Sagar Burma News:

Aung San Suu Kyi on election campaign trail

2012-01-29T09:01:00.000-08:00

Aung San Suu Kyi, visit coastal town of Dawei on a political tour ahead of by-elections on 1 April.
She initiated first time her election venture outside Rangoon for months her visit is seen as litmus test how she and her party are able to campaign.Military new administration entered into dialogue with Ms Suu Kyi and has changed the electoral laws that led to the NLD to poll.

Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) is contesting all the available constituencies in the coming by-elections.She herself is seeking office in the rural township of Kawhmu.
Aung San Suu Ky flocked by many thousands to see Nobel peace prize winner, who was released from house arrest in 2010.Burmese government is planning to build a huge industrial complex in Dawei, which could transform the region.NLD is running for all 48 seats up in the ensuing polls. Suu Kyi is standing in a rural constituency near Rangoon. Sunday's visit was in support of Aung Soe, the party's candidate in a local township."If we move in the right direction our country will have many opportunities. We are eager to seize them," she said in a speech in Dawei earlier."For the security of the people, the rule of law is very important...We hope to give back to the people by working for more stability in people's lives."
The 66-year-old, known here as "The Lady", also spoke about democratic principles and job creation for educated young people.Local people brought flowers and gifts and held up their children to see the NLD leader, who spent much of the past two decades in detention, with banners proclaiming "You are our heart".
Traffic clogged the roads as Suu Kyi's convoy, trailed by a large number of cars and motorbikes, travelled around the district through villages and Aung Soe's constituency.Suu Kyi's outing took her to the area set to be transformed by a huge industrial site and strategic deep sea port, the Dawei Development Project.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Award for Democracy on Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday in recognition of her outstanding services for the cause of democracy.
The award was presented to Suu Kyi by Aseefa Bhutto Zardari at a ceremony held at the residence of the Myanmar leader. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and members of the visiting Pakistani delegation attended the ceremony.President Zardari lauded the services of Suu Kyi for democracy and said she was a source of inspiration for millions around the world.President Asif Ali Zardari returned to Karachi on Wednesday after a two-day visit to Myanmar where he held talks with its leadership on boosting cooperation in trade, commerce and other fields.
From US several senators from both partieswent to Myanmar and they all came back cautiously optimistic about reforms there,and ready to consider lifting some of the sanctions on the country.
Senators,John McCain , Joe Lieberman , Kelly Ayotte , and Sheldon Whitehouse visited Myanmarearlier this month as part of their whirlwind tour around Southeast Asia, the Philippines, Thailand, and the HanoiHilton in Vietnam, the POW camp where McCain was held during the VietnamWar. Senate Minority Leader MitchMcConnell and Rep. JoeCrowley too visited Myanmar over the winter break on separatetrips.

Indian Govt to take up Indonesia's proposal on coal tax

2012-01-29T00:30:00.000-08:00

The government is trying to take up the issue of Indonesia proposing a tax of exports of coal at bilateral level, Coal Secretary Alok Perti said on Saturday.

"We have taken up the issues of export tax and restrictions in certain quality of coal by the Indonesian government with the Ministry of External Affairs and Finance Ministry," Perti said on the sidelines of the Fourth Asian Mining Congress and International Exhibition in Kolkata on Saturday.

"We are trying to negotiate on the issue on a bilateral level," Perti added.

Indonesia plans to impose export duty on coal and minerals from 2012 and a total ban from 2014 to discourage export without value addition and to encourage base metal and coal downstream industry development.

There was also talk of export of only value-added coal of more than 5,600 kilocalories (kcal) by Indonesia from 2014 onwards.

According to analysts, there would be an overall impact on the Indian power sector, as currently over 50 percent of the total thermal coal imports came from Indonesia.

India's coal import is likely to jump to 140 million tonnes in 2012. Perti also expressed concern over Australia's proposal to impose Mineral Resource Rent Tax (or MRRT). "Australia's proposal for a MRTT will also have an impact," he said.

Commenting on the issue, Arun Jagatramka, chairman and managing director of Gujarat NRE Coke, which has coal blocks in Australia, said: "There is still no clarity on the tax matter by Australia".

Speaking on coal shortage in the country, Perti said, "Coal India is planning to add 100 million tonne of additional production on a conservative basis during the 12th plan period (2012-17) to meet the growing demand.

He pointed out that if environmental issues were sorted out production could be increased to 150 million tonnes during the period.

"The Prime Minister's office is holding talks with coal, power and environment ministries to sort out issues," Perti said.

The Coal Ministry plans to rationalise coal linkages in the 12th plan period to meet the demand on a viability basis. Perti, however, did not elaborate on the issue.

Taj Mahal's minaret tilted 3.57 cm in three decades: ASI

2012-01-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

Taj Mahal's minaret tilted 3.57 cm in three decades: ASI

Is a leaning Pisa Tower in the making in India? It appears so. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, the South west minaret of the famed Taj Mahal has recorded a tilt of 3.57 cm in three decades. But overall there is no significant change in its heights.

This has been revealed in an affidavit filed by it in the Supreme Court in response to the apex court's direction for the latest survey report on Taj Mahal.

The direction was given following reports that the historical monument is facing danger to its structure owing to environmental pollution.

ITALIAN INITIATIVES FOR THE KOLKATA BOOK FAIR

2012-01-28T01:30:00.000-08:00

ITALIAN INITIATIVES FOR THE KOLKATA BOOK FAIR Italy has been invited to participate as Partner Country to the 36th Kolkata International Bookfair 2012, reciprocating India’s participation in 2010 in the Book Fair in Turin , the largest of its kind in Italy which takes place every year in May. The Italian participation in the Kolkata Book Fair will not only promote Italian literature with the participation of some of the most translated and best known Italian writers such as Dacia Maraini, Alessandro Baricco, Beppe Severgnini, Valerio Massimo Manfredi but also authors with a longstanding relation with India and its culture such as Angela Staude Terzani and Sandra Petrignani. Indian authors who contribute to promote Italy in India such as Ritu Dalmia or Dileep Padgaonkar will also participate. On this ocassion, Embassy of Italy and Istituto Italiano di Cultura are holding the following event MEET THE AUTHORS KOLKATA BOOK FAIR – COLLATERAL EVENTS in Delhi Dacia Maraini 31st January, 6:30 in conversation with Ms. Urvashi Butalia Valerio Massimo Manfredi Ist February, 6:30 pm in conversation with Mahmood Farooqui Beppe Severgnini 2nd February, 6:30 pm in conversation with Jug Suraiya Due to unforseen circumstances, Mr. Shekhar Gupta is not able to make it. Mr. Jug Suraiya has kindly consented to hold the conversation with Mr. Beppe Severgnini. Please find the invite and a profile of Mr. Suraiya. All the above events will take place at 6:30 pm at Multimedia Hall, Istituto Italiano di Cultura Regards, Istituto Italiano di Cultura 50-E, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110 021

2012-01-27T22:01:00.000-08:00

FILMS ON SPIRITUALITY & FAITH

THE FOUNDATION FOR UNIVERSAL RESPONSIBILITY
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
&
INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

present
FILMS ON
SPIRITUALITY & FAITH
a series
of monthly screenings

28^th February 2012 6.30 PM

THE MODERN
MYSTIC - SRI M OF MADANAPALLE

DIRECTED
BY RAJA CHOUDHURY

72
MINS

28^th March 2012 6.30 PM

THE
SALTMEN OF TIBET

DIRECTED
BY ULRIKE KOCH

109
MINS

3^rd April 2012 6.30 PM

THAKUR

DIRECTED
BY RAJIV MEHROTRA

112
MINS

Venue: Auditorium, India International Centre
40 Max Mueller Road, New Delhi, India

We are happy to send the above three months film screening details to you and also I would like to request to add these in your events/programme listing if possible. Your consideration and supports for our programmes are highly appreciated.

India Art Fair 2012

2012-01-27T09:10:00.000-08:00

Suu Kyi audio broadcast at World Economic Forum

2012-01-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

Aung San Suu Kyi ,In an audio broadcast played to delegates in the main hall, she said: “We yearn to be a part of the global community: not only to be economically and socially connected, but also to achieve the domestic political stability and national reconciliation that would enable us to fully address the needs of our people.”

She also addressed the forum last year.

Here is the full text of her remarks:

Distinguished guests – heads of state, government and UN officials, leaders of global companies, representatives of the media, academia, NGOs, and young global leaders: I am very honoured and privileged to have this opportunity to address the World Economic Forum in Davos.

I would especially like to extend my appreciation to Professor Klaus Schwab and the organizers of this influential gathering of leaders who are committed to improving the state of this planet.

Over the past few years, despite my isolation from much of the world, I have been able to follow closely the global response to the economic downturn through listening assiduously to radio broadcasts. While the challenges were immense, the response was both swift and strong. Of course much still remains to be done.

Our global interdependence has compelled and resulted in increased cooperation.

In this context, however, I would like to speak on behalf of the 55 million people of Burma who have for the most part been left behind. We yearn to be a part of the global community: not only to be economically and socially connected, but also to achieve the domestic political stability and national reconciliation that would enable us to fully address the needs of our people.

Economic policies linked to human development and capacity building are the best path to the achievement of stability in a democratic transition. We have already missed so many opportunities because of political conflicts in our country over the last 50 years.

Despite an abundance of natural resources, Burma's development has lagged far behind its neighbours. Our government annually spend about 40 percent of our GDP on the military and barely two percent on health and education combined.

The young people of Burma need the kind of education that has enabled young global leaders, some of who are present at this gathering, to excel so early in their careers. We need investments in technology and infrastructure. We need to counter and eventually eradicate widespread poverty by offering opportunities that will allow the entrepreneurial spirit of our people to be gainfully harnessed through micro lending programmes.

The National League for Democracy has in fact embarked on an experimental micro credit scheme on a very small scale. We need to address the tragic consequences of preventable diseases, particularly in conflict zones and rural areas.

At the same time, we also need to pay close attention to the costs and collateral damage of our development, whether environmental or social. These however can be contained if we plan ahead responsibly. In addition to these enormous challenges, we also need to reform our legal system that we might be able to attract foreign direct investment and guarantee the rule of law.

I believe that as necessary steps towards integration within the global community Burma must achieve national reconciliation, political stability, and economic growth grounded in human resources development.

Without the first two, which are essential for the basic requirements of good governance such as transparency, accountability, credibility and integrity, social and economic development will remain mere pipe dreams.

I would like to request those who have invested or who are thinking of investing in Burma to put a premium on respect for the law, on environmental and social factors, on the rights of workers, on job creation and on the promotion of technological skills.

Such an approach would not only be in line with a global sense of responsibility, it would lead in the long run to greater benefits for all concerned. I look forward to the day when there will be a political and social environment that is favourable to a wide range of investments in Burma. We are certainly in need of innovation and diversification if our country is to fulfill the aspirations of its people and catch up with the rest of the world.

I would like to appeal to all those present at this gathering to use their particular opportunities and skills as far as possible to promote national reconciliation, genuine democratization, human development and economic growth in Burma that our people may in turn be able make their own contribution towards a safer happier world.

Each year Davos draws more than 2,500 business, political and academic leaders for a five-day program of workshops and panel discussions on economic and cultural affairs.

Burma has a high growth potential

2012-01-27T08:42:00.000-08:00

International Monetary Fund (IMF) team says Burma has the potential to become “the next economic frontier in Asia.” Meral Karasulu, the deputy division chief of the Asia and Pacific Department at the International Monetary Fund, who led the IMF assessment team, said in a statement released on Wednesday:

“Burma has a high growth potential and could become the next economic frontier in Asia, if it can turn its rich natural resources, young labor force, and proximity to some of the most dynamic economies in the world, into its advantage.

”The IMF team studied current processes and analyzed factors that could streamline and enhance Burma’s financial system, including aspects of its budget expenditures.

“As this essential process continues, channeling the reform momentum to improving monetary and fiscal management and to structural reforms would allow taking full advantage of the positive effects of exchange rate unification,” she said.

Karasulu said modernizing Burma’s economy would require changes to enhance the business and investment climate, modernizing the financial sector, and further liberalizing trade and foreign direct investment.

She said Burma’s real GDP growth is expected to increase to 5½ per cent in FY2011/12 and 6 percent in FY2012/13, driven by commodity exports and higher investment supported by robust credit growth and improved business confidence.

“Inflation, projected at 4.2 percent for FY2011/12, is expected to pick up to 5.8 per cent in FY2012/13 as the recent decline in food prices phases out,” she said.

She noted that the parallel market exchange rate of the kyat has appreciated by about 32 per cent in nominal effective terms since end-FY2009/10. The appreciation pressures are primarily due to large foreign inflows into the economy, which cannot find an outlet due to exchange restrictions on current international payments and transfers, she said.

The technical work by the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) is already under way to establish the necessary market structure. Ultimately, the unification of the exchange rate would require moving away from the “export first” policy. In light of the appreciation pressures, she said certain exchange restrictions can be removed immediately, for example, by allowing the use of all foreign currency bank account balances for imports, easing import licensing requirements and access to the newly established foreign exchange retail counters.

“A successful exchange rate unification would require improvements in all areas of macroeconomic management,” she noted. “This will have to start with establishing a monetary policy framework to focus on price stability. The authorities’ plan to grant operational autonomy and accountability to CBM is a welcome first institutional step towards this goal.”

Noting Burma’s recent reduction in interest rates, she said, “We do not see room for further interest rate cuts in the near term in light of the buoyant growth expectations and the inflation outlook. Within the current regulatory constraints on financial intermediation and impediments to productive investment, lower real interest rates would risk channeling savings to potentially speculative outlets, such as real estate.”

