA); Dr. Sudhir Parikh (USA); TV Asia H R Shah (USA); India Abroad (USA); Kedar N. Gupta (India); Israel Khan (Trinidad & Tobago). In addition to recognition of those who contributed to GOPIO's formation in 1989. The First Convention Convener Dr. Thomas Abraham introduced co-conveners Sudha Acharya and Dr. Jagat Motwani and other founding life members and invited them to the stage.   Photo above: Some GOPIO Founding Life Members at GOPIO inception in 1989 who were present at the Jubilee Convention GOPIO also recognized the newest life members since 6th January, 2014 in attendance, with plaques and new life membership lapel pins: They included Yamonee Barbaro (USA); Balkrishna Naipaul (Canada); Deo Gosine (Trinidad & Tobago); Sasenarine Sankar (Guyana); Claude Sheikboudhou (Guadeloupe); Elie Shitalou (Guadeloupe); Shaji SM Alex (India); Shaji Baby John (India).  Photo above: GOPIO Life Members in 2014 Special recognition was accorded to GOPIO's 25th Anniversary (Jubilee) Convention 2014 grand patrons: Surichange Bank NV (Dr C. Baidjnath Misier, Netherlands) and

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July 1, 2014, 3:27 am

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Zee TV | India’s Best Cinestar Ki Khoj to launch on 5th July

1072014

The entertaining journey of India’s aspiring cine stars begins on Sat, 5^th July

Dhoom 3 director Victor & Sonali Bendre to judge the series

Parineeti-Ayushmann are first amongst a slew of film achievers 
to guide & inspire the contestants

Mumbai, 26^th June: You felt your heart race with excitement when Simran almost missed the train and Raj held out his hand for her … You danced a jig yourself when you saw Rani overcome her inhibitions and groove on top of the bar in Queen. You gave your friends a high-five as you stepped out of 3 Idiots because there was so much of the film you’d lived out with them. You felt a twinge in your belly as you relived your first heartbreak when a teary eyed Anjali, on seeing Rahul and Tina together, told her hostel housekeeper “Mera Pehla Pyaar Adhura Reh Gaya!” There’s no denying that we, as Indians, experience the entire range of emotions through the world of movies and our beloved cine stars. With films and actors touching practically everyone’s lives in one way or the other, Zee TV’s next BIG ticket, non-fiction property is bound to touch a chord!

Starting 5^th July at 9 PM every Saturday & Sunday on Zee TV is an exciting, new 13 week reality series called  ‘India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj powered by Glam up’ – a hunt for the most versatile, talented cine stars who have it in them to light up the silver screen with their acting prowess and charisma! What’s more … it’ll be the viewers who will have as much say as the judges in deciding who will be India’s next big cinestar. So, with some power-packed histrionics and mind-blowing performances coming your way from some of the most promising acting talent in the country, the show is bound to be your one-stop entertainment shop!

Having concluded a nationwide series of auditions across 18 cities in an attempt to smoke out the most promising acting talent from every nook and corner of the country, Zee TV has signed on Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Victor, the director of Dhoom 3, the highest grossing Bollywood film worldwide and gorgeous actress Sonali Bendre to judge the show. The channel and production houses Essel Vision Pvt Ltd and TrompeL’oiel  Media Pvt Ltd. are considering other A-league actors and renowned directors for the third position on the judges’ panel. Parineeti Chopra and Ayushmann Khurana, who embody the picture of India’s emerging youth and all its aspirations, have been called upon to guide and inspire the contestants with their own examples in the audition phase.   

Zee TV Programming Head Namit Sharma said, “Zee TV has always stood for celebrating the talent of India’s common man. In 1995, the channel created the mecca of singing talent in the country with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and introduced the entertainment fraternity to some of its leading singers such as Shreya Ghoshal, Shekhar and Kunal Ganjawala. Dance India Dance, similarly gave hope to a million dance enthusiasts across the country, making stars out of Salman, Shakti Mohan, Dharmesh, Raghav and Prince. After revolutionizing the worlds of singing and dancing, Zee TV is all set to make a similar impact in the world of acting with our exciting reality series India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj. We have a knack of identifying the right talent, we look forward to an interesting season of this show! The sheer range of performances spanning diverse styles of acting that the audiences will see in the course of the season will make the show a one-stop shop for entertainment.”

The show will put its participants through a slew of challenging rounds designed to test their creativity and ability of enacting a variety of different roles. Spanning varied genres such as romance, comedy, drama, dance and action, the contestants will be called upon to prove their versatility, presence of mind, spontaneity and sheer mettle across a number of different acting styles.

About signing on Victor & Sonali as judges, Namit Sharma, Programming Head, Zee TV said, “Victor is the man behind one of the biggest Bollywood hits of all times – Dhoom 3. He has the credits to the story, screenplay and dialogue of the entire Dhoom franchise. He’s worked with Mani Ratnam on films like Guru. He’s a multi-faceted personality and has worked closely with some of the finest actors of the country. His knack for identifying, grooming and honing acting talent makes him a perfect fit for the show. Sonali is a very attractive, glamorous actress with an impressive body of work. She’s been a part of blockbusters such as Sarfarosh and Hum Saath Saath Hain, critically acclaimed films like Zakhm and continues to do some great work in films and television. She has been a much loved judge of our successful children’s acting hunt show ‘India’s Best Dramebaaz’ and we’re extremely pleased to continue this association. We’ll soon announce a third judge!”

The show presents the talented youth of the country with a golden opportunity to have an interface with some of Bollywood’s most renowned film makers, actors, choreographers and be groomed by them. About bringing Parineeti and Ayushmann on board, Namit Sharma adds, “We’ve roped in a number of achievers from the film fraternity, who’ve made a distinct mark for themselves, to be a part of the selection and grooming process of our contestants. We’re happy to have Parineeti & Ayushman join us on India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj in the audition phase. This will take our contestants’ exposure to the real world of films to the next level. Parineeti’s journey from being a PR consultant and an aspiring investment banker to a leading cinestar is remarkable to say the least. Ayushmann, a rank outsider with no film connections, has made it big entirely on the merit of his sheer talent. His versatility encompasses everything from singing and anchoring to acting. The insights they can share will add immense value to the learning process of our budding Cinestars.” So starting 5th July, stay tuned to ‘India’s Best Cinestars ki Khoj powered by Glam up’ every Saturday-Sunday at 9 PM, only on Zee TV! 

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PM seeks French cooperation in areas of low-cost defence manufacturing

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought French cooperation in the areas of low-cost defence manufacturing, skill development, urban planning, tourism and heritage conservation.  Referring to French support to Ahmedabad Heritage project, the Prime Minister said India has planned to build heritage cities and 100 new smart cities for which France can extend its expertise. Mr Modi was speaking at a meeting with visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in New Delhi today. For his part, the French Foreign Minister expressed keenness of his country to expand cooperation with the new government in Delhi. He also discussed student exchange programme and further deepening of technological cooperation between the two countries. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and ambassadors of India and France were also present in the meeting.

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Iraq: 1st session of newly elected 328-member parliament convened

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In Iraq, the first session of the newly elected 328-member parliament has been convened in the capital Baghdad today. Ahead of the session, elected Iraqi lawmakers from the majority Shia, minority Sunni and Kurdish community discussed the structure of a new Government amidst the push of ISIL militants towards the capital.

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LPG price hiked by Rs. 16.50 per cylinder

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J Price of non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) was today hiked by 16 rupees 50 paise per cylinder.  Indian Oil Corporation said each non-subsidised 14.2 kilogram cooking gas cylinder will now cost 922 rupees 50 paise in Delhi.  It will cost 966 rupees in Kolkata, 949 rupees 50 paise in Mumbai and 924 rupees in Chennai.  The hike was necessitated following surge in prices of international oil due to the ongoing Iraq crisis.  Non-subsidised LPG rates were last month cut by 23 rupees 50 paise per cylinder.

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150 Indians likely to return home from Iraq this evening

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About 150 Indian nationals are expected to reach back home from war-torn Iraq this evening. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told this to AIR News. India is facilitating return of six hundred Indian nationals this week from non-conflict zones of Iraq. Giving an update on the situation in Iraq, Mr Akbaruddin said Indian diplomats in Iraq are reaching out to Indians and facilitating the paperwork and ticketing for those who want to return home. He said 60 Indians left from Najaf, 30 from Karbala and four from Baghdad yesterday. The Spokesman said, all Indians are leaving by commercial flights but India is ready to evacuate Indian nationals if need arises.

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Chennai Building collapse toll rises to 28,

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Eight more bodies were recovered on Tuesday, taking the toll in the collapse of an under- construction multi-storeyed building in Chennai to 28 even as three persons were pulled out alive, a senior government official said.

A total of 26 persons have been rescued so far as the non-stop rescue efforts, involving multiple agencies, entered the fourth day on Tuesday, Director, Public Health, K Kulandaisamy said.  “Mahesh was rescued alive today besides two others. He has indicated that several persons are alive under the rubble including his wife. This has enthused rescue personnel,” the official said.  He said they were hopeful of rescuing more persons today.  “We are very hopeful and positive. Also, there are indications about the likely location of the survivors under the rubble. We hope that survivors should be holed up in that location”, he said.  Kulandaisamy said there were indications that the first and ground floors of the building had not fully crumbled.  “It is the guess of rescue personnel going by the account of the rescued man. We cannot say anything more now.”  Of the three rescued on Tuesday, two belonged to Andhra Pradesh and they have been admitted in the SRMC. “They are stable,” the official said.  Six persons, including two owners and two engineers, had been arrested under various sections of the IPC in connection with the building collapse.

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Ukrainian president ends unilateral ceasefire 

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he is halting a unilateral cease-fire in the conflict with pro-Russian separatists and says Ukrainian forces will go on the offensive against the rebels.

A statement from Poroshenko on his website says the cease-fire is being halted and that “we will attack and we will free our country.” The fragile cease-fire expired Monday night.The idea was to give rebels a chance to disarm and to start a broader peace process including an amnesty and new elections.

But rebels did not disarm, and the ceasefire was continually violated.

Rebels did not comply with Poroshenko’s latest push to get them to turn over key border crossings with Russia and permit international monitoring of the cease-fire.

“The unique chance to put the peace plan into practice was not realised,” Poroshenko said in a speech prepared for delivery to the nation.

“This happened because of the criminal actions of the fighters.” Poroshenko had already extended the cease-fire from seven days as part of a plan to end the fighting that has killed more than 400 people since April.

Poroshenko’s decision followed four-way talks in search of a solution with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande Monday as the deadline approached.

He issued a statement after the talks ended saying the key conditions needed to continue the ceasefire had not been met.

European leaders and the US have urged Russia to use its influence with the rebels to ease the bloodshed and have threatened to impose another round of economic sanctions against Moscow.

While Putin has expressed support for the cease-fire, the West has accused Russia of allowing weapons and fighters to flow across the border into Ukraine.

Poroshenko said he meant for a cease-fire to be followed by an amnesty for fighters who had not considered serious crimes, and political concessions such as early local and regional elections, protections for speakers of Russian and, in the longer term, changes to the constitution to decentralise power to the regions.

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Categories : Politics, Uncategorized, world News

US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue on July 9-10 

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The next round of annual US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue would be held in Beijing on July 9 and 10.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew would travel to China next week for this omprehensive dialogue between the two countries. They would be joined for the Dialogue by their respective Chinese co-chairs, State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Vice Premier Wang Yang, along with members of the US delegation and their Chinese counterparts. “The Dialogue will focus on addressing the challenges and opportunities that both countries face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long-term economic and strategic interest,” an official statement said.

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Germany beat Algeria 2-1 to enter quarterfinals 

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Germany and Algeria were tied goalless at the end of the first half of the last-16 FIFA World Cup match on late Monday.

Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil struck in extra time to earn Germany a 2-1 win over Algeria in a pulsating last-16 clash here and a quarter-final date with France.Chelsea forward Schuerrle broke the deadlock in the 92nd minute, with Arsenal’s Ozil adding a second in the 120th minute.

Abdelmoumene Djabou struck in the first minute of stoppage time to give Algeria a consolation goal.

This was Algeria’s first ever appearance in the knockout stages and they covered themelves with glory, taking the game to the three-time champions.

Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half while Germany’s best early chance came as the break beckoned, when only the lightning reflexes of Algeria keeper Rais Mbolhi denied first Toni Kroos’ and then Mario Goetze from the rebound.

Germany coach Joachim Loew introduced Schuerrle for Goetze after the interval and he almost made an immediate impact, his 48th minute drive only narrowly deflected. Mbolhi then made a superb flying fingertip save to deny Phillip Lahm.

In an enthralling evening’s entertainment at this southern port city Mbolhi once again did the north African’s proud, punching away Thomas Mueller’s header with 10 minutes of regulation time remaining.

With the sides deadlocked, extra time was required, and Schuerrle finally was the man to find a way past Mbolhi, flicking the ball with the inside of his heel at close range after Mueller’s cross from the left in the 92nd minute.

Ozil then struck before Djabou’s contribution.

Friday’s quarter-final at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana is a repeat of the 1986 semi-final won by the then West-Germany.

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FIFA: France beat Nigeria 2-0 to enter quarterfinals

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France struck twice in the second half to beat Nigeria 2-0 and enter the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Nacional on Monday.

France broke the deadlock in the 79th minute through Paul Pogba before doubling their lead in additional time through an own by Joseph Yobo. Nigeria started on bright note and enjoyed the lions’ share of possession at least in the opening 20 minutes of the game. Neigeria’s persistent efforts resulted in a free-kick just outside the French circle in the 17th minute when Peter Odemwingie was brought down by Blaise Matuidi but the Super Eagles failed to cash in on the chance. Two minutes later Emmanuel Emenike found the back of France net with a deft touch only to to be ruled out marginally off side by the line referee. Nigeria certainly was on top at the opening exchanges as France played the second fiddle. But France got their acts back quickly and had a great chance in the 22nd minute only to be denied by a brilliant Vincent Enyeama in front of Nigeria goal. Enyeama showed brilliant reflexes to keep out Paul Pogba’s powerful shot after a one-two with Mathieu Valbuena. France enjoyed a rare spell of possession in the last 12 minutes of the opening half but to no avail as their forwardline lacked creativity. The Les Bleus had one one of the best chance of the half in the 40th minute when Valbuena clipped a ball into the onrushing Debuchy whose effort was off target. The Newcastle man should possibly have done better with that despite the box being crowded with bodies.  French strikers Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema were almost anonymous in the opening half as Nigeria came out with stout defending.  Just like the opening half, Nigeria started livelier of the two teams after the change of ends.  Odemwingie came close to breaking the deadlock for Nigeria but his fierce strike well saved by skipper Hugo Lloris in front of French goal.  France coach Didier Deschamps’ decision to bring in Antoine Griezmann in place Giroud was bang on target as it imbibed fresh life into their forwardline. Benzema then looked threatening for the first time in the match in the 70th minute but his effort was cleared off the line by Victor Moses.  Seven minutes later, France came tentalisingly close to breaking the stalemate when Yohan Cabaye’s effort rattled the woodwork.  But France’s consistent pressure finally bore fruit when Pogba headed in from their eighth corner after Enyeama flapped at a cross which found Pogba in a clear position. If not for that one mistake, Enyeama stood like a rock in front of the Nigeria goal as six minutes from whistle he sticked out a huge hand to deny Griezmann.  It was all over Nigeria as France doubled their lead in the extra-time when Yobo scored an own goal while trying to clear Valbuena’s low ball towards Griezmann. France will meet the winners of the match between Germany and Algeria in the quarterfinals

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Adarsh: CBI files 2nd supplementary chargesheet, preparing SCN

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The Central Bureau of Investigation has completed its probe in the multi-crore Adarsh Society scam with the agency filing a second supplementary charge sheet in a special CBI court last month.

The agency is also preparing a Self Content Note (SCN) of the flat owners who were found ineligible to buy a flat in the society which will soon be handed over to the Maharashtra government.  “The charge sheet is filed against five accused, including one member and four financiers,” a CBI official said on Tuesday.  One of the society members died, hence he was not named in the charge sheet, said the official.  The charge sheet, filed last month, names former MLA Mukundrao Mankar, Landscape Realtors Private Limited (LRPL), Sanjay Kondwar and Gopal Kondwar (both directors of LRPL) and UK-based NRI Sharad Madan.  The flat of Lieutenant Colonel-rank personnel was allegedly financed by Madan but since he is no more, the agency has named only Madan in the charge sheet.  LRPL was a shell company floated with a sole aim of allegedly financing ‘benami’ flat in Adarsh, the official said.  “LRPL gave a loan of Rs 62 lakhs to Mankar,” he alleged.  According to the charge sheet, LRPL received money from other five to six shell companies.  Interestingly, the address of one of the shell companies which allegedly financed LRPL is that of an educational institution chaired by a state Cabinet minister.  The CBI said that they have not found any link of the involvement of the minister.  Meanwhile, the agency is preparing a SCN of the 27 flat owners who were found ineligible to buy a flat in the society. The SCN will be handed over to state Chief Secretary.  “The list of 27 members include flats of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade and former Union Power Minister Suresh Prabhu,” said the CBI official.  Once the SCN on CBI findings is submitted, the state government can decide on the future course of action, he said.  “The state can decide on whether or not to cancel their membership,” said a CBI official.  The official also said that “loan availed by relatives of former state Chief Minister Ashok Chavan from a Pune-based builder were returned within few years after purchase of flat.”  The 13 accused named in the first charge sheet of CBI, which includes Ashok Chavan, have been charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct under the Indian Penal Code, besides the Prevention of Corruption Act.  However, the CBI later moved the Bombay High Court saying that Chavan’s name be dropped as Maharashtra Governor has not given sanction for his prosecution.

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Junior Golfing talents in the fray for USHA DGC Juniors Golf Championship, 2014

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New Delhi, June 30, 2014: Post the recently conducted Usha DGC Junior Golf Training program (JTP), the last camp of which was concluded on the 20^th of June 2014, Usha International presents the USHA DGC Junior Golf Championship, 2014, which is set to get underway at the lush green Delhi Golf Club. Round 1 will be played at the Lodhi course and the Peacock course on July 1, Tuesday and July 2, 2014.

The draw has seen acceptance from 103 junior golfers in all.  The event will be played in the stroke-play format over three days and 54 holes. The winner is likely to emerge on Friday, July 04, 2014.

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1072014

Dear ALL,

India’s external debt at about US$ 441 bn

India’s external debt, as at end-March 2014, was placed at US$ 440.6 billion showing an increase of US$ 31.2 billion or 7.6% over the level at end-March 2013. The increase in total external debt during financial year 2013-14 was primarily on account of rise in Non-Resident Deposits. The surge in outstanding stock of NRI deposits can mainly be attributed to mobilisation of fresh FCNR(B) deposits by commercial banks under the swap scheme offered by the Reserve Bank during September to November 2013. In terms of major components, the share of external commercial borrowings continued to be the highest at 33.3% of total external debt, followed by NRI deposits (23.6%) and short term debt (20.3%)

External Debt – Outstanding and Variation

Source: Ministry of Finance, Government of India and Reserve Bank of India

On the other hand, increase in the magnitude of external debt was partly offset by the valuation change (gain) resulting from appreciation of US dollar against Indian rupee and other international currencies. Further, share of short term debt in total debt in terms of original maturity as well as residual maturity also declined due to net repayments of short-term debt and withdrawal of FII investment from debt securities during 2013-14.

Based on residual maturity, the short-term debt accounted for 39.6% of total external debt as at end-March 2014 as compared to 42.1%% at end-March 2013. Within the short-term debt based on residual maturity, the share of NRI deposits was the highest at 31.4%. The ratio of short-term debt by residual maturity to foreign exchange reserves worked out to 57.4% at end-March 2014.The valuation gain during 2013-14 amounted to US$ 9.4 billion reflecting the appreciation of US dollar against the Indian rupee and other major currencies. Thus, excluding the valuation gains, the stock of external debt as at end-March 2014 would have increased by US$ 40.6 billion instead of US$ 31.2 billion over end-March 2013. US dollar denominated debt continued to be the largest component of India ’s external debt with a share of 61.8% as at end-March 2014, followed by Indian rupee (21.1%), SDR (6.9%), Japanese Yen (5.1%) and Euro (3.4%).

Residual Maturity of External Debt Outstanding as at End-March 2014

Source: RBI

Government (Sovereign) external debt stood at US$ 81.5 billion as at end-March 2014 as against US$ 81.7 billion as at end-March 2013. The shares of Government and non-Government external debt in the total external debt were 18.5% and 81.5%, respectively, as at end-March 2014

India’s Key External Debt Indicators

Source: RBI

Warm regards,

Dr. S P Sharma

Chief Economist

________________________________________________

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry

August Kranti Marg, New Delhi – 110016

Tel 91 11 49545454, Fax 91 11 26855450,

E mail – spsharma@phdcci.in

Website http://www.phdcci.in

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AAP WORLD Party for Arvind Kejriwal – Internal Conflict

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Ravinder Singh

To chauthidunia@gmail.comindiaagainstcorruption.2010@gmail.comchandru_14521@yahoo.com and 360 More…

Jun 30 at 7:43 PM

AAP WORLD Party for Arvind Kejriwal – Internal Conflict
June30, 2014AAP is the only party, thanks to Anna Hazare Movement against
corruption, within weeks registered millions of Workers and Volunteers
across India, was getting funds from all over the world. His
reluctance to contest outside Delhi is surprising.

This was unprecedented response to a newly formed party and securing
11.3m votes in 2014 Lok Sabha election when it had not a single
National Level Leader.

But AAP politics remained localized for Kejriwal and only for
Kejriwal. He called workers and volunteers to support him in Varanasi
neglecting campaigning across India, which he eventually lost was
primarily responsible for poor show.

AAP remained Opportunistic Party exploiting Local Issues than
providing VISION – even Lame Duck vision is better than no vision.

He has not spelt out his ECONOMIC AGENDA to the people.

AAP has not been able to out of initial success when Delhi voters
expressed unprecedented faith in his leadership but he preferred to
stay on streets than work for people and remove corruption from system
and also improve all services.

AAP didn’t win a single seat outside Punjab where it won four seats
and sizeable vote share 24.4% this was next only to Delhi vote share
of 32.9%.

AAP failed because it didn’t have NATIONAL AGENDA and Clear Road Map
to improve Income and Wealth Sharing of Indians and AAP didn’t support
candidates except in few regions.

Polling 4.2% votes or 48,802 votes average per constituency is not bad
for Haryana contesting first time against 4-5 parties already
established for decades.

Reluctance to contest from Haryana primarily Rural Dominated economy
indicates AAP preference for Urban centric policies than Rural Farming
MSME serving majority.

Political fever that helped him get good percentage of votes in
December and April state and national elections is over – it shall be
AAPs third attempt in Delhi and hopefully second in other states going
to polls shortly and he must come up with Concrete Agenda and Vision.

Ravinder Singh, National General Secretary.
Sabka Bharat Mission 2019
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi -110016
Ph: 9650421857, 9718280435
Sabkabharatmission2019@gmail.com

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Categories : election, Media, Politics, Uncategorized

CAG-CBI Reported MEGA Bungling in ALL Ambani Companies

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Ravinder Singh

To chauthidunia@gmail.comindiaagainstcorruption.2010@gmail.comchandru_14521@yahoo.com and 360 More…

 

 

 Today at 12:54 AM

CAG-CBI Reported MEGA Bungling in ALL Ambani Companies
July01, 2014

There is long list of Ambani Companies MEGA Bungling. CAG and CBI are
not reporting full extent of RIL Bungling.

1.1] 4G Scam: In addition to the Rs.40,000 crores in Reliance Jio it
is not reported SIDE SCAM of Rs.25,000 Crores Rural Broadband Program.

1.2] In 2002 RIL laid Optical Fiber Network that was to Provide Broad
Band services at par with Singapore in Indian Cities but when it got
WLL License cheaply and that Local Wireless was converted to National
Service and soon converted to regular GSM / CDMA licenses it gave up
BROAD Band plan in 2003.

1.3]  Last few years SAM PITRODA helped RIL in MISDIRECTING BSNL
Rs.25,000 Cr Rural Broadband Program. Optic Fiber based BROAD BAND is
most suitable for Metro Cities and other densely populated area. A
single Optical Fiber can serve a Multi Story Building or Five Star
Hotel. But PITRODA Misguided DOT in to supporting Wireless 2G, 3G, and
4G Services in cities based on all Imported Hardware and Software.

But for Rural Broad Band 4G Services are MOST EFFECTIVE and Economical
– a 4G Tower can serve several hundred villages and some towns
ensuring Speed & Reliability.

1.4]  RIL was also caught red handed Operating 30 Clandestine
Telephone Exchanges in RE-ROUTING International calls as Locals but
let off lightly.

Ravinder Singh, National General Secretary.
Sabka Bharat Mission 2019
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi -110016
Ph: 9650421857, 9718280435
Sabkabharatmission2019@gmail.com

Petition against 4G licence to Reliance Jio Apex court seeks Centre’s reply
PTI/ Our Bureau
New Delhi, May 9:

The Supreme Court on Friday sought response of the Centre and telecom
regulator TRAI on a public interest litigation filed by an NGO
challenging grant of 4G licences to Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio
Infocomm Ltd (RJIL).

A Bench of Justices HL Dattu and SA Bobde issued notice to the Centre,
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and RJIL on the petition
of NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), which challenged
the Government’s decision to allow Mukesh Ambani’s company to offer
voice services on its 4G spectrum.

The PIL, filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan, also sought quashing
of the permission granted by the Government to Reliance for providing
voice telephony on Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum and
pitched for a court-monitored CBI investigation in the alleged Rs.
40,000-crore scam.

The petition said that the Centre’s decision to allow voice telephony
has given undue benefit of about ₹22,842 crore to RJIL and
corresponding loss to the Government and “is therefore arbitrary,
unreasonable and discriminatory“.

It also alleged that the company was allowed “backdoor entry” into
voice telephony using BWA spectrum by paying entry fee of meagre
amount of Rs. 1,658 crore determined way back in 2001, a figure which
was rejected by the apex court in its February 2, 2012, judgement in
2G spectrum allocation scam case.

Reliance Jio reaction

“We have not received any notice of any petition so far filed by
Prashant Bhushan. This appears to be one more in a series of attempts
to create a controversy in a next-generation foray which Reliance is
determined to create 

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Modi Can Revive Ties With Nepal

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South Asia is a tough environment for optimists. Too many false starts and near misses. But sitting in Kathmandu, I feel optimistic about the prospects for regional integration in South Asia. My optimism arises because of the news of Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s imminent visit to Dhaka to be followed by her visit to Kathmandu reportedly in preparation for Prime Minister Modi’s tentatively planned visit to Nepal in the beginning of August.

This is just amazing news, coming as it does on the heels of his invitation to South Asian heads of government for his swearing in and making Bhutan his first foreign visit. If Modi does visit Nepal, ahead of his first speech from the Red Fort and prior to visiting any country outside South Asia, it will mark a positive change in Indian foreign policy.

Positives

For me, who has been propagating the cause of and working on regional cooperation in South Asia since the mid- eighties ( nearly 30 years), this is almost too good to be true. My hope is that this change in the focus and orientation of our foreign policy will soon be reflected down the line in the MEA. Henceforth, South Block and India will wholeheartedly accept the asymmetric responsibility for making South Asia an integrated economic space with open borders that permit free, but legally permitted movement of people, goods and services.

Modi’s predecessor, Manmohan Singh, was himself a strong proponent of open borders in South Asia. But quite inexplicably he did not find the time to visit Nepal! Consequently, Indo- Nepal relations suffered inordinately. Many friends of India have been angry at Nepal being left to be handled by the ‘ Agencies’ with political contacts being allowed to wither away. This could be the critical difference between Singh and Modi. The latter has quite visibly put politics in command. For a Prime Minister to have met all his counterparts in the region and visited two neighbouring capitals within the first 100 days of becoming Prime Minister is history making action.

It clearly distinguishes Modi from all his predecessors. It also sends a clear signal that henceforth India will give the highest priority to its neighbourhood, and not look for kudos from global powers or seek to punch above its weight on the global scene. Realism and the pursuit of national interest, the two drivers of India’s foreign policy, requires that South Asia has now become India’s central focus.

Coming back to Nepal, it may be important for the two governments to try and sort out some of the outstanding issues in Indo- Nepal relations prior to Modi’s visit that is also aimed at paying homage to Lord Pashupatinath, the protector of Kathmandu. There is a good chance for an agreement being finalised between GMR and the Government of Nepal to start work on the 600 MW hydro power project. The PMO could encourage GMR to take a quick decision on this and push the project forward.

This will mark a major breakthrough and could be the beginning of Nepal’s journey to prosperity and South Asia’s progress to energy security.

Irritants

India also needs to address the concerns of a vocal minority in Nepal which is opposed to export of hydropower to India if the commercial exploitation of nearly 80,000 MW of Nepal’s hydropower potential could become a reality. Modi would do well to push the envelope forward, by declaring, while in Kathmandu, India’s support for a South Asian region electricity grid and announcing India’s willingness to allow unimpeded flow of Nepalese hydropower energy across Indian territory to other countries in South Asia. This will be a big win and has the potential to change the development trajectory in the entire region.

At the same time, some minor irritants have to be removed to make this visit truly historical. Indian border officials do not endear themselves to the vast number of Nepalese who cross the open border and go back home from their jobs in India. The petty and ham- handed corruption and harassment meted out by personnel of the Seema Suraksha Bal, other para- military forces and the Customs department to Nepalese youth changes potential goodwill towards India into deep seated anger among them.

Sentiments

This results in the creation of long term negative sentiment that is difficult to counter despite the presence of a large number of Nepalese who have been educated in Indian universities and carry very fond memories for their time spent in India. This pernicious practice can surely be changed almost overnight with strict directions going out from the home ministry and the CBEC. The PMO may want to ensure that such directions are issued prior to Modi’s visit.

Secondly, India still requires the testing of food products exported from Nepal ( ginger is one of them) to be tested in CFTRI laboratories located in Kolkata, Delhi or Lucknow. This process takes up to 2- 3 weeks and is marked with rampant rent seeking. India should create sufficient testing capabilities within Nepal in a fast track manner under our technical cooperation program.

Finally, India has to demonstrate its sensitivity to the vulnerability felt on a daily basis by a land locked country like Nepal. It was a huge mistake on our part to have flexed our muscle in the past and exposed Nepal’s critical dependence on India for all its necessary imports. Such negative memories take exceptionally long to be erased. Do Indians still not remember 1962? The surest way to help Nepal build a more trust based relationship with India is for Modi to guarantee unimpeded access to Indian roads and ports and airports for goods and services being imported or exported by Nepal.

He will surely be able to find the right formulations to convey this guarantee as explicitly as possible.

Modi appears to have a vision for South Asia, which is in sync with his vision for India. More importantly he has already started taking decisive action in pursuit of this vision. It is also now time for our global partners to work even more closely with us to accelerate the pace of South Asian regional integration.

Notes:

Author is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research. He is also the former Director of ICRIER and former Secretary General of FICCI.

Dear Mr. SagarI am forwarding my article “Modi Can Revive Ties With Nepal” that has appeared in the newspaper “The Mail Today” on 27th June (Friday).

Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

With Best Regards,
Rajiv Kumar

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GCC countries plan massive rail technology investment.

1072014

 

 

 

 

Jamie, Middle East rail 2015

To Me

 

Today at 10:49 AM

If you have trouble viewing this email, read the online version

Dear N.K, Almost every country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has plans to develop rail transport  technology in 2015.  Plans to develop fully integrated networks enabling seamless cross-border freight transport to facilitate trade with European and Asian markets will reflect the region’s growing global importance to world trade.  A key component to these projects will be the technology supporting the main lines.  Operators have and will float tenders for the manufacture and supply of rail coaches and the installation of control systems for inter operable national systems.  Companies from the following profiles are needed to support regional rail technology projects: Signaling & communication Operations & security System integration And more… The 9th annual Middle East Rail exhibition and conference at The Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre will bring together transport operators and contractors to meet the implementation of these multi-billion dollar projects.   Download sponsorship brochure Do you want to showcase your pioneering products? Can you meet the challenges of these demanding projects? Do you want to win a share of the business?  Then you need to be Sponsoring or Exhibiting in Middle East Rail 2015. View floorplan and exhibition space available Enquire now about your tailor-made package.  Contact Jamie Hosie at Jamie.hosie@terrapinn.com or +97144402501. Jamie Hosie Project Director Middle East Rail 2015

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Sikhs Helping Sikhs

1072014

To Me

 

Today at 10:56 AM

http://www.deedaday.in is a project to save 250000 children in Punjab 

These children are from economically distressed families who don’t have enough money for daily sustenance.

The only way to save a family locked in poverty is to help educate their child.

This will give them a chance to break the chains of poverty and lead a better life, once the child grows and enters the workforce.

Please help to save us. Adopt a child to help save the Panth.

Take a look at this video on YouTube

http://youtu.be/5oS1uqAZx7A

To unsubscribe click here.
For more information please visit our website www.sikhshelpingsikhs.com,
or email us via sewa@sikhshelpingsikhs.com

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AirAsia to re-enter Japan’s low cost carrier market

1072014

 

 

 

 

TOKYO, 1 JULY – AirAsia today announced that it will be entering into a Shareholders Agreement with Octave Japan Infrastructure Fund I GK (Octave), Rakuten Inc. (Rakuten), Noevir Holdings Co. Ltd. (Noevir), and Alpen Co. Ltd. (Alpen) to establish AirAsia Japan.  Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia said, “We are very excited to return to Japan’s skies together with Octave, Rakuten, Noevir and Alpen this time round. I am more confident than ever that AirAsia Japan, led by Odi (Odagiri Yoshinori) with the strong partnership we have with our new investors, will continue to realize our vision to revolutionize the low-cost carrier segment of Japan. The AirAsia Japan team is now working hard with the relevant authorities to obtain necessary operational approvals, and we hope that all will be in place to start both domestic and international flights by the summer of 2015.” Odagiri Yoshinori, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Japan further commented, “We are ready to take on this challenge and with great teamwork, we hope to bring AirAsia’s successful low-cost business model once again to Japan. Our counterparts in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India have seen great and encouraging responses in their markets, and we will work towards the same for Japan. We would like to thank the investors for their belief in us and we look forward to working closely with them moving forward.” Rakuten was incorporated in Japan on February 1997 and its major business includes Internet services (e-commerce, travel), financial services (bank, credit card, securities. etc), telecommunications and professional sports, while Noevir, which was incorporated in Japan on March 2011 and its major business includes cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and health food, apparel and aviation business. Alpen was incorporated in Japan on July 1972 and its major business includes manufacturing and retail of ski equipment, other sporting goods equipment including golf, tennis, marine sports, baseball, etc. and leisure goods; management of ski resorts, golf courses and fitness clubs; while Octave was incorporated in Japan on May 2014 and its major business is to acquire, own, manage, hold, sell, and dispose of the shares of AirAsia Japan and make collections from the shares of AirAsia Japan.

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Police shielding culprits who attempted to rape AAP leader in Bihar

2072014

From: mediacellaap8 <mediacellaap8@gmail.com> Tue, 1 Jul ’14 7:40p

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Show full Headers

                                   Tuesday, July 1

The Aam Aadmi Party strongly condemns the role of Bihar Police in shielding the culprits who attempted to rape the party’s candidate from Buxar Lok Sabha constituency, Dr Shweta Pathak.

The incident reflects the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, where the hoodlums who attempted to rape a 33 year-old medical doctor last week are still at large.

What can be more shameful than the role played by the state police in the entire matter ? The police instead of nabbing the culprits who tried to commit a heinous crime in broad daylight, brutally beat up Dr Pathak in the police station.

Dr Pathak, who had not even recovered from the trauma of attempted rape against her, went through hell again when the police in complete connivance with the relatives of the accused, beat her up, causing severe injuries in her neck, arms and legs.

Photographs posted on social media by the local people and friends of Dr Pathak show the extent of police brutality on a woman victim, who was demanding justice.

The AAP demands that all the police officials involved in this shameful incident should be immediately suspended and a judicial inquiry be ordered on how the police handled the entire matter.

The AAP leaders will be visiting Bihar to meet Dr Pathak and the party will submit a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking an independent inquiry into the entire matter. 

Regards

AAP Media Cell

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Circulating the You Tube link on Smoking Gun Recovered

2072014

 

Sikhs Helping Sikhs

To Me

 

Today at 11:18 AM

www.youtube.com/UNITEDSIKHSTV

 

UNITED SIKHS premiered on 24th June 2014 on Sangat TV the first episode of a three-part documentary series ‘Unheard Voices’, which tells the story of how Sikhs continue their 30-year wait for justice for the thousands of innocent pilgrims who were killed by the Indian Army and for the restitution of the Sikh Reference Library, whose contents were removed before it was burnt by the Army during the attack on the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) Complex. This massacre of pilgrims took place during the Indian Army attack, codenamed Blue Star, on Darbar Sahib from the 1st of June to the 6th of June 1984, killing thousands whilst desecrating the sanctum sanctorum of Sikhs.

This 20-minute episode of ‘The Smoking Gun Recovered’ was premiered on Sangat TV via Sky 847 (Europe) on the 24th of June 2014 at 8.30pm BST and repeated on Friday the 27th of June at 9.00 to 9.30pm. It is viewable on You Tube atwww.youtube.com/UNITEDSIKHSTV The remaining two episodes of the Unheard Voices series — ‘In the Line of Fire’ and ‘A Body of Evidence’ will be premiered on Sangat TV in July, on a date to be announced at https://www.facebook.com/UNITEDSIKHS.org andtwitter.com/unitedsikhs

‘The Smoking Gun Recovered’, presents eyewitness accounts of how the contents of the Sikh Reference Library, which was located in the Darbar Sahib complex and which held the invaluable heritage of the Sikhs, were removed by the Indian Army before it was burnt during the June 1984 attack. The Library housed historical saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the eternal Sikh Guru, one of which was dated 1604.

In 1991, the Government of India, under pressure from Sikhs for the return of their heritage, returned some 29 books, which included four original Accession Registers that were a catalogue of the Library’s contents. The Registers were the ‘smoking gun’ that proved that the Library’s contents, including the Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, were removed by the Indian Government before the Library was burnt. Despite a Punjab and Haryana High Court order in 2004, the Indian Government has failed to return the contents of the Library.

UNITED SIKHS seeks your support so that we may advocate for the restitution of the Sikh Reference Library whose contents were removed by the Indian Army before it was burnt in June 1984 and to deliver justice for the thousands of innocent victims who perished at Darbar Sahib in June 1984. Donate at http://www.unitedsikhs.org/donate.php
– 

I Pledge Against Hate Crime

Hate Crime is a serious issue that impacts us all and we must all join to BEAT it

www.facebook.com/IPledgeAgainstHateCrime  | twitter.com/No2HateCrime

+44 7709830442

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PHD-GMR Round Table-Indian Air Cargo-Future Outlook on July11,2014@ 2.30 p.m

2072014

 PHD-GMR Round Table-Indian Air Cargo-Future Outlook on July11,2014@ 2.30 p.m

From: “Sunita Sharma \(PHD Chamber\)” <sunitash@phdcci.in> Wed, 2 Jul ’14 10:53a

To: “Sunita Sharma \(PHD Chamber\)” <sunitash@phdcci.in>

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Dear Sir,

Greetings from PHD!!

You are cordially invited for the PHD –GMR Round Table on “Indian Air Cargo-Future Outlook” on July 11, 2014 @ 2.30 p.m. The discussions aim to bring together all the stakeholders of the air cargo industry on one platform and also work as a catalyst in bringing forward sustainable solutions in this very important sector of our Aviation Industry.

Mr. Ashok Lavasa, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest for the programme.

The convention will be attended by eminent and relevant Officials, Decision makers, Captains of the Industry, Industrial Bodies, Logistic Companies, Trade officials from International Embassies, Consultants, Legal Experts, Manufacturers, Multinational’s ,PHD members, Media and many more concerned stakeholders of the industry

May we request you to be an eminent part of the above mentioned programme. A line of confirmation from your end is kindly solicited.

We look forward to welcoming you on the occasion.

With kind regards,

Bhavna Singh

Deputy Secretary

PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry

PHD House,4/2 Siri Institutional Area

August Kranti Marg

New Delhi-110016

Phone No# 011-26863801-04, 49545454,Extn-236

Fax # 011-26855450,49545451

Mobile # 9811027759

Email:bhavna.singh@phdcci.in

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Yamuna Mukti -Nation wide Nadia Chhoro Sewer Joro

2072014

 News 09-06-2014 Yamuna Mukti

From: “Dr. Suresh Chandra Sharma” <drsharma46@gmail.com> Wed, 2 Jul ’14 11:17a

To: You

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Ayushmann Khurana: From a Rejected Candidate to a Role Model

2072014

Life comes back a full circle for the talented actor on ‘India’s Best Cine Stars Ki Khoj’

At the recently held press conference of Zee TV’snext big-ticket non-fiction show ‘Cera India’s Best Cine Stars Ki Khoj’, actor Ayushmann Khuranarevealed that even though he has been currently brought on board as a role model and a source of inspiration for this season’s contestants, he was once a rejected candidate of the same show. Showing up at the auditions as a lanky, somewhat self-conscious  19 year old, Ayushmann had given the reality show a shot several years ago  in the hopes of landing his dream job as a lead actor in Bollywood.

Today, many years later, as he has successfully carved a niche for himself as a multi-faceted, youth icon and a mainstream actor with a distinct following of his own, he has been brought on board ‘Cera India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj’ as a ‘Bollywood Buddy’ who will share valuable insights with the current crop of contestants … pointers that will help them understand the ground realities of working in the industry. In two episodes that form a part of the reality show’s  audition phase, Ayushmann will be seated alongside the judges of the show Sonali Bendre and Dhoom 3 director Vijay Krishna Acharya and will offer feedback and constructive criticism to the performing candidates. He will even be involved with the selection process of the candidates.

“It is a feeling of  life coming back a full circle when India’s best Cinestars Ki Khoj that had once rejected me, has now brought me on board as a role model for its contestants. Back then, the industry was not as open to unconventional artistes as it is today. Of course, I was very raw back then, have worked on myself a great deal. But it is indeed a feeling of vindication when the doors that were once closed on you, welcome you with open arms” says the actor. Bravo, Ayushmann! Way to go!

Catch Parineeti Chopra and Ayushmann Khurana amongst a slew of other film achievers join hands with judges Sonali Bendre and Victor in selecting the best candidates for ‘Cera India’s Best Cine Stars Ki Khoj powered by Glam-Up’. The show premieres on Saturday, 5^th July at 9 PM only on Zee TV.

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Clear conflict of interest of Nitin Gadkari

2072014

Clear conflict of interest of Nitin Gadkari

From: Media Cell AAP <mediacellaap@gmail.com> Tue, 1 Jul ’14 6:42p

                                              Tuesday, July 1

The established link of union surface transport minister and former BJP President, Mr Nitin Gadkari, with a Nagpur based e-rickshaw manufacturing company is a clear case of direct conflict of interest.

The weak defence offered by Mr Gadkari conceals more facts than revealing the real situation.

The Aam Aadmi Party demands that Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi should atleast change Mr Gadkari’s portfolio following the latest revelations about his conflict of interest, which he is unable to deny.

Though Mr Modi had promised clean administration in his election campaign and had attacked the Congress-led UPA regime for its nepotism, but within a month of coming into power, his government is heading in the same direction and appears to be devoid of political morality.

Mr Gadkari has not been able to deny any of the facts mentioned in the news story published by the Indian Express on Tuesday. He has not denied that Purti Green Technologies Pvt Ltd, is now owned by his brother-in-law.

The former BJP President has also not disputed the fact that the company is part of the Purti Group, which was founded by him.    

By today saying that Mr Gadkari “has no commercial interest whatsoever with the e-rickshaw manufacturing sector”, he has tried to mislead the country.  

Is it not a fact that Mr Gadkari had attended a function with Mr Sharad Pawar at Nagpur in January last year to showcase e-rickshaws manufactured by Purti Green Technologies ?            

Can Mr Gadkari deny his link with the Deen Dayal Trust, which according to him was to bear a part of the manufacturing cost of these battery-run rickshaws ?

What is worse is that Mr Gadkari shrouded his business interest in the e-rickshaw business by trying to project the steps being taken by his ministry as welfare steps for operators and drivers.

It is shocking that Mr Gadkari has tried to mix his family business with his ministry’s official functioning, which is a clear act of impropriety.

The Prime Minister should ensure that his council of ministers and particularly the senior ministers do not play with the sentiments of poor people. (ENDS)

 Regards

AAP Media Cell

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Modi government forgets electoral promise, does nothing to curb inflation

2072014

From: AAP Media Cell <aapmediacell12@gmail.com> Tue, 1 Jul ’14 7:57p

                                   Tuesday, July 1

Narendra Modi led NDA government’s recent decisions indicate that inflation and hardship faced by the common man due to rising prices of essential commodities is missing from its agenda. Instead of taking immediate steps to curb inflation, the government has added to common man’s misery by first increasing rail fares and increasing import duty on sugar leading to price rise and then hiking LPG price by 16.5 rupees. Price of petrol has also gone up.

It’s shocking to see that Narendra Modi led BJP, which won the Lok Sabha elections on the plank of curbing inflation, has shown complete indifference to the rising prices of essential commodities including vegetables and sugar, and has done nothing but lip service to contain rising prices.

The Aam Aadmi Party wants to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his party in its manifesto had promised, “Our immediate task will be to rein in inflation.” The Aam Aadmi Party wants to ask the government what immediate steps it has taken so far to tackle price rise and food inflation. The BJP manifesto had also said that a group of Chief Ministers headed by the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had given a report to the centre in March 2011 detailing what steps could be taken to contain inflation, but the report was not acted upon by the UPA government. This report is now gathering dust in Mr. Modi’s office. If he thinks that his recommendations had some substance, it’s time for him to implement the same.

A simple observation of the retail and wholesale market shows that there is no serious supply constraint in case of onions. It’s only price manipulation by the middlemen which is causing steep rise in onion prices. Instead of importing onions to ease supply, dealing with hoarders with an iron hand would have yielded results and also would have saved precious foreign currency. But for that the government will have to crack the whip on hoarders and go beyond issuing customary advisories to state governments.

 Regards

AAP Media Cell

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GAIL India leaves no stone unturned

2072014

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GAIL India leaves no stone unturned Posted: 01 Jul 2014 01:22 AM PDT GAIL India limited personally disseminated compensation amount to all the affected and families. The entity is determined to revive the affected by supporting them through all means. GAIL India has taken the initiative to build permanent houses for the affected families of the village. The compensation of Rs. 20 lakhs per deceased totaling to Rs. 3.89 crore was handed over to beneficiaries. In addition, the company will also adopt the Nagaram village and endeavor to make it a model village. In its 30 years of operations as the country’s leading gas Transmission Company with a gas pipeline network of over 11,000 kms, GAIL had established an impeccable record of incident free operations, with respect to communities residing near its installations. The incident at Tatipaka-Kondapalli pipeline is the first time that GAIL (India) Ltd. has had to grapple with a tragedy of this magnitude. GAIL India is deeply concerned about the tragic loss and will always stand up for the society

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BCCL ग्रुप के प्रेजिडेंट-कॉरपोरेट डे

2072014

BCCL ग्रुप के प्रेजिडेंट-कॉरपोरेट डे 

समाचार4मीडिया

To Me

 

Jul 1 at 5:41 PM

Tuesday 1 July 2014   BCCL ग्रुप के प्रेजिडेंट-कॉरपोरेट डेवलपमेंट सुनील लुल्ला ने दिया इस्तीफा   CNBC Bajar के नाम से पहला गुजराती बिजनेस चैनल हुआ लॉन्च टीवी 18 ब्रॉडकास्ट ने अपने चैनलों का विस्तार करते हुए सीएनबीसी बाजार के रूप में भारत के पहले…  जागरणजोश ने स्टूडेंट्स के लिए शुरू किया नया मंच ‘माई जोश’   समाचारप्लस पर जल्द दिखेगा प्रवीण साहनी का क्राइम शो ‘वॉन्टेड अब अपराध की सच्ची घटनाओं पर आधारित एक क्राइम शो क्षेत्रीय न्यूज चैनल ‘समाचार प्लस’ पर जल्द ही दिखेगा… ब्रिटेन में हैकिंग कांड के बाद सुधरा प्रेस का व्यवहार कुछ समय से हम सभी जानते हैं कि एक समय में न्यूज ऑफ वर्ल्ड में फोन मैसेज को रिकॉर्ड करना एक आम बात थी।  इस मामले में शामिल नहीं होने के बाद भी यह सचाई है… बंद होने के कगार पर पहुंचा JANAM चैनल साल के अंत में होगा लॉन्च करीब दो सालों तक बंद होने की जमीन तैयार रहने के बाद अब लगता है कि केरला का एक चैनल इस साल के अंत तक लॉन्च हो जाएगा… सीएनएन-आईबीएन पर फिर दिखेगा ‘Axe The Tax’ प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी के नेतृत्व में बनी एनडीए की नई सरकार देश के हित में जहां आर्थिक एजेंडा सेट करने की तैयारी कर रही है…

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Invitation for Vimarsha on Friday, July 11 at 6.00pm on Transforming Centre – State Relations

2072014

 

Vivekananda International Foundation

To Information Center VIFMe 

 Today at 10:54 AM

​

 

 

Pl join us for tea at 5.30 pm.

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Farmer’s GENUINE Agenda – India Shreshtra in 60 Days

2072014

 

Ravinder Singh

To Ajit Jhaamitabhth@yahoo.comAnand Ganesh and 353 More… 

 Today at 10:38 AM

Farmer’s GENUINE Agenda – India Shreshtra in 60 Days
July02, 2014

PM please not India shall never be SHRESHTRA in million years when its
Farmers are not paid for their produce that earns them net income at
par with Urban Indians.

It is Unfortunate That my Friends Ajay Vir Jakhar and MJ Khan had let
down Indian Farmers in presenting Weak Lame Duck demands.

Shreshtra Countries pay highest wages to difficult and risky jobs. An
Offshore Drilling Rig Operator earns Three Times More than a Software
Engineer, Plumber three times than a Bank Manger. Farmers in
Switzerland are paid $100,000 annual subsidy so that they earn more
than Urban Swiss Nationals.

Inventors and Engineers earn thrice much more than accountants and
moneylenders and traders. India must REVERSE MALPRACTICES in our
economy.

ONION – CAULIFLOWER LESSONS

Farmers are paid just Rs.5 to Rs.8 per kg for Onion that retails for
Rs.25 to Rs.100 per kg, middlemen cum moneylenders in the ILLEGAL
OPERATIONS earn hundreds of crores in a single day but neither Provide
Safe & Hygienic Storage of Foods nor Provide Insurance to Farmers for
Crop Loss not Let Farmers Harvest Fully Mature Crops.

250gm of Cauliflower or 20 gm Onions are not Unhealthy Crop but mostly
Crops are harvested PRE-MATURELY. A Cauliflower a couple of more days
in field would grow to 1200 gm to even 2 kg. Onions maturing to full
size would be 200 gm.

Traders and Moneylenders compel them to Harvest Premature Crops –
Farmers are at their mercy would not get even Rs.2 per kg for
Cauliflower or Onion for high production would not earn a penny for
their hard work.

India can’t be Shreshtra, Healthy Wealthy & Educated when

    It can’t Produce Enough Food for its People,
    It can’t Store, Deliver Foods Safely, Hygienically that Retain Nutrition.
    It Provides Foods at Affordable Prices.
    Localize Production of Food wherever Possible.

Progress of 800m Indian Is Directly Related to Profitable Agriculture.
GOI Need Not Provide Any Subsidized Foods, Toilets, Home Loans, Jobs
etc. Wealth of 95% Indians and GDP Growth Shall Double.

1.  Farmers to Store, Process and Direct Market Foods to Consumers.

2.  Consumers shall get Cake for the Price of Bread

3.  Processed or Clean, Dressed Up, Nutritious Fruits & Vegetables

4.  Cut LPG use by Half, Reduce Garbage by 70%

5.  Promote FARMERS owned Commodity Boards for Major Crops to Ensure
Stable Prices, Adequate Hygienic Production & Storage of Crops Locally
Produced to Be Delivered Farm Fresh.
GOI has PUBLIC MANDATE to implement REAL REFORM in Indian Economy.
This shall create 10 crore jobs shortly.

India Has Over Rs.80,00,000 Crores Bank Deposits, Rs.100,00,000 Crores
Gold and other Properties.

India Needs PROGRESSIVE ECONOMIC POLICIES, promotion of Inventors to
SERVE WORLD MARKET, Manufacturers, and Farmers than Middlemen and
Commission Agents.
    
Ravinder Singh, National General Secretary.
Sabka Bharat Mission 2019
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi -110016
Ph: 9650421857, 9718280435
Sabkabharatmission2019@gmail.com

Food prices in India – Uncertainty rules the roost
Jun 19, 2014,
By Ajay Vir Jakhar

Everyone is worried about food inflation, which is now near
double-digit levels. But farmers are worried about farm gate price
deflation. Several ministries are talking to each other on ways to
tame food prices. But it’s a tall order, because at the farm, most
food prices are already very low and the threat of a weak monsoon
looms large this year.

The farmer is worried that gram, or chana, is selling today at same
price as it was in 2006. Mustard and barley prices are the same as in
2008. These are non-perishables, under the government-administered
minimum support price umbrella.

Consider perishables like vegetables: last year bitter gourd or
karela, was sold by farmers at Rs 15 per kg. Today, farmers sell it at
Rs 4 per kg. The same karela is being sold in Nizamuddin, a locality
in New Delhi, for Rs 20 per kg. Sponge gourd, or tori, sold on the
farm for Rs 20 per kg last year; today farmers sell it for Rs 6 per kg
and consumers pay Rs 30 for it. So, just for selling the same thing
from a city pavement after an overnight tempo ride, the seller makes a
margin of 500%.

It gets worse. Last year, farmers sold green pepper at Rs 12 per kg,
but today he is compelled to do a distress sale at Rs 2, where the
cost of picking the peppers is also Rs 2. Add to that the cost of
transport and other commissions. The irony is that even though the
green pepper price has fallen by 600% in one year on the farm, the
street price remains the same: Rs 60 per kg.

Tomato processing is the much-trumpeted success story of the food
processing sector. Last year, farmers sold tomatoes for Rs 10 per kg,
but now, for only Rs 2 per kg. Punjab farmers are offering to give
their tomato crop for free, if prospective buyers pay for harvesting,
loading and transportation. The same free tomatoes are being bought by
consumers at Rs 15 per kg in the market, a 750% margin.

The rate of growth of the food processing sector has slowed over the
last 30 years. A few years ago the finance minister did not even find
it worthwhile to mention the sector in his Budget speech. Permanent
food imports cannot solve food inflation. There are other more
credible policy options at hand.

Who could better hide these windfall margins than the middlemen of
mandis like Azadpur, in Delhi and Navi Mumbai, street vendors and
shopkeepers? If left unchecked by the BJP, these very profiteers will
shatter the dream of millions, who elected a new government to tame
persistent inflation. Some harsh decisions need be adopted, including
a law to limit the maximum commission chargeable for a sale of
agriculture produce at 2%, instead of today’s exorbitant 7%.

Agriculture is a state subject and most changes have to take place at
the state level, but certain things in Delhi can help. The government
will invest in urban infrastructure through the JNNURM, or whatever it
chooses to rename the project as. When it invests in cities, it must
ensure space for 25,000 farmer markets in the 4,000 census towns
across India.
We do not oppose middlemen; all we ask is for is enforcing regulations
and disbanding trade monopolies. Supply-side constraints can be
resolved and price volatility of fruits and vegetables can be stemmed
with political will and some decisive action.

More For Every Acre

We must increase the yield per acre of each crop. Diversification is
not enough: it increases production by transferring area under crops
like wheat and rice to other crops. Something else is needed.

India has one of the lowest yields in farming among other nations.
Yields have to go up dramatically. Farm profitability will follow.
Farming has to be a remunerative profession. Otherwise farmers will
use their land for other purposes and India’s overall farm output will
decline. That would be a disaster.

To avoid that, the government has to ensure reasonably priced
perishables for consumers as well as a decent price at the farm gate.
And yields have to increase from the existing area to offset the
increasing cost of inputs. Input costs have increased rapidly, far
ahead of productivity gains for many years now.

Create Farm Jobs

There are no short cuts: the finance minister can push us on to that
path by boosting investment in farm research and development (R&D) to
around 2% of GDP, the developed world average.

India should triple the spend on activities like horticulture,
fisheries, poultry and livestock rearing, not by extra allotment of
funds, but by smarter reallocation of existing financial resources.

One complaint against the UPA II was the lack of job creation: well,
horticulture generates five times more jobs than any other sector with
the same investment. The government consults some farm experts for
advice. Instead, it should now talk to organisations that directly
represent farmers.

(The author is chairman, Bharat Krishak Samaj)

 

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Ciclo de cine de animación / Animation Film Series

2072014

Ciclo de cine de animación / Animation Film Series 

 

Instituto Cervantes de Nueva Delhi

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Jul 1 at 7:30 PM

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INSTITUTO CERVANTES DE NUEVA DELHI  -  CULTURA  -  JULIO 2014  -  Web

Ciclo de cine de animación  Animation Film Series El bosque animado The Living Forest06/07/2014 Auditorio. Instituto Cervantes, a las 4:30 p.m.  Arrugas Wrinkles13/07/2014 Auditorio. Instituto Cervantes, a las 4:30 p.m.  Chico y RitaChico & Rita20/07/2014 Auditorio. Instituto Cervantes, a las 4:30 p.m.    AGENDA        6/07/2014Auditorio, Instituto Cervantes. 4:30 p.m.   Ciclo de cine de animación: “El bosque animado”Sinopsis: Todos los días el ocioso Sr. D’Abondo y su fiel criado Rosendo atraviesan la Fraga Cecebre exclamando: ‘Así dios me salve si no me parece que estuviera animado el bosque entero’. Un día unos hombres plantan un nuevo inquilino, un engreido poste de teléfono. Aquí comienzan los problemas, y si hay un experto en problemas, ese es Furi, un pequeño y simpático topo enamorado de Linda, y que un día desaparece junto con toda la colonia de topos de la fraga. Los habitantes del bosque se aliarán para solucionar los problemas de la fraga y llevar de nuevo la armonía y la felicidad al bosque. Ver el trailer. Animation Film Series: “The Living Forest”Synopsis: Except when there’s people around, the mysterious woods of Cecebre resound with the conversation of the various animals and even the oaks, chestnuts, birches and weeping willows. But man plant who seems a leafless tree, actually a telephone pole, which also sprouts from mouth but speaks like his human makers. A scientist decides to catch one mole, Linda, for his dissertation, but his bossy wife, a ‘fashionable’ ugly bitch, takes it and wants them all to make fur-coats ‘now mink is out’; Linda’s lover Furi escapes, learns the truth which the trees heard from the telephone wires and sets out to the rescue in the human world, where everything natural is abused. Spanish. In Spanish with English subtitles 13/07/2014  Auditorio, Instituto Cervantes. 4:30 p.m. Ciclo de cine de animación: “Arrugas”Sinopsis: La historia está ambientada en una casa de retiro y gira en torno a la amistad entre dos hombres de edad avanzada, uno de ellos en las primeras etapas de la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Ver el trailer. Animation Film Series: “Wrinkles”Synopsis: An astonishing cocktail of friendship, resistance and life set among the unexpected landscape of an elderly care facility. In Spanish with English subtitles 20/07/2014  Auditorio, Instituto Cervantes. 4:30 p.m. Ciclo de cine de animación: “Chico y Rita”.Sinopsis: La película cuenta la historia entre dos amantes que son el pianista Chico Valdés y la cantante Rita La Belle marcada por la música de entonces. Está ambientada en las ciudades de La Habana, París y Nueva York en la que se realiza un homenaje al jazz latino y al cine de Hollywood de las décadas de 1940 y 1950. Entre las películas que homenajean se encuentran Casablanca, El padrino (película) y las de Woody Allen. Ver el trailer.  Animation Film Series: “Chico & Rita”Synopsis: Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey – in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero – brings heartache and torment. In Spanish with English subtitles

COMING SOON PRÓXIMAMENTE  Instituto Cervantes Centenario de Julio Cortázar              One hundred years of Julio Cortázar Instituto CervantesCentenario de Octavio PazOne hundred years of Octavio Paz  Instituto Cervantes Homenaje a Gabriel García MárquezTribute to Gabriel García Márquez        EL INSTITUTO CERVANTES EN EL MUNDO Belgrado: Año Cortázar 2014. Exposición colectiva. (+) Belgrado: Cortázar Year 2014. Collective Exhibition(+)   Marrakech: Exposición “Gran teatro Cervantes de Tánger”:  (+) Marrakech: Exhibition “Tanger Great Cervantes Theater” (+) Agenda

INSTITUTO CERVANTES DE NUEVA DELHI nuevadelhi.cervantes.es  |  cendel@cervantes.es© Instituto Cervantes, 2013. Reservados todos los derechos

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WEC India members Energy News-2nd July 2014

2072014

 

WEC India Energy News

To WEC India Energy News – NTPC GroupWEC India Energy News – India Group 

 Today at 10:27 AM

WEC India Energy Portal  One Stop Energy Resource Center WEC India Scenarios Power Coal Oil & Gas Renewables Nuclear Global Energy Mix comparison 2030 Global Energy Mix comparison of IEA, EIA, WEC Scenarios for 2030 has been added to Total Primary Energy Consumption (TPEC )  Section of Global Scenarios. Energy News Menu Aggregated Energy News Power Sector News Coal Sector News Oil & Gas Sector News Renewable Energy News Nuclear Sector News Environment News International Energy News Energy News Archive Power demand jumps 8,000 Mw, results in electricity prices doubling to Rs 5/unit Demand for power surged to the season’s highest on Monday as scanty rains increased humidity levels in most parts of the country. Mundra project tariff may go down on falling coal prices; Tata Power forced to seek compensation Tata Power’s 4,000-Mw Mundra project would need a smaller increase in tariff to compensate for import costs as global coal prices have fallen. Will a solar dawn make a manufacturing boom? Ministry has come across instances of over-invoicing of supplies by foreign suppliers. This needs to be investigated to see if this is violating laws. Coal scam: ED attaches assets of more companies The case pertains to the allocation of coal blocks in the Bander area of Maharashtra Incentives for wind power producers to be simplified Ahead of the Union Budget next week, the ministry of new and renewable energy has taken up the issue of accelerated depreciation (AD) benefit with the ministry of finance. Prakash Javadekar assures Arunachal government of speedy forest clearance for Dibang Hydropower Project Prakash Javadekar has assured the Arunachal Pradesh government that forest clearance for the 3000 MW Dibang Hydropower Project will be expedited. Commercial production from Singanji power plant soon Madhya Pradesh has now 10.94 million power consumers Power tariff up in Assam by 36 paise AERC had hike power tariff by 2.4% in categories of consumers like high tension industries, tea, coffee & rubber industries in December last year. Budget 2014: Suitable provisions required for the growth of the power sector Newly elected government acknowledges the importance of this sector as reflected by its endeavour to address bottlenecks by clubbing together the Power and Coal ministries. NTPC’s coal mine development delay on government radar Sources said NTPC has come on the PMO radar due to the rising demand for coal from private power producers, who are facing acute fuel shortage. Does public-private partnerships in coal mining have potential to provide value for money? Development of coal mining projects of CIL through PPP aims to add about 60-70 million tonnes per annum capacity in the next five years. Budget 2014-15 Wish list: Power Sector Average new capacity addition of 15,000 Mw per annum over the past five years Centre allocates 177-Mw additional power to Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu has directed officials to work out modalities for securing the allocated power at the earliest Budget 2014: Power Ministry may seek scrapping of proposed anti-dumping duty on imported solar gear Goyal said at present, the country’s solar gear manufacturing capacity is inadequate to meet the huge plans that the govt has for expanding renewable energy sources. NTPC to commence production at two Chhattisgarh coal mines in 2016 The power company told the coal ministry that production at Chatti Bariatu and Kerandari will start by June 2016 Power Grid to invest Rs5,800 crore in Gujarat network upgrades Almost 2,000km of transmission lines and seven additional extra high voltage (EHV) substations planned Coal India not to be split: Piyush Goyal Coal minister says the govt will work to smoothen the edges and improve Coal India’s performance Coal India yet to sign fuel supply pacts for 4,925 MW Out of 78,000 MW capacity as on date CIL signed fuel supply agreements for a capacity of 73,075 MW Steel makers’ profit boosted by cheaper coal Spot prices of coking coal dropped 17% this year and contract prices are expected to fall 7% in the next three months

For more information Contact – WEC India Secretariat, C/o NTPC Limited, 7th Floor, Core-6, SCOPE Complex, New Delhi-110 003, India  Email: info@wecindia.in, Phone: 011-2436 3719, Fax: 011-2436 9530, Website: http://www.wecindia.in

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Jobs in Renewable Energy Expand in Turbulent Process

2072014

Worldwatch Institute

To Me

Jul 1 at 7:58 PM

PRESS RELEASE Tuesday, July 1, 2014 Contact: Gaelle Gourmelon,  ggourmelon@worldwatch.org For more information: http://www.worldwatch.org/jobs-renewable-energy-expand-turbulent-process-1 Jobs in Renewable Energy Expand in Turbulent Process New analysis examines global trends in employment in the renewable energy sector Washington, D.C.—-There may now be as many as 6.5 million direct and indirect jobs in renewable energy, according to updated data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Earlier assessments had put the global estimate at 2.3 million jobs in 2008 (United Nations Environment Programme) and at 5 million jobs in 2012 (International Labour Organization). Although these estimates suggest a strong expansion in employment in renewable energy, the figures also represent successive efforts to broaden data collection across countries and sectors, write Worldwatch Senior Researcher Michael Renner and IRENA’s Rabia Ferroukhi, Arslan Khalid, and Alvaro Lopez-Peña in the Worldwatch Institute’s latest Vital Signs Online trend (www.worldwatch.org). The overall upward trend in renewable energy jobs has been accompanied by considerable turmoil in some industries. Nowhere are the upheavals more noticeable than in the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector, where intensified competition, massive overcapacities, and tumbling prices have caused a high degree of turbulence in the last two to three years, but they have also triggered a boom in installations. Global PV employment is thought to have expanded from 1.4 million jobs in 2012 to as many as 2.3 million in 2013. Solar PV has bypassed biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) as the top renewable energy job generator. Most of the 1.45 million biofuels jobs are found in the growing and harvesting of feedstock such as sugar cane, corn, or palm oil. This involves physically demanding manual work, and workers often contend with oppressive workplace conditions. Processing of the feedstock into fuels offers far fewer jobs, but the ones created are higher skilled and they pay better. Employment in the next-largest renewables sector, wind power, is estimated to run to some 834,000 jobs. Uncertainty about the future direction of policies in several countries weakened job creation in this field in 2013, leading to a sharp drop in new installations in the United States and to weak markets in large parts of Europe and in India. In contrast, developments in China and Canada were more positive. Countries that are home to half of the world’s population-China, members of the European Union, Brazil, the United States, and India-account for the bulk of renewable energy employment: 5.8 million direct and indirect (supply chain) jobs out of 6.5 million worldwide. Better information is necessary for a range of countries to generate a more complete and accurate renewable energy employment picture. Attention is also needed on the question of whether development of renewable energy leads to job loss elsewhere, including in the conventional energy industries. All in all, available information suggests that renewable energy has grown to become a significant source of jobs. Rising labor productivity notwithstanding, the job numbers are likely to grow in coming decades as the world’s energy system shifts toward low-carbon sources. Country Highlights from the Report: China is the largest employer in the renewable energy sector. The latest estimates by the country’s National Renewable Energy Center suggest almost 1.6 million jobs in the solar PV industry in 2013. Other major sources of renewables employment provide close to 1 million jobs. European Union member states had more than 1.2 million renewable energy jobs in 2012. Even though Germany suffered some job losses in 2013, the country remains the dominant renewable energy employer in Europe, with about 371,000 jobs. Spain’s renewables sector has been hit hard by economic crisis and a series of adverse government policy changes. The country suffered a net loss of 23,700 jobs between 2008 and 2012, or 17 percent. In Brazil, renewable energy is largely synonymous with sugarcane-based ethanol. A factor of rising importance is the growing mechanization of sugarcane harvesting, which has brought the number of direct jobs down from 460,000 in 2006 to 331,000 in 2012, even as ethanol processing jobs increased. In the United States, the number of wind and ethanol jobs has fluctuated, but solar employment has been rising fast. In the wind sector, the stop-and-go nature of the U.S. Production Tax Credit has affected employment, with the 92 percent drop in new wind installations during 2013 resulting in a decline from 80,700 jobs in 2012 to 50,500 jobs in 2013. U.S. ethanol employment fell in 2012 because of rising feedstock prices, reduced yields due to drought, and lower demand, although conditions improved and employment stabilized in 2013. Solar employment was close to 143,000 jobs in 2013, a gain of 20 percent. In most other countries, the number of renewable energy jobs is still limited, and often there is simply no reliable information at all.