Stimulating productive investment is now resting on structural policies to reduce barriers to private sector development and improve financial intermediation, she said.

“The discussion of the 2012/13 budget in the new Parliament provides a historic opportunity to redefine national spending priorities and bring fiscal transparency,” she said. “We welcome the authorities’ plans to reorient spending to health and education, while targeting a moderate fiscal deficit, which we project to be about 4.6 percent of GDP, about 1 percent lower than the last year’s deficit. A prudent fiscal policy is essential to maintain macroeconomic stability, especially during the exchange rate unification process.

She sad overall, Burma’s fiscal balance is expected to improve in the medium term, but mainly due to new gas exports from the Shwe and Zawtika projects once they come on line.

“These additional revenues should be used to build human capital and infrastructure,” she said. “These are key priorities to alleviate poverty and reduce bottlenecks to industrialization,” she said. “The sizable development needs of Myanmar would require additional fiscal revenues, primarily from non-resource based sources, to safeguard fiscal sustainability and prevent boom-and-bust cycles associated with fluctuations in commodity prices. There is room to increase revenues by improved tax policies that should emphasize direct taxation over indirect taxes to protect the poor.”

“The adoption of a market-determined exchange rate in SEEs’ operations would allow better assessment of their performance, and provide an opportunity to accelerate SEE reforms. These efforts should focus on containing their losses by gradually reducing regressive subsidies, which benefit higher income groups, to protect the most vulnerable poor.

A key to Burma’s growth potential lies in more banks, she said. “Modernization of the financial system should be expedited to facilitate broad-based growth. Improvements to financial intermediation should begin by phasing out the deposit-to-capital ratio and expanding the list of collateral, including to all crops. Expansion of bank networks, especially in rural areas, is essential to increase access to finance.

Nurturing a stronger commercial banking culture requires price competition. Interest rate liberalization started with some freedom in setting deposit rates, and should be extended to loan products. A level playing field between state and private banks, including in the areas of regulation and supervision, is critical to promote competition.”

Allowing joint ventures with foreign banks would expedite the transfer technology and prepare the sector for Asean financial integration in 2015, she said.

Another key reform area lies in he agriculture sector, which needs more credit to increase productivity and improve rural livelihoods.

“The planned land reform provides a unique opportunity, and should ensure that land titles of farmers can be used as collateral. However, credit alone will not suffice to increase rural growth, which is essential to alleviate poverty,” she said. Investment in rural infrastructure, including through community-driven development initiatives, and spending on health and education, are also essential.

Expert Committee on Sugar Sector

2012-01-27T08:37:00.001-08:00

Prime Minister constitutes an Expert Committee on Sugar Sector Prime Minister has constituted an Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, to examine issues relating to the sugar sector. The other members of the committee are:

1. Dr. Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance
2. Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution
3. Secretary, Department of Agriculture
4. Dr. Ashok Gulati, CACP
5. Shri Nand Kumar, former Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution and Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and presently Member NDMA
6. Dr. K.P. Krishnan, Secretary EAC – Convener

The Committee has been empowered to involve such experts, academics as required as special invitees. The Committee will look into all the issues relating to de-regulation of the sugar sector and it has been requested to complete its task as early as possible and give its recommendations to the Prime Minister. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has been requested to provide the necessary support to the Committee in discharging its functions.

“Vivekananda Memorial Programme for Museum Excellence”

2012-01-26T21:03:00.000-08:00

Union Finance Minster Shri Pranab Mukherjeewould be leaving for the two day official visit to Chicago, US on the early morning ofSaturday,28^th January, 2012. During his visit, the FinanceMinister’s first engagement on arrival would be to address the Chicago Councilon Global Affairs where large number of business leaders ofthe Corporate World are likely to participate.
Finance Minister Shri Mukherjeeinclude unveiling of Swami Vivekananda Memorial Plaque at the Art Institute of Chicago, inaugurationof exhibitions of Tagore Paintings at ArtInstitute of Chicago and signing of two agreements by the Ministry of Culture,Government of India with the (a)Art Institute of Chicago for the “VivekanandaMemorial Programme for Museum Excellence” and (b)with the University of Chicago for an endowment to establish “The IndianMinistry of Culture Vivekananda Chair.”

2012-01-25T23:32:00.001-08:00

@PMOIndia Dr Manmohan Singh

First woman PM of Thailand, Ms.Yingluck Shinawatra will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations this year pic.twitter.com/zMZFjnXg

Myanmar, Mr. U. Wunna Maung Lwin called on the Prime Minister

2012-01-25T23:30:00.001-08:00

Myanmar, Mr. U. Wunna Maung Lwin called on the Prime Minister

@PMOIndia Dr Manmohan Singh

Foreign Affairs Minister of Myanmar, Mr. U. Wunna Maung Lwin called on the Prime Minister today pic.twitter.com/AGzq2TTt

Posted just now by Nksagar

Tell President Obama to support in word and deed democracy and human rights in Egypt and Bahrain!

2012-01-25T20:56:00.001-08:00

Dear Naresh,

President Obama asserted in last night's State of the Union address that the United States is a global leader.
He said that the United States "will stand for the rights and dignity of all human beings" and that it "will support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies...because tyranny is no match for liberty."
We agree. But as the people of Egypt build a new government and as human rights defenders and NGO's in Bahrain call for democratic reforms, tyranny continues.
Tell President Obama to support in word and deed democracy and human rights in Egypt and Bahrain!
We've seen a positive impact when the United States leads and it must do so more concretely in the Middle East. Last weekend, President Obama called Egyptian Field Marshal Tantawi to condemn SCAF's recent violence against peaceful protesters and raids in NGO's. He reminded him that an active civil society and respect for human rights are foundations for a stable democracy. We need more of this leadership.
In Bahrain, despite recommendations by its own Independent Commission of Inquiry, the monarchy continues to attack, harass, and detain human rights defenders who are calling for democratic reforms. Medics and peaceful protesters continue to receive unfair sentences in sham trials and international NGO's—including Human Rights First—are denied entry to document abuses. Yet the United States remains silent on these abuses.
To lead in the Middle East, President Obama must give unequivocal support for human rights and democracy in Egypt and Bahrain. He must openly criticize attacks against NGO's and human rights defenders in the region.
Tell President Obama to call for an effective transition to civilian rule in Egypt and an end to violence against peaceful protesters in Bahrain!
Sincerely,
Neil Hicks
Human Rights First

India Art fair Saturday, 28th January 2012

2012-01-24T23:12:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 28th January 2012
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Session 7
Topic : The Arab Spring and the Broadening Gulf
Speakers : Judith Greer, Associate Director, International Programmes, Sharjah Art
Foundation Suzanne Cotter, Curator, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project,
Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
Moderator : Kavita Singh, Associate Professor, School of Arts & Aesthetics, JNU
214
Speakers’ Forum
Over the past decade, the Arab world has emerged as a node in the global art network. Growing wealth in the oilrich states supported an extensive art infrastructure, including art fairs, art collections, museums and bienalles. At the same time, the less wealthy Arab regions in northern Africa and the Levant remain centres of artistic production and political and intellectual ferment. What is the present and likely future of art in the Arab world? Will changes there have an impact India? Two eminent speakers – the former director of the Sharjah Biennale and the curator for the
Guggenheim, Abu Dhabi discuss a world that the Indian art scene knows little about, but which is of vital interest.

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Lunch

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Session 8
Topic : De-coding the Indian Art Market: A look at the driving factors behind
collecting art
Speakers : Amrita Jhaveri, Art Consultant Mumbai, London
Tim Marlow, Director of Exhibitions, White Cube
Kiran Nadar, Art Collector and Chairperson, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art
Prateek Raja, Director, Experimenter
Jan Dalley, Financial Times Arts Editor, UK
Moderator : Priyanka Mathew, Head of Sale for Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art,
Sotheby’s, New York
The value of Indian art has risen by multiples over the last decade making it one of the fastest growing art markets globally. The panel will analyze the factors that influence the acquisition of art both in the primary market through the galleries as well as via the auction market and will consider the appetite of Indian collectors for art from beyond the subcontinent. It will take a closer look at the strength of the market for Indian Art and consider how similar or different this market is to other art markets.
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Session 9
Topic : You don’t have to be a Millionaire to Collect Art
Speakers : Parmesh Shahani, Art Collector, Mumbai
Sonal Sood, Art Collector, Delhi
Moderator : Maithili Parekh, Director, Sotheby’s
215
He was a postal clerk in New York, she was a librarian. With their modest means, the couple managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history. Meet Herb and Dorothy Vogel, whose shared passion defied stereotypes and redefined what it means to be an art collector. In its India premier at the IAF 2012, Herb and Dorothy, the documentary by Megumi Sasaki on this legendary art collector couple, highlights why art collecting is not necessarily for only the privileged or moneyed, it is for the passionate art lover. Following the screening of the Vogel documentary, Maithili Parekh will be in conversation with two Indian collectors – Parmesh Shahani and Sonal Sood – both of whom have built substantial art collections with modest budgets.
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Session 10 Artists’ Conversations
Speakers : Marc Quinn, Artist
Bharti Kher, Artist
A Balasubramaniam, Artist
Moderator : Sara Raza, Independent curator, critic and editor
Art Asia Pacific magazine (West and Central Asia)
As part of the informal talks’ programme London based independent curator and editor for Art Asia Pacific magazine (West and Central Asia) will be in conversation with a selection of high profile Indian and international artists. Guests include pioneers of the Young Indian Artists’ (YIA) movement Bharti Kher and A Balasubramanium along with one of the defining Young British Artists’ (YBAs) set Marc Quinn to discuss their artistic practices.

Our security interests are intertwined with Myanmar: Krishna

2012-01-24T22:21:00.001-08:00

Seeking deeper bilateral ties in strategic areas between Myanmar and India, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Tuesday said New Delhi's security interests are "intertwined" with that of Nay Pyi Taw.

"We have traditional and civilisational relationship with Myanmar. Our trade links have been very ancient and our security interest are intertwined with Myanmar," Krishna said while welcoming Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin in New Delhi.
His comments came in the backdrop of the "17th National Level Meeting to Strengthen Border Issues" between the two countries that was concluded at Nay Pyi Taw last week.
In a statement issued by the Union Home Ministry today, it said both sides discussed in detail security related issues like presence of Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) along Indo-Myanmar border, exchange of intelligence information and arms smuggling.
Home Secretary R K Singh, who led the Indian delegation mentioned about IIGs camps and training facilities in Myanmar and sought Myanmar's cooperation in dealing with the IIG's activities.
On his part Lwin, who is here on an official visit, said it was a pleasure and honour for him to come to New Delhi.
"We have a very historic and long tradition of bilateral relations between our two countries".
"I look forward to future bilateral discussions about the strengthening and enhancing the existing bilateral relations in the field of political, security, social and economic development of the two countries," he said.
Incidentally, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will embark on a two-day official visit to Myanmar today where he will call on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and hold talks with the country's top leadership.
Lwin also met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the day.
He also held talks with Krishna during which the two sides "positively" assessed the development in bilateral relations after the "landmark" state visit of the Myanmar President Thein Sein to India in October last year.
India welcomed the steps taken by Myanmar towards national reconciliation and democratic transition.
"Both sides discussed measures to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the areas of trade and commerce, security, agriculture, health, culture, science and technology, human resource development and capacity building".
"The Indian side reiterated its continued support for infrastructure development and cooperation projects for the benefit of the people of Myanmar," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The two Foreign Ministers underlined the significance of such projects which could improve connectivity between India and the other countries of South East Asia through Myanmar.
"India welcomed the steps being taken by the government of Myanmar towards national reconciliation and democratic transition".
"India also expressed its support for Myanmar to continue playing its due role among the comity of nations," it said.

India concerned over victory of "dark forces" of terrorism

2012-01-24T22:19:00.000-08:00

India has sought a cautious approach on the US-backed peace talks with the Taliban, warning against a victory for the "dark forces of terrorism" if such negotiations are put on a fast track.

"While we agree that ultimately there would have to be political solution, we also believe that this should not become an over-riding objective that needs to be achieved at all costs for that would risk the prospect of the victory of the dark forces of terrorism and extremism that have plagued the region for long," Indian Ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao has said.

India has been "fully supportive of US efforts to fight terrorism in Afghanistan and to bring stability there.

In this regard we are keenly watching recent efforts for a political dialogue," Rao said.

"Let us not wait for the dusk and the owl of Minerva to spread its wings, with awareness coming too late.

Too much is at stake both for Afghanistan, and for our region in what happens in that country," Rao said.

Rao said both India and the US understand the imperative of ensuring success in Afghanistan.

"We have been engaged in developmental assistance efforts in Afghanistan at considerable human and economic cost," she said.

Rao said India's vision of Afghanistan is that it should become a stable peaceful and a very strong democratic country.

"It's a very diverse and pluralistic society like India. How do you cohere all the different ethnic groups and interest together. That's the challenge," she said

Rao said India is closely watching the peace talks with the Taliban. The top Indian diplomat in the US was delivering key note address at the Seminar.

"India as a Global Power:Contending Views from India" jointly organized by the Center for a New American Security, in partnership with The George Washington University's Rising Powers Initiative.

Now the dialogue that has been launched with the Taliban, we have to see where that goes.

But our vision for Afghanistan is that the progress that has been made in the last decade and a little more than that should not be turned back.

The benefits that have accrued to women and children particularly should not be diminished in any way.

India's total assistance totaling to Afghanistan so far has been over USD 2 billion, which she said has been guided by the priorities of the Afghan government and people.

"We are in fact supplementing our individual assistance efforts with joint projects with the US in areas such as in capacity building, agriculture and women's empowerment in Afghanistan," she said.