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THE MEGA Rs 23,000 crore 4G SCAM BY the GOVERNMENT AND RELIANCE 

2072014

After the 2G spectrum allocation scam during the former UPA government, another major telecom scandal in the allocation of 4G spectrum (Broadband and Wireless Access – BWA) ) has now been exposed in its latest report submitted by the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) to the central government. 

 

According to the information available so far, this scam has caused a loss of around Rs 23,000 crore to the public exchequer in the initial estimates and this amount will definitely go up in case a thorough and impartial probe is ordered by the Narendra Modi government.

 

The Aam Aadmi Party demands that the BJP-led NDA’s central  government should  immediately cancel the telecom license and allotment of 4G spectrum given to Reliance Industries and also order a CBI probe for a through criminal investigation into this scam involving
Reliance Industries and the UPA government.

 

If the NDA government delays tabling of the CAG report on the 4G spectrum & BWA allocation scam and does not cancel its allotment, it will become clear that this government also is favouring corporates and allowing them to loot national resources. 

The details of this scam are as follows :   

 

The UPA government in March 2013 allowed a back-door entry of Reliance Jio Infocomm into voice telephony in violation of the judgment of the Supreme Court in the 2G case. This was done at the price discovered in 2001 of Rs 1,658 crore for a pan-India licence, which is the same price that was struck down by the Supreme Court in its 2G judgment, because that had caused a huge loss to the public exchequer.

During May-June 2010 the auctions for 3G and 4G were concluded. The 3G auction fetched Rs 16,750.58 crore for 5+5 MHz spectrum in 2100 MHz (or 2.1 GHz) band. Thus, per MHz, the price worked out to be Rs 1,675 crore. Immediately, after the 3G auction, the 4G auction began which fetched Rs 12,847.77 crore for 20 MHz pan-India license in the 2300 MHz (or 2.3 GHz) band. This works out to be Rs 642.39 crore per MHz.

This was so because all documents stated that 4G spectrum was for data services only, whereas 3G spectrum can be used for both data and voice telephony. (All relevant documents – including the CAG report, Reliance Jio Infocomm reply and Department of Telecom response are attached with this press release).

Infotel Broadband Services Pvt Ltd (IBSPL) emerged as the only company to have acquired pan-India 4G spectrum. IBSPL had an internet license since November 2007 and had just one subscriber with revenue of Rs 16.28 lakhs during 2009-10, and its authorized share capital was Rs three crore and the paid up capital was Rs 2.51 crore. Infotel Digicomm Pvt Ltd (IDPL) held 99.99% share of the IBSPL at the time of submission of application in March 2010.

Within hours of completion of 4G auction on 11.06.2010, IBSPL increased the authorised share capital from Rs three crore to Rs 6,000 crore. On 17.06.2010, the company authorized its Board of Directors to allot Rs 475 crore equity share of Rs 10 each to Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and 25 crore equity share of Rs 10 to Infotech Digicomm Pvt Ltd (IDPL) aggregating to the equity capital of Rs 5,000 crore. On the same day, the company also decided to change from a private company to Public Limited Company (Infotel Broadband Services Ltd). Thus, the
company within a week of winning the 4G spectrum disposed off 95% shares to RIL while 5% was retained by IDPL. Much later in March 2013, the company was renamed as Reliance Jio Infocomm Pvt Ltd.

CAG has found that the Government did not protect its interest at the time of framing eligibility criteria for the 4G auction. It allowed participation of internet (ISP) licensees without ensuring adequate safeguards in terms of net-worth of the companies participating in the auction. It found that while a UAS licensee or even a new company without a license was allowed to participate in the 4G auction, but
they had to pass through the test of net-worth in order to become eligible, but no such criteria was specified for the existing internet (ISP) licensees participating in 4G auction. CAG observed that this criterion was important even for ISP-A licensees as they had to participate in the bidding where the reserve price was fixed at Rs 1,750 crore per pan-India license for 20 MHz spectrum in 2.3 GHz band.

The only company which won the pan-India 4G license, was an ISP-A licensee, Infotel Broadband Services Pvt Ltd (IBSPL), a HFCL promoted group company. CAG has stated that IBSPL was given the ISP-A license in November 2007, and it had just one leased-line subscribers as on December 2009 and total revenue of just Rs 16.28 lakh for FY 2009-10. The paid-up capital was just Rs 2.51 crore and 99.99 per cent of it was held by Infotel Digicom Pvt Ltd at the time of submission of application for the 4G auction in March 2010. Thus, this company could not be termed as a serious player. And there were no checks in-built

in the auction process to eliminate such non-serious players, CAG has observed.

After the company was taken over Reliance Industries, the government allowed it to provide voice telephony (which was earlier prohibited) without conducting a fresh auction. This was done at the rate of Rs 1,658 crore which was fixed in 2001, and had been struck down by the Supreme Court in the 2G case for causing huge loss to public exchequer. The CAG has now concluded that besides vitiating the
auction process, an undue advantage of Rs 22,842 crore was given to RIL at the cost of exchequer. The relevant part of the CAG’s report is reproduced below: -

It was found that the basis of the decision i.e. payment of entry fee of Rs 1,658 crore by ISP licensee for a permission to Pan India
provision of mobile voice services using BWA spectrum considered by the DoT Committee, Telecom Commission and the MOC&IT, was primarily intended to fill the gap between the eligibility criterion stipulated for participation in the 3G / BWA auction in 2010 as UAS / CMTS licensees had paid entry fee of Rs 1,658 crore while ISP licensees had paid only Rs 30 lakh.

The DoT Committee, Telecom Commission and the Ministry of communication &IT  however ignored the fact that the quantum of entry fee i.e. Rs 1,658 crore was basically discovered in 2001 through the bidding for the 4th Cellular licenses. Market conditions since then have changed drastically, and this price needed to be modified to reflect the present value. 

 

Neither the DoT Committee / TC under the Chairmanship of the Secretary DoT nor the ministry felt the need for revision of the price discovered in 2001 as the entry fee for UASL in 2013, even when the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India had cancelled 122 licenses granted in 2008 on the basis of the same entry fee stating that it was impossible for them to approve the action of the DoT.

Therefore, by permitting ISPs to provide mobile voice service using BWA spectrum won in 2010 auction post-auction, the government has brought ISP licensees with BWA spectrum at par with UAS / CMTS 3G spectrum winners so far as provision of services are concerned –
Voice, Data, etc., and post auction interpretation of such vital nature would appear to be arbitrary, inconsistent and not appropriate.

Hence, IBSPL, now Reliance JioInfocomm, appeared to have been accorded undue advantage of Rs 22,842 crore i.e. the difference of the
proportionate prices for 20 MHz block size in 2.1 GHz spectrum band (3G spectrum) and 2.3 GHz spectrum band (BWA spectrum) plus the Net Present Value of the entry fee for UASL at the end of FY 2009-10 (Rs 20,653 crore plus Rs 3,847 crore – Rs 1,658 crore). Besides, the sanctity of the entire auction process has been rendered vitiated due to post auction interpretations and interventions after three years.
It was therefore no surprise that Reliance JioInfocomm was among the first group of companies which applied for UL immediately after introduction of the scheme and obtained the Letter of Intent (LoI).

Had the spectrum blocks been specified and declared as liberalised spectrum blocks i.e. open for all technology / services in the NIA in
February 2010, there was no doubt that bidders would have taken informed decision for putting up their bid and the market discovered
price would have been significantly different for 3G and BWA spectrum.

AAP leader and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan has filed a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of Reliance Industries’ telecom license and a through criminal investigation. Supreme Court had issued notice to the government and Reliance on that petition on 9th May 2014.

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JSW Steel Limited – Annual Report 2013-14 of the Company

2072014

JSW Steel Limited – Annual Report

From: “JSW STEEL LIMITED” <jswsl.investor@karvy.com> Tue, 1 Jul ’14 9:17p

To: NKSAGAR@REDIFFMAIL.COM

Corporate Identification No. (CIN) – L27102MH2005 PLC 152925 Regd. Office: JSW Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai 400 051 July 1, 2014 Sub: Annual Report 2013-14 of the Company Folio/DP ID & Client ID No: 1202990002494903 Dear Shareholder, In line with the ‘Green Initiatives’ taken by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, we notice that your email address is registered with your Depository and accordingly we enclose herewith the Annual report containing, inter alia, the Notice convening the 20th Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on Thursday, the 31st July, 2014 at 11.00 a.m. at Y.B. Chavan Auditorium, General Jagannathrao Bhonsle Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021, Maharashtra and the Attendance Slip, Proxy Form etc.: The link for downloading the aforesaid Annual Report is as under: Full Annual Report, Proxy form and Attendance Slip Only AGM Notice E-Voting: In compliance with the provisions of Section 108 of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Rules framed thereunder, Members have been provided with the facility to cast their vote electronically, through the e-voting services provided by Karvy Computershare Private Limited (KARVY), on all resolutions set forth in the Notice of Annual General Meeting. Use the following URL for e-voting: https://evoting.karvy.com Enter the login credentials i.e., user id and password mentioned below: User – ID For Members holding shares in Demat Form: For NSDL :- 8 Character DP ID followed by 8 Digits Client ID For CDSL :- 16 digits beneficiary ID For Members holding shares in Physical Form: Event no. followed by Folio Number registered with the company Password As e-mailed. In case of shareholders who have not registered their e-mail addresses, their Password has been communicated in the physical ballot form sent to them. Captcha Enter the Verification code i.e., please enter the alphabets and numbers in the exact way as they are displayed for security reasons. After entering the details appropriately, click on LOGIN. You will reach the Password change menu wherein you are required to mandatorily change your password. The new password shall comprise of minimum 8 characters with at least one upper case (A-Z), one lower case (az), one numeric value (0-9) and a special character. The system will prompt you to change your password and update any contact details like mobile, email etc. on first login. You may also enter the secret question and answer of your choice to retrieve your password in case you forget it. It is strongly recommended not to share your password with any other person and take utmost care to keep your password confidential. You need to login again with the new credentials. On successful login, the system will prompt you to select the EVENT i.e., JSW STEEL LIMITED. On the voting page, the number of shares as held by the shareholder as on the Cut-off Date will appear. If you desire to cast all the votes assenting/dissenting to the Resolution, then enter all shares and click “FOR” / “AGAINST” as the case may be. You are not required to cast all your votes in the same manner. You may partially enter any number in “FOR” and partially in “AGAINST” but the total number in “FOR/AGAINST” taken together should not exceed your total shareholding as mentioned hereinabove. You may also choose the option “ABSTAIN” in case you wish to abstain from voting. If you do not indicate either “FOR” or “AGAINST” it will be treated as “ABSTAIN” and the shares held will not be counted under either head. Shareholders holding multiple folios/demat account shall choose the voting process separately for each folios/demat account. Cast your vote by selecting an appropriate option and click on SUBMIT. A confirmation box will be displayed. Click OK to confirm else CANCEL to modify. Once you confirm, you will not be allowed to modify your vote. During the voting period, shareholders can login any number of times till they have voted on the resolution. Institutional shareholders (i.e. other than individuals, HUF, NRI, etc.) are required to send scanned copy (PDF/JPG Format) of the relevant Board Resolution/Authority letter etc. together with attested specimen signature of the duly authorized signatory (ies) who are authorized to vote, to the Scrutinizer through e-mail at nilesh@ngshah.com Once you have cast your vote on a resolution you will not be allowed to modify it subsequently. The e-voting portal will be open for voting from Friday, July 25, 2014 (9.00 a.m. IST) to Sunday, July 27 2014 (6.00 p.m. IST). During this period, Members of the Company, holding shares either in physical form or in dematerialized form, as on June 13, 2014, may cast their vote electronically. The e-voting module shall be disabled by KARVY for voting thereafter. Once the vote on a resolution is cast by the Member, he shall not be allowed to change it subsequently. The voting rights of Members shall be in proportion to their share of the paid up equity share capital of the Company as on June 13, 2014. In case of any queries, you may refer the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for shareholders and e-voting, User Manual for shareholders available at the download section of https://evoting.karvy.com or contact Mr. Varghese P A of Karvy Computershare Pvt. Ltd. at 040 44655000 or at 1800 345 4001 (toll free). It is strongly recommended not to share your password with any other person and take utmost care to keep it confidential. The results of e-voting will be placed by the Company on its website: www.jsw.in within two days of the AGM and also communicated to the stock exchanges, where the shares of the Company are listed. The resolutions proposed will be deemed to have been passed on the date of the AGM subject to receipt of the requisite number of votes in favour of the resolutions. Mr. Nilesh Shah, Practicing Company Secretary, (Membership No. FCS 4554) has been appointed as the Scrutiniser to scrutinise the e-voting process. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, For JSW Steel Limited Lancy Varghese Company Secretary

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July 2, 2014, 11:29 pm

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US names mountain after an Indian-American scientist

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The United States has named a mountain in Antarctia in honour of an eminent Indian-American scientist whose pioneering biological research expedition has provided critical data about animal populations.
Akhouri Sinha, adjunct professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development at the University of Minnesota, was recognised by the US Geological Survey, which named the mountain Mt Sinha, for his work he did as an explorer in 1971-72

. Sinha was a member of a team that catalogued population studies of seals, whales and birds in the pack ice of the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas using US Coast Guard Cutters Southwind and Glaciers in 1972 and 1974.

The mountain was named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) and the US Geological Survey.

Mt Sinha, a mountain (990 m) at the southeast extremity of Erickson Bluffs in the south part of McDonald Heights, overlooks lower Kirkpatrick Glacier from the north in Marie Byrd Land.

“Anyone can see the Mt Sinha, Antarctica on Google.com or Bing.com,” Sinha said in an interview.

“Show to the world that you are capable, don’t be afraid to contact people out in the field today, and grab every opportunity,” he said.

Sinha, who graduated with a BSc degree from the Allahabad University in 1954 and MSc degree in Zoology from the Patna University in 1956, said he was invited to conduct research on reproduction of Antarctic seals by the National Science Foundation Antarctic Program.

He also taught in the Department of Zoology at the Ranchi College from November 1956 to July 1961, before coming to the US.

“I went to Antarctica on two expeditions lasting for about 22 weeks on the US Coast Guard cutters, Southwind and Glacier, during 1972 and 1974, respectively,” said Sinha, who has published over 100 papers and has been teaching graduate level courses for almost 25 years.

Sinha says his forefathers migrated to Buxar in Bihar from Delhi after Nadir Shah of Iran invaded Delhi in 1739.

“I go to my village (Churamanpur) almost every year, preferably in February to escape Minnesota winter and to visit relatives and village friends and others.

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Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus

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On the occasion of celebration of Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus, which is officially observed on the 3rd July, Ambassador of Belarus in India, H.E. Mr. Vitaly A. Prima held a reception on 2nd July 2014 at Hyatt Hotel in New Delhi. Dignitaries from various embassies including Ambassador of Tajikistan in India HE Saidbeg Saidove, Second Secretary Bayasgalan Naranzul in Embassy of Mongolia in India, Ambassador of Russia, Zambia, Korea were present. Diplomats, politicians and media too joined the party with sumptuous dinner and cocktails.

Belarus is building its own unique model of market economy, the main values of which are:

• focus on the person,
• social security,
• effective government regulation,
• high technology,
• resource and energy efficiency,
• competitiveness,
• developed entrepreneurship,
• market infrastructure.

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Russian president’s visit to Belarus over

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MINSK, 2 July – President of Russia Vladimir Putin visit to Minsk is now overofficial media reports.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko personally saw off the Russian leader in the National Airport Minsk.

On 2 July Vladimir Putin took part in the opening ceremony of the new premises of the Belarusian State Museum of Great Patriotic War History. A bilateral meeting of the presidents of Belarus and Russia also took place in Minsk. Various aspects of cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

Russian and Belarusian heads of state laid wreaths at the monument in Victory Square.

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600 Indians out of Iraq, more on their way: MEA

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Nearly 600 Indians out of Iraq, more on their way: MEAUpdated on : 02-07-2014 09:36 PM
Nearly 600 Indians have left conflict-hit Iraq after being facilitated by the External Affairs Ministry and about 900 more are to follow even as the Indian embassy in Baghdad was in touch with the 46 nurses stuck in Tikrit who are safe and unharmed.

“By our estimation, the facilitation phase has now gathered pace. We have provided tickets to approximately 530 nationals. Their seats have been booked on commercial flights. In addition, we are processing the documentation of another 850 persons,” the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Asked about the condition of the nurses who have taken refuge in the basement of their hospital after bombing and firing took place in the vicinity of the building, the Spokesperson said that the Indian Ambassador spoke to them and they remain safe and unharmed.

About the other captives in the conflict zones, he said the understanding was that they are safe.

Giving details of issuance of travel documents to Indians, he said in terms of passports being processed in different locations in Iraq, the largest number are from Najaf.

“Currently, there are 350 passports that are being processed for Indian nationals from Najaf, 290 from Karbala, 190 from Basra and a little bit from Baghdad also. In Baghdad, there is no backlog because we have an embassy there and so all the work that is there is up to date,” the Spokesperson said.

He said seats continue to be available on commercial flights so the ministry was making use of these to fly back Indian nationals to the nearest international airports.

Iraq is witnessing serious strife with Sunni militants, backed by al Qaida, capturing two key cities and marching towards Baghdad.

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been displaced in the fighting that broke out on 10th June.

When asked about reports that ISIS has declared holy war against India along with many other countries, the Spokesperson downplayed the reports saying India was in safe hands.

The Spokesperson also noted that there was a curfew in Karbala after a religious strife.

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Army Chief holds talks with top brass of China’s PLA

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Army Chief General Bikram Singh, who is in China on a four-day official visit, held talks with People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Chief of General Staff Fang Fenghui on Tuesday.

The Indian army chief’s visit to China comes after a nine year gap. The then army chief Gen N C Viz had visited China in 2005.

Later in the day, Gen Singh is scheduled to meet Vice Chairman of China’s Military Commission Gen. Fan Changlong, the all powerful body headed by President Xi Jinping which controls all wings of the armed forces. Gen.

Singh, also the Chairman of the tri-services Chiefs of Staff Committee, is scheduled to meet Vice President Li Yuanchao besides Vice Executive Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui.

On Wednesday he is due to address cadets of the National Defence University and later travel to Shanghai on July 5 where he would visit a Chinese naval ship.

Commenting on Gen. Singh’s visit, the PLA said it is of “great significance” as it aimed at strengthening high-level strategic communication and mutual trust between the two militaries. The visit is of great significance as it contributes to healthy and steady development of Sino-Indian relations as well as the ties between the two armed forces and create a good atmosphere, the Chinese Defence Ministry said.

Relations between the two armies, the regional security situation besides the issues of common concern and exchanges will come up for discussion between Gen. Singh and the Chinese military officials, the ministry said.

The two sides will implement consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries to strengthen border exchanges and cooperation between the two armies to jointly safeguard the peace and tranquillity in the border areas, it added.

Gen. Singh’s visit is an important event in this year’s planned military exchanges under the ongoing ‘Sino – Indian Friendship Exchange Year’, it said.

His visit comes after the just concluded tour of Vice President Hamid Ansari and ahead of the first meeting between Chinese President Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Brazil later this month.

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AIRASIA X LANDS IN XIÁN!!!

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CELEBRATES FIRST FLIGHT INTO XIÁN, SOLIDIFYING ITS PRESENCE IN CHINA

Offering guests promotional inaugural launch fares from as low as MYR199* (CNY588*) from Kuala Lumpur

Photo Caption: Azran Osman-Rani the CEO of AirAsia X flanked by Terracotta Warriors revealing the Xi’an Inaugural fare

XIÁN, 3 July 2014- AirAsia X, the long-haul, low fare affiliate of the AirAsia Group touched down XiÁn, Xianyang International Airport International Airport at 23:20pm yesterday from Kuala Lumpur marking its inaugural flight into XiÁn from Kuala Lumpur.

XiÁn is the airline’s 5th destination in China after Hangzhou, Chengdu, Beijing, and Shanghai. AirAsia X will commence 4 weekly flights into XiÁn, China from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and will be the only airline servicing direct flights between the two cities. The arrival of AirAsia X into XiÁn will further expand the airlines reach in North Asia.

AirAsia X officially celebrated the inaugural launch at Tang Dynasty West Market Hotel today with the attendance of AirAsia X’s Chief Executive Officer, Azran Osman-Rani and Director, Dato’ Fam Lee Ee. Also present were the Deputy Director of Tourism Section of the Embassy, Mr. Rohaiza Haris, The Director of the Primary Industries Department of Municipal Development and reform Commission of Shan Xi Province, Ms. Ma Li and the Chief Marketing Officer of XiÁn Xianyang International Airport, Mr. Fu LiSheng, representatives from tourism bodies, Xianyang airport, and business associates including members of the media.

To commemorate this special occasion, AirAsia X will be offering promotional fares to XiÁn from Kuala Lumpur from as low as MYR199* (CNY588)* on Economy and from just MYR699* (CNY1499*) on its Business Class. The fares are available for online bookings from now to 13 July, 2014 for immediate travel between now and 31 March, 2015. For more details, log on to http://www.airasia.com.

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X said, “I am pleased to announce that AirAsia X is the first airline that flies direct into XiÁn. Adding XiÁn into our ever growing network in China proves our commitment in our growth strategies in the Asia Pacific region and will further expand the airlines reach in North Asia. The airline has in total carried 2.7 million passengers to date into/from China from Kuala Lumpur with an average passenger load of 82%. With XiÁn added on our network, we expect to see our total revenue increase to over 17% with more than 1 million guests flying into/from our China routes from Kuala Lumpur this year.”

“With the addition of the 8th Wonder of the World; XiÁn to the AirAsia X family, guests may now discover more exotic and exciting destinations in China and similarly guests from XiÁn and its surrounding region may tap onto our strong group network to discover South East Asia and beyond” Azran concluded.

XiÁn has always been a global destination and attract visitors from all over the world and thou more famous as the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta warriors of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has a lot more historical culture to offer. Attractions include the discovery site of The Lantian Man, and the Great Wild Goose Pagoda which was built to store the translations of Buddhist sutras obtained from India. XiÁn also has a famous Muslim Quarter where guest can experience the Chinese Muslim food, learn about Chinese Islamic culture and visit China’s biggest and oldest mosque a. Nature lovers can also opt for a hiking tour up the Green Dragon Ridge, to take in breath taking views of the surrounding areas.

AirAsia X was the first long-haul, low fare carrier to introduce Business Class Premium Flatbed seats, which have standard business class specifications of 20″ width, 60″ pitch and stretch out to 77″ in full recline position.

The Business Class Premium Flatbed seats feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities such as tray table, drink holder, reading light and privacy screen. Business class guests also enjoy premium complimentary products and services including Pick A Seat, Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding, Priority Baggage, 25kg Baggage Allowance, Complimentary Meal and Pillow & Duvet.

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यमुना जागरण अभियान पर विहिप ने दी शुभकामनाएँ

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नई दिल्ली जुलाई 02, 2014. जागरण समूह द्वारा आज प्रारम्भ किए गए यमुना हिंडन बचाओ अभियान पर विश्व हिँदु परिषद दिल्ली के महा मंत्री श्री ऱाम कृष्ण श्रीवास्तव ने शुभ कामनाएं देते हुए अभियान की चहुँ-मुखी सफलता हेतु समस्त दिल्ली व एन सी आर वासियों से जुट जाने की अपील की है।

दिल्ली के यमुना घाट पर यात्रा से पूर्व यमुना पूजन व रथ क़ो हऱी झंडी दिखाने के बाद विहिप दिल्ली के मीडिया प्रमुख़ श्री विनोद बंसल ने कहा कि यमुना दिल्ली के शरीर रूप में बह रहे रक्त के समान है जिसके दूषित होने पर होने वाले खतरों को हम भली भॉँति जानते हैं। इस रक्त रूपी जल को अविलम्ब शुद्ध किया जाना दिल्ली के स्वास्थ्य व अध्यात्मिक दृष्टि से नितांत आवश्यक है। उन्होंने आशा व्यक्त की कि जागरण परिवार द्वारा प्रारम्भ किया जा रहा यह जागरण अभियान नागरिकों को जागरूक कर व्यापक जन जागृति खड़ा कर यमुना जी के माध्यम से पतित पावनी माँ गंगा को भी निर्मल बनाने में मील का पत्त्थर साबित होगा।

राजघाट स्थित हरिहर उदासीन आश्रम में रथ यात्रा का स्वागत कर कलश पूजन करते हुए यमुना घाटवासी युवा सँत व विहिंप के चान्दनी चौक जिला-मंत्री श्री मंगल पाण्डे ने कहा कि हम सभी लोग अब यमुना मैया कि रक्षार्थ जुटेंगे और लोगों को इस अभियान से जोड़ेंगे।

धन्यवाद
भवदीय

विनोद बंसल

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AAP: Electricity tariff hike will be resisted at all costs

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From: Media Cell AAP1 Wed, 2 Jul ’14 4:54p
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Show full Headers
Wednesday, July 2

The Aam Aadmi Party warns the BJP-led NDA’s central government against trying any misadventure of hiking electricity tarrifs in Delhi, since any such move will be met with stiff resistance by the people.
The Narendra Modi government, which is controlling the national capital indirectly, will be solely responsible for this anti-people and blatantly pro-corporate decision, in case the tarrif hike announcement is made next week.
The BJP cannot fool the people and go back on its repeated election promise of bringing down the electricity tariffs in Delhi by 30%.
Modi government has no right to humiliate the overwhelming verdict in favour of lowering the electricity tariffs in the existing Delhi assembly, in which 60 MLAs in the 70-member assembly were elected on the promise of slashing the electricity tarrifs, which had been systematically increased by the Shiela Dikshit government in collusion with private power distribution companies (discoms) over the last decade.
The BJP can no longer rely on the old excuse used by the Congress that tariffs are fixed by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), and the government has no role in it.
Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government had dispelled this wrong notion by having implemented its election promise of slashing the electricity tariffs by 50% within 72 hours of coming to power.
If the AAP government could implement its promise within hours of assuming office, why is the BJP silent on its promise even more than five weeks after it assumed control of Delhi through backdoor ?
Why is the union power minister Mr Piyush Goyal and his ministry so reluctant to give a clear message to the DERC that it would be highly improper to hike electricity tariffs at a time when the account books of discoms are being audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General to ascertain whether any records have been fudged ?
Can the BJP set the record straight by publicly stating how its stand is any different from the Congress on the issue of dealing with discoms which have been looting the people of Delhi since a decade ?
The AAP is of the clear view that the BJP is forcing the people of Delhi to take to streets by imposing a completely unjustified decision, which must be stopped at all costs.

Regards

AAP Media Cell

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July 4, 2014, 2:29 am

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Global roundups

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Putin calls for better relations with US in congratulatory message to Obama

President Vladimir Putin called for better relations between Russia and the US on Friday in a goodwill message to President Barack Obama on US Independence Day, Reuters said. Putin highlighted that the two states carry exceptional responsibility for safeguarding international stability and security, and should cooperate “in the interests of the whole world,” the Kremlin said.

USS Oscar Austin calls at Lithuanian port

USS Oscar Austin has reportedly called at the port of the Lithuanian city of Klaipeda. The destroyer is making a friendly visit to Klaipeda Seaport, Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defense said. On July 4, President Dalia Grybauskaite, Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas, US Ambassador in Lithuania Deborah McCarthy are expected to visit the vessel, the Baltic Course reported.

Hungary monitors 5 people for suspected anthrax infection

An infection of the deadly anthrax disease has been identified in beef in eastern Hungary, the health authority ANTSZ said on Friday. Five people are being monitored in hospital for suspected infection from the disease, Reuters reported. The disease was identified in frozen beef after two cattle were illegally slaughtered in a farm in the town of Tiszafured, 160km east of Budapest.

Police detain organizers of huge rally in Hong Kong

Police on Friday arrested the organizers of Hong Kong’s biggest pro-democracy rally since the city was handed back to China, AFP said. Five members of the Civil Human Rights Front, including its convener, were arrested three days after the march, with campaigners denouncing the detention as the “political suppression.” The group said it had mobilized half a million people to voice anger at Beijing’s ever-tightening grip on Hong Kong.

70,000 ask Google to delete personal links

More than 70,000 people have asked Google to delete links about them under Europe’s “right to be forgotten” ruling. Google had received 70,000 requests since it put a form online on May 30 as a result of the ruling by the European Court of Justice, AFP said. The search engine has restricted access to a BBC blog posting and several British newspaper stories under a legal ruling granting people a right to be “forgotten” in search engines. In particular, the BBC’s 2007 posting about former Merrill Lynch chairman Stan O’Neal was removed from certain searches in Europe. The Guardian newspaper had been notified that six links to its stories had been removed from search results.

Bolivia MPs vote for child labor from age 10

Bolivian Congress has approved child workers as young as 10 years old, AFP said. Congress passed a new law that lays out specific conditions for employing children by consensus on Wednesday. Employers will have to follow certain criteria to ensure the physical and mental health of employed children, and to prevent child exploitation. “The age limit, as defined formally by the Code for Children and Adolescents, is 14 years old,”Senator Adolfo Mendoza said. However, the new code allows exceptions, when specific legal criteria have been met.

Hurricane Arthur reaches Category 2, makes landfall on North Carolina coast

Hurricane Arthur was upgraded to a Category 2 storm Thursday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour. By late Thursday night it had made landfall between Cape Lookout and Beaufort, North Carolina. “The hurricane’s strongest winds are now more likely to be experienced along the Outer Banks, rather than remain offshore,” the US National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its latest advisory. The storm surge is forecasted to be 3 to 5 feet in the Outer Banks and other parts of eastern North Carolina. A tropical storm warning is now in effect for Nantucket and parts of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, while a hurricane warning extends from North Carolina to the border with Virginia.

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प्रसार भारती अब यूरोप के बाजार तक 

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समाचार4मीडिया

To Me

Jul 3 at 9:07 PM

Friday 4 July 2014 प्रसार भारती अब यूरोप के बाजार तक पहुंचाएगी भारतीय आवाज प्रसार भारती देश के साथ ही अब विदेशों में भी अपने देश की आवाज… ‘प्रसार भारती न सरकार समर्थक है न सरकार विरोधी, खबरों में दिखती है ये बात’ पहले से ही स्वायत्त संस्था प्रसार भारती ने खुद को और स्वायत्त… अब ऐडवरटाइजिंग की दुनिया में लौटे सुनील लुल्ला, बने ग्रे ग्रुप इंडिया के चेयरमैन और MD शंकराचार्य स्वरूपानंद ने सुमित अवस्थी से पूछा, क्या गोमांस खाते हो? एक फ्रिज की कहानी जो 80 लाख लोगों को हुई ट्वीट, What an Idea Sirji! कुछ लोग दुनिया में हमेशा ही दूसरों की मदद के लिए तत्पर… लाइव इंडिया समूह ने अपने अखबार के पाठकों को दिया ऑफर लाइव इंडिया समूह के हिंदी दैनिक अखबार ‘प्रजातंत्र लाइव’ ने पाठकों के बीच व मार्केट में अपनी पैठ जमाने के लिए एक बेहतरीन ऑफर की पेशकश की है… फेसबुक पर लगाया गया गोपनीय शोध में न्यूज फीड से हेराफेरी करने का आरोप एक रिपोर्ट के जरिए फेसबुक पर न्यूज फीड फीचर में छेड़छाड़ करने …

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Boletín de Noticias de Nueva Tribuna [04/07/2014]

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Nuevatribuna

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Boletín informativo. Viernes 4 de Julio 2014. Laboral Un mercado de trabajo cada vez más indecente Por Enrique Negueruela | De todos los datos que han aparecido, hay dos que por su implicación y capacidad de condicionar el futuro, destacan sobre los demás: la evolución de los afiliados por tipo de contrato y la de prestaciones. Ninguna de las dos contiene datos positivos. CON MOTIVO DE LA CAMPAÑA “NO NOS VAN A CALLAR” Movilizaciones en todo el país a favor del derecho de huelga y la libertad sindical Esta ofensiva responde a una forma de gobernar caracterizada por la restricción de derechos y libertades básicas de la ciudadanía y ya ha conseguido que haya casi 300 sindicalistas sometidos a un proceso judicial. Carlos Barra Galán: Acoso a la democracia: Restricción de derechos y libertades  Estamos asistiendo en nuestro país a un ataque progresivo y constante a los derechos y libertades de la ciudadanía por parte del Gobierno del Partido Popular… “Amas de nuestras vidas a amos de la miseria” Por Consuelo Navarro y Cristina Sánchez | Sr. Rosell, podríamos empezar esta carta saludándole, pero a estas alturas no merece la pena por las continuas afrentas a la clase trabajadora… CCOO LOS DEFENDERÁ CON MOVILIZACIÓN Y EN TRIBUNALES 8.000 empleos destruidos en las universidades públicas en dos años El Ministerio de Hacienda y Administraciones Públicas confirma la pérdida de 5.669 docentes e investigadores (PDI) y 2.455 miembros de personal de administración y servicios (PAS). Julio Rodríguez López: La recuperación avanza en un entorno complicado  ¿Pasó ya la crisis de la eurozona? Las encuestas indican que el clima empresarial se recupera… Juan Torres López: La injusticia como política económica  En lugar de forjar un nuevo trato por la igualdad para salir de la crisis, el Gobierno echa la carga en los mismos de siempre… Monarquía “AIZOON TENÍA COMO FIN RECIBIR FONDOS ILÍCITOS” El contable de Nóos confiesa El que fuera contable del Instituto Nóos Marco Antonio Tejeiro ha desvelado cómo Urdangarin y Torres urdieron un entramado de empresas para repartirse los fondos de las Administraciones públicas. Otros temas de portada DESDE AMNISTÍA INTERNACIONAL CON MÁS DE 100.000 APOYOS EXIGEN LA RETIRADA DEL ANTEPROYECTO DE LEY “La reforma del aborto retrotraería España a épocas pre democráticas” El anteproyecto de Ley orgánica sobre aborto no respeta las obligaciones que el Estado tiene contraídas en materia de derechos humanos y pone en riesgo la salud y la vida de las mujeres y las niñas. MILES DE PERSONAS LLENAN LA PLAZA DE LA VIRGEN Octavo aniversario del accidente de Metro de Valencia En un claro ambiente festivo, el acto ha comenzado a las 19 horas con varios ‘muixerangas’ realizadas por las asociaciones de Valencia, Cullera, Algemesí, Sueca y Camp de Túria. HA PRESENTADO EL LIBRO ‘CONVERSACIÓN CON IGLESIAS’ “¿Por qué no va a existir una regulación que garantice la libertad de prensa?” El eurodiputado y líder de Podemos, Pablo Iglesias, es partidario de establecer mecanismos de control público para regular a los medios de comunicación, o por lo menos a “una parte”, y garantizar así “la libertad de prensa”. Francisco Javier Vivas: Coaliciones de “frikis”  De entrada, es difícil admitir buena intención en el Gobierno cuando habla de regeneración y transparencia… ENCUESTA DE OCU SOBRE LA SATISFACCIÓN Madrid es la peor ciudad para utilizar la bicicleta OCU ha realizado una encuesta a más de 4.000 personas de 16 grandes ciudades para conocer su opinión sobre las condiciones para ir en bicicleta en su localidad de residencia. Cine Alex de la Iglesia se cuela en el mundial con su documental sobre Messi Por José Manuel Rambla | La película, cuyo estreno en España está por determinar, fue presentada en Rio de Janeiro por Jorge Valdano. MODIFICAR / CANCELAR SUSCRIPCIÓN Está recibiendo este boletín tras solicitar este servicio a través de la web de Nuevatribuna. En cualquier momento puede modificar o cancelar su suscripción accediendo a esta dirección. Nuevatribuna Información continua y análisis para una ciudadanía comprometida con los valores de libertad, igualdad y justicia. © medio digital de información general editado por Página 7 Comunicación S.L. C/ Noblejas, 5 Bajo – 28013 Madrid Desarrollado por OpenHost con:

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Categories : Business, CSR

ISIS militants seize control of Syria’s most important oil fields

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ISIS militants have seized control of one of Syria’s most important oil fields after fighters from other factions switched their allegiance to support it. The Deir-e-zzor oil field was earlier seized by Al Nusrah front from the Syrian troops in November last year.The two groups were engaged in fierce fighting for the oilfield earlier.

Amidst mounting pressure Al Nusrah fighters gave up and handed over the control of Al Omar oilfield to ISIS. The gains made by ISIS implies that it now controls a stretch of Syria from the town of Deir al-Zour in the middle of the country to Abukamel on the Iraqi border. Within neighbouring Iraq, it holds the cities of Mosul and Tikrit, has free rein in Anbar province and is making a push towards Baghdad.
Afghan official says militants fired two rockets into the military side of the Kabul airport, striking President Hamid Karzai’s helicopter as it sat on the tarmac.

Abdul Wahab Wardak, the commander of the military airport, says only one of the two rockets exploded in today’s attack and no casualties were reported.

But he says the Russian-made military helicopter used to transport Karzai was set on fire.

The attack on the airport, which is in one of the most heavily guarded areas of the Afghan capital, underscores the resiliency of militants led by the Taliban who are fighting against the Western-backed government.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in an email message sent to a news agency claimed the responsibility for the attack on the airport, which has been targeted several times in recent years.

“There is loss of life and financial losses to the airport, and several planes were torched,” the Taliban said. The insurgents often exaggerate the impact of their attacks.

The strike comes a day after a Taliban suicide bomber in Kabul killed eight military officers travelling on a military bus.

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Categories : world News

 Agra from Delhi in 90 mins by train from November 

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Indian railway is to enhance speed of various trains to 160Kms per hour but with its load capacity how much speed it enjoys could be less than 150 kms per hour  but the speed enhancement entails four stages, introduction of electronic and smart card system in trains for making it water tight  and secondly improving the signals with electronic gadgets , third need  mechanical up gradation of trains of its wheels, springs connecting points of bogies  and finally of Geological study and structure analyses of the rail track foundations to absorb and sustain the speedy continuous vibrations, jerks due to train running and other structural design to strengthen the rail track from external natural threats of foundation of rail track. When we are enhancing speed from normal 90Kms per hr to 160 Kmsper hour we need to  be sure of its structural engineering to its core that too specially in alluvial formation where runway of water during monsoons and  creating fissure nay be of some concern to these rail tracks which need to be weather proof and structurally inbuilt strong, can take load and absorb speedy frictional losses. Magnetic dose to enhance malleability also needs attention.

 One can travel to Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, by train in just 90 minutes, cutting the journey time by 30 minutes at least. Trial run of a semi high-speed train between Delhi and Agra was conducted yesterday. The train was flagged off from New Delhi Railway station at 11:15 am and reached Agra at round 1 pm. With a speed of 160 kilometres per hour, the train is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Agra by 30 minutes. After its successful trial, the Railways plan to run similar trains to Kanpur and Chandigarh from Delhi.

Its commercial operation is expected to begin in November, railway officials said. So far, Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi was the fastest train with a speed of 150 kmph.The trial run of the ‘semi high-speed train’ was conducted this morning on a 10-coach train. It left New Delhi station at 11.15 am and reached Agra about 99 minutes later. From Nizamuddin station, where it will actually originate during commercial operations, the train took 90 minutes, Deputy Regional Manager (DRM) Delhi Division Anurag Sachan said.

The time taken currently by the Shatabdi train between Delhi and Agra takes 120 minutes. A journey by road via the Yamuna expressway takes two hours between Delhi and Agra. After the Delhi-Agra service, Railways are expected to run similar high speed trains on Delhi-Kanpur and Delhi-Chandigarh sections. “The trial run was conducted successfully and we hope to start commercial service by November,” said Sachan who was involved in the exercise on Thursday.

There are about 16 speed restriction areas and curves on the Delhi-Agra route which had been upgraded to improve the speed. The train would come as a boon for tourists visiting Taj Mahal as the travel time between Delhi and Agra will come down by half-an-hour from the current level.

The public transporter is using its own resources to make operational the semi-high speed train — the first of its kind in the railways. It is estimated that a cost of Rs 15 crore would be incurred to make the track ready for the semi-high speed train, said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the project. There will be fencing for a stretch of 27-km along the track between Delhi and Agra to prevent obstruction and ensure speed.

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Categories : Trade, Transport

PM flag off Katra train

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Jul 4,  2:6 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday declared that the Centre wants to win the hearts of people of Jammu and Kashmir through development as he flagged off the train linking Katra–the base camp for pilgrims headed to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine nestled in the Trikuta hills.
Suggesting that the train be named ‘Shree Shakti Express’, Modi, who is on his maiden visit to J and K after assuming power, said the state has gone through many “problems and difficulties” and the country wants it to be “prosperous and peaceful”.’Shree’ is one of the names of Goddess Durga.

The train connectivity to Katra is part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project that will connect the Valley with the rest of the country.

The last link between Katra and Banihal pass, is expected to be completed by 2018.

The 25-km long Udhampur-Katra line, commissioned after prolonged delays, has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,132.75 crore.

The train will traverse through seven tunnels and over 30 small and large bridges.

There will be a small station – Chakrakhwal – between Udhampur and Katra.

Trains will be able to reach Katra directly as the 53-km Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational.

This would enable lakhs of pilgrims headed to the revered Vaishno Devi shrine to travel directly to the base camp at Katra.

“I congratulate the crores of devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi, who want to come here for pilgrimage from all across the country,” Modi said while dedicating the train to the nation.

The Prime Minister said the new rail link will speed up the process of development in the state.

“The journey started by Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be continued… our priority is to win the hearts of every citizen of this state through development,” Modi said.

Modi said the train is a gift not just for people of J and K but for the whole of India At the function at the Katra station where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among others present, the Prime Minister refrained from touching upon any political issue facing the state.

The Prime Minister also allayed the fears of the people of Jammu, who feel that the direct rail link to Katra will have negative impact on the development of their city, saying the “development of Jammu will not be stalled.”

Modi said the government will further enhance the rail connectivity in J and K and that the Banihal rail line will be linked to the rest of the country directly.

Omar also raised the need for a Banihal link in his speech and demanded an upgrade for the railway station in Jammu city

Modi today dedicated to the nation the newly constructed railway line between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Udhampur in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Shri Modi also flagged off first train –a DMU – from newly constructed Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Katra Railway Station at a programme held at Katra, The Guests of Honour present at the function included Shri N. N. Vohra, Governor of J&K and Shri Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of J&K. The function was presided over by Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Minister of Railways. The distinguished guests included Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways, Government of India and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology, Earth Science & Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Government of India. Chairman Railway Board, Shri. Arunendra Kumar, Member Engineering Railway Board Shri V. K. Gupta, General Manager, Northern Railway & North Central Railway Shri Pradeep Kumar, Senior officials of Railways and J&K State Government were among those present on the occasion.

Following is the text of Minister of Railways Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda:-

“I am greatly honoured to be here in this holy abode of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and to be part of this historic occasion. Linking of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine with Indian Railways Network has been a dream for many, not only in this part of the country, but for the whole nation. At this outset I wholeheartedly thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on behalf of Indian Railways for having come here and inaugurating this great facility of Rail link to the Holy Place of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. The Rail connectivity to this holy place of Katra will occupy a pride of place on the rail map of the country. The linkage will provide an opportunity to large number of pilgrims who had aspired throughout their life to visit this revered shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi through the comfort of Railways. Visiting this revered shrine and seeking the Goddess blessing is a dream of every devout pilgrim. The Rail linkage will mark a milestone in the Railway’s effort towards fulfilling the aspirations of common public.
This state of Jammu & Kashmir occupies a special place in every Indian’s heart. This State which has been a birth place of early civilization, is a mosaic of colourful and harmonious culture with vibrant social fabric. The linkage to the valley will enable every Indian to visit this wonderful place through the comfort of Railways and appreciate the God’s gift to this country.
Rail transport in the country has brought economic and social development leading to greater economic growth by opening new avenues of employment, trade, industrial development. I am sure the Rail connectivity to Katra will provide better opportunities for local artisans, traders and student community. Under the able and effective leadership of Shri Narendra Modi ji, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, this Valley of Kashmir will be heralded with a new hope and development in all spheres of the governance and the State in toto.
The Rail link is a triumph of every Indian spirit to overcome the arduous hurdles of nature for reaching the people in this far-flung area. The Rail link is a result of many aspiration and dreams of the people of this country and had been made possible through tremendous perseverance and hard work of not only the Railway work force, but for many other supporting organizations who have worked day and night to fulfill this dream. Technically, this 26 km long Udhampur-Katra rail link was a challenge as more than 40% of the route is on tunnels having 7 major bridges and steep curves. To conquer the hilly Shivalik ranges, innovative approaches were adopted to ensure highest standards of operations and safety. My salutations to every officer, engineer and staff of Indian Railways and all the persons who contributed through their sweat and labour for their commendable job in executing this project. The Rail project has enabled permanent jobs for 700 persons whose land was taken over for the project. As part of the project, 235 kms approach roads to work sites have been constructed which will provide road connectivity to far flung villages in the State benefitting huge rural population of the State.
I am aware that since Katra to Banihal Rail project is yet to be commissioned, full rail connectivity to Kashmir valley is currently unavailable. To overcome this missing link, Railways had planned to bridge this link through Rail cum Road facility in collaboration with Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation. This facility will enable direct connectivity between Srinagar and rest of India to commuters. Earlier the introduction of rail services in Kashmir Valley has been a great success and considering the huge demand, Railways have not only enhanced the carrying capacity of DEMU trains from 8 to 12 Coaches, but have also planned 4 more pairs of enhanced services in the Kashmir Valley thereby providing a safe, affordable and comfortable option of transport to people in this State.
I am also happy to announce that 3 pairs of train services currently between Jammu to Udhampur will be extended to Katra. The Railway has also planned to run 3 pairs of Express trains from New Delhi, Kalka, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bangalore. Indian Railways is committed for ensuring a balanced development of different regions of the country through Rail transport. With the opening of the Rail linkage and by increasing the frequency of Rail services, I am sure there will be a definitive thrust to development in Jammu & Kashmir enabling economic development and greater investment opportunities.
I am grateful to His Excellency, the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Vohraji, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Omar Abdullah ji for their valuable time, my colleagues Dr Jitender Singh ji and MLA Shri Baldev Raj ji. On this occasion, I am thankful to the Honourable Prime Minister for being part of this momentous occasion as his presence and guidance will encourage us to fulfill its commitments to the people of this country and specially the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Thank you. Jai Hind.”
The Katra – Udhampur section is a part of ambitious 326 Killometer long Udhampur- Katra-Quazigund- Srinagar -Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) Project of Northern Railway and will provide seamless flow of rail traffic through Jammu to Katra via Udhampur through the entire Indian Railways network. The newly constructed Udhampur – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Rail Line is 25.6 km. long, consisting of the 9.4 km. long Udhampur- Chak Rakhwal and 15.5 km. long Chak Rakhwal- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra sections. This railway line connects the important towns of Jammu region also. Of the towns in Jammu region, Katra, a tehsil of district Reasi, has great importance because this is the place from where the faithful commence their pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. So far this town was connected with Jammu Tawi, where devotees usually congregate from all over the country, only through National Highway 1-A. With the completion of the Udhampur-Katra railway line, there is now another mode of mass transportation available to the pilgrims.
This Railway alignment passes through unstable geological formations and highly undulating and difficult hilly terrain of Shivalik & Trikuta ranges of Himalayas. It crosses a number of rivers, nallahs, canals, channels and khads in addition to number of roads, cart paths and footpaths. This rail section serves the district of Udhampur & Reasi. This section has 10.9 km of tunneling, one important, 7 major and 29 minor bridges. The station on this section is Chakrakhwal in addition to Udhampur and Katra. The construction of the rail line necessitated building of 12 ROB/RUBs in addition to about 38.86 lac cum of earthwork. The approx. cost of this rail section is Rs. 1132.75 crore upto 31st March 2014. The bridge on River Jhajjar is the longest Steel Girder Bridge in India with a height of 85 m and with two spans of 154m each. The rail section has 22 curves with the sharpest curve at 5O. The construction of the entire permanent way and structures on this rail section was a challenging task. Tunnel No. 23 is the longest tunnel on the section at 3.1 km. and it has ballast less track between Udhampur and Chak Rakhwal station.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station is provided with modern passenger conveniences. It is a four line crossing station. Platform No. 1, 2 & 3 the main passenger train dealing platforms are 550m long high level Platform each with 400 m long platform shelter. To facilitate passengers for going from platform no.1 to platform no 2 & 3 and exit from station from Platform No.1, two Foot-over-Bridges, with one side ramp and other side stairs are provided. Lifts have also been provided to facilitate passengers for going from platform no.1 to exit from station. One escalator connecting station building and PF-1 is also provided. Sufficient water booths are provided on all platforms. Public conveniences, water taps, benches, etc. are also provided on all the platforms. One through FOB has been provided for the local people of the town.
The construction of the USBRL project has other benefits for the local residents. More than 235 kms of approach roads are being built along construction sites for carrying of construction material. These roads will benefit the villagers of far-flung areas which had no roads previously. Also 700 of landowners from whom more than 75% of their land was acquired for this project have been given a permanent job in the Railways. At present trains run up to Udhampur via Jammu from the Indian Railway network to terminate there. After the commissioning of Udhampur-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section, trains will start operating upto Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, providing an- all weather connectivity with significantly reduced travel time.
Falling in difficult and mountainous terrain, the State of Jammu & Kashmir has always been a challenge to transportation providers. Other factors which increase the difficulty in providing modes of mass transportation is that the area is geologically unstable, prone to tremors and earthquakes, with deep gorges alternating steep, rocky mountains. For any construction activity, the weather is quite inclement. Long months of incessant rains and heavy snow can put life on hold. Despite these constraints, the lure of the beauty of this area has not been contained. Northern Railway has worked in these circumstances and has constructed the most modern railway line in the Kashmir Valley which provides economical, all weather connectivity, the Banihal – Baramulla railway line which is a part of the 326 km. long Udhampur-Katra-Quazigund – Srinagar – Baramulla railway line (USBRL). This railway line is a project of National importance. The present approximate estimated cost of the USBRL project is Rs 19565 Cr. So far, about Rs. 9666.71 cr has been spent upto 31st March, 2014.
Once completed, the entire network of Indian Railway will be connected to the Kashmir Valley. The Kashmir Valley railway is a 119 km long railway line that became completely operational in October 2009. It connects Baramulla in the western part of Kashmir Valley to Quazigund at the other end of the Valley, via Srinagar. This line has been extended to Banihal through a tunnel T-80 which pierces through the Pir Panjal range, thus providing an- all weather connectivity to Kashmir Valley with the Jammu Region. The residents of the area appreciate the promise of all weather connectivity, especially when other facilities grind to a halt in deep snow.
With the completion of this Udhampur – Katra Section the Kashmir Valley has reached a step closer to being connected to the remaining Indian Railway network. The construction of this rail project despite heavy hurdles signifies the dedication and resolution of Northern Railway in providing rail connectivity to the farthest corners in its jurisdiction.

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July 5, 2014, 7:17 am

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B V Wanchoo resigns

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Goa Governor B V Wanchoo resigns

Posted on July 5, 2014 by sagarmedia

Standard

B V Wanchoo on Friday resigned as Governor of Goa as government went about finalizing its plans for replacing the Governors appointed during the previous UPA regime.
63-year-old Wanchoo sent his resignation after he received a call from Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami on Friday morning asking him to resign, official sources said.
The resignation of Wanchoo, a former chief of elite Special Protection Group, will be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for acceptance.
A 1976-batch IPS officer, Wanchoo’s resignation came a few days after former National Security Advisor M K Narayanan quit from Governorship of West Bengal.
Wanchoo was quizzed by CBI as a witness in connection with AgustaWestland deal bribery scandal as was Narayanan just before his resignation.
Besides Wanchoo and Narayanan, three Governors have already resigned and they are B L Joshi (Uttar Pradesh), Shekhar Dutt (Chhattisgarh) and Ashwani Kumar (Nagaland) following a nudge from the NDA government.
Two Governors H R Bhardwaj (Karnataka) and Devanand Konwar retired late last month.
However, a few other Governors appointed by the previous UPA regime continue to remain in office.
They include K Sankaranarayanan (Maharashtra), Sheila Dikshit (Kerala), Jaganath Pahadia (Haryana), Kamala Beniwal (Gujarat), Shivraj V Patil (Punjab), besides some others.
The sources said the government was considering appointing some BJP veterans as Governors.
The names doing the round include those of former UP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, former UP Assembly Speaker Kesari Nath Tripathi, former Union Minister Ram Naik, former Lucknow MP Lalji Tandon, former Bhopal MP Kailash Joshi, BJP leader from Kerala O Rajagopal besides others

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Categories : world News

Nurses back from Iraq

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Nurses back thus end captive by ISIS militants in Iraq
05-07-2014  Forty-six nurses, who were held captive by ISIS militants in Iraq, on Saturday returned home by a special Air India flight to a happy reunion with their families in Kochi, bringing to an end their about month-long ordeal.
The special aircraft, which also had on board about 137 others, touched down the tarmac at the Kochi International Airport at 11.57 AM, a senior airport official said.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy whose coordinated effort with the Union Government that ensured liberty to nurses from his state, besides another who hails from Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu received them at the airport.
Family members of nurses, on whose face a sigh of relief was writ large had assembled in large numbers to see their beloved ones return and were joined by political leaders from BJP and Congress at the airport.
The ordeal of the nurses, who were working at a hospital in Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit, began when ISIS (Islamic State for Iraq and Syria) militants launched an offensive in that region on 9th June.
Even as Indian authorities continued to maintain constant touch with their counterparts at Iraq for safe release of nurses, they were moved out on Thursday against their will and detained in the militant-held city of Mosul.
Efforts by External Affairs Ministry led to setting free the nurses held in captivity and they were transported in buses to Erbil International airport on Friday.
The Special Flight that left Erbil in the early hours of on Saturday arrived at Mumbai for a brief stop over for refuelling and catering supplies.
Besides the nurses, the flight also carried 137 other Indian nationals, including 70 from Kirkuk in the northern part of Iraq, 23 crew members and three government officials, including a joint-secretary level IFS officer and an IAS woman officer from Kerala.
Chandy thanked the Centre, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Indian Embassy in Iraq and MEA for ensuring the return of nurses from strife-hit Iraq.
“The Centre has acted in complete understanding of the deep anxieties of Kerala. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Iraq have made sincere efforts in securing release of the nurses,” Chandy told reporters in Kochi.
Kerala Government has made arrangements to enable nurses to reach their respective destinations across the state.
Oommen Chandy on Saturday thanked the Narendra Modi government for ensuring the return of the Indian nurses from strife-hit Iraq with their safe evacuation capping days of anxiety for the state as it waited for a resolution to the crisis.
A visibly relieved Chandy expressed his gratitude for the Centre, especially External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, for bringing the matter to a happy conclusion.
“The Centre has acted in complete understanding of the deep anxieties of Kerala. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Iraq have made sincere efforts in securing the release of the nurses,” Chandy told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday morning.
Even his political rivals at home admitted that persistent efforts by Chandy, who had camped in Delhi for the last two days, saw the Centre making all out efforts to secure the return from Iraq of the 46 nurses, one of whom hails from Tamil Nadu.
The nurses remained trapped in a hospital in Iraq’s Tikrit for several days after the area came under the control of the militants of ISIS.
Voicing relief over the return of the nurses, CPI (M) leader VS Achuthanandan acknowledged the efforts of the Centre and the state government in the matter.
A special Air India flight carrying the 46 Indian nurses and 137 others released by ISIS arrived on Saturday morning in Mumbai, from where it is headed to Koch

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Categories : world News

Germany beat France 1-0

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Mats Hummels headed Germany into the World Cup’s last four as his first-half goal sealed a 1-0 win over France in Friday´s quarter-final  at Rio de Janeiro´s Maracana Stadium Brazil 2014
Mats Hummels’ first half header proved decisive as Germany marched into the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup for a record fourth time in a row with a 1-0 win over fellow European giants France in Rio De Janeiro on Friday.
The contest between the two European powerhouses lacked spark and Hummels’s 13th minute strike spelt doom for France at the iconic Maracana stadium.
Germany keeper Manuel Neuer was also outstanding under the bar as he made two spectacular saves in each half to deny France the equaliser.
Neuer also made a last-second save when he pushed Karim Benzema’s strong left-foot strike from the left to send his side into the World Cup semi-finals for fourth successive time.
Germany had more possession but it was France, who had first strike in the rival goal post in the seventh minute but Benzema could not provide the finishing touch as he hit a volley wide on a pass from Mathieu Valbuena.
The Germans were clearly the more dominating side and they were rewarded for their effort as Mats Hummels headed home a superb free-kick from the left taken by Toni Kroos.
Hummels not only jumped well but also out-powered French defender Raphael Varane, nodding home the lead in the 13th minute.
The Germans continued to enjoy great possession thanks to to some superb work by their midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
A rattled France upped their game and swung to action. Again it was Mathieu Valbuena from the left, making a superb effort but Germany keeper Neuer stuck his left arm out made a great save.
Germany also survived the resultant corner as Mahadou Sakha headed over the cross bar.
Veteran Germany striker Miroslav Klose was handled pretty badly as he was taken down a number of times by the French defenders.
Klose also sought a penalty on one such tackle but the referee did not oblige. France improved near the break. Benzema started to find holes in German defence.
The Real Madrid player rushed from the left took a pass from Paul Pogba but his feeble shot landed safely in Manuel Neuer’s arms.
The French side was different in the second half, which was far from the German domination. Antoine Griezmann and Valbuena were staying up as close to Benzema as possible.
Germany midfielder Sami Khedira was shown the first yellow card of the match as he brought down Griezmann, nine minutes into the second half.
The French side raided more even as efforts did not bear fruit. Their midfielder Blaise Matuidi rushed forward with a superb sprint but his cut-back from the left wing was well intercepted by a sliding Bastian Schweinsteiger.
German keeper Neuer came to action first time when he easily picked a header from Raphael Varane.
A couple of substitutions followed as Chelsea player Andre Schurrle replaced Klose for Germany while France brought in Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny in place for Mamadou Sakho.
France did succeed in creating a few half chances but never got that equaliser. Schurrle had a chance to double the German lead but his low shot was was blocked by Raphael Varane.

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Categories : sports

Brazil beat Colombia

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July 5, 2014 by sagarmedia

Brazil set up semis date with Germany with 2-1 win.
David Luiz blasted a sensational free-kick into the net from 35 yards as Brazil knocked out South American rivals Colombia 2-1 to set up a FIFA World Cup semifinal clash with Germany, in Fortaleza Friday.
Luiz doubled the Brazilian lead with his spectacular free kick that crashed into the top right of the net in the 69th minute while skipper Thiago Silva’s first half strike on a Neymar corner kick had put the hosts ahead.
Colombia pulled one back when James Rodriguez converted a penalty in the 80th minute but Brazilians held nerves in the tense remaining time to set up a last-four clash with European powerhouse Germany, who ousted old rivals France 1-0 in Rio De Janeiro early in the day.
The hosts though have some worries going into Tuesday’s showdown as Brazilian skipper Silva will miss the last-four clash due to double booking and Neymar’s fitness is under cloud after he was carried off on a stretcher following a rough challenge from Colombian defender Juan Camillo Zuniga late in the second half.
Neymar, kneed on the back by Zubiga, was taken to a hospital to undergo tests.
Neymar ruled out of the World Cup after fracturing his vertebrae in the closing stages of the 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia on Friday, his team said.
“It´s not serious in the sense that it doesn´t need surgery, but he´ll need to immobilize it to recover,” team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said after the player had been taken to hospital.
“Unfortunately, he´s not going to be able to play,” he said, adding he expected the recovery period to take at least a few weeks.
“Neymar, who has scored four goals in the tournament to lead Brazil´s bid for a sixth world title,

In a fast and frenetic quarterfinal clash, Brazil came up with its best show so far in the home tournament even as Colombia put up a spirited fight.
Young Colombia striker Rodriguez was gutted as he left the field in tears before exchanging his shirt with Luiz, who consoled the rival player.
Rodriguez scored his sixth goal of the tournament but his penalty was not enough to keep his side alive in the tournament.
Silva struck as early as in the seventh minute when Neymar’s corner was missed by Luiz in the middle but the home skipper smashed in with knee.
Silva became the first captain to score for Brazil in a World Cup game in 20 years and it was Brazil’s quickest World Cup goal since Ronaldo scored in the fifth minute against Ghana in 2006.
It was slack defence from Colombia as Silva was allowed to drift in at the back post.
Two minutes later, Hulk struck powerfully but Colombia keeper David Ospina got down just in time to thwart the challenge.
The burly Hulk was at it again as he initiated a flurry of attacks but Ospina denied him once again and the hosts took the break with a 1-0 lead.
Surprisingly, the pace of the game dropped a bit in the second-half and there were fewer of chances as the play was restricted to mid-field.
Brazilian coach Felipe Scolari was frustrated when Silva collided with Ospania and was booked.
However, Luiz with his extraordinary free kick brought the cheers back.
A 2-0 lead had settled the home players but they were up to challenge again when Colombian substitute Carlos Bacca was brought down by Julio Cesar inside the penalty area.
Rodriguez converted the resultant penalty, sliding the ball left as Cesar dived on the right.
A charged up Colombia tried hard to get the equaliser but it never came.

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Categories : sports, world News

Om Prakash Chouhan drives home the advantage to bag third title

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Om Prakash Chouhan drives home the advantage to bag third title
Khalin Joshi is runner-up
Pahalgam, July 5, 2014: Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow registered his third title triumph as he drove home the advantage in the final round of the J&K Bank PGTI Pahalgam Masters presented by KEO. Chouhan posted a three-under-67 in round four to emerge winner by two strokes at 19-under-261 on a bright and sunny day at the Lidder Valley Golf Course in Pahalgam. Khalin Joshi of Bangalore finished runner-up at 17-under-263.
Om Prakash Chouhan (65-64-65-67), the overnight leader by two strokes, consolidated on his lead with two birdies on the first three holes courtesy an excellent drive on the first and a chip-in on the third. He came up with another immaculate approach on the eighth to set up a birdie and emerge as the firm favourite. The 27-year-old from Madhya Pradesh then had a couple of hiccups as he dropped shots after lip-outs on the 11th and 14th. However, he came back strongly with two long birdie putts on the 16th and 18th to win the first ever event at the heavenly Lidder Valley Golf Course.
“I’m delighted to win my first title in almost two years. After an excellent 2012 season, I had a relatively poor run in 2013. I had had two top-10s this year and knew that I was getting close to a win. The loss in a playoff earlier this year was a big disappointment. The win has rejuvenated me and helped me set new goals for myself,” said Chouhan, who has now climbed from 12th place to fourth position on the PGTI’s Rolex Rankings.
He added, “I had set a target of 20-under for myself before the start of today’s round. I started well but had a few anxious moments during the middle. However, I managed to pull it back with some consistent putting towards the end.
“I dedicate this win to my six-month-old daughter Ishika. I’d like to thank the authorities at the Army War College Golf Course in Mhow for giving me the permission to play at their course once again. My driving improved after practicing at the course in Mhow. I’d also like to thank Mr. Nitesh Patel, who is like an elder brother to me. He has helped me through my tough times. My next goal is to earn a card on the Asian Tour through the qualifying school.”
Khalin Joshi’s (65-66-67-65) runner-up finish was his best result of the year. The 21-year-old made seven birdies and two bogeys in his final round of 65, to move up four places from his overnight tied sixth position.
“I’m coming back from an injury on my right hand and am therefore quite pleased with this week’s performance. I felt I played really well through the four days. I had a couple of tap-in birdies today and two long putts as well. The birdies on the 14th, 15th and 17th got me back into the game and helped me finish well,” said Joshi.
Gurgaon-based professionals Shubhankar Sharma and Arshdeep Tiwana shared third place at 16-under-264.
Jyoti Randhawa was a further shot back in tied fifth along with Delhi’s Shamim Khan, Shankar Das of Kolkata and Kapurthala lad Ashbeer Saini.
Reigning Rolex Rankings champion Rashid Khan of Delhi secured ninth place at 14-under-266.
Sri Lankan Anura Rohana produced the tournament’s joint best single round score of seven-under-63 to claim tied 13th place at 12-under-268.

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Categories : Uncategorized

Trading License Rs.5,00,000 Cr/Y Scam, Re-Building Loans

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July05, 2014
When allocation of Telecom Spectrum or Coal and Mining Blocks are MEGA
SCAMS than Free Trading licenses that deal with over Rs.100,00,000
crores Transactions every year is the biggest Scam.
Since Trading margins are often 30% to 200% without any value
additions, annual auctions like in case of Liquor Licenses shall
attract huge BIDDINGS.
GOI to self correct and Supreme Court should intervene in this –
because at 5% approximate Value Trading Licenses could yield
Rs.5,00,000 crores every year.
It will not affect final price to consumers as it SHALL OPEN up
trading business to COMPETITION. Actually prices shall fall as Traders
who had paid LICENSE for the year shall try to sell max volumes and
that shall reduce retail prices and margins.
Rs.5,00,000 Cr could finance, 1. 100,000 MW of Solar Power or 2.
50,000 MW Hydro Power or 3. Upgrade Entire Railway System, or 4.
Upgrade R&D to Number One Level, or 5. Fund Electronic & Hardware
Plants at 50% Subsidy etc. ALL THIS ADDITIONALITY POSSIBLE IN FIVE
YEARS.
Second most important REFORM is to reserve 50% of Housing Loan Outlay
for Re-Building – A rebuild house cost just Rs.500 per sq.ft to
Rs.2000 per sq.ft whereas newly built property has cost of land as
major component cost Rs.2000 per sqft to 10,000 per sq.ft to even
Rs.20,000 sqft in Metro Cities.
Old and Unsafe buildings should PRIORITY in housing loans as
REBUILDING is just Six Months operation whereas new projects
materialize in Six Years.
This program shall renovate all Old Houses in Rural Urban areas in five years.
Ravinder Singh, National General Secretary.