President Obama’s 2012 State of the Union address

2012-01-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

President Obama’s 2012 State of the Union address

Jan25

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:
Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought – and several thousand gave their lives.
We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world. For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country. Most of al Qaeda’s top lieutenants have been defeated. The Taliban’s momentum has been broken, and some troops in Afghanistan have begun to come home.
These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness, and teamwork of America’s Armed Forces. At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations. They’re not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together.
Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example. Think about the America within our reach: A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t so tied to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded.
We can do this. I know we can, because we’ve done it before. At the end of World War II, when another generation of heroes returned home from combat, they built the strongest economy and middle class the world has ever known. My grandfather, a veteran of Patton’s Army, got the chance to go to college on the GI Bill. My grandmother, who worked on a bomber assembly line, was part of a workforce that turned out the best products on Earth.
The two of them shared the optimism of a Nation that had triumphed over a depression and fascism. They understood they were part of something larger; that they were contributing to a story of success that every American had a chance to share – the basic American promise that if you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement.
The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. What’s at stake are not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. We have to reclaim them.
Let’s remember how we got here. Long before the recession, jobs and manufacturing began leaving our shores. Technology made businesses more efficient, but also made some jobs obsolete. Folks at the top saw their incomes rise like never before, but most hardworking Americans struggled with costs that were growing, paychecks that weren’t, and personal debt that kept piling up.
In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. We learned that mortgages had been sold to people who couldn’t afford or understand them. Banks had made huge bets and bonuses with other people’s money. Regulators had looked the other way, or didn’t have the authority to stop the bad behavior.
It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt, and left innocent, hard-working Americans holding the bag. In the six months before I took office, we lost nearly four million jobs. And we lost another four million before our policies were in full effect.
Those are the facts. But so are these. In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than three million jobs. Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005. American manufacturers are hiring again, creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. Together, we’ve agreed to cut the deficit by more than $2 trillion. And we’ve put in place new rules to hold Wall Street accountable, so a crisis like that never happens again.
The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we’ve come too far to turn back now. As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place.
No, we will not go back to an economy weakened by outsourcing, bad debt, and phony financial profits. Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.
This blueprint begins with American manufacturing.
On the day I took office, our auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Some even said we should let it die. With a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen. In exchange for help, we demanded responsibility. We got workers and automakers to settle their differences. We got the industry to retool and restructure. Today, General Motors is back on top as the world’s number one automaker. Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. Ford is investing billions in U.S. plants and factories. And together, the entire industry added nearly 160,000 jobs.
We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back.
What’s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh. We can’t bring back every job that’s left our shores. But right now, it’s getting more expensive to do business in places like China. Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. Today, for the first time in fifteen years, Master Lock’s unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity.

India and Myanmar Resolves Border Issues.

2012-01-24T04:23:00.001-08:00

India and Myanmar Resolves to Strengthen Cooperation in Border Issues.

The 17th National Level Meeting between India and Myanmar concluded at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar last week. The Indian delegation was led by Shri R.K. Singh, Home Secretary and the Myanmar delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Kyaw Zan Myint, Deputy Union Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Recalling the traditionally close relationship between India and Myanmar, the leaders of India and Myanmar delegation expressed commitment to further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries in economic and developmental areas, closer people to people contact and maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border.

In the delegation level meeting, Home Secretary gave an overview of the main areas of concern to India and expressed hope that these could be discussed in the spirit of trust and friendship between India and Myanmar. Both sides discussed in detail security related issues like presence of Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) along Indo-Myanmar border, exchange of intelligence information and arms smuggling. The leader of Indian delegation mentioned about IIGs camps and training facilities in Myanmar and sought Myanmar’s cooperation in dealing with the IIG’s activities. Home Secretary especially mentioned that Indian Insurgent Groups are planning large scale disturbances in the forthcoming elections in 2012 in Manipur. The leader of Myanmar delegation assured that Myanmar would never allow insurgents to use its territory to engage in any hostile activities against its neighbour India.

The two sides agreed to maintain closer interaction between the nodal points and respective commanding officers of border guarding forces of the two countries for sharing real time intelligence. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the meetings of the Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) at DC/SP level at Moreh/Tamu and Zowakhatar/Rhi to discuss measures for combating arms smuggling, drug trafficking , smuggling of wild life parts and other issues and it was decided that BLO meetings be held more frequently. It was agreed to establish a new BLO at Ukhrul (India)- Somra (Myanmar). The Indian leader agreed to provide the requisite communication facilities for the additional BLO and Commanding officers level interactions at the border.

In order to trace the recipients of the arms smuggling in India, the leader of Indian delegation requested Myanmar to share interrogation reports of arms smugglers arrested by Myanmar security forces. The leader of the Myanmar delegation agreed to share these reports with India.

Both the sides expressed satisfaction over decline in drug trafficking and agreed to regular interaction between drug control agencies of both countries at DG level and DDG level to eliminate the menace of drug trafficking. India offered training and any other support that Myanmar may require to combat drug trafficking. Theyalso discussed illegal wildlife trafficking, tourism cooperation, training of Myanmar security forces in India and repatriation issues of Myanmar Fishermen in Indian Prisons and Indian Prisoners in Myanmar. India offered all possible support to assist Myanmar in its pursuit for better connectivity and overall development .

The Indian delegation also called on the Myanmar Minister of Home Affairs and the first Vice President, Myanmar. The leader of the Indian delegation flagged the main issues and sought their guidance and support.

EU to lift sanctions against Myanmar

2012-01-24T04:09:00.000-08:00

EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday to begin easing sanctions against Myanmar to encourage reform but will await further positive signals before calling an end to restrictive measures, diplomats said.

"We will begin by suspending some visa bans as a first stage from today," said a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity as EU foreign ministers began a day of talks in Brussels.
Lifting all sanctions will be "conditional on the continuation of positive action by the authorities," the source added.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton hailed "the quite extraordinary changes in the last weeks and months" and announced she would visit the country in April as she went into the ministerial meetings.
The 27-nation bloc has been divided over how soon to lift sanctions, with some insisting on waiting for by-elections on April 1, which will see a historic bid for parliament by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Ashton said the European Union had been in contact with her on the issue.

India, Myanmar look to strengthen ties

2012-01-24T03:51:00.000-08:00

India and Myanmar have sought to strengthen and encourage bilateral economic cooperation.
A joint appearance before news persons in New Delhi today, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna along with the visiting Foreign Minister of Myanmar U.Wunna Maung Lwin, said that India has traditional and cultural relationship with Myanmar.He said that trade links between the two countries are ancient and security interests are inter-twined.

He said India gives highest importance to bilateral relationship between the two neighbours. He said, issues of mutual interest will be discussed in the delegation level talks during the day.

The visiting dignitary said that Myanmar is looking forward to enhance the trade link between the two countries

EU eases travel bans on Myanmar officials

2012-01-23T21:25:00.001-08:00

The European Union says, it is easing travel bans against top Myanmar officials after the government carried out remarkable political reforms. EU foreign ministers said in a statement on Monday that the recent release of political prisoners in Myanmar shows the government is determined to continue reforms. They also welcomed the easing of media restrictions and efforts to make peace with ethnic groups in the country.

The EU said, visa bans would be lifted for Myanmar's president, vice presidents, cabinet members and the speakers of the two houses of parliament. It said it will continue to examine lifting more sanctions, and that if Myanmar continues on a path of reform then further easing could come by the end of April. The EU and the United States had imposed sanctions on Myanmar for years because of the former military government's human rights abuses.

Sania Mirza to Head the Indian Women’s Team in Federation Cup

2012-01-23T21:15:00.001-08:00

Sania Mirza to Head the Indian Women’s Team in Federation Cup

TheMinistry of Youth Affairs and Sports has approved the participation of theIndian Senior Women Tennis Team to be headed by Ms. Sania Mirza inthe Federation Cup, Asia-Oceania-Grade-I & II, scheduled to be held atShenzhen City, China, from 30^th January, 2012 to 4^thFebruary, 2012. The team is as follows:

1) Ms.Sania Mirza (Captain)

2) Ms.Isha Lakhani

3) Ms.Rituja Sampatro Bhosale

4) Ms.Prerna Bhambri

5) Ms.Sharmada Balu

The players will beaccompanied by Mr. Enrico Peperno-Coach, Shri Rohit Rajpal- Non-playing Captain, and ShriAnand Kumar, Physiotherapist.

This is in accordancewith providing foreign exposure to players envisaged under “OperationExcellence-2012” (OPEX-2012) Scheme specially designed for the core probables of London Olympics, 2012.

The Seven (07) membersof the Indian Team, except Ms. Mirza, will leave on26^th January, 2012 to China. Ms. Sania Mirza, whois presently playing in the Australian Open, will join the team in Chinalater.

PRESS INVITATION

2012-01-22T20:07:00.001-08:00

Sushilkumar Shinde, Union Minister of Power to address the India Energy Congress, 2012 at 11.15 a.m. at Hotel Lalit, Barakhamba Road
SAARC BUSINESS SUMMIT to be inaugurated by Anand Sharma, Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister at 12:00 Noon at Hotel Taj Palace, Dhaula Kuan. Ranjan Mathai, Foreign Secretary will give the special address. Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament and Rani Mukherjee, Film Personality will give the special address at 2:30 PM.
Krishna Tirath, Minister Ministry of Women & Child Development will be honouring NGO Tamana with the Best Institution for Child Welfare Award 2010 at 3:30 pm at Room No 607, “A” Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi
Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Sanjay Dutt to address a press conference for their upcoming film AGNEEPATH at 4:00 PM at PVR Ambience Mall, Gurgaon.
Union Minister Kamal Nath to inaugurate art exhibition at 5.00 pm at Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, DLF South Court Mall, Saket, New Delhi
Launch Of “FROZEN FURY: CAPTAIN (HONORARY) BANA SINGH PVC, HERO OF SIACHEN” & “DIGITAL VERSIONS OF INDIAN WAR COMICS: CAPTAIN VIKRAM BATRA (PVC) AND MAJOR SANDEEP UNNIKRISHNAN (AC) “ON UBISLATE7 TABLETS by General Vijay Kumar Singh & Mr. Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO Datawind at 5:00 PM at Vivekananda International Foundation , 3 San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri New Delhi.

REPUBLIC DAY 2012 - FLY PAST- AN IAF APPEAL

2012-01-22T04:16:00.001-08:00

REPUBLIC DAY 2012 - FLY PAST- AN IAF APPEAL

In viewof the flypast at heights varying from 60 to 500 metres and the associatedflight safety concerns posed by birds, the IAF appeals to all citizens of Delhiand its neighbourhood to keep their areas clean and avoid throwing eatables,garbage, dead animals or carcasses in the open in all the days leading upto 26 January.

Responsible citizens are also requested to alert the nearest Air Force Unit orPolice Station and report instances of carcasses found in the open. Thevulnerable areas that come in the route include Palam,Najafgarh drains, Tihar Jail, War Cemetery and areas adjoin RashtrapatiBhavan.

BIRDS POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO AIRCRAFT FLYING ATLOW LEVELS. EATABLES THROWN OUT IN THE OPEN ATTRACT BIRDS, TO ENSURE A SAFE FLYPAST, THE INDIAN AIR FORCE REQUESTS THE CITIZENS OFDELHI, AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD NOT TO THROW EATABLES AND GARBAGE IN THE OPEN.ALSO, IF THEY FIND ANY CARCASS OUT IN THE OPEN THEY ARE REQUESTED TO REPORT TOTHE NEAREST AIR FORCE UNIT / POLICE STATION TO ARRANGE FOR ITS DISPOSAL.

IAF TABLEAU SHOWCASING ‘PEOPLE FIRST MISSIONALWAYS’

The IAF Tableau showcases the men from our specialforces and special operations capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Wehave the C-130J Super Hercules the World’s most advanced and tactical aircraft.The Aircraft has already demonstrated its responsiveness during the recent Sikkim earthquake where it undertook relief operations withinthree hours. Also on the tableau is the latest acquisition in the IAF-Mi-17 V5Helicopter. This multipurpose Helicopter is intended for airlift of SpecialForces to combat area , both by day and night. Thesetwo platforms will cater to the need of joint operation with Army Commandos,Marine Commandos, IAF’s Garudsand NSG Commandos

Social Innovations needed to solve the problems of the poor: Sam Pitroda

2012-01-21T08:56:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Jan 21, 2012:India is in a unique position to solve the problems of the poor as it has the largest number of poor and huge amount of talent to address challenges faced by them, said Sam Pitroda, advisor to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on public information infrastructure and innovations and Honorary Chairman of Action For India.

“There is a lot of talent solving the problem of the rich. Innovations are needed to solve the problem of the poor,” Pitroda added addressing a meet of 100 young social innovators at the first ever ‘Action For India’ Forum 2012 focussing on how technology can make social enterprises scale their operations more effectively.

These social innovations will be driven by the young innovators from the bottom (of the pyramid) as the top is not in tune with the requirements. The government – state as well as central – is doing a number of things to help this change and make the delivery of public service different, Pitroda added.

India’s most celebrated social innovators – Chanchalapathi Dasa, Trustee of Akshaya Patra Foundation that feeds 1.3 million mid day meals everyday; Prableen Sabhhaney from Fabindia, the unique venture that made 15,000+ mini entrepreneurs out of weavers and artisans, Self-Help Group pioneer Anish Pradhan from Pradan, pioneers in the promotion of Self-Help Groups that covers nearly 200,000 rural poor women in eight states who have mobilized a total savings of Rs. 50 crore; Sushmita Ghosh, President Emeritus, Ashoka, the world’s working community of nearly 3000 leading social entrepreneurs, K Thiagarajan from Agastya, the largest science education program in schools; bureaucrats from Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana which has over 90 million active smart cards and more than 1.5 million people already availed treatment at various hospitals shared their challenges and lessons in scaling up to galvanize 100 Young Social Innovators to discover how technology can help social enterprises get more pervasive in coverage and impact.