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Categories : Business

Quakes

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Quake of M6.0 – NIAS REGION, INDONESIA

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude	6.0
Date-Time	5 Jul 2014 09:39:30 UTC 5 Jul 2014 15:39:30 near epicenter 5 Jul 2014 13:39:30 standard time in your timezone
Location	1.995N 97.015E
Depth	30 km
Distances	88 km (54 mi) SE of Sinabang, Indonesia 198 km (122 mi) W of Sibolga, Indonesia 204 km (126 mi) SW of Kabanjahe, Indonesia 241 km (149 mi) SW of Binjai, Indonesia 534 km (331 mi) WSW of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Quake M6.6 – NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude	6.6
Date-Time	4 Jul 2014 15:00:26 UTC 5 Jul 2014 01:00:26 near epicenter 4 Jul 2014 19:00:26 standard time in your timezone
Location	6.205S 152.821E
Depth	10 km
Distances	193 km (119 mi) S of Taron, Papua New Guinea 214 km (132 mi) SSE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea 300 km (186 mi) W of Arawa, Papua New Guinea 305 km (189 mi) ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea 717 km (444 mi) ENE of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

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Categories : Environment

SABA Qualifiers for u-18 men to tip off in Bengaluru from 5th July 2014

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Gopalakrishnan R, Press Release, 4^th July 2014: Defending champions and overwhelming favourites India will look to be recrowned champions when the 2014 edition of the South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) Qualifying Championship tips off in the garden city of Bengaluru from 5^th to 7^th July. Just three teams, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have confirmed their participation in this regional championship. This is a round robin tournament and each team will play the other two teams once. The team with the most wins after its two matches will qualify to the 2014 FIBA Asian Basketball Championship for u-18 men scheduled to be held from 19^th to 28^th August in Qatar.
The Indian u-18 team: Akhilesh Kumar, Mahipal Singh (Rajasthan), Gurvinder Singh Gill, Dildar Singh Brar, Anmol Singh (Punjab), Gaurav Ohlan, Sunil, Narender (Delhi), Sagar Joshi (West Bengal), P Rajesh (Chhattisgarh), Pradeep (Haryana), Ambati Reddy (Andhra Pradesh). Coaching Staff: Jora Singh Ghulia (Services), Paramdeep Singh (Punjab)
Schedule:
Saturday, 5^th July 2014, 6:00 PM: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
Sunday, 6^th July 2014, 6:00 PM: India vs L/O Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
Monday, 7^th July 2014, 6:00 PM: India vs W/O Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
All matches will be played inside the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru and organised by the Karnataka State Basketball Association.

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Categories : sports

Urmila Matondkar is Shirina Singh’s Idol!

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As her character Pakhi in Ek Mutthi Aasman takes an obsessive turn,
Shirina watches Urmila’s portrayal of the obsessive lover in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya for inspiration


Bollywood actors are known to prepare for their characters extensively but even our television stars leave no stone unturned when it comes to preparing for their roles and getting into skin of their character. Such was the case with actor Shirina Singh, who plays Pakhi in Zee TV’s popular show ‘Ek Mutthi Aasman’. In an interesting upcoming track, her character  turns into an violent obsessive lover and attempts to win the affections of her love Raghav Singhania (Ashish Chowdhry). To understand the nuances of this complex character, Shirina took references from the actress Urmila Mantodkar, who has nailed the personality of an obsessive lover in her critically acclaimed movie-Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya. Viewers will be surprised to see Pakhi in this all-new avatar with shades of grey; Till now, she has been shown as an extremely sweet, positive girl who despite coming from a rich family, is very down to earth and loving person… but clearly, her emotions for Raghav and their non-reciprocation have brought out the worst in her.

In the show, Raghav marries Pakhi as a form of revernge for all the bad things her family had done to his parents. Despite marrying Pakhi, Raghav continues to love Kalpana (Rachna Parulkar) and this brings out the worst streak of jealousy in Pakhi. Her unrequited love for Raghav soon turns her into an obsessive, violent lover who does things to harm herself and Kalpana. A betrayed Pakhi, unable to get Kalpana out of Raghav’s mind & heart, decides to force Raghav to accept her by hook or by crook- even if it means hurting Kalpana & herself!

Pakhi’s character will have streaks of Urmila Mantodkar from Pyaar Tune Kya kiya who could go to any lengths to get the person she was madly in love with!  Sharing her excitement on the new change in her character Shirina says “When I was told  that my character Pakhi will turn into a psychotic lover, the first name which hit my mind was that of Urmila Mantodkar’s convincing  portrayal of Ria Jaiswal in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya. Playing an obsessive lover is not that easy, I had to understand the complexities of the character as to what a person goes through when his love in not reciprocated in the positive manner so that I don’t end up overdoing the part. I tried to take a few cues from Urmila’s character to understand the role better but at the same time I added my own bit and the feedback from the creative team of the show has been positive so far. It was quite challenging for me as an actor and I am satisfied that I have put in my best efforts. I am eagerly awaiting the audience’s reaction, hope they like it”

Will Pakhi’s obsession for Raghav destroy everyone’s life? Who will stop her? To find out, keep watching Ek Mutthi Aasman Monday-Friday at 7 PM only on Zee TV.

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Categories : Entertainment

Misleading Propaganda on Sardar Sarovar Dam Height Increase by the Government

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Rehabilitation first, Dam next is the law: NCA must review illegal decision

July 5, 2014, New Delhi : Almost three weeks after the decision in the ‘Emergency Meeting’, by the Narmada Control Authority, under the Ministry of Water Resources permitting further work on the controversial Sardar Sarovar Dam, in utter violation of the Narmada Tribunal Award and Judgements of the Supreme Court, the Press Information Bureau has issued, what we find not just a belated, but a very dubious press release.

The three para release issued on 3^rd July, 2014 claims that permission to carry out Phase-I proposal of SSNL, comprising construction of piers, over head bridge and installation of gates in open or raised position at Sardar Sarovar project as per the approved design has been granted by the NCA at the ‘behest of the MoWR’.

However, the release goes on to make a completely misleading statement that “In the absence of gates the dam was overflowing for the last two months”! We would like to emphasize and reiterate that that even with gates in raised position – and thereby allowing, instead of preventing, the overflow of water – the submergence behind the dam wall will increase by 1.62 mts. Has the NCA looked into the question of rehabilitating affected families whose land will go under water when the 1.62 mts higher backwater level effect would occur?

A vertical increase of 1.62 mts can cause havoc in the plain areas of Madhya Pradesh where thousands of families continue to reside in the thickly populated village communities; engaged in farming, fishing, labour work etc. and awaiting rehabilitation, as per law, to this day. The misleading prediction in the press release that Construction of gates will prevent overflow of water” is absolutely unscientific, non-factual and unwarranted propaganda.

The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Award’;s clauses on submergence and rehabilitation unambiguously state that that all the affected families must be rehabilitated six months prior to the decision to start construction work. Shockingly, there is not a word on submergence and rehabilitation in the press release!

One may also recall that very recently, on 21^st June, newspapers carried the story that low water flow had forced SSNNL authorities to shut down River Bed Power House since 7^th June. That news report quoted dam officials as saying, “the status quo will be maintained until the water level improves from the current 114.46 mtrs”. Sardar Sarovar dam currently stands at 121.92 mtrs and the implication of a dam official reporting the water storage level at 114.46 mts would mean that the dam is eight mts empty and NOT OVERFLOWING FOR LAST TWO MONTHS!

In the last line, the PIB press release claims that the proposal that was approved thereby paving way to increase the height of the dam to 138.69 mts was “an eight year old proposal”. This again is spin doctoring, and the nation distinctly remembers that the decision of raise the dam height from 110 mts to 121.92 metre was taken in March 2006 – precisely eight years ago. 

When that decision was questioned by project affected families and Supreme Court took cognizance of the matter, the construction got stopped due to the onset of monsoon June 2006, the height was at 119 mts. Construction had begun to raise the height in October 2006 and by December of 2006 only the dam height had reached 121.92 mts. So how can PIB term this proposal and eight year old one?

Following the mass agitation by hundreds of oustees in the last week of June and our meeting with the Union Water Resources Minister on 24^th June, who promised of directing NCA officials to verify the rehabilitation, PIB press release should have told us a bit about what was going on with respect to unfinished agenda of Resettlement and Rehabilitation as per NWDTA conditions and Supreme Court directives. Alas, the latest PIB release disappoints and makes us ask the minister, Who will inform, when PIB misinforms?

The promises made in 2006 have not been kept. The assurances of the state governments, the conditions of the Rehabilitation and Environment Sub Group and the written committeeman by the Former Prime Minister to the Supreme Court have all been flouted. There is no reason to doubt that history will not repeat itself. We, therefore, continue to challenge the illegal decision making process and demand that the rehabilitation of all the oustee families must be fully ensured and NCA’s decision of 12^th June, be reviewed.

Medha Patkar, Devram Kanera, Hiradaram, Meera

Contact : 9179148973

Attached PIB Release

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Categories : Environment, Science, world News

Shubham Narain wins after the play off at the 8th Usha DGC Juniors Golf Championship 2014

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New Delhi, July 04, 2014: Exhibiting some rare stellar performance, Shubham Narain manages to steal the winning title at the 8^th Usha DGC Juniors Golf Championship 2014, Category ‘A’ boys and Category ‘B’ boys combined after the play off. Shubham played a fantastic round of Golf today, stitching together a string of 3 birdies on the 1^st, 2^nd and 15^th hole and an eagle on the 18^th hole to score a total of 297. His 2 bogeys on the 16^th and 17^th hole today could not manage to mar his overall performance in the tournament.

Rohan Rana, the leader of the Round 3 category ‘A’ and ‘B’ Boys combined, ended up with a total score of 297. Both Shubham and Rohan had under PAR rounds today returning cards of 3 under 69 and 2 under 70 respectively. Rohan Rana, lovingly referred to as “Rana ji” cards a staggering string of 7 birdies, 3 bogeys and 1 double bogey at the end of the final day. The tournament was underway at the Delhi Golf Club, Lodhi course.

Sunhit Bishnoi displayed a fairly consistent performance in the tournament to finish at the 3rd    position with a total score of 306, trailing by 9 strokes behind Shubham and Rohan.Sunhit scored 1 eagle against 1 triple bogey and 3 bogeys on the 6^th, 10^th and 12^th hole.  Sunhit Bishnoi is also the winner of Category ‘B’ Boys.  Kartik Sharma, Mohd Wasil and Alammgir Grewal secured the 4^th and joint 5^th position with total scores of 307 and 310 respectively.

In Category ‘B’ Girls, Sifat Sagoo wins with a total score of 250, followed by Shagun Narain with a score of 263. In Category ‘C’ Girls, Himadri Singh wins with a total score of 284.  In Category ‘C’ boys, Manav Bias emerges as the winner with a total score of 304. Bharat Sharma trails behind with a score of 313.  In Category ‘D’ girls, Khushi Hooda snatches the winning title and in Category ‘D’ Boys, Shubham Jaglan wins with a good score of 192 and a total Round 1, 2, 3 and 4 combined PAR of 12. In the Special Category Boys and Girls, the highest score was 258, by Ishita, followed by Tushar Saini at 272.

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Categories : sports

U Mumba Future Stars”kicks-off the second round

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U Mumba Future Stars”kicks-off the second round of Knock-Out Tournaments featuring players from North Mumbai

·         “U Mumba Future Stars” tournament looks to unearth local talent from the top 8 clubs representing North Mumbai

·         Selected players will be a part of the “U Mumba Future Stars” programme and will be given an opportunity to represent “U Mumba”, the Pro-Kabaddi league francise

Mumbai: Unilazer Sports, the sports arm of Unilazer Ventures and the owner ofthe Mumbai Franchise -“U Mumba”,which will be a part of the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League, showcased its efforts to unearth local talent on Friday with its ambitious “U Mumba Future Stars” programme with the second round of Knock-Out tournaments featuring players from North Mumbai.

Conducted in three phases, the Knock-Out tournaments will feature the top 24 clubs from South Mumbai, North Mumbai and Thane district. Each region will witness 8 teams, representing respective clubs who would compete in Knock-Out challenge against opponents from the same region. Through rigorous tournaments, the four players from each of the three regions will form the“U Mumba Future Stars” team.

Today, the teams representing Om Creations Club and Arunoday Krida Mandal kicked off the North Mumbai tournaments amidst cheers and excitement at the Dharavi Sports Complex, Mumbai. Each team from the top 8 clubs put up a tough fight as they battled to qualify for the finals. The tournament also witnessed the presence of Ms. Snehal Salunke, International Kabaddi Champion and Asian Games 2012, Gold Medalistwho greeted and exchanged pleasantries with the players as the Chief Guest for the evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Supratik Sen, CEO – Unilazer Sportssaid, “The “U Mumba Future Stars” programme aims to create as a funnel process and serve as a platform for the introduction, development and eventual selection of local youth who would form the“U Mumba Future Stars” team. We aim to eventually facilitate tournaments across districts in Maharasthra which will be further extended as a state-level tournament.”

Arunoday Krida Mandal, Ghatkopar, was the first to set the match rolling as they competed with players from Om Creations, Khar, through an exciting match which lasted for approximately 45 minutes. Om Creationseventually lost out to the powerful raiding technique demonstrated by player Haridas Bhayde and the team’s raiders failed to counter-attack Amar Nivate in defense.

Also advancing to the semi-finals were Parle Sports Club, Siddhi Krida Mandal and Om Sai Krida Mandal. Parle Sports Club defeated Swastik Krida Mandal 44-25 before Siddhi Krida Mandal staged a late fight-back to overcome the challenge of G.S.P.M., Ghatkopar, 23-17.

The match between Siddhi Krida Mandal and GSPM turned out to be a contest of attrition as the lead kept changing hands through out the encounter before Raju Lohar and Rajesh Bendur showed all-round skills to take their team to victory.

The Chief Guest, Sneha Salunkhe was extremely impressed with the arrangements and facilities created for the tournament and also emphasized on the fact that such efforts were critical in promoting Kabaddi as a sport in the country.

Results (quarterfinals):

Arunoday Krida Mandal bt Om Creation 46-24; Parle Sports Club bt Swastik Krida Mandal 44-25; Siddhi Krida Mandal bt GSPM 23-17; Om Sai Krida Mandal bt Shivsena Krida Mandal 19-18.

The winning team will be announced at the end of the tournament this evening and will be rewarded with a cash prize of Rs. 15,000/-, the runners up will receive a prize of Rs. 10,000/- and the best player will be handed over Rs. 5000/-

The last phase of “U Mumba Future Stars” Knock-out challenge will be held tomorrow and will feature 8 teams representing the top clubs in Thane District. On conclusion of the Knock-Out Challenge, the strongest four players from the winning teams of each region will be selected to form “U Mumba Future Stars.”

About Unilazer Sports (www.unilazer.com)

Founded by Ronnie Screwvala, Unilazer Sports, a division of Unilazer Ventures Private Limited operates with a focus to be part of best preparing the present and planning for the future of Sport in India. Unilazer Sports aims to transform the way we live, persevere, learn, compete, enthrall, inspire and entertain ourselves.

With “U” as the umbrella brand for Unilazer Sports’ franchisee, it’s as much Unilazer as its U and youth. U Mumba, the Kabaddi franchise for Pro Kabaddi, is derived from Mumba, the mother island that gave birth to a mega city that is today Mumbai.

About Pro Kabaddi (http://prokabaddi.com/index)

Pro Kabaddi is an eight-city league to be held between July 26th to August 31st 2014.

The league will be carried live on prime time TV by Star Sports.

This unique effort has the formal backing by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), the Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF) & the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), who will be closely associated with the organization and delivery of this event.

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July 5, 2014, 7:39 am

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MEDIA INVITE

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

&

US Green Building Council (USGBC)

cordially invites you to the signing of MoU on

In the distinguished presence of:

·        Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director General, TERI

·        Mr. Mahesh Ramanujam, COO, USGBC, and President, GBCI

·        Mr. Scot Horst, Senior Vice President, LEED, USGBC

·        Ms. Mili Majumdar, Director, Sustainable Habitat, TERI

Programme Schedule

Day/Date: Monday, July 7, 2014

Time: 1.00 PM onward

Venue: TERI University, 10 Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

Note to the Editor:

USGBC and GRIHA’s (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) mission is to transform the built environment around the globe. Green buildings provide healthier indoor environments, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and save money for building owners through reduced energy, waste and water use. This strategic partnership demonstrates that both organizations believe in the potential for green building practices to flourish in the India and Southeast Asia markets. Universally, green building rating systems rate buildings based on pre-set criteria/benchmarks that define definite green/sustainability parameters. GRIHA is continuously evolving a system that attempts to address India specific challenges in the sector through a robust yet flexible rating framework and strong implementation focus.

For more details, please contact:

TERI Zainab Naeem: 8800286575 Basudha Das: 9999881145

Ketchum Sampark Pvt Ltd. Prashant Kr. Gunjan – 9650026623 Varun Chopra: +98112-41427

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July 7, 2014, 1:33 am

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Conspiracy to force CAG to drop discoms audit

From: Media Cell AAP <mediacellaap@gmail.com> Sun, 6 Jul '14 5:42p

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

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                                   Sunday, July 6

The latest letter by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has exposed the conspiracy hatched to prevent the frauds committed by private power distribution companies from being made public.

The ongoing CAG audit has made the discoms extremely nervous and after all their desperate attempts to stall their account books from being scrutinised have failed, they have hatched a conspiracy with active help from the BJP and the Congress to delay the audit and frustrate the CAG.

It is extremely shocking that the top CAG officials have been forced to remind the LG and the Delhi administration run by him about their duty to ensure that it is mandatory for the discoms to provide all their account books to the auditors.

The manner in which the discoms are hiding their account books and other related data with active connivance from top Delhi administration, is a clear and incriminating evidence about the attempts being made to force the CAG to drop this important audit.

Already the audit process has been delayed for more than six months and on the other hand, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), is set to announce a steep hike in the electricity tariffs anytime now.

This injustice being imposed on the people of Delhi will not be tolerated any further.

The Aam Aadmi Party is of the firm view that there is no justification to delay the CAG audit and till the time this process is going on, any decision to hike the electricity tariff is nothing short cheating the people residing in the national capital.

First the people were given false excuses by the then Shiela Dikshit’s Congress government for a decade that accounts of discoms cannot be audited since they are privately controlled and later, a further falsehood of discoms having obtained a stay from the court was floated.

The AAP government called this bluff within 48 hours of coming to office and asked the CAG to find out about the frauds committed by these discoms.

Now, it has been nearly six weeks since Narendra Modi’s BJP government is controlling Delhi administration. The silence of BJP on the CAG audit and power tariff hike is baffling.

Nobody expects the Congress which systematically allowed the discoms to raise electricity tariffs for a decade and loot the people of Delhi, to now support the CAG audit, to now support this scrutiny.

The BJP, which promised a 30% reduction in electricity tariffs needs to break its silence on the fraud being committed on the people.  

The people of Delhi are eagerly awaiting the views of union power minister Mr Piyush Goyal on the social media platforms on this subject.

The AAP demands that the central government should direct the Delhi administration to warn the discoms that their attempts to scuttle the CAG audit will result in cancellation of their licences.

The AAP will lead an unprecedented protest in the national capital in case the DERC goes ahead with its plan to raise the electricity tariffs without waiting for the findings of the CAG audit. (ENDS)

Regards

AAP Media Cell

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July 7, 2014, 2:04 am

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16 dead, 5 injured in Vietnam helicopter crash Updated on : 07-07-2014 01:07 PM Sixteen people were killed and five injured when a Vietnamese military helicopter crashed in the capital Hanoi on Monday during a training exercise, a top military official said. "The plane was carrying 21 people and it crashed during a parachute training exercise, killing 16 and injuring five others," Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan, army deputy commander, told. The dead and injured were all military personnel, he added. "According to our preliminary investigation, the accident was due to technical problems. The weather was good and I can say that there was no act of sabotage," he added. The Russian-made Mi-171 chopper came down in the early morning in the Thach That district, a sparsely-populated rural suburb in the west of the city, a military source told on condition of anonymity. It appeared to run into difficulties before crashing into the ground and bursting into flames, an eyewitness told. "I heard an aircraft making a strange noise... I ran outside and the aircraft exploded, there was a huge blaze then a plume of smoke," said one middle-aged local resident, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The aircraft was flying low, it hit the ground and exploded at the same time," she said, adding it had looked like the helicopter was struggling to stay airborne before it crash-landed. "It seemed like the pilot wanted to divert the plane from hitting the local market and houses, so it ran into that field," she said, gesturing towards the cordoned-off crash site. "I heard someone shouting for help... there was another explosion and a lot of black smoke. Local residents rushed to help," the female local resident told. Police and firefighters cordoned off the area, according to reporter at the scene. Scores of local gathered near the local hospital and morgue. Some locals had joined early rescue efforts but declined comment, saying they did not want to offend local authorities. At the local morgue, which had been blocked off by police and military officials, at least five ambulances were heading to Hanoi with military escorts carrying the remains of the victims.

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Aam Aadmi Party Reaction on Rail Budget

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From: Media Cell AAP <mediacellaap@gmail.com> Tue, 8 Jul ’14 4:05p

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Show full Headers

Tuesday, July 8

The AAP is of the view that the first rail budget of the BJP-led NDA government turned out to be a missed opportunity. The Narendra Modi government could have used its maiden rail budget to spell out its long term vision for the improvement of the health of railways, but it is unfortunately missing.

The people of the county had expected that the new government to lay down its roadmap to improve the efficiency of the railways by curbing the price distortion and corruption, two major problems currently plaguing this critical sector, but the budget appears to be silent on addressing these long term concerns and belies expectations of a long term vision.

There is nothing concrete in this budget on the improvement of safety and maintenance of the massive railway network across the country. Nearly 2.5 lakh posts are lying vacant in the railways and out of these 1.6 lakh posts are in departments directly concerned with the railways safety, but nothing has been done to fill up these posts.

The common man (aam aadmi) forms the bulk of railway passenger traffic, but the focus on such passengers is missing. Infact, the focus of the budget provides a reason for alarm in this aspect – the trend in the budget is to focus on the upper class of commuters, whose number is miniscule in terms of passenger traffic.

Facilities should be provided to all categories of passengers, but the focus on those who can spend more for facilities does not set a healthy trend.

The railways minister has made an honest confession about the large number of pending projects. The AAP agrees with the government that the focus should be on execution of existing projects, but in this respect too, the minister did not mention any roadmap on how the government plans to complete the job.

The AAP, in principle, does not oppose Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in railways, but the minister’s announcement did not specify in which field does the NDA government propose to invite the FDI. The impression created is that the government is ready to go ahead with the FDI in all fields, except in operations. There are many sensitive sectors in Railways, like the one handling the spectrum that cannot be opened to foreign investors.

The hurry to attract FDI in Railways could create a dangerous situation and the government should hold widespread consultations before going ahead with the introduction of FDI in railways.

The thrust on implementing the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in railways is a dangerous trend. The concept of PPP model so far in the country has been that the public sector bears the risk and the private sector walks away with profit, such a model can spell disaster for the railways.

The AAP does not agree with the minister’s announcement about the proposal to restructure the Railway Board. It is one of the rare board/corporation in the government sector which is not controlled by the IAS officers, and is run by professionals.

Unless the government clearly specifies what kind of restructuring it wants, the announcement appears to be an attempt to undermine the Board’s autonomy. Restructuring for improving the fiscal health of railways and bringing professionalism is welcome, but it cannot be allowed to become ministry Vs board fight.

The Aam Aadmi Party also sees a regional imbalance in announcement of new train services. A government cannot ignore the requirements of one region appease the other.

Regards

AAP Media Cell

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Categories : Business

AVJ Group desires a transforming budget for real estate sector

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Mr. Vinay Jain (CMD, AVJ Group)

“Now a stable and full majority led NDA Govt. is at the centre and we expect the inflation to be control in 2014.The sector is expecting number of policy initiatives, along with an analysis of FDI rules in housing, REIT. The focus of government should be on single window clearance system as it would help boost the sector in long run, tax incentives for affordable housing. Government should raise the tax exemption limit for interest payment on housing loan from 1.5 lakhs to 2.5 lakhs p.a. The sector must be given an industry status by the RBI, since it is the second largest employment provider in the country. The government must scrap the service tax on under construction properties from buyers prospective, as it adds to the overall cost of the property. Adding to this, the government must restore ATIB for affordable housing which allowed profits under it not to be taxed at the corporate level.”

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India successfully test-fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

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India today successfully test-fired an advanced version of the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Chandipur-on-Sea off Odisha coast. The missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex number three of the Integrated Test Range(ITR) at about 10.38 this morning. The missile is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 300 kg. BrahMos, one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world, has a top speed of Mach 2.8 and can be launched from ships, aircrafts and submarines. The two-stage missile, the first one being solid and the second one ramjet liquid propellant, has already been inducted into the Army and the Navy and the Air Force version is in final stages of trial. The induction of the first version of Brahmos system in the Indian Navy commenced from 2005 with the missile being deployed on-board warship INS Rajput, it is now fully operational with two regiments of the Army. Brahmos Aerospace, an Indo-Russian joint venture company, is also working to develop the air as well as the

submarine-launched versions of the missile system and work on the projects is in progress. The Army has so far placed orders for the Brahmos missile to be inducted by three of its regiments and two out of them have already become operational.

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Categories : culture, Energy, Environment

Railway Reservation System to be Revamped 

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D. V. Sadananda Gowda has said that Indian Railways is on its way to fulfill the long cherished dream to run a Bullet Train. Presenting the Railway Budget 2014-15 in Parliament today, he said, the Railways proposes bullet trains by starting off with an already identified Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector, where a number of studies have been done.

The Minster said, under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modiji, the Railways is embarking on an ambitious plan to have a Diamond Quadrilateral Network of High Speed Rail, connecting major Metros and growth centers of the country. A provision of Rs.100 crore has been made in the Budget for high Speed project to RVNL/HSRC (High Speed Rail Corridor) for taking further steps.

He said, while bullet trains would require completely new infrastructure, higher speed for existing trains will be achieved by upgrading the present network. The Minister said, hence, an effort will be made to increase the speed of trains to 160-200 kmph in select sectors so as to significantly reduce travel time between major cities. The Minister said, the identified sectors are:

i) Delhi-Agra
ii) Delhi-Chandigarh
iii) Delhi-Kanpur
iv) Nagpur-Bilaspur
v) Mysore-Bengaluru-Chennai
vi) Mumbai-Goa
vii) Mumbai-Ahmedabad
viii) Chennai-Hyderabad and
ix) Nagpur-Secunderabad.
The Minister of Railways Shri D. V. Sadananda Gowda has said that Railway Reservation System will be revamped into Next Generation e-Ticketing System. Ticket booking through mobile phones and through Post Offices will be popularized.

Presenting the Railway Budget 2014-15 in Parliament today he said, the Indian Railways will improve the system capabilities in e-ticketing to support 7200 tickets per minute as against 2000 tickets per minute and allow 1,20,000 simultaneous users at any point in time.

The Minister said, facility of Coin Operated Automatic Ticket Vending Machines will be experimented.

He said, efforts will also be made to provide facility of buying Platform Tickets and unreserved tickets over internet. Parking-cum-Platform Combo Tickets will be launched to facilitate the passengers and to save their time.

He said that online booking facility of Railway Retiring Room will be extended to all the stations during the course of the year. Presenting the Railway Budget 2014-15 in Parliament today he said, the Indian Railways is expanding the scope of online booking for people to book a Train, book a Coach, book a Berth and book a Seat in Chair Car.

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Ghani wins Afghan election on preliminary results

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Former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani won Afghanistan’s presidential election, according to preliminary results released on Monday, with 56.4 percent of the run-off vote to Abdullah Abdullah’s 43.5 percent.

Officials said the turnout was more than eight million in the June 14 vote out of an estimated electorate of 13.5 million voters — far higher than expected, and a figure likely to trigger further allegations of fraud from both sides.”The IEC (Independent Election Commission) admits that despite best efforts for a better election, there were some technical mistakes and shortcomings in the process,” IEC head Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani told reporters.

“We can not deny fraud and violations in the process, in some cases some security forces were involved, in other cases senior government officials like the governors or lower-level officials were involved.”

Last-minute talks delayed the release of the results by nearly five hours today, as the two campaigns tried to thrash out a deal over fraud allegations that threaten to fuel instability.

Abdullah has vowed to reject the preliminary result, alleging he was the victim of “industrial-scale” ballot-box stuffing, while Ghani has said he won fairly.

Central to the talks is how many of the total 23,000 polling stations will now be put through an anti-fraud audit.

“We agreed for an audit of 7,000 polling stations, but they had other conditions that we couldn’t agree with, so for now there is only partial agreement,” Ghani’s spokesman Daud Sultanzoy said before the result.

Abdullah’s spokesman Fazel Sancharaki said: “Our main demand was for the inspection of 11,000 polling stations under the close supervision of the United Nations.

Seven thousand polling stations is not enough.

“The negotiations are still ongoing. If they produce a result, we will enter the process, otherwise… we will not recognise it.”

Both sides said the UN was involved in the talks, but its spokesman declined to give further details.

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RSS leader Ram Madhav deputed to BJP

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 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has decided to depute its spokesperson and member of its Akhil Bhartiya Karyakari Mandal Ram Madhav to the BJP. The decision was taken by top RSS leaders during its ongoing brainstorming session from July 1-8, at the Jain pilgrimage centre of Mohankheda in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. Madhav has confirmed that he would join BJP formally next week and serve the party.

Top RSS leaders including Mohan Bhaghwat, Bhaiyaji Joshi, Suresh Soni, Dattatray Hosabale and Krishna Gopal were huddled in Mohankheda to deliberate on its future strategies. The session will conclude on Tuesday.

According to sources, another RSS leader Shiv Prakash has also been deputed by the Sangh to work for the party now.

Prakash was a regional ‘pracharak’ of RSS in western Uttar Pradesh, a state where BJP had put up a splendid show in recent Lok Sabha elections.

The Sangh, the ideological mentor of BJP, had earlier too deputed many of its leaders from time to time, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had been a full-time RSS ‘pracharak’ (organiser), in the party.

The party seeks to revamp itself ahead of assembly elections due in states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand later this year and early next year.

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Bullet, high speed railplan, derails Sensex Sinks 600 Pts after Budget

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 BSE Sensex retreated from record highs by falling 600 points to dip below the 26,000 mark in mid-session trade on Tuesday after the rail budget failed to impress investors.#Sensex Sinks 600 Points after #Railway Budget

Introduction of bullet trains starting off with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector and an ambitious plan to have a Diamond Quadrilateral network of high speed rail connecting major metros and growth centres are on the anvil.

The announcement was part of the Rail Budget presented by Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda in Lok Sabha on Tuesday which also spoke of efforts to increase the speed of trains in select sectors to up to 200 km per hour.

The Rail Budget has identified nine sectors in this regard that includes the prestigious Delhi-Agra rail line and the busy Delhi-Chandigarh and Mumbai-Ahmedabad sectors.

Besides, the speed of trains is to be increased to 160-200 km in the Delhi-Kanpur, Nagpur-Bilaspur, Mysore-Bengaluru- Chennai, Mumbai-Goa, Chennai-Hyderabad and Nagpur-Secuderabad sectors.

A provision of Rs 100 crore has been made in the Budget for High Speed project to Railway Vikas Nigham Limited/High Speed Rail Corridor for taking further steps.

“It is the wish and dream of every Indian that India runs a bullet train as early as possible. Indian Railways is on its way to fulfil that long cherished dream,” Gowda said.

The Minister said while bullet trains will require completely new infrastructure, higher speed for existing trains will be achieved by upgrading the present network.

“Hence, an effort will be made to increase the speed of trains to 160-200 kmph in select sectors to significantly reduce travel time between major cities,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it is for the common people as it aspires for better service, speed and safety with focus on development of the country.

He said the Rail Budget presented in Parliament by Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda shows where his government wants to take India through the railways as it focusses on strengthening institutional mechanism, transparency and integrity. “Congratulations to the Railway Minister for presenting a futuristic & growth oriented budget. It is a budget for the common people,” Modi tweeted. He said the Rail Budget “aspires for better service, speed and safety. It is an effort to create a modern Railways contributing towards a developed India.” In a series of tweets, Modi said, “Rail Budget shows the important role of Railways in India’s development journey.” He said the Budget keeps in mind the development of India. “This Budget shows where we want to take the railways and at the same time where we want to take India through the railways,” Modi said, adding, “We can see the great use of technology also.” Hailing the Railway Budget, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it is “realistic and comprehensive” as honest analysis had been made about the state of affairs and health of Indian railways. “The way forward has been clearly outlined in the Budget. Safety, security and service…all these three aspects have been taken care of and the Railway Minister has also made a realistic assessment about the need to complete the ongoing projects,” Naidu told reporters outside Parliament House. He said hundreds of projects were announced in the previous budgets but the works have not been completed. “So this government has taken up that responsibility of completing all ongoing projects on priority,” the Minister said. “Instead of going populist and becoming unrealistic and creating hardship to the people in the long run, the Railway Minister has made efforts to see that the safety, security and service aspect is given high priority and also completion of ongoing projects have taken on a priority,” Naidu said. The high speed trains, bullet trains they all are “indication of the thinking of the government”, he said. “The entire India is connected and I am more happy about the emphasis given on the projects in the northeastern region of the country. No region has been discriminated, every state has been given its due attention,” Naidu said. The Minister also alleged that the opposition was trying to “politicise and trivialise” the budget. “People of the country are watching….It is expected of the members of Parliament to hear the budget with attention and subsequently utilise the opportunity to comment on the budget when the occasion come for the discussion of the budget proposals in details,” Naidu said. “If some people have chosen not to hear the proposal, that means they are doing injustice to the people who have elected them to this House,” he said. “Some people seems to be not able to digest the fact that the new government has come, a new approach has been taken and a true national budget has been presented,” Naidu added.

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Record plan outlay for railways

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The Government on Tuesday proposed highest ever plan outlay of Rs 65,445 crore to the railways for the current fiscal, with a budgetary support of over Rs 30,000 crore.

Presenting the Railway Budget for 2014-15, Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda said the “highest ever plan outlay” would include market borrowing of Rs 11,790 crore and internal resources of Rs 15,350 crore.

Another Rs 6,005 crore would be mopped up through public private partnerships (PPP) mode, while railways would create a safety fund of Rs 2,200 crore.

As per Budget Estimates for 2014-15, total receipts are projected at Rs 1,64,374 crore, while total expenditure at Rs 1,49,176 crore.

Operating ratio would be 92.5 percent, which is an improvement of 1 percent over the last fiscal.

While passenger traffic grew by 2 percent, passenger earnings stood at Rs 44,645 crore after revenue foregone of Rs 610 crore on account of rollback in monthly season ticket fares, Gowda said, adding freight earnings are estimated at 1,05,770 crore for this fiscal.

The expenditure on pension is pegged at Rs 28,850 crore, while Rs 9,135 crore would be spent on dividend payment.

On the challenges facing railways, Gowda said, “Surplus revenues are declining. There is hardly any adequate resources for development works.”

The surplus resources, which stood at Rs 11,754 crore in 2007-08, is estimated to be only Rs 602 crore in the current financial year, he added.

He also said Rs 5 lakh crore was required to complete the ongoing projects alone as only 317 of the 674 projects sanctioned in last three decades could be completed.

Completing the unfinished projects would require Rs 1,82,000 crore, he said.

Observing that most of gross traffic receipts was spent on fuel, salary and pension, track and coach maintenance and on safety works, Gowda said that Rs 1,39,558 crore was the gross traffic receipts and total working expenses were at Rs 1,30,321 crore last year.

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India Railways to attract FDI

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Sparing passengers of any further fare hike, Railway Budget for 2014-15 proposes to attract private domestic and FDI in infrastructure projects and pursuing private-public partnership to boost the finances of the cash-strapped railways.

Having hiked fares to the tune of 14.2 percent recently, Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda who presented the new government’s first budget in Lok Sabha on Tuesday said he plans to leverage railway PSU resources by bringing in their investible funds in infrastructure projects.

He announced plans to introduce a bullet train in Mumbai- Ahmedabad sector and setting up of a Diamond Quadrilateral network of high speed rail connecting major metros and growth centres. A sum of Rs 100 crore has been provided for initiating the project.

Increasing the speed of trains to 160 to 200 kms per hour on nine select sectors was another highlight of the budget, which proposes to allow all experimental stoppages to lapse after September this year.

The Budget disclosed that traffic growth declined and expenditures went up in 2013-14 as compared to the revised estimates of previous financial year.

Gross traffic receipts stood at Rs 1,39,558 crore, short of revised estimates by Rs 942 crore over the previous year. The ordinary working expenses and pension outgo were also higher.

The budget estimates for 2014-15 assumes a freight loading 1101 metric tonnes, 51 metric tonnes more than the previous year, growth in passenger traffic at 2 percent and freight earnings at Rs 1,05,770 crore.

Passenger earnings will be Rs 44,645 crore after a revenue sacrifice of Rs 610 crore on account of monthly season ticket fares.

Total receipts for the current year have been pegged at Rs 1,64,374 crore and expenditure at Rs 1,49,176 crore.

Disclosing that he needs more than Rs nine lakh crore to completing the Golden Quadrilateral Network and Rs 60,000 crore for introducing one bullet train alone, Gowda told the House, “Can I depend only on hiking fare and freight rates and burden the public to realise these funds? This is unrealistic. I need to explore the alternate means of resource mobilisation.”

He proposed to launch a scheme to bring in investible surplus funds of railway PSUs in infrastructure projects which can generate attractive returns.

Proposing private investment in railways through domestic and FDI, Gowda said growth depends heavily on availability of funds for investment in rail infrastructure.

Internal revenue sources and government funding are insufficient to meet the requirement, the Railway Minister said, adding the ministry is seeking Cabinet approval for allowing FDI in rail sector.

FDI, however, will be limited to infrastructure development and not allowed in operations, he said.

He said the concept of PPP has not been successful in raising substantial resources for railways.

“It is my endeavour to pursue this in right earnest. It is our target that bulk of our future projects will be financed through PPP mode, including the high-speed rail, which requires huge investments.”

Apart from mobilising resources, Gowda said he needed to strategically manage other aspects of planning and administration by adopting a near-holiday approach, setting timelines for ongoing projects, strategic partnership and aggressive indigenisation of imported projects.

The annual plan for 2014-15 has been fixed at the highest ever outlay of Rs 65,445 crore with gross budgetary support at Rs 30,100 crore, Railway Safety Fund Rs 2,200 crore, internal resources Rs 15,350 crore, external market borrowing Rs 11,790 crore and EBR-PPP Rs 6,005 crore.

The budget provides higher funds for ongoing projects in North East, including 11 national projects. Rs 5,116 crore earmarked for projects in North East, which is 54 percent higher than the previous year.

While Udhampur-Katra rail link in Jammu and Kashmir has been dedicated to the nation, the focus will now be on completion of the missing link between Banihal and Katra.

18 new line surveys have been announced, which include rail connectivity to ‘char dham’ — Kedarnath, Badrinath, etc, and Shimoga-Sringeri-Mangalore.

Five Jansadharan trains are being introduced along with five premium trains, six AC express trains and 27 express trains and eight passenger trains.

The premium trains are between Mumbai Central and New Delhi, Shalimar-Chennai, Secundarabad-Hazrat Nizamuddin, Jaipur-Madurai and Kamakhya-Bangalore.

In order to strengthen security in trains and stations, the budget proposes to recruit 4000 women RPF constables. Already 17000 RPF constables have been recruited and shall be available for deployment shortly.

Gowda said safety of passengers is of paramount importance and it is estimated that over Rs 40,000 crore would be needed to be invested in track renewals, elimination of unmanned railway crossings and road overbridges and underbridges.

A provision of Rs 1,785 crore has been earmarked for railway overbridges and underbridges.

Outlining IT initiatives, the minister said the railway reservation system is being revamped to move into next generation E-ticketing system, which will support 7200 tickets per minutes to allow 1,20,000 simultaneous users.

Railways will move to paperless offices in five years, provide wi-fi services in A-1 and A category stations and in select trains, real-time tracking of trains and rolling stock, mobile-based wakeup call system for passengers and mobile- based destination arrival alert.

Following are the highlights of the Railway Budget 2014-15:

* No new increase in passenger fares and freight charges * Bullet train on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Sector

* Diamond quadrilateral for high speed trains

* Plan to hike speed of trains to 160-200 km/hr in 9 sectors

* Online booking to support 7,200 tickets/minute; to allow 1.2 lakh users log in simultaneously

* Reservation system to be revamped, ticket-booking through mobile phones, post offices to be popularized

* Online platform, unreserved tickets * Combo parking-platform tickets at stations

* Women RPF Constables to escort ladies coaches; 4,000 women constables to be inducted

* Retiring room facility to be extended to all stations

* Battery operated cars for differently abled and senior citizens at major stations

* Feedback services through IVRS on quality of food

* Food can be ordered through SMS, phone; Food courts at major stations

* Cleanliness budget up by 40 pc over last year

* CCTVs to be used at stations for monitoring cleanliness

* Setting up of corpus fund for stations’ upkeep; RO drinking water at stations and trains

* Automatic door closing in mainline and sub-urban coaches

* 58 new trains and extension of 11; 864 additional EMUs to be introduced in Mumbai over 2 years

* FDI in railway projects, except in operations.

* FDI, domestic investments in rail infrastructure

* Office-on-Wheels: Internet & Workstation facilities on select trains

* Wi-Fi in A-1, A category stations and in select trains

* Rail university for technical and non-technical subjects

* Some stations to be developed to international standards through PPP model

* Parcel traffic to be segregated to separate terminals to make passenger traffic unhindered

* Loss per passenger per kilometre up from 10p (in 2000-01) to 23p (2012-13)

* Solar energy to be tapped at major stations

* Highest ever plan outlay of Rs 65,455 crore for 2014-15

* Expenditure in 2014-15 pegged at Rs 149,176 crore.

58 New Trains to be Introduced 11 Existing Trains to be Extended

Railways proposes to introduce 58 new trans which includes five Jansadharan Trains, five Premium Trains, six AC Express Trains, 27 Express Trains, eight Passenger Trains, two MEMU services and five DEMU services this year.

Announcing this in Parliament today while presenting the rail budget, the Minister of Railways D. V. Sadananda Gowda also proposed to extend the run of 11 existing trains.

Gowda said these services would be meeting the demand surges which manifest themselves on special occasions.

He said that special trains would continue to run to meet the holiday and festival rush including services for Melmaruvathur, Velankanni, Jhalawar etc.

NEW TRAINS

Jansadharan Trains i) Ahmedabad–Darbhanga Jansadharan Express via Surat Ii Jaynagar–Mumbai Jansadharan Express ii) Mumbai–Gorakhpur Jansadharan Express iv) Saharasa–Anand Vihar Jansadharan Express via Motihari v) Saharasa–Amritsar Jansadharan Express

Premium Trains i) Mumbai Central–New Delhi Premium AC Express ii) Shalimar–Chennai Premium AC Express iii) Secunderabad-¬ Hazrat Nizamuddin Premium AC Express iv) Jaipur–Madurai Premium Express v) Kamakhya–Bengaluru Premium Express

Bullet Trains and Diamond Quadrilateral Network of High Speed Rail

The Minister of Railways D. V. Sadananda Gowda has said that Indian Railways is on its way to fulfill the long cherished dream to run a Bullet Train.

Presenting the Railway Budget 2014-15 in Parliament on Tuesday, he said, the Railways proposes bullet trains by starting off with an already identified Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector, where a number of studies have been done.

The Minster said, under the leadership of Narendra Modiji, the Railways is embarking on an ambitious plan to have a Diamond Quadrilateral Network of High Speed Rail, connecting major Metros and growth centers of the country.

A provision of Rs.100 crore has been made in the Budget for high Speed project to RVNL/HSRC (High Speed Rail Corridor) for taking further steps.

He said, while bullet trains would require completely new infrastructure, higher speed for existing trains will be achieved by upgrading the present network.

The Minister said, hence, an effort will be made to increase the speed of trains to 160-200 kmph in select sectors so as to significantly reduce travel time between major cities.

The Minister said, the identified sectors are:

i) Delhi-Agra

ii) Delhi-Chandigarh

iii) Delhi-Kanpur

iv) Nagpur-Bilaspur

v) Mysore-Bengaluru-Chennai

vi) Mumbai-Goa

vii) Mumbai-Ahmedabad

viii) Chennai-Hyderabad

ix) Nagpur-Secunderabad.

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Ukraine’s gas bill rises another $838mn, exceeds $5bn

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   #Ukraine’s gas bill rises another $838mn, exceeds $5bn (DETAILS)http://on.rt.com/jkoka2  pic.twitter.com/UoGSa9FpDc

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Morning Post

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नेटवर्क 18 का अधिग्रहण पूरा, दीपक पा 

समाचार4मीडिया

To Me

Jul 7 at 8:35 PM

Tuesday 8 July 2014 नेटवर्क 18 का अधिग्रहण पूरा, दीपक पारिख और आदिल जैनुलभाई बने स्वतंत्र निदेशक नेटवर्क 18 के पूरा नियंत्रण अपने हाथ में लेने के साथ ही आईएमटी ने दीपक पारिख और आदिल जैनुलभाई को “NW18” के बोर्ड में स्वतंत्र निदेशक के रूप में नियुक्त किया है… हिन्दुस्तान, लखनऊ से वरिष्ठ पत्रकार नवीन जोशी हुए रिटायर वरिष्ठ पत्रकार और कई सालों तक हिन्दुस्तान अखबार के लखनऊ एडिशन के स्थानीय संपादक रहे नवीन जोशी हाल ही में संस्थान से रिटायर हो गए है… तनु शर्मा मामले में वरिष्ठ पत्रकार हरतोष सिंह बल और पाणिनी आनंद ने उठाया सवाल टीवी एंकर तनु शर्मा के खदुकुशी के प्रयास मामले ने मीडिया इंडस्ट्री पर भी तमाम सवाल उठने लगे है। दूसरों की आवाज बुलंद करता ये मीडिया क्या खुद इतना कमजोर है… एबीपी न्यूज ने दस साल पूरा करने वालों का किया सम्मान एबीपी न्यूज़ (पहले स्टार न्यूज) के साथ दस साल पूरे कर चुके लोगों के लिए पिछला हफ्त जोरदार रहा… कपिल के होंडा के ऐड ने तोड़े ऐड दुनिया के तमाम रूल्स…! ऐड जगत में कपिल शर्मा का ऐड कैम्पेन चर्चा में है, जो उन्होंने होंडा मोबीलियो के लिए किया है। इस ऐड को पब्लिक के बीच चर्चा में लाने के लिए यही काफी है… अमर उजाला के मैनपुरी प्रसार प्रभारी की हादसे में मौत मैनपुरी में अमर उजाला के प्रसार प्रभारी अविनाश शुक्ला की गुरुवार रात सड़क हादसे में मौत हो गई। अनिवाश का एक हफ्ते पहले ही मैनपुरी से आगरा के लिए स्थानांतरण हुआ था… वरिष्ठ पत्रकार ओम थानवी ने प्रधानमंत्री के दौरै पर जाने वाले संपादकों पर उठाया सवाल संपादकों को दुनिया देखने का सुनहरा और निरंतर अवसर प्रधानमंत्रियों के साथ विदेश दौरों में मिलता है… Unsubscribe from this newsletter स्मार्ट तरीके से बच्चों को लुभा रहा चैनल ‘डिस्कवरी किड्स’ डिस्कवरी किड्स चैनल ने यह काफी पहले ही महसूस कर लिया था कि भारतीय टेलिविजन पर बच्चों से जुड़े कार्यक्रमों की भरमार है। बच्चों के पास तमाम विकल्प मौजूद हैं… ट्विटर को हुआ रजनीकांत से फायदा, रजनी के फंडे सटीक बैठते हैं डिजिटल वर्ल्ड में… रजनीकांत एक ऐसा नाम है, जो किसी परिचय का मोहताज नहीं। पिछले दिनों सुपरस्टार रजनीकांत ने सिल्वर स्क्रीन की तरह ही डिजिटल मार्केटिंग की दुनिया में भी धमाकेदार एंट्री की… ) Copyright 2011 Adsert Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

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Categories : Legal, Media, Politics

Take action against Shiela Dikshit for unauthorised colonies scam

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From: Media Cell AAP <mediacellaap@gmail.com> Mon, 7 Jul ’14 5:32p

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Show full Headers

Monday, July 7

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demands strict action against former Delhi chief minister Mrs Shiela Dikshit for her involvement in the Rs 3,000 crore unauthorised colonies scam.

The latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) now with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, corroborates the findings of the former Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin on the issue.

The AAP government headed by Arvind Kejriwal, had on February 3 this year, recommended to the President strictest possible action against Mrs Dikshit for the fraud committed by her government on the poor people.

The President had sought the state government’s views on the findings of the Lokayukta report, submitted in November 2013.

The Congress-led UPA’s central government, during its last days in office, shockingly appointed Mrs Dikshit as governor of Kerala, in place of taking action against her for fooling poor people living in unauthorised colonies by providing them regularization certificates without ensuring basic amenities like water connections, roads, sewers and drainage lines between during her tenure.  This was done by Mrs Shiela Dikshit’s Congress government in complete violation of the Supreme Court judgment of 2006, in which it was clearly laid down that no government can regularise unauthorised colonies without providing basic facilities.

The Shiela Dikshit government played with the lives of around 40 lakh people residing in such colonies, by cheating them before every assembly election by distributing regularisation certificates which had no legal sanctity.

It also needs to be investigated where actually this Rs 3,000 crore which has been shown in official papers as having been spent on providing basic facilities, has been siphoned off.

According to the CAG, there are virtually no sewer lines in around 895 colonies and nearly half of these are without roads and drainage lines. Where has this money been spent ?

When an elected government had recommended action to probe this fraud, it is the duty of those currently running the Delhi administration to promptly ensure that the CAG report is placed in Parliament during the ongoing budget session itself so that the people of Delhi can see how they were cheated during the 15 years of Shiela Dikshit rule.

Can the Congress answer the question why it hurriedly appointed a person as a governor who had been indicted by the Lokayukta for this scam and against whom the AAP government had recommended strictest possible action ?

Was she not appointed a governor to allow her to escape prosecution for her acts of omission and commission during her tenure as chief minister?

Regards

AAP Media Cell

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Categories : agreement, Legal, Media, Politics

Invitation to Korean B2B Trade Meet ( Mumbai & Delhi)(2)

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shubhangi gurav Dear Sir, We are pleased to invite you to an INDO-KOREAN TRADE MEET (buyer seller meeting) between Indian companies and Korean suppliers listed below. The objective of the one to one meet is to enable

Today at 11:39 AM

shubhangi gurav

To jatindraengg@gmail.com

Today at 11:41 AM

Dear Sir,

We are pleased to invite you to an INDO-KOREAN TRADE MEET (buyer seller meeting) between Indian companies and Korean suppliers listed below.

The objective of the one to one meet is to enable Korean manufacturers to locate distributors/ importers / retailers and hence develop a mutually beneficial business relationship.

Please note that on account of the trade agreement (CEPA) between India and South Korea the custom duties on various products from Korea have been reduced.

SCHEDULE

Date: 26th Aug 2014

Venue: MAJESTIC BALLROOM, The Lalit, Mumbai

And

Date: 28th Aug 2014

Venue: Regal Room,Lalit Hotel, Barakhamba Road, Delhi

To Register Free of Charge to meet one or more of these Korean Companies, please fill the below form and send it back to us at the earliest -

Name of Company:

Contact Person:

Address:

Telephone:

Mobile:

Email:

Website:

Company Business Line:

Annual Turnover / Sales Volume:

Number of Employees:

Time of Attending (anytime between 10 am – 5 pm):

Korean Company You Want to Meet (please choose from the list above):

Looking forward to receiving your registration.

See you at the Meet!

Best Regards

Shubhangi Gurav

Zenith Events

C1604, Synchronicity Building

Chandivali Mumbai 400072

India

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Categories : agreement, Business, culture

Highlights of the Indian Railway Budget 2014-15

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Union Railways Minister, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda interacting with media persons after presenting #RailBudget2014 pic.twitter.com/3a0hkNoeDK

 Expand

PHD Research Bureau

To sunitag@phdcci.in

Today at 2:25 PM

Dear All,

Highlights of the Railway Budget 2014-15

Focuses on Investments, Cleanliness and Safety

Railway Budget 2014-15 emphasizes on boosting investments, capacity utilization, cleanliness, safety and provision of better amenities for the passengers. It is a progressive budget which promises to launch network of high speed trains in the country. The Budget has given priority to raise surplus funds for the Railways through improving infrastructure by public private partnerships (PPPs), mobilizing foreign direct investment flows, allocating substantial outlay for safety and bringing transparency in execution of projects. Some remarkable initiatives have been introduced keeping different sections of society into consideration.

Achievements / Initiatives

Major landmark achievement in National Project of Kashmir –

·         XIth Five Year Plan Targets exceeded in New Lines (2,207 km) , Doubling (2,758 km) and Electrification (4,556 km), Production of Diesel  (1,288) & Electrical (1,218) Locos and Acquisition of Wagons (64,875)

·         Dedicated Freight Corridors on the Eastern and Western Routes – leading to strategically critical capacity augmentation.

·         Railways met from its own means the total additional impact of Rs one lakh crore due to implementation of 6^th Pay Commission

·         In 2013-14, 1532 km of New Lines, Doubling and Gauge Conversion commissioned.

·         Production commenced at the new factories – Rail Wheel Plant, Chhapra ; Rail Coach Factory, Rae Bareli ; and Diesel Component Factory, Dankuni.

Measures for improving Safety & Security

·         No unmanned Level Crossing. A total of 5,400 unmanned level crossings eleiminated – 2,310 by manning it and 3,090 by closure / merger / construction of ROBs or RUBs.

·         Improved audio – visual warning to road users in advance of approaching trains.

·         Induction of indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System

·         Development of ‘crashworthy’ coaches

Financial Health

• Rail infrastructure by cost sharing arrangement with State Governments; Karnataka, Jharkhand, Maharashtra , Andhra Pradesh and Haryana agreed to several projects
• Several Public Private Partnerships (PPP) projects are in the pipeline.
• FDI being enabled to foster creation of world-class rail infrastructure.
• Rail Land Development Authority raised Rs 937 crore so far.

Modernisation and Technology Induction

• High Speed Trains

                                I.      Joint feasibility study by India and Japan for Mumbai – Ahmedabad Corridor to be co-financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency

                              II.      Business Development Study by SNCF for Mumbai – Ahmedabad corridor.

• Semi- High Speed Projects

                          I.      Exploring low cost option of speeds 160- 200 kmph on select routes

Green Initiatives

·         Railway Energy Management Company becomes functional. Windmill and solar power plants to be set up with 40% subsidy from Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

·         200 Stations, rooftops of 26 buildings and 2,000 level crossing gates to be covered.

·         Railways bagged 22 out of 112 awards given by the Government.

·         ‘Green Curtains’ along the track close to major stations; Pilot work at Agra and Jaipur

·         Coverage of Bio-toilets in 2,500 coaches and would be increased progressively.

Passenger Friendly Initiatives

• Overwhelming public response to e-booking of ticket
• On-line tracking of exact location and running of train movements
• 51 Jan-Ahaar outlets for Janta Meals ; 48 passenger escalators commisionsed at stations and 61 more being installed ; air-conditioned EMU services in Mumbai from July 2014 ; information display system in important trains to indicate stations & arrival time.
• ‘Upgradation’ scheme extended to AC Chair Car and Executive Chair car passengers.

Revenue Freight Traffic

• Loading target of 1047 Million Tonnes for 2013-14 would be surpassed
• Empty Flow Discount Scheme to be implemented
• Carrying Capacity + 9 tonne + 1 tonne routes being planned
• Easing of some restrictions on movement of imported commodities through Containers
• Carrying capacity of 20 feet containers increased by 4 tonnes
• Parcel Terminals & Special Parcel Trains with scheduled timings.
• New policy on parcels to encourage transportation of milk.
• New concept of ‘hub and spoke’ for parcel business
• Third party warehousing in Special Parcel Terminals envisaged.

Budget Estimates 2014-15

• Loading target of 1,101 Million Tonnes
• Gross Traffic Receipts targeted at Rs 1,60,775 crore with Passenger Earnings (Rs 45,255 crore), Goods (Rs 1,05,770 crore), Other Coaching &  Sundry Earnings (Rs 9,700 crore)
• Ordinary Working  Expenses placed at Rs 1,10,649 crore, higher by Rs 13,589 crore
• Pension Outgo budgeted at Rs 27,000 crore against Rs 24,000 crore for 2013-14
• The entire Dividend of Rs 9,117 crore to General Exchquer will be paid
• Fund Balances likely to be Rs 12,728 crore.
• Operating Ratio budgeted at 89.8%

Annual Plan 2014-15

• Annual Plan envisaged at Rs 64,305 crore with a Budgetary Support of Rs 30,223 crore , Internal Resources of Rs 10,418 crore and Extra Budgetary Resources of Rs 19,805 crore
• New Surveys: 19 New Lines & 5 Doubling

New Services

New Trains

• 17 Premium trains
• 38 Express trains
• 10 Passenger trains
• 4 MEMU
• 3 DEMU

Extension and Increase in frequency

• 3 Extension of trains

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Categories : Business, Education, Finnance, Media, Politics, Science

FIFA WORLD CUP @The Italian Cultural Institue! Semifinals,

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FIFA WORLD CUP @The Italian Cultural Institue! Semifinals, Third Place Game and Final, 9-14 July 2014

Cultural Program

To Undisclosed Recipients

Jul 7 at 3:58 PM

FIFA WORLD CUP 2014

@

The Italian Cultural Institute!

Semi-Finals, Third Place Game & FINAL

9 – 14 July 2014

MATCH	DATE [IST]		TIME [IST]
Brazil vs Germany	Wednesday, 09-07-2014		01:30
Netherlands vs Argentina	Thursday,  10-07-2014		01:30
Third Place Play-Off	(SATURDAY NIGHT) SUNDAY, 13-07-2014		01:30
FINAL	(SUNDAY NIGHT) MONDAY, 14-07-2014		00:30

For more information, please visit our website www.iicnewdelhi.esteri.it/IIC_Newdelhi

Follow us on www.facebook.com/Istituto-Italiano-di-Cultura-New-Delhi

Regards,

Italian Embassy Cultural Centre
50-E, Chandragupta Marg
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110 021
Phone: 0091-11-26871901/03/04
Fax: 0091-11-26871902

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Categories : sports, world News

IR – Bullet Train Revenue, Gutter Grade Service

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Ravinder Singh

To Ajit Jhaamitabhth@yahoo.comAnand Ganesh and 353 More…

Today at 12:31 AM

IR – Bullet Train Revenue, Gutter Grade Service
July07, 2014

Just hours from Indian Railways budget presentation it important to
say that Indian Railways is worlds most Inefficient and worst in
service.

IR is operated by Incompetent and Corrupt Railway Board. It is
economical to replace Old and Heavy Coaches and Wagons with Lighter
New Coaches and Wagons. Fuel economy alone justify and pay for
replacements.

It is important to mention that Revenue earned by Rajdhani Express is
not less compared to Bullet Trains second class in revenue earning.

Bullet Train between Shanghai and Beijing carry around 300 passenger
at 50% capacity each paying around 500 Yuan or Rs.4000 in second class
or Rs.1.2m which is equivalent to First AC fare but average fare of
all classes is Rs.2500 and train is always over booked and carry 1000
passengers so earn Rs.2.5m Twice More revenue but is very slow, old in
comparison and extremely poor service.

Likewise Mumbai Suburban services carry over 4000 passengers making 10
Trips at Rs.5 per passenger too earn Rs.2 lakh per day or Rs.8 crore
annually and Rs.80 crores in 10 years. These are the Cheapest
Transport in the world.

Even Barauni express carry 5000 passengers average fare of Rs.500 per
passenger this too earn Rs.2,5m.

The difference is in People Serving Indian Railways – Staff Engaged by
China Railways is working all the time during working schedule whereas
IR is absent and work probably less than one hour in a day.

There is massive Loot and Corruption. Tracks that ought to be
inspected and serviced daily are neglected.

Some trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi and Superfast trains average
over 1000 km a day on average log 3.5m kilometers in 10 years but even
30-40 years old coached are repaired and serviced than replacing with
new lighter and efficient coaches.

In 40 years I have not seen any Officer on Platforms inspecting and
motivating staff except when Railway Minister arrived in Special VIP
Coach attached to a super fast train.

Perhaps there is only one VIP coach in entire IR Fleet.

But politicians make IR run unviable trains that largely run partially
loaded and on branch lines large number of passengers in trains travel
without tickets.

There is no or inadequate Inspection of freight & passenger trains and
there is huge leakage of revenue.

Ravinder Singh, National General Secretary.
Sabka Bharat Mission 2019
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi -110016
Ph: 9650421857, 9718280435
Sabkabharatmission2019@gmail.com

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Categories : Business, CSR, Energy, Environment, Finnance, Funds, Media, Politics, world News

Tanu Sharma in the FIR alleges that she was harassed and “mentally tortured”.

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Naresh Kumar Sagar, Here’s what’s trending on Twitter this week. Aam Aadmi Party @AamAadmiParty Tanu Sharma in the FIR alleges that she was harassed and “mentally tortured”. #Justice4Tanu caravanmagazine.in/vantage/india-… 05 Jul The murky case of India TV and its anchor Tanu Sharma On 22 June, the Noida police registered a First Information Report that went largely unreported by the mainstream media. The FIR charged Anita Sharma Bisht and MN Prasad, senior executives of the news 5 RELATED TWEETS

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Categories : Business

Talk on “Democracy and Expertise”

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 Dear Friends:

The Centre for Policy Research is delighted to invite you to a talk by 

Prof. Robert C. Post

 Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law at Yale Law School 

  On

Democracy and Expertise 

 Date: Wednesday, 9 July 2014

 Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

 Venue: Conference Room, Centre for Policy Research, DharamMarg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021

Brief Bio: Robert Post is Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law at Yale Law School. Before coming to Yale, he taught at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall). Dean Post’s subject areas are constitutional law, First Amendment, legal history, and equal protection. He has written and edited numerous books, including Democracy, Expertise, Academic Freedom: A First Amendment Jurisprudence for the Modern State (2012); For the Common Good: Principles of American Academic Freedom (with Matthew M. Finkin, 2009); Prejudicial Appearances: The Logic of American Antidiscrimination Law (with K. Anthony Appiah, Judith Butler, Thomas C. Grey, and Reva Siegel, 2001); and Cons titutional Domains: Democracy, Community, Management (1995). He publishes regularly in legal journals and other publications; recent articles and chapters include “Theorizing Disagreement: Reconceiving the Relationship Between Law and Politics” (California Law Review, 2010); “Constructing the European Polity: ERTA and the Open Skies Judgments” in The Past and Future of EU Law: The Classics of EU Law Revisited on the 50th Anniversary of the Rome Treaty (Miguel Poiares Maduro & Loïc Azuolai eds., 2010); “Roe Rage: Democratic Constitutionalism and Backlash” (with Reva Siegel, Harvard Civil-Rights Civil-Liberties Law Review, 2007); “Federalism, Positive Law, and the Emergence of the American Administrative State: Prohibition in the Taft Court Era” (William & Mary Law Review, 2006); “Foreword: Fashioning the Legal Constitution: Culture, Courts, and Law” (Harvard Law Review, 2003); and “Subsidized Speech” (Yale Law Journal, 1996). He is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Law Institute and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has an A.B. and Ph.D. in History of American Civilization from Harvard and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

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Categories : CSR, Education

Popular TV actor Vishal Kotiyaan launches Big Magic’s new mini-series, Chota Birbal

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~The actor who will be hosting the quiz series was present along with the other contestant kids~

BIG MAGIC, India’s comedy destination recently launched the mini-series, Chota Birbal in presence of TV actor, Vishal Kotiyaanand child artist Saloni Daini. Vishal Kotiyaan, who currently is seen as the witty minister, Birbal on BIG MAGIC’s popular show ‘HAR MUSHKIL KA HAL – AKBAR BIRBAL’ will be hosting this new quiz show for kids.  Child artist, Saloni Daini will be seen as one of contestants who will be competing with other kids to win the coveted title of ‘Chota Birbal’

The two week- long series has been conceptualized as an extension to the Historical Comedy ‘HAR MUSHKIL KA HAL – AKBAR BIRBAL’. The series begins with a small enactment of the almighty Akbar, who throws a challenge to his witty minister, Birbal to find a kid equivalent to his intelligence. Resulting out of the challenge, CHOTA BIRBAL is a special series that will not only tickle the funny bone of the audience but will also put kids’ logic to test.  All the contestants on the show will be below 9 years of age and in the finale week; only two contestants will contest each other to win the most respectful title of ‘CHOTA BIRBAL’.

Catch Chota Birbal every weeknight exclusively on Big Magic at 7:00 pm!

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Amit Shah is BJP President 

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Amit Shah, who delivered crucial Uttar Pradesh to BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, appointed party president on Wednesday.

Shah, a close aide of Modi, was appointed to the top post in BJP at a meeting of Parliamentary Board where incumbent Rajnath Singh resigned after a tenure of one-and-a-half years.The former Minister of State for Home in Gujarat and who faces charges in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case is largely credited for BJP’s stunning performance in UP where it got 71 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats.

The meeting was attended among others by Modi, senior leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, M Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari and Sushma Swaraj.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who had to table the pre-Budget Economic Survey in Lok Sabha, joined the press conference where the announcement was made by Singh before all these leaders.

“From now and now on, Amit Shah will be the president of the BJP and lead the party. His appointment was asp proved unanimously,” he said flanked by Modi and other leaders.

Shortly after the announcement, Modi and Singh offered sweets to Shah while other leaders including Advani, Joshi, Swaraj and Jaitley gave him bouquets.

As reporters started plying him questions, Shah replied “I will speak later” bringing the brief ceremony to a close.

MASTER STRATEGIST SHAH SCRIPTS HISTORY IN BJP

BJP’s key election strategist who crafted an unprecedented victory in Uttar Pradesh. Shah, 50, scripted history by becoming the youngest president of the party in which veterans have called the shots since its inception.

Considered an invaluable deputy to any neta, he has taken less than a year to catapult himself from a Gujarat BJP strongman to the party’s supremo on the national stage.

Most leaders in the BJP agree that Shah, who was associated with the RSS in his early days, has earned every bit of his success.

What worked eventually in favour of Shah was his extra-ordinary political performance in UP where as BJP’s general secretary in-charge he led the party to a dream run wresting 71 of the total 80 Lok Sabha seats in the politically crucial state.

Together with Apna Dal, a new ally which Shah got on board, the BJP won 73 seats in the state leaving a handful for the ruling SP and the Congress in the state.

Shah’s organizational skills came in handy for the BJP in bordering Bihar as well where the party forged alliances with the LJP and OBC strongman Upinder Kushwaha to score a staggering 22 alone and 31 out of 40 seats with allies and reducing the state’s incumbent JDU government to a virtual naught.