Enthused by the work done by social entrepreneurs and changes in public delivery system at least five African countries are looking at Indian models of development to solve the problems at the bottom of the pyramid, said Sam Pitroda, as western models aren’t scalable.

An in-depth report highlighting barriers to scale and how technology and government can play a role in overcoming these challenges, specially developed by Dasra team led by Neera Nundi, a strategic philanthropy foundation, was unveiled by Mr Pitroda.

The forum discussed technological and other challenges faced by social innovators in sectors like agriculture represented by eFarm and Logistimo, Education by Butterfly Fields and Gram Vaani, Healthcare by Biosense and iKure, Energy by Simpa Networks and Onergy and Livelihood by Amrita University and Jaldoot.

To support social entrepreneurs set up new business models to bring about change, efforts are underway to increase the corpus of National Innovation Fund, as soon as it collects Rs 500 crore, including Rs 100 crore announced by the finance minister Pranab Mukerjee, said Sam Pitroda. This fund is expected to be operational by June-July this year

About Action For India
Action For India (AFI) is a social start-up enterprise dedicated to helping social organizations scale their impact by leveraging Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). They offer training and guidance to social entrepreneurs to sustainably scale their organizations through the use of technology.

AFI recruits Young Social Innovators, people who lead organizations that are able and willing to scale by leveraging technology, and provides them:

Skills and Knowledge: Training and exposure to technology experts and social entrepreneurs
Networks: AFI Mentors providing advice on selecting and implementing technology solutions, and an enabling ecosystem of youth networks, universities, and volunteers available to help implement scale up strategies
Partnerships: AFI Partners consisting of technology companies and networks that can offer free or subsidized technology products and services

Posted 57 minutes ago by Nksagar

Tell President Obama: Support Democracy and Civilian Rule in Egypt!

2012-01-20T21:23:00.001-08:00

Tell President Obama: Support Democracy and Civilian Rule in Egypt!

20.01.2012 18:08:50 - Dear Naresh,

In January 2011, the people of Egypt took to the streets and brought down their president of thirty years, Hosni Mubarak. Next week will mark the anniversary of the protests in Tahrir Square. While Mubarak is gone, his military and much of his regime still rule the country.

(live-PR.com) - On Tuesday, when President Obama delivers the State of the Union address, he should tell Americans and our allies throughout the Middle East and the world that the United States supports civilian, democratic rule in Egypt. And that the United States stands with all those who struggle for human rights and democracy.

"It's time for the Egyptian military to hand power

to civilian rule!" That's what I heard from the human rights activists I met with in Egypt this month. They are putting their faith in advancing the democratic transition process and in remaining mobilized and vigilant against any backsliding on human rights from Egypt's new rulers. One human rights activist there told me that the military leadership "threatens our very existence".

In recent months, the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces (SCAF) has presided over:

the killing of scores of peaceful protestors calling for the end of military rule;
raids on the offices of American, German, and Egyptian NGO's working to promote a transparent democratic process in the country;
fueling divisions within Egyptian society by targeting Christians and implementing an election timetable and system that favored the Islamists and the Muslim Brotherhood; and
the trial of over 12,000 civilians in military courts.

If the United States wants to build a positive relationship with a new democratic Egypt, President Obama should state unequivocally that Egypt's future lies with a democratic civilian government and that the military rulers do not have the unconditional support of the U.S. government.

Ask President Obama to state his support for a democratic Egypt in next week's State of the Union address. Tell him to support civilian rule in Egypt!

Sincerely,

Neil Hicks,
Human Rights First

Contact information:
Sagar Media Inc

India Will Touch Export Target of US$ 300 Billion

2012-01-19T20:00:00.001-08:00

India Will Touch Export Target of US$ 300 Billion

Shri Anand Sharma the Union Minister of Commerce, Industry & Textiles inaugurated the Tex Trends India 2012, here today. Tex Trends India 2012, aims to provide the biggest platform in Asia to the exporters and the buyers, to bring together the best in Indian Garments and Accessories, Fabrics, Home Furnishings & Made-ups, Indian Handicrafts, Handlooms, Jute and Carpets – all under one roof. Speaking on the occasion Shri Sharma said, “Textiles Industry provides gainful employment to large number of people. The sector contributes 14% of industrial production, 4% of GDP and 10.63% of country’s export earnings. It provides direct employment to over 35 million people. The event (Tex Trends) will showcase India’s huge potential as an exporting country and will offer a great variety for its global buyers.”

Referring to recent initiatives for small weavers like loan weaver and special package amounting to about 6500 crore rupees, the Minister said that “while this is impressive, when time will come we will revisit and will do more.” The Minister expressed the concern that small weavers need to be empowered and if need be Government will do more within its own limit to support and train them.

On export performance the Minister said that given the difficult international climate India may just about touch its target of export of US $ 300 billion this year and US$ 750 billion of total trade barring the trade in services. The government has allocated more than 15000 crore in Technical Upgradtion Scheme the Minister informed that the scheme will continue in next five year plan. On Scheme for Integrated Textiles Parks (SITP) the Minister informed that in the 11th Five year plan 40 Integrated Textile Parks were sanctioned, with a financial allocation of Rs. 1400 Crores. He also referred to the 24 National Textiles Corporation Mills which have been revived recently.

Smt. Rita Menon, CMD ITPO, said, “Tex Trend 2012 is the culmination of vision to showcase the best of the Textiles Industry. It is indeed emotive to see the Tex Trend shape up into a grand success. It is heartening to know that Tex Trend 2010 generated export of 185 million US $ last year. She later informed that about 1000 buyers will be visiting the fair. Tex Trends 2012 puts a window of opportunities for the industry where products from handlooms to technical textiles are under one roof. It caters to product categories in casual wear, city wear, high fashion & occasional wear, speciality garments, sportswear, knitwear & made-ups bed linen, napkins, cushion covers, floor mats, curtains, etc”.

Tex Trends India 2012 will see a huge participation from about 600 exhibitors, 10 textile Export Promotion Councils and National Jute Board and global buyers from countries including USA, UK, Turkey, Japan, Spain and South Africa. The exhibition comprises activities like fashion shows, seminars, cultural program and award ceremony. It will also provide a perfect platform to enhance the global reach of India’s wide array of textiles and clothing including Indian Garments & Accessories, Fabrics, Home Furnishings & Made-Ups & Indian Handicrafts. Smt. Kiran Dhingra, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India was also present at the occasion.

****

Henrik Ekersund to Coach Indian Tennis Players

2012-01-19T19:22:00.001-08:00

Henrik Ekersund to Coach Indian Tennis Players:
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has approved the appointment of Mr. Henrik Ekersund coach from Sweden to train Indian Tennis players particularly juniors and sub juniors. He will also train the women’s doubles players who can combine with Sania Mirza in Olympics 2012.

The expertise of Mr. Henrik, Ekersund will also be utilized for training under “Come and Play” Scheme of the Sports Authority of India and also for organizing Coaches’ Clinics for Indian Coaches.

Mr. Henrik Ekersund has been the National coach of the Swedish Tennis Association, Stockholm and their Head coach for Boys under 14.

The term of contract of the coach would be upto 15th October, 2014.

Along with other facilities and perks, the foreign coach will be paid monthly salary of USD 8000/-.

Bravery award winning children to meet Minister

2012-01-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

EVENT	:	Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister of State for Women and Child Development (Independent Charge) will meet the bravery award winning children to be awarded on the occasion of Republic Day.
DATE	:	20^th January 2012 (Friday)
TIME	:	5.00 P.M.VENUE-Residence

Tibetans call for independence

2012-01-18T19:54:00.001-08:00

Fresh protests in Serthar, Tibetans call for independenceJanuary 18, 2012

DHARAMSHALA, January 18: Tibetans in the eastern Tibetan region of Serthar, Kardze carried out fresh protests calling for Tibet’s independence on Monday.

According to a report by AP, “dozens of Tibetans, including monks, held up a portrait of the Dalai Lama” in an act of defiance against Chinese rule. In January alone, four Tibetans in the adjoining regions of Kardze have died after setting themselves on fire demanding the return of the Dalai Lama and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.

The report quoted an official from Serthar county public security bureau as saying that “on Monday, fewer than 100 Tibetans gathered and held a portrait of the Dalai Lama.”

However, the Chinese official declined to give further details on whether any arrests were made after the peaceful demonstrations.

Writing on her blog, Beijing based Tibetan writer Woeser also confirmed the protests in Serthar.

“Hundreds of monks from Kardze protested with Tibetan flags and portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” Woeser wrote.

The award-winning Tibetan writer also said that Tibetans in Darlag County, Golok, on Monday, removed the Chinese flag from a local government building and replaced it with the “banned in Tibet” snow lion national flag of Tibet.

Thousands of Tibetans had attended the funeral of Sopa Rinpoche in Darlag a day earlier. Rinpoche set his body on fire on January 8 shouting slogans calling for Tibet's freedom and the long life of the Dalai Lama.

Reporting on the Serthar protests, Dharamshala based radio service VoT said the protests by over 200 Tibetans were sparked when two monks from a nearby monastery started a demonstration raising slogans for Tibet’s independence and throwing leaflets in the air.

Chinese security personnel are reportedly on the look out for the two monks who were rescued from the clutches of the police by the Tibetan crowd.

In October last, hundreds of Tibetans had carried out an impromptu protest in front of the main entrance of Serthar after a photo of the Dalai Lama and a huge Tibetan flag were removed from a four-storey building and thrown in the street.

Suu Kyi to contest Kawhmu for Lower house

2012-01-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi launched her historic bid for a seat in parliament on Wednesday in the latest sign of change in the country after the end of decades of outright military rule.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner is standing in 1^st April by-elections seen as a major test of the regime's reform credentials following a surprising series of conciliatory gestures by the new nominally civilian government.

The pro-democracy icon, released from a long stretch of house arrest in late 2010, submitted her registration to stand in a rural constituency in Kawhmu near Yangon, an area devastated by Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

"Aung San Suu Kyi was the first member of the NLD to register. She's going to run for the lower house," a senior party official, Win Htein, said.

The 66-year-old's National League for Democracy (NLD) party has already been given approval to return to the official political arena, against a backdrop of budding reforms including dialogue between the regime and the opposition.

The NLD was stripped of its status as a legal political party in 2010 after it chose to boycott a controversial national election held in November of that year, saying the rules were unfair.

That vote, in which the military's allies claimed an overwhelming victory, was marred by complaints of cheating and criticised by Western nations which enforce sanctions against the regime.

A quarter of parliament's seats are taken up by unelected military officials while the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which is packed with former military men, holds about 80 per cent of the remainder.

Suu Kyi was released a few days after the 2010 poll, having spent much of the past two decades in detention.

Since coming to power in March, the new military-backed government dominated by former generals has made a series of reformist moves in an apparent attempt to reach out to political opponents and the West.

These included releasing hundreds of political prisoners, holding dialogue with the opposition, suspending construction of an unpopular mega-dam and pursuing peace deals with armed ethnic minority rebels.

Agenda Insurgency on India-Myanmar talks

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

A joint strategy to deal with north-east insurgent groups, checking of drug smuggling, arms and ammunition, will be high on the agenda during the Home Secretary-level talks between India and Myanmar to be held on Thursday in Myanmarese capital of Naypyitaw.

Home Secretary R. K. Singh will travel to Naypyitaw to hold annual bilateral talks with his counterpart where he will impress upon the neighbouring country to take action against the Northeast-based insurgent groups having bases across the border.

India and Myanmar are expected to discuss how to check cross-border crimes, especially smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition and may formulate a joint strategy to deal with the menace.

New Delhi has long been pressing Naypyitaw for taking strong action against the ULFA, NSCN, UNLF and other insurgent groups, which have large bases in Kachin province of Myanmar.

Though Myanmar had launched several offensives against these groups, they were yet to be completely wiped out from the territory of the neighbouring country.

India shares a 1,640-kilometres border with Myanmar which touches Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

American Express Bangladesh Open 2012.

2012-01-17T04:39:00.001-08:00

Dhaka, January 17, 2012: Md Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh and
Kolkata’s Feroz Ali Mollah are the joint leaders after round one of
the American Express Bangladesh Open 2012. Siddikur and Feroz shot
matching scores of six under 66 on the opening day at the Kurmitola
Golf Club in Dhaka. Lucknow golfer Vijay Kumar is placed third at four
under 68.

Md Siddikur Rahman, the first Bangladeshi to win a title on the Asian
Tour, picked up his first birdie of the day on the third hole where he
made a tricky chip-putt from the left of the green. He then played an
extraordinary bunker shot to earn a birdie on the fifth. After
collecting another birdie on the seventh, the 27-year-old made
eagle-birdie on the 10th and 11th to take his score to six under for
the day.

Siddikur, playing on his home course, hit a near-perfect second shot
from 120 yards to make eagle on the par-4 10th. The only blemish on
his card was the bogey on the 12th. Rahman, the 2010 Bangladesh Open
champion, hit an excellent drive on the 14th to set up his final
birdie of the day. He thus finished the day with a splendid 66.

“My driving and hitting were excellent today. I also hit some great
chip shots, especially on the third, fifth and 14th. My best shot of
the day was the second shot on the 10th that led to an eagle. I holed
my pitching wedge shot from 120 yards on the 10th,” said Siddikur, who
claimed eighth place on the 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit.

He added, “The course is in great condition as the fairways and greens
are playing very well. I have the advantage of local knowledge on this
course and I will look to capitalize on that. I’m highly motivated to
do well at this event as this is my national open. I’ll try my best to
live up to the expectations of the home crowd.”