With his master act of scripting LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan’s return to the NDA fold after over a decade since Godhra riots, Shah managed a massive political makeover for his boss Modi, who had long been denounced by Paswan for the 2002 Gujarat riots.

That apart, Shah’s poaching of LJP and Kushwaha who had been eager to ally with the Congress, forced political realignments in Bihar with the JDU and Lalu Prasad’s RJD coming together to face the BJP’s new political challenge.

UP, Bihar and Gujarat put together, Shah’s stamp was visible in half of the total number of seats the BJP won in the 16th Lok Sabha elections, driving the party to its best ever performance under the Modi-Shah combine.

Political acumen apart, Shah’s controversial past has continued to haunt him until lately. Accused of fake encounters involving Sohrabuddin Sheikh, Tulsi Prajapati among others, Shah spent three months in the Sabarmati jail before he secured bail in 2010.

The bail cleared the hurdles in

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Categories : Media, Politics

    WEC India Energy News

9072014

WEC India members Energy News-9th July 2014

To WEC India Energy News – India GroupWEC India Energy News – NTPC Group

Today at 12:45 PM

WEC India Energy Portal One Stop Energy Resource Center WEC India Scenarios Power Coal Oil & Gas Renewables Nuclear Global Energy Mix comparison 2030 Global Energy Mix comparison of IEA, EIA, WEC Scenarios for 2030 has been added to Total Primary Energy Consumption (TPEC )  Section of Global Scenarios. Energy News Menu Aggregated Energy News Power Sector News Coal Sector News Oil & Gas Sector News Renewable Energy News Nuclear Sector News Environment News International Energy News Energy News Archive Tata Power & Reliance Power bet big on renewable energy, to spend Rs 1,500 cr each India’s largest power producers Tata Power & Reliance Power are betting big on renewable energy & will spend about Rs 1,500 cr each on clean energy projects this fiscal. Coal India offers to revoke termination of 126 employees CIL offered to revoke termination orders of 126 employees, who were sacked in May for indiscipline, provided they vacate land in lieu of which they were offered the jobs. SC tells CBI not to close coal scam cases Orders appointment of special prosecutor and judge for coal scam trial like 2G scam case Sreenivasan Jain: The ghosts of India’s power ‘crisis’ return The new regime seems determined to recycle the mythologies over the shortage of coal and power National Thermal Power Corporation to set up 300-MW solar park in Guntur NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury informed this to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during a meeting here today. Purchased power to meet state demand: MP energy minister In contrast to the tall claims made by state government that it produces sufficient power, the state energy minister Rajendra Shukla today admitted that state owned power management company purchased power to meet the demand in the state NTPC likely to start work on 4000 mw power plant in Telangana NTPC chief Arup Roy Choudhury called on Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and the duo discussed details of the plant. Power-starved UP eyeing private investment in solar energy Power-starved Uttar Pradesh is eyeing greater private investment in solar energy sector to tide over persistent electricity crisis in the state. Budget 2014: Introduce CER taxations to mitigate power crisis and address global warming, says KPMG The recent power crisis in India has been a subject matter of great concern in India as well as garnered global news reporting. Power plants running out of coal, imports to surge Coal India, the world’s largest coal miner, has failed to raise its output fast enough to meet demand, and millions of Indians still go without power. Power subsidy provision: It’s up to Centre now The Delhi budget will require the approval of both houses and it is up to the government to introduce measures like a power subsidy. Nearly half of India’s coal power plants have one week of stocks Power minister says 26 out of 100 coal-based plants have enough to meet requirements for less than four days Government asks power producers to increase import of coal “During the period April-May, 2014 power utilities have imported 7.6 MT against pro-rata target of 9.0 MT,” the minister added. Power producers meet AP CM The members of the delegation included Anil Ambani of Reliance Group, GV Krishna Reddy of the GVK group, L Madhusudhan Rao of Lanco group and GBS Raju of GMR group United Kingdom to share best practices on nuclear power safety with India Dispelling concerns over safety of nuclear power plants, a British minister today said that her country was ready to exchange best practices on the subject Narendra Modi’s power pledge set to lift coal imports to record high Overseas purchases are estimated to increase to about 145 million MT this year from 135 million tonnes in 2013 Standard Chartered PE to invest Rs500 crore in Sterlite Power Grid The proceeds will be used for equity contribution in existing as well as new power transmission projects, says company June coal imports highest in 2014 as prices fall: mjunction India’s import of coal and coke rose 12% to 18.5 million tonnes in June from a year earlier, says mjunction data Urban grime foils Narendra Modi’s solar power ambitions Plans of harnessing the sun by installing solar panels on telecom towers is being hampered by dust and urban sprawl

For more information Contact – WEC India Secretariat, C/o NTPC Limited, 7th Floor, Core-6, SCOPE Complex, New Delhi-110 003, India Email: info@wecindia.in, Phone: 011-2436 3719, Fax: 011-2436 9530, Website: http://www.wecindia.in

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Categories : Energy

News around the globe

9072014

​Russia accepts John Tefft as new US ambassador to Moscow

Russia has accepted veteran US diplomat John Tefft as Washington’s next ambassador to Moscow, presidential aid Yury Ushakov confirmed. He declined to comment on whether the Russian government was concerned with Tefft’s reputation of a hawk and allegations that he was the mastermind behind ‘color revolutions’ in Georgia and Ukraine, where he served as ambassador previously. Tefft is to replace Michael McFaul, who resigned in February.

​Jakarta Governor Jokowi leading Indonesia elections

Jakarta Governor Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo from Indonesian Democratic party is leading the country’s elections, according to an exit poll conducted by the Indonesian Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). After the polls closed at 1pm local time (06:00 GMT), Jokowi took the lead with 45.1 percent of votes. His main rival, former General Prabowo Subianto from the Great Indonesia Movement Party, had garnered 42.2 percent.

​Japan’s super typhoon heads to Russia’s Far East

A super typhoon Neoguri which has already struck Japan, killing at least two people and injuring dozens more, is heading to Russia’s Far-Eastern island of Sakhalin. The island borders on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. Sakhalin authorities say Typhoon Neoguri will bring heavy rains to the region. A high alert warning was declared on the Island.

Four dead after homes collapse in central NY state

A powerful storm – and possible tornado – in New York on Tuesday has reportedly knocked down several homes in the central part of the state, killing at least four people. According to the Los Angeles Times, the severe storm caused the collapse of several structures in Smithfield, located in New York’s Madison County, resulting in “immense” damage and forcing local authorities to dispatch a number of ambulances. The Smithfield Fire Department confirmed to the Times that four people died as a result of the weather-inflicted destruction.

North Korea launches possible Scud missiles

The reclusive and bristly nation of North Korea appears to have launched two projectiles off its eastern coast in a continuation of recent missile and artillery test launches, according to a South Korean defense official cited by AP. Analysts believe the large number of test-firings of missiles and rockets are partly in protest against Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent trip to South Korea, which was the first time a Chinese leader had ventured to Seoul prior to visiting Pyongyang. North Korea is also angry over US-South Korean military drills in the region. Regular short-range missile launches are interpreted by Washington and nearby countries as a warning by the DPRK not to interfere with its nuclear weapons program.

Al-Shabab militants attack Somali presidential palace

Armed Islamist al-Shabab militants attacked Somalia’s presidential palace in the country’s capital of Mogadishu and gained access to the building, an al-Shabab spokesman said. All the militants were killed, the government official reported, and the fighting is now over. The president of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was not in the residence at the time of the attack. The Al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab controlled Mogadishu till 2011, but they still regularly attack the city.

2 people dead in Washington State medical center shooting – police

Two people died in a shooting in a medical center in Spokane, Washington, local police said. Apparently, a man came into the institution, where his wife worked, killed her and subsequently shot himself, AP reported. Local media say the incident happened in the Deaconess Medical Center complex. There are no reports of other victims.

Marijuana shops open in Washington State

The first legal marijuana shops, where pot can be bought for recreational use without a doctor’s prescription, opened in Washington State on Tuesday. Currently, only 25 proprietors have a license to sell marijuana, Reuters reported. Washington became the second state after Colorado to give out retail marijuana licenses – the regulators have already accepted 334 applications.

15:35

Two British men arrested on attempted terrorism charges

Two British men, Mohammed Nahin Ahmed and Yusuf Zubair, are currently on trial for attempting to engage in acts of terrorism. The childhood friends set off to Syria to assist rebel forces last year, and subsequently spent eight months in the crisis-ridden state. Prior to their departure, they had been in contact with Islamic extremists based in the UK. The young men, both aged 22, were arrested by a UK counter-terrorism unit upon their return to Britain in January. Both admitted to a single count of preparing to engage in terrorism acts at London’s Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday.

25 recent Ebola deaths in West Africa – WHO

Fifty new cases of Ebola have been diagnosed and 25 people have died of the virus in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea since July 3, the World Health Organization reported on Tuesday. All the cases except two were registered outside Guinea, where there has been a reduction of the disease, the United Nations agency said. The epidemic broke out in Guinea in February, and since that time throughout the three countries there have been 844 cases recorded, with the death toll reaching 518.

3 injured during Spain’s San Fermin bull runs

Three people were injured in the second running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Spain on Tuesday. One of the injured, a 23-year-old man from England, is in a critical condition after sustaining severe chest trauma and rib fractures, the Navarra regional government reported. The other two injured men were from Japan and Spain. Another man was hurt on Monday. San Fermin, which attracts thousands of tourists, is an outdoor festival in Pamplona, whose main feature is the running of the bulls, which results in dozens of injuries every year.

​Japan outraged at Chinese map showing Hiroshima, Nagasaki nuked

Tokyo said it will make a stern protest to China after a regional newspaper Chongqing Youth News printed a map of the country showing mushroom clouds hovering over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which suffered from US nuclear bombings during World War II. The controversial picture, accompanied by the words “Japan wants a war again,” came with an article decrying Japan’s turn away from post-war pacifist policies to what the author characterized as warmongering. It was later removed from the paper’s website.

Iraq’s parliament reschedules next session to July 13

Iraq’s new parliament rescheduled its next session to July 13, the day after proclaiming a five-week delay. On Monday, parliament put off its next meeting because they had not reached an agreement on new government nominations – a decision that has drawn intense criticism. Parliamentary representative, Mahdi al-Hafidh, claimed the delay is a threat to the security of the country currently being torn apart by Sunni Islamist insurgency.

20 rockets fired into southern Israel, Hamas claims responsibility

At least 20 rockets have been fired on Israel according to the Israeli Defense Forces’ Twitter page. Four of them were intercepted and 16 of them landed on open ground near Be’er Sheva. Hamas has taken the responsibility for the attack, Al Arabiya reported. Hamas has vowed revenge on Israel after seven of its members were killed in an airstrike on Monday over a tunnel used by the armed group. Israel has also said it will escalate air strikes on Gaza, after experiencing daily rocket fire in the past few days.

Two cylinders seized by Syrian troops contained sarin – UN

Deadly chemical sarin was discovered in two cylinders reportedly seized by Syrian government troops in August 2013 in an area claimed to be controlled by armed opposition groups, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a letter to the UN Security Council published Monday, Reuters reported. The cylinders were declared “abandoned chemical weapons” by the government. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) monitoring the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile analyzed the contents of the cylinders on June 14 and “confirmed that these contained sarin,” Ban Ki-moon’s letter said. Syrian government pledged in September to destroy its entire chemical stockpile under a US-Russia brokered deal following a deadly sarin gas attack on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus on August 21, 2013.

Prominent Kuwaiti opposition figure freed on bail

Musallam al-Barrak, who had been detained for questioning after allegedly insulting Kuwait’s judiciary, was freed on bail of around $18,000 on Monday and his case was delayed until September, his lawyer said. The former lawmaker, who draws support from some of Kuwait’s powerful tribes, was sentenced to jail for insulting the ruling emir in 2013. He and other opposition politicians then said that changes earlier made to an election law in Kuwait were intended to prevent them from taking power. Barrak’s arrest and conviction triggered a series of street protests and he was later acquitted.

16:11

Israel denies killing six Hamas militants

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, a senior Israeli military officer, denied Monday that his forces had killed six Hamas militants in an air strike, claiming the men had died when explosives went off in a tunnel they had dug. Lieutenant Lerner also told reporters Israel was preparing for a possible escalation of hostilities along the Gaza frontier and had called up several hundred reservists, after experiencing daily rocket fire from Gaza militants in the past few days. Hamas has vowed revenge on Israel after seven of its members were killed in an airstrike on Monday morning over a tunnel used by the militant group. Hamas said “the enemy will pay a tremendous price” for the attack.

16:10

London 7/7 memorial defaced with graffiti hours before 9th memorial service

The Hyde Park monument to the victims of the 7/7 terror attack in London in 2005, which consists of 52 stainless steel columns, one for each of the 52 people killed, was defaced with slogans written in red and black. The columns were vandalized with messages that said “4 innocent Muslims,” “Blair Lied Thousands Died” and “J7 truth.” Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, vowed Monday that the city will “never give in” to terrorists. The memorial was defaced just hours before Monday’s ninth memorial service to the terrorist attacks, which was held at the monument in Hyde Park.

15:34

Afghanistan’s Ghani wins presidential election – preliminary results

Former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani has emerged as the winner of the second round of the Afghan presidential race, gaining 56.4 percent of the vote, the election commission chief said Monday. His rival, Abdullah Abdullah, picked up 43.4 percent, but according to local TV he is not accepting his loss. Ghani’s campaign said earlier in the day they were going to audit 7,100 polling stations to make sure the vote was clean. Both rounds of the vote to replace President Hamid Karzai have been plagued by accusations of fraud and other violations. The US has also been watching the process, as outgoing President Hamid Karzai refused to sign a military cooperation pact with Washington, leaving this decision to the country’s next leader.

Italian navy saves over 2,600 migrants in the Mediterranean

Italian rescue vessels and helicopters have saved more than 2,600 migrants from boats in the Mediterranean over the weekend, Reuters reports, citing the Italian navy. The search and rescue mission picked up predominantly male migrants, along with some minors and a pregnant woman in the Strait of Sicily. The number of migrants reaching Italy from Africa this year has surged to a record with calm weather in recent months encouraging more people, many fleeing war, forced conscription and poverty at home, to make the crossing. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, had counted 63,600 arrivals on July 4, before this weekend’s influx, surpassing the previous record of around 62,000 set in the whole of 2011.

3 suspects confess to killing of Palestinian teenager – official

Three suspects in the killing of a Palestinian teenager have confessed to the crime, an Israeli official said. He added that the three were re-enacting the killing of Mohammed Abu Khdeir for authorities on Monday. The confession comes the day after six Jewish male suspects were arrested in connection with Abu Khdeir’s death. The identities of the suspects have not been released.

Passengers evacuated from Channel Tunnel as train failure results in long delays

Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France on Monday after a train failure. The train got stuck at about 0630 GMT due to a problem with the overhead power line, a spokesman for operator Eurotunnel said. Customers were transferred through the service tunnel and onto an empty train. The failure in the 50 kilometer (30 mile) tunnel resulted in long delays on the crossing between Britain and France, with several Eurostar train services canceled.

Hamas pledges revenge on Israel after 7 members die in airstrike

Hamas has vowed revenge on Israel after seven of its members were killed in an airstrike on Monday morning over a tunnel used by the militant group. Hamas said “the enemy will pay a tremendous price” for the attack. Two militants from a different group, who had been firing rockets at southern Israeli communities, were also killed in a separate airstrike. The Israeli military has said it carried out airstrikes on at least “14 terror sites” in Gaza overnight in retaliation for a recent increase in rocket attacks from Gaza. About a dozen rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza last night injuring a soldier and another 25 during the day on Sunday.

Afghanistan presidential hopefuls fail to agree on election outcome

Rival Afghan presidential candidates Abdullah Abdullah, a former anti-Taliban fighter, and Ashraf Ghani, an ex-World Bank official, held a meeting on Monday, but failed to resolve differences over the outcome of the election, Reuters reports. The announcement of preliminary results of the election’s second round has once again been postponed. Abdullah and Ghani could reportedly be discussing additional checks at polling stations that would establish if the vote was fair. Both rounds of the presidential election were marked by accusations of mass fraud.

Greenpeace anti-fracking protesters block access to Chevron shale gas exploration

Greenpeace activists have chained themselves to the gates of a Chevron shale gas exploration well in eastern Romania to protest fracking there. Activists from Romania, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Germany came to the Pungesti site, wearing bright yellow jackets and holding banners reading“Pungesti-anti-Chevron quarantine area” and “Stop fracking.” US energy major Chevron began work on the exploration well in the village of Pungesti in eastern Romania in December. Exploration start was postponed several times because of protests.

Moscow concerned about Kiev troops shelling civilian territories

Moscow is concerned with reports of eastern Ukrainian towns abandoned by self-defense forces, including Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, still being shelled by Ukrainian troops, according to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry’s commissioner for human rights, Konstantin Dolgov. He described the shelling as a way for the Ukrainian government “to exert pressure” on those who are “dissatisfied, and do not want to reconcile themselves with the plans the authorities in Kiev are imposing on them.” Dolgov has called for an immediate termination of the military operation by Kiev.

​ Afghan rocket attack kills at least 5 children

A grenade attack in northern Afghanistan has left at leave five children dead and a further six injured, officials have said. Taliban militants reportedly launched the grenade that struck a house in the Kunduz province. The six injured were all from the same family and included the parents of the deceased

​Vietnam helicopter crash kills 16

A Russian-made, Vietnamese military helicopter has crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 16 people and injuring five, officials told AP. The helicopter was on a parachute mission and crashed close to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. Doctors said the injured are now being treated for burns in a Hanoi hospital.

​Israeli fighter jets strike targets in Gaza

The Israeli Air Force has launched a series of airstrikes on Palestinian territory in response to Hamas firing 25 rockets at southern Israel on Sunday. Altogether nine targets in Gaza sustained direct hits as a result. Hamas has acknowledged seven of its fighters were killed and four wounded, thus making it the worst day in casualties for the armed wing of the organization since its cross-border war with the Israeli Defense Forces in 2012.

​US spying allegations are serious – Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said allegations of a German working as a double agent for the US intelligence are “serious” and if proven correct contradict the spirit of bilateral cooperation, Reuters reports. The German government demanded an explanation from Washington over the US’ apparent contact with a German man arrested last week, the interior minister said. Washington has yet to comment on the arrest of a 31-year-old employee of Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency.

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Categories : Business, Education, Politics, Trade, world News

Kanpur Central will not look like this–or would it?

9072014

Samarth Pathak

 

Indian Rail Budget 2014:
So hopefully, the platform at Kanpur Central will not look like this–or would it? 

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Categories : CSR, culture

Economic Survey envisaged rational expectations

9072014

Economic Survey envisaged rational expectations

India’s GDP to grow between 5.4% -5.9% in FY2015

Economic Survey of India 2013-14 focuses on reforms for long term-growth prospects on three frontsnamely low and stable inflation regime, tax and expenditure reform and regulatory framework. Further survey suggests removal of restriction on farmers to buy, sell and store their produce to customers across the country and the world. Rationalisation of subsidies on inputs such as fertilizer and food is essential and the Government needs to eventually move towards income support for farmers and poor households.

Highlights of Economic Survey 2013-14

STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND PROSPECTS

• Economy to grow in the range of 5.4 – 5.9 per cent in 2014-15 overcoming sub-5 percent growth.
• Growth slowdown was broad based, affecting in particular the industry sector.
• Aided by favourable monsoons, agricultural and allied sector registered a growth of 4.7 per cent in 2013-14.
• Industry and Service sectors also witnessed slowdown.

PUBLIC FINANCE

• The fiscal policy for 2013-14 was calibrated with two-fold objectives; first, to aid growth revival; and second, to reach the FD level targeted for 2013-14.
• The Budget for 2013-14 followed the policy of revenue augmentation and expenditure rationalization to contain government spending within sustainable limits.
• The fiscal outcome of the central government in 2013-14 was achieved despite the macroeconomic challenges of growth slowdown, elevated levels of global crude oil prices, and slow growth of investment.

PRICES AND MONETARY MANAGEMENT

• High inflation, particularly food inflation, was the result of structural as well as seasonal factors.
• IMF projects most global commodity prices are expected to remain flat during 2014-15.
• The RBI with a view to restoring stability to the foreign exchange market, hiked short term interest rate in July and compressed domestic money market liquidity.

FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION

• RBI has indentified five sectors — infrastructure, iron and steel, textiles, aviation and mining as the stressed sectors.
• Public sector banks (PSBs) have high exposures to the ‘industry’ sector in general and to such ‘stressed’ sectors in particular.
• The New Pension System (NPS), now National Pension System, introduced for the new recruits who join government service on or after January 2004, represents a major reform of Indian pension arrangements.
• The next wave of infrastructure financing will require a capable bond market.

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

• The India ’s balance-of-payments position improved dramatically in 2013-14 with current account deficit at US $ 32.4 billion as against US$ 88.2 billion in 2012-13.
• India’s foreign exchange reserves increased from US$ 292.0 billion at end March 2013 to US$ 304.2 billion at end march 2014.
• India’s external debt has remained within manageable limits due to the external debt management policy with prudential restrictions on debt varieties of capital inflows.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

World trade

• World trade volume which decelerated to 2.8 per cent in 2012 has shown signs of recovery in 2013, albeit slow with a 3.0 per cent growth.
• The sharp fall in imports and moderate export growth in 2013-14 resulted in a sharp fall in India ‘s trade deficit by 27.8 per cent.
• In April-May 2014, trade deficit declined by 42.4 per cent.

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MANAGEMENT

• Record food grains and oilseeds production of 264.4 million tonnes (mt) and 32.4 mt is estimated in 2013-14.
• Horticulture production estimated at 265 mt in 2012-13 has exceeded the production of foodgrains and oilseeds for the first time.
• Due to higher procurement, stocks of foodgrains in the Central Pool have increased to 69.84 million tonnes as on June 1, 2014.
• The net availability of foodgrains increased to 229.1 million tonnes and that of edible oils to 12.7 kg per year in 2013.

INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE

The latest gross domestic product (GDP) estimates show that industry grew by just 1.0 per cent in 2012-13 and slowed further in 2013-14, posting a modest increase of 0.4 per cent.

SERVICES SECTOR

• India ranked 12th in terms of services GDP in 2012 among the world’s top 15 countries in terms of GDP (at current prices).
• India has the second fastest growing services sector with its CAGR at 9.0 per cent, just below China ’s 10.9 per cent, during 2001 to 2012.
• In 2013-14, FDI inflows to the services sector (top five sectors including construction) declined sharply by 37.6 per cent to US$ 6.4 billion compared to an overall growth in FDI inflows at 6.1 per cent resulting in the share of the top five services in total FDI falling to nearly one-sixth.

ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS

• Major sector-wise performance of core industries and infrastructure services during 2013-14 shows a mixed trend. While the growth in production of power and fertilizers was comparatively higher than in 2012-13, coal, steel, cement, and refinery production posted comparatively lower growth. Crude oil and natural gas production declined during 2013-14.
• The performance of the coal sector in the first two years of the Twelfth Plan has been subdued with domestic production at 556 MT in 2012-13 and 566 MT in 2013-14.
• A total length of 21,787 km of national highways has been completed till March 2014 under various phases of the NHDP. In spite of several constraints due to the economic downturn, the NHAI constructed 2844 km length in 2012-13, its highest ever annual achievement. During 2013-14 a total of 1901 km of road construction was completed.
• From the infrastructure development perspective, while important issues like delays in regulatory approvals, problems in land acquisition & rehabilitation, environmental clearances, etc. need immediate attention, time overruns in the implementation of projects continue to be one of the main reasons for underachievement in many of the infrastructure sectors.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• Human- induced Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are growing and are chiefly responsible for climate change.
• The world is not on track for limiting increase in global average temperature to below 2◦C, above pre-industrial levels. GHG emissions grew on average 2.2 per cent per year between 2000 and 2010, compared to 1.3 per cent per year between 1970 and 2000.
• There is immense pressure on governments to act through two new agreements on climate change and sustainable development, both of which will be global frameworks for action to be finalized next year.
• The cumulative costs of India ’s low carbon strategies have been estimated at around USD 834 billion at 2011 prices, between 2010 and 2030.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

India’s Human Development Rank and performance

• According to HDR 2013, India has slipped down in HDI with its overall global ranking at 136 (out of the 186 countries) as against 134 (out of 187 countries) as per HDR 2012. It is still in the medium human development category.
• The poverty ratio (based on the MPCE of Rs.816 for rural areas and Rs.1000 for urban areas in 2011-12 at all India level), has declined from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05 to 21.9 per cent in 2011-12.
• In absolute terms, the number of poor declined from 407.1 million in 2004-05 to 269.3 million in 2011-12 with an average annual decline of 2.2 percentage points during 2004-05 to 2011-12.
• During 2004-05 to 2011-12, employment growth [CAGR] was only 0.5 per cent, compared to 2.8 per cent during 1999-2000 to 2004-05 as per usual status.

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Categories : Business, Finnance, Funds, Politics

Sam Pitroda, is on World Wide Web Foundation Board of Directors

9072014

Jul 7, 2014 at 10:01 am • Gabe Trodd

Today, we are pleased to announce that the World Wide Web Foundation has elected two world-leading innovators to serve on its Board of Directors. Sam Pitroda, an internationally respected development thinker, policy maker, telecom inventor and entrepreneur, and Alex Johnston, a leading communications expert, will join other board directors in shaping the strategic direction of the World Wide Web Foundation as it seeks to achieve its mission: establishing the open Web as a global public good and a basic right.

Established by the inventor of the Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the World Wide Web Foundation pursues its mission based upon three key pillars: affordable access to the Web, online rights and participation. In each of these areas, the Foundation combines robust original research with powerful advocacy and coalition building initiatives to deliver sustainable change. Pitroda and Johnston join a diverse international board, which works under the Chairmanship of Rick Haythornthwaite, and includes prominent individuals from the technology, philanthropy, academic and business sectors. All members of the Web Foundation’s Board of Directors serve on a pro bono basis and do not accept remuneration for their services.

Welcoming the election of the two new board members, Anne Jellema, Chief Executive Officer of the World Wide Web Foundation said:

‘We are delighted that Sam and Alex have been elected to join our Board of Directors.Their broad international experience and deep sector expertise will prove invaluable as we pursue our mission of building an open, free and universal Web to enhance the human rights of all.”

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Categories : CSR, culture, Education

State Government of Chhattisgarh must act to protect constitutional rights

9072014

The State Government of Chhattisgarh must act to protect constitutional rights
The Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India has conveyed to the Union government and the Government of the State of Chhattisgarh its deep apprehension that the decisions of a number of village Panchayats in the Bastar region banning the entry of Christian workers could lead to the large scale persecution of the minority community by aggressive groups.

The government must reverse the decisions of these Panchayats immediately to restore the confidence of the Christian community in Chhattisgarh, which is under considerable stress in recent days. There seems to be well thought out pattern and sinister design behind these actions.

Mr. Suresh Yadav, Bastar district president of the VHP, has said over 50 Gram Panchayats in Bastar have passed orders under Section 129 (G) of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Act banning all “non-Hindu religious propaganda, prayers and speeches in the villages.” Some of these include the Sirisguda Gram Sabha, Belar in Lohandiguda and others. The District Collector has admitted that such orders have been passed by three Gram Panchayats. In addition to this, there seems to be a social boycott of Christian villagers, some of whom have also been denied basic amenities including rations.

Such actions are entirely ultra vires of the Constitution of India. They militate against guarantees to all citizens of Freedom of Faith, Freedom of Express and free movement, which are basic human rights. They discriminate against religious minorities, and specially the Christian community.

The delayed action of the district authorities, and the fact that the State government has not acted so far, encourage hostile political elements and their supporters into taking the law into their own hands. The Christian community finds itself extremely vulnerable in these circumstances. There are also accusations that vested commercial interests are encouraging such divisive action by the village Panchayats.

We appeal to the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, and the Chief Minister, Dr. Raman Singh, to take urgent action to reverse these motivated decisions of the village Panchayats, and to order the district authorities to ensure their safety and security of the Christian community, their properties and their places of worship. The government must also ensure the local Christians are given their requirements of essential commodities.

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell,
General Secretary,
Evangelical Fellowship of India,
New Delhi, India

Evangelical Fellowship of India (established 1951) is a charter member of World Evangelical Alliance, an accredited NGO with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

Rev. Vijayesh Lal
National Director
Religious Liberty Commission
Evangelical Fellowship of India
805/92, Deepali Building,
Nehru Place, New Delhi – 110019
email: vijayesh@efirlc.org

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Eubiq Singapore with its convergence innovation

Posted on July 9, 2014 by sagarmedia

EUBIQ SINGAPORE WITH ITS CONVERGENCE INNOVATION

BY SAGARMEDIA

PRESS RELEASE

Press release

Eubiq Singapore with its convergence innovation in the field of fifth generation cable management to drive the telecom features in its holistic efficiency . We have started our operation in India. Eubiq India Pvt Ltd has pan India presence. We are the first of its kind in electrical power management system. 

We are product based out of Singapore www.eubiq.com, We Have a strong presence in the retail industry in Dubai, Singapore and Some Parts of Europe.

Eubiq Singapore is the inventor and manufacturer of GSS System – The World’s Most Flexible Power Outlet System. Now open our own Marketing operation in India.

The Eubiq System, the world’s first-of-its kind electrical power outlet system, that is practical, green, safe and simply beautiful well suited for residential use including kitchens, living rooms, study rooms, AV rooms, masters rooms.

The system is easy to install, easy to use and most importantly safe as all live parts are securely hidden.

GSS viz Ground Sentry Shutter is a patented safety features found in all Power Tracks and Wall Sockets. With prior wiring, GSS effectively grounds all conductive objects in contacts with it. The system is therefore child-safe, virtually impossible for any hazardous shock. Embrace the freedom of Eubiq – because electrical power in now anywhere you want it to be with ultra safe, unique modular concept, architecturally versatile, sleek design, quick and easy installation, universal system, cost-saving, 40Amp High Current Carrying Capacity plus freedom of movement.

Clients for references are -:

Hotels-:  Ramada Gurgoan,  ITC Maurya Sheraton Delhi, Hilton Delhi, Westin Pune, Duet Pune, Oberoi Hilton Mumbai, Spa, Margaon Goa, Base Hospital Delhi, City Hospital Delhi, Sir Ganga Ram, Dr R M L Hospital,Tata Memorial Hospital,

Other listed are -: L&T Corporate Office Chennai, Siemens Ltd, Chennai, Gurgaon, Cipla India Mumbai & Pune, Nestle Goa and Gurgoan, Crompton Greaves Goa and Glaxo Smithkline Pharmaceuticals Ltd. etc

GSS System is the infrastructure platform of the future – all your Power, Data and Communication (Audio, Video and Telephone) needs can be neatly integrated onto a single track.

 GSS System is a worldwide patented Flexible power outlet system which enables truly flexible access to power “when and where it is needed”. GSS provides the ability to safely and easily add, remove or reposition power points where and when required. Fixed Power points, Power boards and Multi-point Adaptors will be a thing of the past.

GSS is CE marked and confirms many international standards. Along with completely flexible access to power, Eubiq provides other features such as safety, superior aesthetics, 100% modularity, long term cost savings, child-proof design, energy saving/ emission reduction and provides complete freedom in room layout.

With all the above advantages Eubiq is ideal for use in both Industrial and commercial environments such as Work-stations, cabins, utility room, pantry, conference rooms in offices for public places such as conference halls, media halls, restaurants, hospitals.

Eubiq also has potential to provide any customized solution based on your needs: If you need 6/16 AMP single phase power , as well as channels for data cable & other multimedia cables. Then, Eubiq can integrate its GSS system base power track with a wide range of Aluminum housings which can be used as both recessed (tables & walls) and surface application.

Below are some videos which would assist you in understanding our product range & Technology.

We are interested to sell / market our product  any enquiry on this subject are solicited.

Eubiq India P Ltd,

Shop no 1 Basement  Sheetla Lane

Sheetla lane,Sector 17-18 Dividing Road,

Gurgoan-12201, Haryana

 With Regards,

Director

Eubiq India P Ltd 

 Office phone : 01244233816

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July 10, 2014, 5:40 am

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Goalie Romero takes Argentina to World Cup final Updated on : 10-07-2014 01:29 PM Goalkeeper Sergio Romero pulled off two stunning saves as Argentina edged out the Netherlands 4-2 in the penalty shootout in a grinding semifinal match to set up a World Cup summit clash against Germany in Sao Paulo on Thursday. The second semifinal between the two heavyweight teams ended scoreless in the regulation 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time and its result had to be decided via penalty shootout. Captain Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez scored for Argentina while only Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt could found the target for the Netherlands. Romero turned out to be the hero for Argentina as he blocked shots from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder to take his side to the fifth World Cup final. Two-time champions Argentina now take on three-time winners Germany in the summit clash at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. This will be Argentina's first World Cup final entry in 24 years after 1990 when they lost to Germany in the final under Diego Maradona. In stark contrast to the goals galore in Germany's 7-1 humiliation of Brazil in the first semifinal on Friday, today's match was more of a battle of attrition with very few goal-scoring chances with both sides trying to break down their opponents gradually. The clash between the two heavyweights was though not without some tense and gripping spells with some fine build-ups but none of the two sides either blinked or committed mistakes to give the other team a chance. The Dutch were able to keep Argentine captain Messi quiet for most part of the match with Ron Vlaar doing a great job by denying the four-time World Player of the Year free space, stopping him with fine tackles on a couple of occasions. Messi's opposite number in the Dutch team, Robin van Persie, who made it to the starting line-up after recovering from a stomach problem just in time for the match, had a forgettable outing though he played the full 90 minutes before being substituted six minutes into the extra time. Rodrigo Palacio had a glorious chance to score for Argentina five minutes before the end of extra time but he headed into the hands of Dutch goalie Jasper Cillessen who was at his mercy. The first half was a cagey and tense affair with both sides unable to create clear chances, the closest either team came to breaking the deadlock was Messi's free kick in the 20th minute that Cillessen dived to his right to comfortably save. Argentina came close to scoring in the 75th minute when an Enzo Perez delicious through ball was toe-poked towards the goal by Gonzalo Higuain only to hit the side nettings. The Netherlands pressed hard and laid sieze of Argentina citadel towards the close of regulation time and Arjen Robben was sent clean through inside Argentine penalty area by Wesley Sneijder in the 90th minute but Javier Mascherano made a remarkable recovery to deflect the Dutch winger's shot.