Feroz Ali Mollah also fired a 66 to be the joint leader after round
one. Feroz, a former Indian Open champion, sank six birdies on
Tuesday. Mollah made a couple of fantastic up and downs from the
bunker for birdies on the 14th and fifth and converted a 30-footer for
birdie on the 16th.

Feroz, said, “My hitting is in great shape at the moment. I grabbed
most of the opportunities that came my way today except for a couple
of eagle chances. Importantly, I’ve had some match practice in the
last three weeks in Thailand and therefore have been in touch with the
game despite the season-end break on the PGTI.”

Vijay Kumar was placed third at four under 68. His round featured five
birdies and a bogey.

Bangladesh golfers Md Zamal Hossain Mollah and Md Babu Ahmed are in
joint fourth along with Delhi’s Vikrant Chopra at one under 71.

India & Nepal Discuss Coorperation to Curb Cross-Border Crimes

2012-01-16T21:31:00.001-08:00

India & Nepal Discuss Coorperation to Curb Cross-Border Crimes. India & Nepal today, discussed cooperation in countering cross-border crimes & terrorist activities during Home Secretary level talks between the two countries. They discussed wide ranging issues including countering circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes, smuggling of arms/ammunitions, trafficking of narcotics & psychotropic substances and misuse of SIM Cards. Sharing of information/ intelligence reports, progress in establishment of Integrated Check Posts and border roads and India’s support to training and capacity building of Nepal’s security apparatus were also discussed.

The Indian delegation was led by Shri R.K. Singh. Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and the Nepalese delegation was led by Shri Sushil Jung Bahadur Rana, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal. Shri R.K.Singh appreciated the assurance of Nepalese Government for not allowing its territory to be used for activities inimical to India’s interest and also assured Nepal of India’s commitment to provide all necessary cooperation and assistance.

The meeting was held in a cordial environment and both the countries expressed their satisfaction on the outcome of the issues deliberated during the meeting and hoped it will go a long way in addressing mutual security concerns, enhancing cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries.

Costa Concordia liner hit a reef

2012-01-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

Indians rescued in Italy cruise mishap-

Hunt is on for one missing Indian wheras hundred thirty Indians were rescued on lifeboats after a luxury cruise liner ran aground off the Tuscan coast in Italy. At least five people died and 17 remained unaccounted for. None of them are Indian. Divers are trying to find more survivors. The 290-metre-long, 1,500-cabin Costa Concordia liner hit a reef near the Giglio island at around 8 pm local time, after which the ship tilted heavily to one side.Most of the 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew members had been evacuated.“We were dining when the lights went out,” one of the passengers told Ansa. “We heard a bang and a roar, and dishes crashed to the floor.” It was first reported that the ship suffered an electrical failure, but soon afterwards, everyone was ordered to wear life-jackets, media report. Tourist on board were Indians Italians, Germans, French and British among the 3,200 passengers.Helicopters with spotlights are used to help rescuers.

Swamy quizzed over inflammatory article

2012-01-16T05:18:00.000-08:00

Delhi Police today questioned Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy in connection with a case of writing an inflammatory article in a newspaper.

He has been granted interim protection till January 30 by the Delhi High Court against his possible arrest in the case.Delhi High Court had on Friday last granted interim protection to Mr. Swamy and asked him to give an undertaking that he would not write such articles in the future.

The court also issued notice to the Delhi Police seeking its response to Swamy's anticipatory bail plea.

Myanmar can improve relations with United States: Hillary

2012-01-15T22:53:00.000-08:00

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says, Myanmar can improve relations with the United States, if it releases all remaining political prisoners, ends violence against minorities and cuts military ties with North Korea. In a telephone call yesterday with the country's Foreign Minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, Clinton said that Washington is committed to walking down the path of reform with the people and government of Burma. The two also discussed restoring diplomatic relations. The U. S. Secretary of State also spoke with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In a statement released after the talks, Secretary Clinton said she told the two Myanmar leaders that Washington is prepared to meet action with action. The talks come a day after the Burmese government released hundreds of political prisoners.

Saina enters semifinals of Malaysia Open

2012-01-14T21:17:00.000-08:00

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal on Friday reached her first semifinal of the new season after eking out a hard-fought three-game victory over Tine Baun of Denmark in the Malaysian Super Series in Kuala Lumpur.

The world number four Indian had to toil hard before prevailing over two-time All England champion Tine 21-13 21-23 21-13 in a women singles quarterfinal match which lasted a little less than an hour.

The 21-year-old Saina kept the pressure on her rival and played a lot of smashes though she gained more points with her dribbling at the net.

In the first game, Saina opened up a narrow lead after 5-5 but Tine kept breathing down her neck at 9-10 before the Indian started reeling off straight points to widen the gap and then take a 1-0 lead.

Not ready to lie low, Tine raced to a three-point lead in the second game but a straight six point helped Saina to zoom past her and take 14-10 lead.

However, the Dane was not someone to let it go so easily as she caught up with the Indian at 15-15 and held on to the fight by winning the second game and draw level.

In the decider, Tine again managed to open up a narrow two-point lead early but Saina soon gathered herself and changed the calculation by leading 9-7 and kept the pressure intact as Tine's game crumbled.

In the semifinals on Saturday, Saina will take on the winner between top seed and world number one Chinese Yihan Wang and Xuerui Li.

Myanmar, Karen rebels sign ceasefire

2012-01-13T02:30:00.000-08:00

Peace initiative by Myanmar's government as one of the country's most prominent ethnic rebel groups signed a ceasefire today after decades of fighting, the latest in the country's apparent bids to reformA delegation of ministers from the capital Naypyidaw and senior members of the Karen National Union (KNU) signed the pact in Hpa-an, the capital of eastern Karen state, scene of one of the world's longest-running civil wars.

"The president has said we brothers have been angry at each other for 63 years and he asked us to give the KNU what they want. That's why we came here," said Immigration Minister Khin Yi before the pact was signed in front of reporters.

The military-dominated government, which came to power in March last year after decades of outright army rule, has been trying to reach out to ethnic groups as part of reforms seemingly aimed at ending its isolated status.

Civil war has gripped parts of the country since its independence in 1948, and an end to the conflicts, as well as alleged human rights abuses involving government troops, is a key demand of the international community.

A leading KNU member known as Brigadier General Johnny expressed optimism ahead of the talks with the government.

"This time they didn't ask us to give up our arms, they just want to work for equal rights for ethnic groups," he told the news agency.

"We have been fighting for 60 years and one meeting alone will not end it."

Vast numbers of villagers in Karen state, scene of Myanmar's oldest insurgency, have been forced to flee and tens of thousands of these refugees live in camps across the border in Thailand.

Rights groups say the government's counter-insurgency campaigns over the years have deliberately targeted civilians, driving them from their homes, destroying villages and forcing them to work for the army.

High Speed Rail Corridors

2012-01-12T08:59:00.000-08:00

High Speed Rail Corridors

Indian Railway Minister holds Discussion with the Visiting Japanese Transport Minister on High Speed Rail Corridors. The Minister of Railways, Government of India, Shri Dinesh Trivedi alongwith Indian Railway Board Members, here today, held discussions with a visiting Japanese delegation led by Mr. Takeshi Maeda, Minister for Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Government of Japan on bilateral issues in the field of rail transportation and various aspects of high speed train corridors (popularly called bullet trains).

The members of the Japanese delegation included Mr. Ryuhei Maeda, DG for International Affairs, MLIT, Mr. Akhihiko Tamura, Sr. Dy. DG, Railway Bureau, MLIT, Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Satoshi Seino, President, East Japan Railway Company, Mr. Tadaharu Ohashi, Chairman, Kawasaki Heavy Industry and Mr. Makoto Washizu, President, Japan International Transport Institute. Indian Railways delegation consisted of Shri Vinay Mittal, Chairman, Railway Board, Ms. Vijaya Kanth, Financial Commissioner, Shri K. K. Srivastava, Member Traffic, Shri A. K. Vohra, Member Staff, Shri Kul Bhushan, Member Electrical, Shri A. P. Mishra, Member Engineering and Shri Sanjiv Handa, Member Mechanical.

There had been efforts from both sides in last one year in the direction of High Speed Train System. A delegation led by Mr. Ryuhei Maeda, DG for International Affairs had visited Delhi in October 2011 and held fruitful interaction with Shri Trivedi and Railway Board officers. This was followed by a visit of Indian Railway officers to Japan to have first hand understanding of Shikansen system. Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are also working in this direction.

It may be worthwhile to mention that Indian Ministry of Railways has selected six corridors for conducting pre-feasibility studies. These are; 1) Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar, 2) Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad, 3) Hyderabad-Dornakal-Vijaywada-Chennai, 4) Chennai-Banalore-Coimbatore-Ernakulam-Trivandrum, 5) Howrah-Haldia and 6) Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi.

The consultants for pre-feasibility study for four corridors have already been appointed namely M/s Systra, M/s Italffer and M/s RITES Limited for Pune – Mumbai – Ahmedabad; M/s Mott MacDonald for Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna; M/s INECO, M/s PROINTEC, M/s Ayesa for Howrah-Haldia; and M/s. Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Oriental Consultancy along with Parsons Brinkhoff India for Hyderabad-Dornakal-Vijaywada-Chennai. However, the process of appointing consultants for the corridors Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar and Chennai-Bangalore-Coimbatore-Ernakulam-Trivandrum is still going on. Final report for pre-feasibility study for Pune-Mumbai-Hyderabad high speed rail corridor has already been submitted by the consultant.

In the Railway Budget 2010-11 of Government of India, the Indian Minister for Railways had announced for setting up of a National High Speed Rail Authority (NHSRA) for planning, standard setting, implementing & monitoring of High Speed Rail projects. The process for its approval by the Union Cabinet is going on.

Posted 1 hour ago by Nareshkumarsagar

2012-01-11T08:32:00.000-08:00

Malaysian oppo leader Anwar acquitted in sodomy trial

Malaysian High Court on Monday has acquitted opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy charges by his former aide after a two-year trial, a verdict likely to strengthen his alliance ahead of the general elections.

High Court Judge Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah on Monday took just three minutes to deliver his most awaited judgment to a packed court house and found him not guilty of sodomising his former aide 26-year-old Mohd Saiful Bukhari.

The Judge said there were no collaborating evidence to support Saiful's testimony, citing unreliable DNA evidence.

"The court cannot be 100 per cent certain that DNA was not contaminated," the judge said. "And because it was a sexual offence, the court is reluctant to convict on uncorroborated evidence," he said. However, there is no written judgment.

A crowd of 64-year-old Anwar's supporters shouted "Allahu Akbar," or "God is great" after the judge finished reading the verdict.

Anwar immediately hugged his children who were crying over the verdict. He also shook hands with the prosecutors.

"Thank God justice has prevailed," a jubilant Anwar said. "I have been vindicated. To be honest, I am a little surprised... My focus now will be at the coming elections."

The verdict comes ahead of elections due in 2013 but widely expected to be called later this year.

The allegations against Anwar surfaced just months after elections in 2008, in which he led the opposition to unprecedented gains at the expense of the ruling coalition.

The trial has riveted Malaysia and sparked charges of a government set-up to cripple the Anwar-led opposition. It is the second sodomy verdict in a dozen years for Anwar.

However, Information Minister Rais Yatim said in a statement that the acquittal "proves that the government does not hold sway over judges' decisions."

"Malaysia has an independent judiciary," Rais said.

"The current wave of bold democratic reforms introduced by Prime Minister Najib Razak will help extend this transparency to all areas of Malaysian life."

Hundreds of police and security personnel were deployed on the streets and outside the court ahead of the verdict. Hours before the verdict, thousands of Anwar's supporters assembled near the Jalan Duta court, awaiting the verdict.

They carried banners saying "free Anwar" and shouted slogans denouncing the trial, with some chanting "reformasi" (reform), the battle cry of Anwar supporters after his spectacular ousting as deputy prime minister in the late 1990s.

Anwar, who served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998, was sentenced to six years in prison for corruption in 1999 and to another nine years for sodomy in 2000.

In 2004, the Federal Court reversed the second conviction and he was released. Sodomy is illegal in this Muslim country though few are ever prosecuted.

Mohd Saiful, who accused Anwar of sodomy, tweeted that he remains calm over the verdict that dismissed his charge.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur police chief said officials were investigating an explosion at a car park about 400 metre from court complex. The bomb squad and forensics team were at the scene.

2012-01-10T08:31:00.001-08:00

Govt notifies 100 pc FDI in single brand retail

Notwithstanding its inability to open multi-brand retail for foreign investment, government on Tuesday notified 100 per cent FDI in single-brand retail, paving way for global chains like Adidas, Louis Vuitton and Gucci to have full ownership of their India operations.

"Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), up to 100 per cent , under the government approval route, would be permitted in single brand product retail trading," a press note by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) said.

However, in respect of proposals involving FDI beyond 51 per cent, the mandatory sourcing of at least 30 per cent would have to be done from the domestic small and cottage industries which have a maximum investment in plant and machinery of USD 1 million (about Rs 5 crore).

"FDI in single brand has led to emergence of some global majors in Indian market...This will provide stimulus to domestic manufacturing value addition and help in technical upgradation of our small industry," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said.

The decision to increase FDI in single-brand retail was taken by the Cabinet on November 24 along with opening the gates for overseas investment in multi-brand retail.

However, the Government was forced to put on hold FDI in multi-brand retail by several political parties, including UPA ally Trinamool Congress.

At present, for single-brand retailers, 51 per cent FDI is permitted. Removal of investment cap would help global fashion brands especially from Italy and France to strengthen their interest in the growing Indian market.

Many big names have already set up their operations in the country by partnering with Indian partners. The new policy would allow them to buy out the domestic partners.

The government said the move which comes into effect immediately would enhance competitiveness of Indian enterprises through access to global design, technologies and management practices.

According to the riders, however, the products by the global chains should be of 'single brand' only and be sold under the same brand internationally.

Single brand retailing would cover products which are branded during manufacturing and the foreign investor should be owner of the brand.

Though 51 per cent FDI in single brand was allowed in February 2006, not much investment has come in the sector. During last three and half years, FDI worth only Rs 196 crore was received in the sector.

Experts hailed the decision and said that the move would make India a retail destination and help in enhancing foreign investments.

"It is an excellent move which would help in bringing more FDI into the country," KPMG Executive Director Krishan Malhotra said.

"The decision would help in bringing latest products and technologies. It would also provide more choices to consumers," PricewaterhouseCoopers Associate Director Goldie Dhama said.

2012-01-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

Indo-American Friends Group

Celebrating

10^th Pravasi Divas [NRI Day]

Seminar on

“Role of NRIS in the Development of Their Country and India.”

Laxmipat Singhania Auditorium ,

PHD House, August Kranti Marg, Near Siri Fort, New Delhi

On Thursday, the 12^th January, 2012, at 6.00P.M.

Contact No. 011-41512251, 99109 15369

SIDBI inks MoU with IOB

2012-01-09T09:45:00.001-08:00

The Small Industries and Development Board of India (SIDBI) on Friday inked an MoU with public sector Indian Overseas Bank to provide Rs 100 crore growth capital to micro small and medium enterprises.SIDBI Chairman and Managing Director S Muhnot exchanged documents with Indian Overseas Bank CMD M Narendra at a function in Chennai.
Talking to reporters, Muhnot said as per the understanding, SIDBI would provide a line of credit of Rs 100 crore to the city-based bank for a period of seven years. "...it will be given from the risk capital fund managed by SIDBI and the line of credit will be given as growth capital to deserving MSMEs."

US' Special Envoy Derek Mitchell arrives in Yangon

2012-01-09T09:42:00.001-08:00

US' Special Envoy Derek Mitchell arrives in Yangon,United States ' Special Envoy Derek Mitchell arrived in Yangon on Monday in an attempt to further look into Myanmar 's most recent developments. The U.S. State Department described Mitchell's trip as a follow- up one to that of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in December last year.

It is Mitchell's fourth visit to Myanmar . Besides meeting with government officials in Nay Pyi Taw, Mitchell , U.S. special representative and policy coordinator for Myanmar , will also travel to Bagan to see microfinance programmes and other development work in the country's dry zone. Mitchell's visit will last for four days through to Thursday.

Along with Mitchell, senior U.S. diplomat Luis CdeBaca, who is U.S. Ambassador at Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, will also pay a three-day visit to Myanmar to assess the human trafficking situation in the country and to explore opportunities to strengthen the government's anti-trafficking efforts.

Election Commission of India visit Manipur

2012-01-07T00:30:00.000-08:00

Visit of the Election Commission of India to Manipur on 5th January, 2012 to review election preparedness.
The Election Commission reviewed election preparedness for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Manipur, during a visit to Imphal yesterday.
Following a meeting with the political parties, senior officers and all concerned, the Commission directed a series of measures for ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections in the State, where the date of polling is 28th January, 2012.
Among other measures, the Commission directed the change of the Director General of Police of the State. Based on the orders of the Commission, Shri Ratnakar Baral has taken over as the new Director General of Police yesterday.
The Commission also ordered that photograph of each and every voter will be taken at the Polling Stations after marking the indelible ink on their finger. This is the first time that such a provision has been introduced to avoid any bogus voting.
The Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. S.Y. Quraishi and accompanying Election Commissioners Shri V.S. Sampath and Shri H.S. Brahma reviewed the election preparations with all the District Administration and Police officers, Director General of Police and DGPs of the bordering States to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls. Security measures, logistics, infrastructure, border control, voters’ facilitation, expenditure control measures, transportation of men and material were among the issues discussed.

25 dead, about 100 missing in Philippine landslide

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

25 dead, about 100 missing in Philippine landslide

At least 25 people were killed and about 100 others missing in the southern Philippines on Thursday after a landslide struck a community of gold prospectors.

The landslip hit a remote mountain community on Mindanao island that was declared off-limits last year due to the ever-present danger of landslides, but migrants in search of instant riches had ignored the warning, officials added.
Rescuers using only spades and other hand tools pulled 25 bodies and 15 injured residents from the rubble after the landslide in Napnapan near Pantukan town at dawn, civil defence chief Benito Ramos told the news agency.
"A military unit is in the area but they are basically digging with their hands," he told the news agency.
Local military official Colonel Lyndon Paniza, who is coordinating the rescue from Pantukan, about two hours away via rugged mountain roads, said rescuers fear there could be more fatalities.
"We expect many were killed since the worst-hit was the middle, where there are more than 50 shanties," Paniza told the news agency.
The landslide buried an area measuring about 7,500 square metres as people slept, Paniza added.
Provincial governor Arturo Uy said more than 100 people were believed to be still buried under the collapsed mountainside.
Ramos however said the number of missing was an estimate based on figures from village officials.
The provincial government and local mining firms have been asked to bring heavy equipment up to the village to help local troops speed up the rescue.
The area had been hit by rains unleashed from a storm off Mindanao's southeast coast, the state weather service said.
Pantukan and nearby Monkayo town have drawn thousands of gold prospectors for years, and the largely unregulated mining activities have made the mountainside unstable and caused a series of deadly accidents.
Paniza said another landslide had occurred about two kilometres (just over a mile) away on April 22 last year.
Local officials said that landslide had killed 14 people, while another in 2009 killed 26.

Prof Trinh Xuan Thuan of Vietnam gets Kaligna Chair

2012-01-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Eminent scientist, Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan of Vietnam has been conferred with the prestigious 'Kalinga Chair' award at the 99th Indian Science Congress being held in Bhubaneswar.
Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, gave away the award marking 60th anniversary of the prestigious UNESCO Kalinga Prize.

The award was given by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in association with Bhubaneswar based Kalinga Foundation Trust and Union Ministry of Human Resources Development and Department of Science and Technology.

Kalinga Chair is awarded to one among the winners of the UNESCO Kalinga Prize and was introduced by the Central Government to mark the 50th anniversary of Kalinga Prize.Thuan was winner of the UNESCO Kalinga Prize in 2009.Eleven former winners of the coveted UNESCO Kalinga Prize were also felicitated by Naveen Patnaik at the function.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister to visit Iran

2012-01-04T20:49:00.001-08:00

Amidst mounting international pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will visit Iran on Wednesday. A statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry said he will hold talks with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi on Iran’s nuclear program as well as developments in Iraq and Syria.

The visit comes in the backdrop of rising tensions, with Iran holding naval war games.

Teheran has also warned the United States to keep its aircraft carrier out of the Gulf which Washington has dismissed.

China said it is opposed to opposed unilateral sanctions against Iran, after U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law new measures targeting the Islamic republic's central bank. China and Iran have become major economic partners in recent years, partly due to the withdrawal of Western companies in line with sanctions against Tehran.

Twin presidential, legislative polls Taiwan this year, 2012

2012-01-03T17:18:00.000-08:00

Taiwan this year, 2012 is an election year, one in which they either give an incumbent president a new mandate or elect a new president.Taiwan go to the polls in less than two weeks, they will be exercising their democratic right to choose a leader to lead them for four long years.Eleven days before for twin presidential and legislative polls offer for the next president will face challenges in making bold progress,polling is notoriously inaccurate. Taiwan results may vary wild for the blue camp's Kuomintang (KMT) or the green camp's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).Ma came to power in 2008, with a landslide victory 58.45 per cent against the 41.55 per cent of DPP candidate Frank Hsieh.

Amnesty to Thaksin would spark conflict:Abhisit

2012-01-03T16:52:00.000-08:00

Thai Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government should instead focus on tackling corruption and reviving the economy, which has been dealt a blow by the flood. He said the prices of basic commodities and energy had gone up and needed the government's attention. The matter will be raised when the House of Representatives meets today.He warned the Yingluck Shinawatra government against amending the controversial lese-majeste law or granting amnesty to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying such moves would spark conflicts in society."I have always stressed that whatever issue causes conflict or is problematic should be set aside so that Thai society can have a chance to move forward. Those in politics should just remain still and do our best job. Do not think that it's bizarre because society can move by itself. The PM has said she will stay for a full term, and I think she can if she doesn't cause troubles," said Abhisit, who also cited the proposed amendment of the Constitution as one of the problematic issues.Further adds the government should pay special attention to include preparing the country to integrate with the Asean community of nations.Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut accused the government of failing to keep its campaign promise to help needy people. He cited the raising of prices of natural gas for vehicles and liquefied petroleum gas and the reduction of corporate tax from 30 per cent to 23 per cent as examples of policies that benefit the rich instead of the poor.Chavanond added that in some areas, lower-income flood victims had still not been provided with adequate assistance by the government and suggested that the government extend the period for guaranteeing the purchase price of rice.Thai flood situation in nine southern provinces remains critical, with roads closed and train services halted due to high-level inundation and many villages engulfed in mudslides.Another 84 villages, all in Ranong, are at risk of mudslides, according to the latest warning released yesterday. Twenty-one of them are located in high-risk areas in Muang, Kapoe, La-un, Suk Samran and Kra Buri districts.Media agencies

Honorary Golden Bear for Meryl Streep

2012-01-03T04:25:00.000-08:00

American actress and Oscar-winner Meryl Streep will be awarded an Honorary Golden Bear at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. Berlin Film Festival to be held during the period 9th of February to the 19th of February 2012.

On February 14, 2012, Meryl Streep will be awarded the Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement at a screening of her latest work The Iron Lady at the Berlinale Palast in Berlin. In The Iron Lady she portrays Great Britain’s former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The film imagines how Margaret, at the end of her life, might look back through fragmented memories to weigh-up the personal cost of her decisions. The film is not so much about politics as about power and the loss of power.

Meryl Streep has appeared in over 40 films and is looked upon as one of the world’s most talented and popular actresses. She has received countless awards and nominations as an artist, including an unprecedented 16 nominations for the Oscar (two of these coveted prizes which she won) and 18 Golden Globe nominations and seven wins.“We are delighted to be able to award the Honorary Golden Bear to such a terrific artist and world star. Meryl Streep is a brilliant, versatile performer who moves with ease between dramatic and comedic roles,” says Berlinale Director Dieter Kosslick.

She also starred in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy Manhattan (1979) and the historical drama The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981, directed by Karel Reisz). She portrayed a very committed union activist in Silkwood (1983) by Mike Nichols, as well as Tania Blixen in Sidney Pollack’s epic adaptation of Out of Africa (1985). With Susan Seidelman’s She-Devil (1989), Streep appeared in her first comedy; in 1992, she gave yet another brilliant comic performance in Death Becomes Her (directed by Robert Zemeckis). In the 1995 drama The Bridges of Madison County, she played the lead alongside Clint Eastwood, who also directed the film. In 2002, she performed in Stephen Daldry’s screen adaptation of the novel The Hours. Leading roles followed in the energetic satire The Devil Wears Prada (2006, directed by David Frankel), Robert Altman’s A Prairie Home Companion (2006), and the political thriller Lions for Lambs (2007, directed by Robert Redford). With the musical comedy Mamma Mia (2008, directed by Phyllida Lloyd), and Julie & Julia (2009, directed by Nora Ephron), Meryl Streep once again showed how versatile she is. She has received her most recent Golden Globe nomination with her performance as Margaret Thatcher in the upcoming film The Iron Lady (2011, directed by Phyllida Lloyd).Reports Berlinale 2012

Burma President orders limited prisoner release

2012-01-03T00:36:00.000-08:00

Burmese President Thein Sein announced a reduction in prisoners’ sentences on Monday to coincide with the country’s 64^th Independence Day.

Not clear about the number of political prisoners may be affected by the order, which was announced by MRTV, a state-run TV station, on Sunday.

Under the order, death row inmates’ sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment; those serving more than a 30-year sentence will be commuted to 30 years; those serving between a 20 and 30-year sentence will be commuted to 20 years; and those who are serving under a 20-year sentence will be commuted to one-fourth of their sentence respectively.The order reportedly covers all prisoners who committed crimes before January 2, 2012. Under the order, many prominent political prisoners who are serving long sentences would not be affected, such as 88-Generation student leaders Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Mya Aye, Jimmy and Nilar Thein; and ethnic leader Khun Tun Oo, who is serving a 93-year sentence.
Releases to start Tuesday under the new government, two amnesty releases were ordered on May 16 and October 12, 2011, affecting 14,758 and 6,359 prisoners respectively.

The amnesty order in October affected about 200 political prisoners. Estimates of the number of political prisoners in jail range from around 600 to more than 1,500. Suu Kyi said in November said that there were still about 600 political prisoners, according to an NLD survey.Last week, state-run media reported that the government-appointed National Human Rights Commission had appealed to Thein Sein to issue a general amnesty. “This order cannot be called an amnesty. The limited nature ... indicates that the government has no intention to free the prisoners of conscience,” activist lawyer Aung Thein told The Associated Press.

A spokesman for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party said the move falls short of achieving national reconciliation.“Many political prisoners will remain in detention,” NLD party spokesman Han Thar Myint said. “It is not satisfactory.”

Western and European government officials have told Burmese leaders that sanctions are unlikely to be lifted as long as political prisoners remain in jail, and have called for a release of all political prisoners. Burmese officials refuse to acknowledge it has political prisoners, maintaining all prisoners have been convicted of violating existing laws.