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July 12, 2014, 3:42 am

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AirAsia and AirAsia X introduce 139 new Fly-Thru routes!

11072014

>AirAsia and AirAsia X introduce 139 new Fly-Thru routes! (with BM & Mandarin translation)

Nazatul Ekma Bin Mokhtar

To

Today at 2:18 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AirAsia and AirAsia X introduce 139 new Fly-Thru routes! Guests may enjoy multiple-city flights on Fly-Thru routes without transit visas and the added convenience of a single check-in service   SEPANG, 11 July 2014 – AirAsia and AirAsia X introduce 139 brand new Fly-Thru routes, making flying on multiple-city flights a seamless travel experience without the hassle of numerous check-ins, transit visas or multiple baggage transfers.    Effective immediately, AirAsia / AirAsia X Fly-Thru guests will receive an onward flight boarding pass from the first point of embarkation and will be allowed to bypass immigration clearance at the airline’s Fly-Thru hubs—Kuala Lumpur (klia2) or Bangkok-Don Mueang (DMK)—with all check-in baggage tagged for automatic transfer to the consecutive flight, all the way to the final destination. With these brand new routes, AirAsia guests could enjoy more than 700 Fly-Thru routes, via the airline’s Fly-Thru hubs in Kuala Lumpur (klia2) and Bangkok-Don Mueang (DMK), with the initial and consecutive flights’ connecting time of between 90 minutes to six hours. Among popular AirAsia and AirAsia X Fly-Thru routes includes Phuket – Melbourne, Phuket – Sydney, Melbourne – Ho Chi Minh City,Bangkok-Don Mueang – Melbourne, Bangkok-Don Mueang – Osaka-Kansai, Jakarta – Tokyo-Haneda, Adelaide – Phuket and many more. In Malaysia, Fly-Thru routes include Penang – Taipei, Kota Kinabalu – Beijing, Kuching – Melbourne, Langkawi – Melbourne and others. For a complete list of routes where Fly Thru is available, visit AirAsia’s website at www.airasia.com.

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Categories : Business

Events as happens

11072014

Kerry meets with presidential candidates in Afghanistan

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Afghanistan for meetings with the country’s two presidential candidates, Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani, as well as current Afghan President, Hamid Karzai. The country’s election results remain in dispute following a second round of voting on June 14, when the Independent Election Commission declared Ghani the winner with 56.44 percent based on preliminary results. A final tally is due on July 22, while Abdullah — who carried the first round of voting — rejected the runoff results as a “coup” against the Afghan people, reports Reuters.

De Mistura replaces Brahimi as UN’s Syria envoy

UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon has confirmed the rumored appointment of 67-year-old Arab-speaking Italian diplomat Staffan de Mistura as Syria envoy in place of Lakhdar Brahimi, who failed to preside over a significant rapprochement between the warring sides in the conflict during his two-year stint. Unlike his predecessor, De Mistura will only answer to the UN, not the Arab League. The diplomat’s previous destinations as UN envoy included Afghanistan and Iraq.

​UN evacuates dozens of employees from Libya

The United Nations has evacuated more than half of its foreign staff from Libya to Italy over worsening security in the North African country, a UN spokesman said on Thursday. “They will return if the security situation improves,” said Samir Ghattas, spokesman for the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), but he didn’t say how many employees had left the country. The current crisis started in Libya with “the people’s revolution,” which resulted in the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

​Greek far-right Golden Dawn spokesman jailed pending trial

Greek far-right Golden Dawn lawmaker and party spokesman, charged with gun possession, was jailed on Thursday pending trial. Ilias Kasidiaris is the ninth of the party’s 17 lawmakers to be held in captivity while awaiting trial. Criminal investigation into the party and its leaders’ activities was triggered by the killing of a popular anti-racism rapper, Pavlos Fyssas, in September 2013.

12:07

3 Israelis confess to Arab teen killing – police

Three of the six people arrested on Sunday in connection with the murder of East Jerusalem teen Muhammed Abu Khdeir have been deemed not guilty and released to house arrest, Times of Israel website reports. The three remaining suspects were almost certainly behind the fatal assault on the Arab teen, police asserted. An adult from the West Bank settlement of Adam and two minors from Jerusalem have already confessed to the crime, they added. Investigators believe the murder was carried out in revenge for the killing of three Israeli teenagers in June.

11:52

​Drone kills six in NW Pakistan, army now controls most of key city

A US drone killed six suspected militants and injured two in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, security officials said. The Pakistani military said it had “cleared” 80 percent of the regional capital, Miranshah, and its adjoining areas from the Taliban. An air campaign in the remote region of North Waziristan, aimed at driving Taliban militants out, started on June 15, and since then 400 militants have been killed and 130 injured.

​Turkey PM calls on Islamic militants to release diplomats

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on ISIS to release 49 people, who were seized from the Turkish consulate in Mosul, before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Erdogan appealed to Islamic militants late on Wednesday, during a Ramadan fast-breaking dinner. Diplomats, children and special forces police were seized from the consulate on June 11, when the group took the country’s second-largest city, Mosul, in northern Iraq.

​China, US to push ahead with military, counter-terrorism ties

US and China have agreed to cooperate on military-to-military and counter-terrorism relations, China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi said on Thursday. This statement was made at the end of annual high-level talks -‘Strategic and Economic Dialogue’ - between the two countries. The Chinese State Councilor added that there must not be any strategic misjudgments between the partners, as they are establishing a new-model relationship.

01:55

3 dead as Typhoon Neoguri makes landfall on Japan’s Kyushu island

Three people died as Typhoon Neoguri hit Japan’s southwestern Kyushu island early on Thursday, bringing with it heavy rains and raging winds, Japan Today reported. “It landed near Akune City shortly before 7 a.m.,” a Japan Meteorological Agency official said. The typhoon is expected to move through Kyushu and then continue along the Japanese archipelago. The typhoon came from Okinawa, where it injured dozens of people.

Train carrying 1,300 migrants to US derails in Mexico

A train carrying 1,300 migrants towards the United States has derailed in Oaxaca, Mexico, leaving everyone stranded in what could be a storm-related accident. According to Reuters, local officials stated that there have been zero injuries. The nationalities and ages of those onboard is unclear at this point, but there has been a surge of unaccompanied minors making their way towards the US over the last nine months, leaving American officials debating their next move on border control.

Police in standoff with gunman who killed 6 near Houston

At least six people died during a shooting in a Houston, Texas suburb on Wednesday afternoon. The suspected gunman remains in a standoff with law enforcement, KPRC reported. The suspect shot and injured several people – a child and an adult – before fleeing the scene. The shooter is a relative of the seven victims, Harris County deputy constables said. Police believe he was going to another residence to possibly attack more family members when he was spotted, and then led them on a slow-speed chase before driving into a cul-de-sac about three miles from the scene of the shooting, according to the Houston Chronicle. The suspect is currently sitting in a grey Honda sedan, surrounded by deputies with their guns drawn. There are at least a dozen patrol cars around him as well. Authorities are now working to evacuate homes around the cul-de-sac, KTRK reported.

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Categories : Business, world News

TRAI amendment bill introduced in Lok Sabha

11072014

Updated on : 11-07-2014 01:42 PM

Telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday introduced Trai amendment bill to appoint its former chief Nripendra Misra as Prime Minister Narendra’s Modi’s principal secretary in Lok Sabha amid chaos in the House.

Misra was appointed as the principal secretary in May after the government promulgated an ordinance to amend a law that could have prevented him from getting the key post. “We are pushing this bill based only on merit,” Prasad told the House while tabling the bill. The Bharatiya Janata Party had issued a whip to its MPs to be present in the House for discussion on the bill. The TRAI Act prohibits its chairman and members from taking up any other job in the central or state governments after demitting office. “The chairperson or any other member ceasing to hold office as such, shall — (a) be ineligible for further employment under the Central government or any state government or (b) not accept any commercial employment, for a period of two years from the date he ceases to hold such office,” says the TRAI Act of 1997 available on the law ministry’s website. To circumvent this section which would have barred Misra from taking up the assignment of principal secretary to PM, the Modi government had promulgated an ordinance amending it. The ordinance amended this section to read as: “The chairperson and the whole-time members shall not, for a period of two years from the date on which they cease to hold office as such, except with the previous approval of the Central government, accept — “(a) any employment either under the Central government or under any state government; or “(b) any appointment in any company in the business of telecommunication service.” Under Misra’s chairmanship, TRAI had recommended in August 2007 that spectrum should be auctioned. After the 2G spectrum scam broke out, Misra had deposed as a prosecution witness before a Delhi court hearing a matter in which former telecom minister A Raja was an accused. Misra will succeed Pulok Chatterjee, who served in Manmohan Singh’s PMO. The principal secretary to the PM is a key post and acts as main link for coordination among Prime Minister’s Office, cabinet secretariat and secretaries of ministries. Misra is a post-graduate in political science and public administration and belongs to Uttar Pradesh. He has served in several key posts in central government ministries during his tenure. Edit : Edit Comments : Leave a comment Categories : CSR, Law, Legal, Media ANANTH KUMAR, On GENERAL BUDGET 2014-15 11072014 GENERAL BUDGET 2014-15 from the office of : SHRI ANANTH KUMAR, UNION MINISTER FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS. Shri Ananth Kumar congratulated Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, for presently a growth oriented and people friendly budget today. He said that the Hon’ble Finance Minister has presented a revival budget which will restore confidence in Asia’s third-largest economy. The Maiden Budget of Shri Narendra Modi’s Government presented by the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely today, is Growth Oriented, Pro-Poor and Middle Class, giving fillip to Infrastructure and Agricultural Growth, Investment Friendly while addressing the stagnation in a large number of critical development areas such as Education, Health, Upliftment of SCs & STs, Women’s safety, Gender issues and Care of Children and is with special focus on the Agricultural Sector and Rural Economy. It removes the cobwebs that had gathered around economic decision-making and shows that Shri Narendra Modi Government means business and is willing to walk the talk. The previous UPA Government had left the economy in shambles – this Budget is the beginning of an action plan to make the Indian Economy one of the most vibrant in the world. The proposals to contain the fiscal deficit and the CAD to manageable levels, creation of an Expenditure Management Commission, Better Targeting of Subsidies to the poor and the socially and economically backward, curbing the growth of Black Money in the economy, are steps indicating the seriousness and capability of this Government to put things back on track. The increase in FDI limits in the Defence & Insurance Sectors will save much needed foreign exchange. As Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers I am happy about the proposed New Urea Policy, increase in Fertilizer Subsidy and the move to correct the current imbalance of the use of fertilizer mix which will greatly benefit the farmers and soil health. The composite measures of making Crucial Medicines more affordable will provide succor to the poor. The long-pending increase in Income Tax slabs and the reliefs given to the salaried class to promote savings and investments are greatly welcomed. I personally thank the Hon’ble Finance Minister for the same. The new concept of developing smart cities is a welcome step which will cope up with speed of migration which are taking place from the rural areas to the city. Besides meeting the pressure on the existing cities, this concept will give birth to new cities which will facilitate in the growth of the economy of the country and generate employment opportunities. Our country has an ancient artistic and cultural history with substantial manpower. Skill Development is one of the important aspect to generate employment and provide sustainability to budding artists. The Skill India programme announced in the budget will be a good platform which will provide training and support for traditional professions. Karnataka and Bangalore have got a prominent share in this Budget by the allocation of the Bangalore-Chennai and Bangalore-Mumbai Industrial Corridors. Not only will these give a boost to the investment and employment opportunities but the proposal to set up Smart Cities, creation of Expressways will compliment this in terms of requires infrastructure.

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July 12, 2014, 3:49 am

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Launch of HTC Desire 616, HTC One E8 Dual Sim

12072014

HTC Desire 616 Dual SIM  Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS,  5-inch display with HD resolutions (1280 x 720 pixel), a 1.4 GHz Octa-Core MediaTek MT6592 processor, 1 GB RAM, 4GB inbuilt storage  expandable secondary storage facility, 8MP auto focus rear and 2MP front camera for video calling.  HTC Desire 616 Dual SIM include 3G HSPA+, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, a-GPS and is packed with 2000 mAh battery on the back.
HTC One E8 Dual Sim a 5-inch Full HD display (1920 x 1080) with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection and includes features like 2GB of RAM with 2.5 GHz Quad-Core processor,  4GB onboard expandable up to 128GB , 13MP rear camera with 1080p HD recording, 5MP front facing camera and a 2600 mAh battery.

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Categories : Business

US to develop ‘new model’ of relations with China: Obama

12072014

Updated on : 12-07-2014 11:42 AM

President Barack Obama on Wednesday said the US is committed to the goal of developing a “new model” of relations with China defined by increased practical cooperation and “constructive management” of differences.

“The United States welcomes the emergence of a stable, peaceful, and prosperous China,” Obama said here as the annual US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) began in Beijing.”We are committed to the shared goal of developing over time a ‘new model’ of relations with China defined by increased practical cooperation and constructive management of differences,” he said in a statement.Acknowledging that the US and China will not always see eye-to-eye on every issue, he said that is to be expected for two nations with different histories and cultures. “It also is why we need to build our relationship around common challenges, mutual responsibilities and shared interests, even while we candidly address our differences,” Obama said.
The US President said this year marks a special milestone in the US-China relationship as it is the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
“Today, instead of living detached from each other as we did 35 years ago, the United States and China embrace the benefits of strengthening ties and acknowledge the growing interdependence of our economic destinies,” Obama said.
“This anniversary provides an opportunity to take stock of the deepening exchanges between our two peoples, the range of cooperation between our two countries on shared security and economic challenges and dealing forthrightly with our differences,” he said.
It is an opportunity for the United States and China to reaffirm their commitment to working jointly to build a positive, more secure and prosperous future for their citizens, the US President said.
As the premier mechanism for dialogue between the United States and China, the S&ED offers a chance annually to exchange views on a diverse range of bilateral, regional, and global challenges critical to both the countries, he noted.
“Building on the accomplishments of the previous five rounds of the S&ED, this year’s dialogue promises to further advance our cooperative efforts to identify solutions to problems that no country can address on its own,” Obama said.
“Our efforts to promote economic prosperity, cooperation in Asia, energy security and security in cyberspace, including at the G-20, APEC and the Nuclear Security Summit, have a significant and positive impact for our citizens and for the broader international community,” he said.

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Categories : Uncategorized

Kerry meet with Afghan candidates

12072014

Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with rival Afghan presidential candidates for a second day on Saturday as the United States struggles to find a path out of the crisis enveloping the nation’s elections.

The prolonged uncertainty about the outcome of a runoff has jeopardized a central part of President Barack Obama’s strategy to leave behind a stable state after the withdrawal of most US troops at year’s end.
Kerry is meeting on Saturday with the candidates, former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, after discussions on Friday proved inconclusive.
The top American diplomat is looking for a plan acceptable to all that would allow the United Nations to audit extensive fraud allegations in last month’s vote.
The bitter dispute over who is President Hamid Karzai’s rightful successor has alarmed Afghanistan’s US and Western benefactors, creating a political crisis that risks undermining more than a decade of efforts to build an Afghan government capable of fighting the Taliban on its own and snuffing out terrorist groups like al-Qaeda.
Extended instability would have more immediate consequences for Afghanistan. If no process is established and both Ghani and Abdullah attempt to seize power, the government and security forces could split along ethnic and regional lines.
The winner amid the chaos could be the Taliban, whose battle against the government persists despite the United States spending hundreds of billions of dollars and losing more than 2,000 lives since invading the country after the 11th September 2001, terrorist attacks.
Preliminary runoff results, released earlier this week against US wishes, suggested a massive turnaround in favor of the onetime World Bank economist Ghani, who lagged significantly behind Abdullah in first-round voting.
Abdullah, a top leader of the Northern Alliance that battled the Taliban before the US-led invasion in 2001, claims massive ballot-stuffing.
He was runner-up to Karzai in a fraud-riddled 2009 presidential vote before he pulled out of that runoff, and many of his supporters see him being cheated for a second time.
Kerry’s hastily arranged visit appears to have succeeded in its most pressing objective: getting both candidates to pull back from declarations of victory and quieting calls among Abdullah’s supporters, powerful warlords included, for setting up a “parallel government.”
In a series of meetings on Friday that went into the night, Kerry stressed that Washington isn’t taking sides.

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Categories : Media, Politics, world News

FM: Union Budget gives a big boost to MSME sector

12072014

The Union Budget presented by Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister of Finance, yesterday has a number of proposals relating to the MSME sector.
Following is the text of the speech delivered by the Finance Minister:
SMEs form the backbone of our Economy. They account for a large portion of our industrial output and employment. The bulk of service sector enterprises are also SMEs. Most of these SMEs are Own Account Enterprises. Most importantly a majority of these enterprises are owned or run by SCs, STs and OBCs. Financing to this sector is of critical importance, particularly as it benefits the weakest sections. There is need to examine the financial architecture for this sector. I propose to appoint a committee with representatives from the Finance Ministry, Ministry of MSME, RBI to give concrete suggestions in three months.
Promotion of entrepreneurship and start-up Companies remains a challenge. While there have been some efforts to encourage, one principal limitation has been availability of start-up capital by way of equity to be brought in by the promoters. In order to create a conducive eco-system for the venture capital in the MSME sector it is proposed to establish a ` 10,000 crore fund to act as a catalyst to attract private Capital by way of providing equity, quasi equity, soft loans and other risk capital for start-up companies.
To establish technology centre network to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and agro-industry, setting up a fund with a corpus of `200 crore is proposed.
The definition of MSME will be reviewed to provide for a higher capital ceiling. A programme to facilitate forward and backward linkages with multiple value chain of manufacturing and service delivery will also be put in place.
Entrepreneur friendly legal bankruptcy framework will also be developed for SMEs to enable easy exit. A nationwide “District level Incubation and Accelerator Programme” would be taken up for incubation of new ideas and providing necessary support for accelerating entrepreneurship.
Fiscal incentives
Cathode ray TVs are used by weaker sections who cannot afford to buy more expensive flat panel TVs. Proposed to exempt colour picture tubes from basic customs duty to make cathode ray TVs cheaper. The duty concession will help revive manufacturing of TVs in the SME sector and create employment opportunities. At the same time, to encourage production of LCD and LED TVs below 19 inches in India, Proposed to reduce the basic customs duty on LCD and LED TV panels of below 19 inches from 10 percent to Nil. Further, to encourage manufacture of LCD and LED TV panels, Proposed to exempt from basic customs duty specified inputs used in their manufacture.
As a measure of relief to the footwear industry, most of which are in SME sector, Proposed to reduce the excise duty from 12 percent to 6 percent on footwear of retail price exceeding Rs. 500 per pair but not exceeding Rs. 1,000 per pair. Footwear of retail price up to Rs. 500 per pair will continue to remain exempted.

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Categories : Business

Manipur bomb blast

12072014

Seven people, including a six-year- old boy, were seriously injured in a bomb blast carried out by suspected militants in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Saturday.

Police said the explosion took place at Langthanbal, about 10-km from state capital Imphal, and was targeted at security personnel passing through the area.Security forces rushed to the spot immediately after the blast but no arrests have been made yet, police added. Official sources said that all the seven injured have been rushed to a local hospital.

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Categories : Politics

Bezbaruah committee submits report

12072014

A committee, set up to look into the concerns of people from the Northeast living in different parts of the country, has recommended legal measures to ensure their safety and security from any assault on them.

The M P Bezbaruah committee, which submitted its report to Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday, quoted a High Court observation which suggested that any attack of racial nature should be made a punishable offence.
However, sources said, no suggestion has been given by the committee for enactment of an anti-racial law but strengthening and proper implementation of existing laws.
When contacted, Bezbaruah, a former IAS officer, said the committee has given various recommendations on the basis of its terms and conditions.
“We have analysed the problem and recommended how to address it,” he said.
After receiving the report, Rijiju said it will be processed on priority.
The Committee was constituted in February, 2014 to look into the various concerns of persons hailing from the North Eastern states who are living in different parts of the country, especially the Metropolitan areas, and to suggest suitable remedial measures which could be taken by the government.
The Terms of Reference of the Committee were:
(1) to examine the various kinds of concerns, including the concerns regarding security, of the persons hailing from the North Eastern states
(2) to examine the causes behind the attacks/violence and discrimination against the people from the North-Eastern states
(3) to suggest measures to be taken by the government to address these concerns (4) to suggest legal remedies to address these concerns.

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Categories : CSR, culture, Education

PM to attend BRICS meet in Brazil

12072014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves New Delhi on Sunday for Brazil for attending the five-nation summit of BRICS nations on July 14th and 15th which is expected to finalise the setting up of a development bank and seek reforms of the United Nations and international financial organisations.

After a stopover in Berlin on Sunday night, he will leave for Fortaleza, the north-eastern coastal city of Brazil, on Monday for the summit of leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to be held on 15th July, providing him his first opportunity at multilateral engagement.An earlier plan to have a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin was shelved because of Germany’s entry into the Fifa World Cup final, for which she will be in Brazil.
Modi will be accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Minister of State for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman, National Security Adviser A K Doval, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram.
The sixth summit of BRICS, which will follow up on the decisions of the Durban meeting last year, will provide the new Indian Prime Minister his first opportunity at meeting world leaders, including President Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia, and discuss bilateral issues.
A Fortaleza Declaration containing the summit outcome is also on the cards.
Negotiations are already on for which Sujata Mehta, Secretary, Economic Relations, External Affairs Ministry, is Modi’s sherpa.
BRICS accounts for more than a quarter of the world’s land mass, 40 per cent of its population and a combined GDP of USD 24 trillion.
Officials say that India will be hoping for an endorsement of the need for UN Security Council reforms and also those of the Bretton Woods institutions like the World Bank and IMF.
The BRICS Development Bank is expected to take further shape with a decision to concretise its corpus at USD 100 billion, about which there was a broad agreement in Durban.
Discussions are on about the contribution from each member state and where to locate its headquarters whether Shanghai or New Delhi.
It will be a development bank which will give concessional credit to members of BRICS and other developing countries.
There will be a Ministerial meeting ahead of the summit and also a BRICS business council with businessmen from member -countries who will be meeting on July 14th and 15th.
On the sidelines of the summit, he will also be meeting South African President Jacob Zuma besides host President Dilma Roussef of Brazil.
On 16th July, the BRICS leaders will move to the Brazilian capital, Brasilia, where they will meet leaders of South America, who have been invited by the hosts on the lines of Zuma inviting African leaders to Durban.
The Prime Minister will get an opportunity to engage with the Latin American region through meeting the leaders of South America, including heads of state and government from countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
India believes that the Prime Minister’s meetings with these leaders would further strengthen the already close bilateral relations with these countries and will be an opportunity to reinforce them.
On his way back home, the prime minister will make a brief halt in Frankfurt before reaching Delhi on 17th July night.

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July 12, 2014, 4:17 am

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Kurds seize oilfields in N Iraq

Posted on July 12, 2014 by sagarmedia

Kurdish forces have seized two oilfields outside their autonomous region in northern Iraq, further complicating the situation in the embattled country.Iraqi oil ministry said in a statement on Friday that Kurdish militiamen took control of production facilities at the Bai Hassan and Kirkuk oilfields near the city of Kirkuk. It denounced the action and urged the Kurds to immediately withdraw.
Kurdish forces took control of Kirkuk last month after Shia-led government forces withdrew in the face of an assault by Sunni Islamist insurgents. Kurds have vowed to hold a referendum for local residents on whether to declare independence, saying the Iraqi state has effectively disintegrated.
The development is expected to escalate a feud between the Kurds and the Shia-led government in Baghdad, which is facing the Sunni-led insurgency.Human Rights Watch reported the alleged executions on Friday, citing the testimony of local residents across Iraq.
The group says government forces have killed at least 255 Sunni prisoners in 6 cities and villages, including Mosul, since June 6. It says 8 boys were among the victims.
The group says government fighters appear to have carried out the executions in retaliation for the killing of captured Shia soldiers and local residents by Sunni Islamist insurgents.Media agencies

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July 13, 2014, 12:06 am

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भाजपा का इरादा विकास कार्यों को रोकना 

Samajwadi Party

19 hrs · 

समाजवादी पार्टी के प्रदेश प्रवक्ता श्री राजेन्द्र चौधरी ने कहा है कि भारतीय जनता पार्टी ने पष्चिमी उ0प्र0 में आंदोलन की घोषणा कर जता दिया है कि भाजपा का इरादा विकास कार्यों को रोकना और अराजकता को बढ़ावा देकर सामाजिक सद्भाव को बिगाड़ना है। भाजपा द्वारा कानून व्यवस्था से खिलवाड़ का षड़यंत्र विगत 02 वर्षो से किया जा रहा है। कभी अयोध्या में परिक्रमा के नाम पर तो कभी किन्हीं कथित मुद्दों पर धरना प्रदर्शन के दौरान हिंसा और तोड़फोड करना उनकी फितरत बन गई है। मीडिया पर भी हमला करने मे उन्हें गुरेज नहीं।
इधर तो भाजपा नेता सत्ता के नशे में मदांध हो कर अनैतिक और अलोकतांत्रिक आचरण करने में आगे हैं। समाजवादी सरकार पर निराधार और अनर्गल आरोप लगाकर वे जनता को बरगलाने की कोशिशों में लगे रहते हैं। भाजपा नेता अहंकार में भाषा की मर्यादा भी भूल गए हैं और राजनीतिक शिष्टाचार भी। कभी वे नाग-नागिन की भूमिका में आ जाते हैं तो कभी प्रशासनिक अफसरों से जानी दुश्मनी करने का एलान कर अपनी हिंसक प्रवृति का खुला प्रदर्शन करते हैं। इससे उनका फासिस्ट चरित्र सामने आ जाता है। यह कृत्य अलोकतांत्रिक भी है।
उ0प्र0 में समाजवादी सरकार विकास के एजेंडा पर चल रही है। प्रदेश में समग्र विकास के रोड मैप पर तेजी से काम हो रहा है। किसान और नौजवान की खुशहाली की योजनाओं पर अमल हो रहा है, जबकि केन्द्र सरकार के जन विरोधी निर्णयों से जनता के बीच भाजपा के गिरते ग्राफ के कारण हैरान परेशान भाजपा नेता अपनी कमियां छुपाने के लिए प्रदेश को अराजकता की आग में झांेकना चाहते हैं। अप्रत्याशित तरीके से केन्द्र की सत्ता में आ गए तो सत्ता का नशा उनके सिर चढ़कर बोलने लगा है। वे अब संवैधानिक रूप से निर्वाचित बहुमत की समाजवादी सरकार के विरूद्ध साजिश करने मेें लगेे हैं। इसके लिए वे प्रदेश का माहौल बिगाड़ने के लिए हिंसक आंदोलन का सहारा लेकर बवाल खड़ा करना चाहते हैं।
उत्तर प्रदेश में समाजवादी सरकार और मुख्यमंत्री श्री अखिलेश यादव को जनता का विश्वास प्राप्त है। जो भाजपाई कानून व्यवस्था बिगाड़ने तथा राज्य में अस्थिरता फैलाने की साजिशों में लगे हैं उनको जनता ही करारा जबाव देगी। भाजपा-आर0एस0एस0 और उनकी हमसंगी बसपा ये सभी प्रदेश की प्रगति के विरोधी हैं और इनकी मंशा अमन चैन बिगाड़कर सामाजिक सौहार्द एवं सद्भावना को चोट पहुॅचाने की है। समाजवादी सरकार द्वारा इनकी अराजक गतिविधियों को कानून की सख्ती से रोका जाएगा और भाजपा को प्रदेश में कहीं भी आंदोलन की आड़ में हिंसा फैलाने की इजाजत नहीं होगी। प्रदेश की शांतिप्रिय जनता भाजपा के कुत्सित इरादों का मुंहतोड़ जवाब देने के लिए तैयार है।
(राजेन्द्र चौधरी)
प्रदेश प्रवक्ता

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July 14, 2014, 12:23 am

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FICCI Invitation: i-Bharat "Capturing the Domestic ICT Potential - Unleashing the Next Wave" 1st Aug 2014, FICCI, New Delhi (FREE REGISTRATION)

ficci.it@ficci.com

To Me

Today at 11:49 AM

  ↵

July 14, 2014

 

 

Dear Mr Sagar,

 

It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that FICCI, in partnership with the Department of Electronics & IT, Government of India, has undertaken an ambitious new initiative in the ICT domain - “i-Bharat Conference”. Through a series of annual conferences, i-Bharat will engage Industry, Government, Academia and other stakeholders of ICT, to deliberate upon transformation of key sectors in India through effectual implementation of ICT.

 

Given the importance of technology in nation building, we believe it is of utmost urgency to have a potent platform that fosters industry and Government dialogue and partnership aimed at enabling the realization of the India potential.

 

The first edition of i-Bharat, in its inaugural theme “Capturing the Domestic ICT Potential – Unleashing the Next Wave”, is being organized on 1^st August 2014 at FICCI, New Delhi. The conference will delve into solutions and measures that can transform key sectors through effective technology implementation. In each session, outcome oriented action plans will be discussed to drive deployment and strengthen the public-private partnership, key to transformation.

 

We believe this is the right opportunity to present an action plan to the government and help enable the drafting of the right policies for successful implementation. i-Bharat 2014 will be one of the first large scale discussion platforms involving the new government.

 

A FICCI-Ernst Young report titled “i-Nagar”, containing recommendations to the new government on effective ICT implementation in transforming India’s cities, will also be released.

 

In view of importance of the event, we take great pleasure to invite you to attend the conference. The registration is free of cost and is on first come first serve basis (click here to download programme).

 

Since we have limited seating we request you to confirm your participation at the earliest. You may register yourself through the online form (Click here) or fill-up the attached registration form (click here to download) and e-mail it to us atficci.it@ficci.com to reserve your seat.

 

In case of any query you may please contact my colleague Mr Sudhir Malik at phone: 91-11-23487217 (D), 23738760-70 Ext. 217/491/434 or E-Mail at: ficci.it@ficci.com.

 

Look forward to your confirmation.

 

With best regards,

 

Sarika Gulyani

Joint Director &

Head-IT & Telecom Division

FICCI

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July 14, 2014, 2:45 am

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Delhi Police Lathi Charges Peaceful Protest infront of Israel Embassy

July 14, 2014 by sagarmedia

From: napm india <napmindia@gmail.com> Mon, 14 Jul ’14 2:14p

To: napmmedia <napmmedia@googlegroups.com> and others

July 14, 1230 PM, Israel Embassy / Tughlaq Road Thana, New Delhi : Nearly 100 people peacefully gathered today near Hotel Claridges on Auragzeb Road to protest against the Isreal’;s bombardment and killing of more than hundred, men, women, children in last few days.

Protesters from JNUSU, AISF, RYA, NAPM, DSG and many other civil society organisations marched from Hotel Claridges towards the ISrael Embassy. They were stopped after 150 meters by police barricade. Delhi Police had mobilised water canon, police vans, jeeps, batons and no women police. One third of the protesters were nearly women. As the protesters crossed the barricade and marched towards the embassy, police persons started man handling men first and pushed them hard. Some of them were forcefully pushed to the police bus, but they managed to get out of the bus.

While nearly 25 of them managed to reach the gates of embassy, other were detained some 15 meters behind. By then another batch of plice personnel arrived and they began lathi charging and beating up students, male, female both on the directions of Shri S B S Tyagi, DCP. He ordered his men to just get rid of them anyhow, they started chasing protesters. Some of the women protesters who stepped aside and stood there, were abused and beaten up by the police men. Even when they asked them to stop, they didn’;t stop. This all happened infront of the media people who were recording, apart from the the police cameras.

The bunch protesting infront of the Israel embassy gates and those immediately behind were forced and pushed inside the police vans. Nearly 30 of us who had come back to the barricaded area were then chased by the policemen all the way to Claridges hotel roundabout and arrested from there. In the ensuing chase many of the women who again stepped aside were beaten, abused and pushed in to the police van.

In all, nearly 100 people were bundled together in two police vans and taken to Tughlaq Road police Station, as we write the location of the other van is not known yet.

At the Tughlaq Road thana, Kavita Krishnan, who was talking to the media there, was again man handled by police women and not allowed to talk to them. When one of the male students intervened then he was slapped hard by the policeman there.

We condemn such deplorable behaviour by the Delhi police, who beat up women protesters, abused them and clamped on the right to protest and assembly. In a clearly targetted action, they were heard saying, inko sabak sikhao, inko mat chodna, baar baar aa jaate hain. They also abused many of the protesters and once again showed their cruel face.

We demand immediate action against the DCP Mr. Tyagi and the policemen on duty. The protesters who are all detained in police stations should be released immediately and those suffering injury, must be given immediate medical attention.

Contact : Aslam 9990748079 and Kavita Krishnan 9560756628 detained at Tughlaq Road Police Station.

Madhuresh 9818905316

NAPM

CALL THEM AND ASK WHY DO THEY BEAT PEOPLE AND DETAIN PEACEFULLY PROTESTING STUDENTS

Tughlaq Road Police Station : 23012100 | 23014878

DCP Tyagi Office : 23747777