Aung Khaing Min of the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) said he was disappointed that the order had not differentiated between political and criminal inmates.

"It is not even an amnesty. It is very frustrating," he told Agence France Presse.

He said it was "really chaotic" that the announcement was not in line with statements from some officials, who have indicated recently that more prisoners of conscience would be freed.Media agencies

Blast Off 2012 with AirAsia X’s Great Deals!

2012-01-03T00:26:00.000-08:00

Blast Off2012 with AirAsia X’s Great Deals!

All-in fares from as low as RM406 to Japan, Australia and Europe up for grabs!

SEPANG, 3 JANUARY 2012 – AirAsia X, Asia’s leading long-haul, low fare affiliate of AirAsia, today ushers in the New Year with a blast ofamazing low fare deals to destinations in Australia, Europe, Korea and Japan from Kuala Lumpur.

The “Blast Off 2012” promotion offers low fare deals which are up for grabs from3 – 15 January 2012 and are available exclusively online at www.airasia.com. The travel period for the “Blast Off 2012” low fare deals are for immediate travel from9 January to 31 March 2012.

An all-in fare toJapan starts from as low as RM406 to our newly launched 2^nd destination in Japan; Osaka and RM556 to Tokyo from Kuala Lumpur. Guests may also take a trip to the land down under,Australia from as low as RM496 to Perth, from as low as RM616 to Gold Coast and from RM646 to Melbourne.

Other hot international destinations are offered from as low as RM436 toKorea (Seoul), and those opting to travel to Europe, fares are available from as low as RM716 to France (Paris) and from as low as RM836 to London (Gatwick).

Azran Osman-Rani, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X said: “We are pleased to usher in 2012 with our “Blast Off 2012” promotion which offers low fare deals to selected AirAsia X destinations. With the pent-up demand for the selected destinations in Australia, Japan, Korea and Europe from Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding regions during the year end sale in 2011, we have decided to offer this special treat to our guests, ushering the New Year with our fantastic deals. Guests may also take this opportunity to clear their brought forward leave from 2011, offering them a longer getaway during the Chinese New Year festive season or even a short romantic Valentine’s escape with this immediate travel promotion. For those who missed out on AirAsia X’s year end holiday deals in 2011, this is indeed a good opportunity for them to plan a short break in the first quarter of 2012.”

“In addition to that, guests may also grab our “Blast Off 2012” Fly-thru deals from Australia to Japan and Europe and vice versa or hop on to Kuala Lumpur and connect to South East Asia and beyond, leveraging on the AirAsia’s low cost carrier network with affordable low fares.”

AirAsia X “Blast Off 2012” long haul Fly-thru destinations include destinations from Australia (Perth) to Osaka, Japan from as low as AUD409 and from as low as AUD589 from Australia (Perth) to London. Guests from France (Paris) may also take this opportunity to Fly-thru to Osaka, Japan from as low as EUR339.

Also available are our fly-thru offers from Australia, Japan, Korea and Europe to AirAsia popular destinations in Thailand, Indonesia, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Macau.

For more details on AirAsia X’s “Blast Off 2012” promotional offer and Fly-thru low fare deals, kindly log on to www.airasia.com

It is also noteworthy to highlight that BIG loyalty card members may also earn loyalty points called “BIGGIES” when flying with us and enjoy 10 times loyalty points for our “Blast Off 2012” promotion. If you are not a member, sign up to BIG! Log on towww.tune2big.com for more details.

AirAsia keeps abreast with the social media community via their Facebook and Twitter accounts. Guests are able to receive real-time updates on latest promotions and interact with AirAsia viafacebook.com/AirAsia andtwitter.com/AirAsia.

In reaching out to our Japaneseguests, the airline has recently launched an AirAsia Japan Twitter account in Japanese language attwitter/airasiajp which is aligned with AirAsia’s global strategy in localizing their social media approach.

* Fare is applicable for one way travel only and is inclusive of airport tax. Terms and Condition apply.

INDIAN AMERICAN PREETA BANSAL APPONTED TO KEY ADMINISTRATIVE POST

2012-01-02T21:26:00.000-08:00

INDIAN AMERICAN PREETA BANSAL APPONTED TO KEY ADMINISTRATIVE POST

Indian American lawyer Preeta Bansal, who was an adviser to Barack Obama's presidential campaign before serving in the administration, has been appointed to a key administration post. Preeta Bansal has been appointed Member of the Advisory Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States, the White House said in a statement, which also announced the appointment of Boris Bershteyn to the same position.

"I am proud to appoint such impressive individuals to these important roles, and I am grateful they have agreed to lend their considerable talents to this Administration. "I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead," Obama said in a statement.

A rising Democratic rising star, Bansal served as the General Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of Management and Budget from 2009 to 2011. In that capacity, she was also a government member of the Council of the Administrative Conference of the US, serving as Vice Chair from 2010 until 2011. She is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Bansal, who studied at the Harvard Law School, has earlier served as an adviser to Obama's presidential campaign. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, she was a Partner and Head of the Appellate Litigation Practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP, in New York City. She is the former Solicitor General of the State of New York and a former law clerk to US Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. From 2003 to 2009, while in private law practice, Bansal also was a Commissioner of the bipartisan United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, serving as its Chair from 2004 to 2005.

INDIAN AMERICAN DR. SHUVENDU SEN HONORED FOR VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY WORK

shuvendu Sen, MD has been honored with Oscar Edward E. Award for Volunteerism and Community work by the American College of Physicians, North Carolina chapter on January 28th, 2011 at Washington Inn, Duke University, North Carolina. The award was given due to his outstanding contribution to the community. Amongst his many contributions, Dr Sen has been the founder Director of Project Access, Harnett County, North Carolina, a non profit organization to treat patients with no health insurance.

Formerly an Attending Physician of Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital, NC and President, Harnett County Medical Society, Dr Sen has recently moved to Raritan Bay Medical Center, New Jersey as Associate Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program and Director, Medical Education.

Dr Sen, also serves as the Chair of the Surgical Technology Program at Long Island University. He received The Men of Distinction Award from NY State Senator Shirly Huntley on March 24th, 2008.

DR. PRAKASH NARAIN BECOMES MAYOR PRO TEM OF CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA

The five-member City Council of Cypress, California approved Prakash Narain, M.D., as the new Mayor Pro Tem of Cypress on December 12, 2011, effective immediately. First elected to the City Council in 2006, he also served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2009, and as Mayor in 2010. Narain won easily in his bid for reelection in November 2010, as he ran unchallenged. He is the first Indian-American and first physician elected to this City Council, and perhaps the first Indian-American Mayor in the Southern California region. S ince the city of Cypress has term limits, Mayor Pro Tem Narain's second and final term will end in December 2014. He will hold the one-year term position of Mayor Pro Tem until December 2012.

Posted 2 minutes ago by Nksagar

Death of Río Negro province governor Carlos Soria

2012-01-02T00:09:00.001-08:00

Many provincial Governors condole over the death of Río Negro province governor Carlos Soria, and recalled him as “a great Peronist activist.” Soria died early today of a shot in his private residence in General Roca.
Río Negro Vice-governor Alberto Weretilneck will be sworn-in as Governor in a ceremony on Tuesday to replace Carlos Soria, who died today as a result of a gun shot, it was officially announced.
Buenos Aires province Governor Daniel Scioli stated that Soria, who was sworn-in on December 10th, was a “great Peronist activist and a fighter of politics.”
Scioli recalled that “I very recently met up with Soria and fellow governors regarding a very important decision taken by President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, that of the two year extension of the provinces’ debt reduction programme. I asked him how he was, and he told me ‘after many years of fighting I finally got the opportunity of being Governor of my province,’ despite the difficulties he faced over the volcanic ash cloud, particularly in such an iconic city as Bariloche, that was slowly recovering, and he was also worried over draught.”
“We deeply regret the loss of a great worker of politics, a fighter, a great Peronist, with a family with a strong political tradition,” Scioli added.
La Pampa Governor Oscar Jorge said that the death of his counterpart “is an irreparable loss, and the tragic circumstances of his death only deepen the feeling of sadness and grief.”
Tierra del Fuego Governor Fabiana Ríos expressed her condolonces to Soria’s family and said that “in light of this tragic loss, I want to express my most sincere condolences to his family, saying a prayer in his name and may the Lord guide his soul, allow him to rest in peace and may his family find comfort and peace.”
Likewise, Córdoba governor Juan Manuel de La Sota deemed Soria as a great fighter, full of convictions, and in name of the people of his province paid his respects to Soria’s family and hopes Rio Negro residents can overcome such a painful instance.
Santa Cruz Governor Daniel Peralta, La Rioja province Governor Luis Beder Herrera and San Juan province governor José Luis Gioja also released communiqués paying their respects to the Soria family.

The Media Professional

2012-01-01T03:24:00.000-08:00

The Media Professional

In case you have any article to suit this subject as events,incident or awareness for or from the indiviuals,orgainsation,institution of any part of the globe or for any government with view to match global amity we are to spread your words of wisdom.Foriegn companies wish to be represented by private Limited company in India,.represented by private Limited company in India,Experienced in developing long-term customer relations, many quality business contacts.

(live-PR.com) - The Media cordinator,we are working for global unity with peaceful society and in order to get to this utopian idea has initiated :To spread brotherhood amongst all caste,creed and cult,explain the natural Laws which binds us all human being as one subject: Explain Universal wisdom in empirical style which is followed by every citizen of world;In case you have any article to suit this subject as events,incident or awareness for or from the indiviuals,orgainsation,institution of any part of the globe or for any government with view to match global amity we are to spread your words of wisdom.

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Promoted package to major industries such as textile industry, sugar industry, farm houses, Airports authorities societies, hospitals, beverages ,embassies ,VIP residence Shopping Malls, industries, etc
Foriegn companies wish to be represented by private Limited company in India,.represented by private Limited company in India,Experienced in developing long-term customer relations, many quality business contacts. Exceptional in restructuring ineffective processes, cost containment and improving the bottom line results. Brand strategist with proven ability to be on the top slot of providing services to most of the well known companies, houses, government undertaking, public sector in this part of the world.
Our company is in constant technology upgradation with globe following,
1. Surfing the internet for findings on latest technology, news and economic environment.
2. Interest in analysing politio socio and economical changes in ASEAN,EU,African and North and S American countries.
3. Attending multiple forums for general Business discussions.
4. Interests in training the higher managment with higher wisdom as per spiritual practices and philosophers related books
5. Spiritual Motivator,
6. Personality developer,7. Holds seminar on Corporate, Product, HRD, Branding
8. Player in Indian shares script ,as investor guide, portfolio management, tracking their news.
9. Writing in various website, spiritual, social, political, current events for global unity
10. Holding social awareness camps for workers, professional and self employed entrepreneurs.

List of Clients:
· Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, New Delhi,
· Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Bijnor UP,
· Presidential Estate, Raisina Hills, New Delhi.
· Official residence of Prime Minister, New Delhi,
· Indira Gandhi International Airport New Delhi,
· Bhondsi Ashram of former PM of India Mr. Chandershekhar,
Sona,Haryana.
· Hindustan Prefab Limited, New Delhi,
· Albert David Ltd, Ghaziabad,UP,
· Aardee Infrastructure Limited, Gurgoan, Haryana,
· Sony India Pvt Ltd, Daruhera, Haryana,
· Shakthi Sthal, New Delhi,
· Cabinet Secretariat –Aditi Apartment, New Delhi,
· Central Tihar Jail, New Delhi,
· Hindustan Vegetable Oil Corporation Ltd, New Delhi,
· Batra Hospital, New Delhi,
· Pailwal Glass factory, Shikhobad, UP,
· DGS&D Society, New Delhi,
· GD Foods Pvt. Ltd, Haryana.
· Top Group of Companies, Neemrana , Rajasthan,
· Khanna Paper Mills Private Limited, Amritsar,
· Hot Knitz Fab Ltd, Greater Noida, UP,
· Bisleri India Ltd, Gautam Budh Nagar,UP,
· Bisleri India Ltd, New Delhi,
· U.P. House Chankyapuri, New Delhi,
· Oberoi Hotels Pvt Ltd, Naila Fort, Jaipur,
· Kapoor Solar farms, Bijwasan,
· Oberoi Farms New Delhi,
· ECE Ltd, Ghazibad UP,
We have also provided our consultancy in the field of water management on turnkey basis to many foreign missions in India, namely,Nederland Embassy in India,High Commission of Canada,German,Belgium,Britain,Switzerland,Ambassadors’ residence of Nederland and Britain.
Articles on multifarious subjects

Obama signs defence spending bill

2012-01-01T01:48:00.001-08:00

US President Barack Obama has signed into law a massive USD 662-billion defence spending bill that also seeks to suspend a big chunk of USD 1.1 billion military aid to Pakistan, despite his "serious reservations" about provisions regulating detention and prosecution of suspected terrorists.

"I have signed this bill despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation and prosecution of suspected terrorists," Obama said in a statement last evening after signing the bill in Hawaii, where the First Family is currently on the year-end vacation.

The USD 662-billion defence authorisation bill for the year 2012, among other things, seeks to suspend 60 per cent of USD 1.1 billion military aid to Pakistan -- under the category Pakistan Counter-insurgency Fund - till Secretaries of State and Defence report to the Congress that Islamabad is making progress in the war on terror, particularly progress in strategies to counter manufacturing of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

IEDs, which are mostly manufactured in Pakistan in its illicit factories, are one of the largest factors responsible for the death of American troops in Afghanistan.

However, Obama in his signing statement made no reference to this provision of the bill, which had drawn widespread condemnation in Pakistan and put another strain in US-Pakistan relationship.

The Obama administration has maintained that the bill under no circumstances results in suspension of US military aid to Pakistan; as being interpreted by the Pakistani media.

FICCI & Maryland

2012-01-01T01:47:00.001-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-31T03:23:00.001-08:00

December 6, 2011

November 4, 2011

Iran test fires long-range missiles

2011-12-31T03:21:00.001-08:00

TEHRAN: Iran test-fired long range missiles on Saturday during a naval exercise in the Gulf, the semi-official Fars news agency said, following a threat by Tehran to close shipping lanes if the West imposes sanctions on its oil exports.Another Iranian news agency also reported that Tehran's nuclear negotiator would write to the European Union offering to resume nuclear talks with major powers.Ten-day naval drill in the Gulf began last week as Iran showed its resolve to counter any attack by enemies such as Israel or the United States.

"Iran test-fired missiles including long range (missiles), surface to sea, in the Persian Gulf," Fars said on Saturday.Tehran threatened on Tuesday to stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz if it became the target of an oil embargo over its nuclear ambitions, a move that could trigger military conflict with countries dependent on Gulf oil.Tensions with the West have risen since the UN nuclear watchdog reported on Nov. 8 that Iran appears to have worked on designing an atomic bomb and may still be pursuing research to that end. Iran denies this and says it needs nuclear technology to generate electricity to meet growing domestic demand.

LAUNCHES ONLINE AGENT TRAINING & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

2011-12-31T00:30:00.000-08:00

LAUNCHES ONLINE AGENT TRAINING & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND LAUNCHES ONLINE AGENT TRAINING CERTIFICATIONPROGRAM-A TARGET OF 1,500 AGENTS FOR 2012

Mumbai, 29th December 2011: The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai has announced the launch ofits online travel trade training & certification program. Theambitious program will aim to train and certify 1,500 tour operators and agentson a pan India basis over 12 calendar months beginning January 2012.

Commenting onthe planned launch, Mr. Sethaphan Buddhani, Director, Tourism Authority ofThailand said, "The program has been branded as the ‘Amazing Thailand Champion Agents’ and would enable travel agents& tour operators to familiarize themselves with various wonders of Thailandsuch as heritage, culture, cuisine in addition to other aspects suchas wellness, adventure and leisure opportunities for their clients. We willalso highlight various destinations within Thailand that will provide anopportunity to further increase the length of stay and quality ofexperience."

Mr. Buddhanifurther added, "Earlier on ground training programs initiated by ouroffices in New Delhi and Mumbai had met with a high level of intrigue andsubscription from front liners and senior management of travel agents and touroperators. In order to further expand the opportunity to all regions of Indiaand widen the base of knowledge of agents promoting Amazing Thailand, it wasdecided to take the program online with specific modules designed especiallyfor the Indian market."

During thecourse of the training, enrolled members will also appear for anonline test on the various offerings and destinations in Thailand. Agentssecuring the highest scores would also be offered an opportunity of aneducational tour to Thailand and experience the destination first hand.Incentivizing early registrations, the TAT office has announced limited 'earlybird' gift hampers.

To avail ofthis opportunity, trade members in India would need to log on to www.thaitravelmart.com and register their company.Upon registering, they would then need to proceed to the E-learning section andin particular ‘Lesson 3’ which has been specially designed for the Indianmarket.

The onlinetraining or e-learning program has been divided into 4 modules for the Indianmarket. These modules include General information, Seven Wonders of AmazingThailand, Destinations and Special Information. Travel agents and touroperators are required to study these four modules and appear for an onlinetest for each module. Upon successfully completing all four modules, the travelagent will be certified as an ‘Amazing Thailand Champion Agent’.

Sagar Media Inc

Important Initiatives in Oil and Gas Sector

2011-12-30T08:15:00.000-08:00

Important Initiatives in Oil and Gas Sector

Year End Review - 2011

The Year 2011 has been marked by significantdevelopments in the Oil and Gas sector as the Ministry of Petroleum and NaturalGas took several important initiatives for the growth of the sector. Some ofthese include approvals for induction of new partners in upstream-projects, commissioningBina Refinery, bidding for NELP-IX blocks and acquisitionof 25% equity stake by OVL in Satpayev block inKazakhstan. The prices of sensitivepetroleum products i.e. Diesel, domestic LPG and PDS Kerosene were maintainedat affordable levels by substantial duty cuts, Government’s cash assistance to OMCsand contribution of upstream PSUs.

Explorationand production

To give a boost to domestic exploration& production efforts, bidding process for exploration blocks under NinthRound of New exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-IX) was completed with a numberof Indian and Foreign oil companies bidding for these blocks. The decision onaward of blocks would be taken soon. Thegovernment also approved the induction of BP as RIL’s partner in their fields andthe strategic sale by Cairn PLC, UK of its stakes in Cairn India Ltd to VedantaResources PLC. These measures are expected to accelerate the E& P activities in thecountry.

Augmentingsupply of natural gas

Besides efforts to increase domestic gasproduction, discussions were further held in the direction to implementproposed cross border Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gaspipeline project. TheIran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline project is also underconsideration/discussion for sourcing natural gas. Liquefied Natural Gas(LNG) imports have picked up to meet domestic needs. Alongwith other projects, LNG import terminal is being built at Kochi which isprogressing well. India is increasing its current RLNG regasificationcapacity from the current 13 million tons per annum to well over 30 milliontons, by 2015. The Government is also endeavouring toincrease the pipeline infrastructure in the country especially in southern andeastern regions of the country. To carry gas across the length and breadth ofIndia, 8,000 kms of gas pipelines are being laidwhile another 5,000 kms are under the biddingprocess. The City Gas Distribution projects to supply Piped Natural Gas (PNG)and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) are also being encouraged to expandavailability of cleaner fuels.

Oildiplomacy in higher gear

In order to achieve the objective of oilsecurity, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas engaged several countries/fora in bilateral/multi-lateral talks. These include attending/holding internationalmeets like International Energy Forum meet at Riyadh, ASEAN Energy MinistersSummit at Brunei, WPC at Doha, India-Africa Hydrocarbon Conference in Delhi and 4th Asian EnergyMinisterial Roundtable at Kuwait. Indian delegations also had bilateral talkswith various oil rich countries including Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran, Qatar, UAE, Nigeria, Oman, Kazakhstan,Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, etc. to enhance cooperation in hydrocarbonsector. These engagements create conducive environment and lead specificprojects and activities for mutual benefits.

Among major successes in the oil diplomacyduring the year include signing of an agreement between national oil company ofKazakhstan and ONGC VideshLtd. (OVL), for 25% participating interest in Satpayevfield. The Indian proposal for formulating a joint strategy to maintain stabilityin global oil prices endorsed by 60 odd countries at theInternational Energy Forum (IEF) meet in Mexico, was re-enforced at the Extra-ordinaryMinisterial IEF meeting at Riyadh.

AugmentingSurplus refining capacity for value addition

The refining capacity in the country hasbeen augmented to about 194 Million Metric Tonnes PerAnnum (MMTPA), with the completion of commissioning of the refinery project at Bina, (6 MMPPA). The refining capacity is well above theannual demand of about 142MMTPA. This is significant for a heavily import-dependentcountry like India as domestic value addition helps earn foreign exchange byway of exports. Oil sector maintained its status of the highest export revenueearner amongst mercantile products with the country exporting about 59 MMTPAfinished petroleum products valued at US$ 43 billion during 2010-11. Themomentum has been sustained during current fiscal with anexports of about 42 MMT in the period April-November 2011 valued at US $38 billion. Further, otherrefinery projects both grass-root and expansion are underway so as to increasethe refining capacity to 238MMTPA by 2013.

Expandinginfrastructure for LPG to rural households

To provide clean cooking fuel in ruralareas and to achieve 75% population coverage with domestic LPG a number of LPGdistributorships are being set up transparently under Rajeev Gandhi Grameen LPG Vitrak Yojna (RGGLVY). Launched in March 2010, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have so far advertised over 3700 locations inrural areas to open LPG agencies under this scheme. Nearly, 800 RGGLVs have already beencommissioned. This measure will greatlyimprove the cooking conditions in the kitchens of rural house-holds. The scheme also provides new employmentopportunities for the rural population leading to overall economicprosperity. Youth in the age group of21-45 years are being appointed as distributors under the scheme.

Equitableburden-sharing marks pricing reforms

As part of major pricing reforms, prices ofPetrol werereduced twice by OMCs in the second half of the year. The OMCs are revisingpetrol prices since its deregulation on 26.6.2010. The Government effected significantcentral duty reductions on diesel, crude oil and petrol products in June inorder to keep prices at affordable level in case of diesel, domestic LPG andPDS Kerosene. Despite this, OMCs are expected to incur under-recoveries of over 1,30,000crore during the current fiscal year. Thus consumershave been greatly insulated from the impact of high global oil prices whichhave ruled at about US $ 110/bbl this fiscal against US$ 84.09/bbl in 2010-11.

PromotingEthanol blending with petrol

Petroleum Ministry continued to pursueimplementation by the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programmeduring the year. Though faced with shortage of supply by ethanol manufacturers,the OMCs still managed to procure 36.19crore litresof ethanol during the supply cycle October, 2010 to September 2011 for blendingwith petrol at the level of 5 % against 55.87 crore litres committed by them. Besides non-supply of sufficient quantity by ethanolmanufacturers, the programme also faced the challengeof state specific issues in some states. The OMCs further issued tender noticeto seek supply of 101 crore litres of ethanolin the annual season commencing October 2011. However, the response by theethanol manufacturers accounts for only about 60% ethanol needed for 5% EBP in the notifiedStates/UTs.

Anti- Adulteration Drive intensified

The drive to check adulteration ofpetroleum products and prevent its misuse, the Ministry directed OMCs to intensifytheir drive against the malpractices in distribution. The support of OMCs wasoffered to State Governments to introduce vehicles tracking system fortransportation of PDS Kerosene by the state Government administration. OMCsalso introduced transparency portal carrying information about PDS Kerosene dispatchesfrom OMC depots and about the domestic LPG Cylinders supplied by distributors. These information now available in public domain could helpthe consumers and the discerning public so that any misuse is reported toappropriate authorities for strict action. The OMC have carried out intensiveinspections across their distribution networks to ensure betterproducts/services to the consumers.

The year 2011 has thus been very significant in terms of taking thesector ahead in exploration and production, effective harnessing of oildiplomacy for oil security, increasing refining capacity, ensuring affordableprices of sensitive petroleum products, intensive drive to ensure availabilityof better products & services.

AMC on modernization spree EC Rs 8100 Cr

2011-12-30T07:26:00.001-08:00

Army Medical Corps, today said that modernization of 42 Army Hospitals are on the agenda to cater to meet the demands of the armed forces. Holding briefing reporters on the occasion of its 248th Anniversary, the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services Lt. General H. L Kakria explained Corps professionalism at its best added the work of modernization will be undertaken at an estimated cost of 8100 crore rupees. He said that government has approved induction of over 10000 doctors to enhance the strength of hospitals so that more patients can be treated. He said that at present the strength of Doctors in Army Corps is about 6000 out of which 900 are women Doctors and there is no shortage of Doctors.

Lt. General Kakria said that the Army Hospital are equipped with latest and modern,with innovative technologies and providing vital facilities including diagnosis of diseases and organ transplantation. Further said 307 medical personnel including nursing staffs have been deployed in different United Nation Missions in Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon and Israel.Indian Medical Mission in Afghanistan is being conducted for common people.

Gaza Vu: Israel warns of major attack

2011-12-29T09:11:00.000-08:00

Yangon explosion kills sevnteen

2011-12-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

At least 17 people killed and eighty injured in a large, unexplained explosion and fire in Myanmar's commercial hub and former capital Yangon early on Thursday.

Residents in several areas of the Yangon city were woken by the blast around 2am local time (1930 GMT), which appeared to have occurred at a medical warehouse in the eastern township of Mingalar Taung Nyunt and sparked a large blaze, witnesses said.

A security official at the scene said seven men, including two firemen, and four women had died and 66 people were injured.

"We are still trying to make the list. We are also trying to find out the cause of explosion and the fire," the official said.

Witness said some 70 to 80 injured people had been taken to hospital and fire rescue services were still working to put out the flames.

Last week, a blast caused by an explosive device killed one woman and wounded another in northern Yangon.While the cause of Thursday's incident remains unclear, Myanmar has been hit by several bomb blasts in recent years, most of them minor, which the authorities have blamed on armed exile groups or ethnic minority fighters.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs Initiatives During 2011

2011-12-28T06:35:00.001-08:00

Ministry of Corporate Affairs is working towards reforming the enablingenvironment for effective functioning of the corporate sector, simultaneously,there is a strong argument for fostering sensitivity to community and socialconcerns as a part of the broader objective of inclusive growth. It has beenour constant endeavor at the Ministry to consult allthe stakeholders in true spirit of our democratic values while undertaking thesereform initiatives. The Ministry is also encouraging the corporate sector totake into account the concerns of stakeholders beyond their investors and todemonstrate that responsible business governance can generate value for all thestakeholders.

Inorder to streamline its initiatives accordingly, steps taken up by the Ministryof Corporate Affairs during the calendar year 2011 are as under:

(i) Companies Bill, 2011:

TheCompanies Bill, 2011 (“the Bill”) was presented before the LokSabha on December 14, 2011, withdrawing the Companies Bill, 2009. TheBill, proposes significant changes to the existing corporate law provisionsdealing with mergers and acquisitions (‘M&A’) and corporate restructuringwith some modifications to the Companies Bill, 2009 .

(ii) MCA21 e-Governance:

Successful Peak Filing: The Ministry took several proactivesteps to ensure smooth filing of balance sheets and annual returnselectronically on MCA21 portal in the peak filing months of October andNovember. As mentioned earlier, the month of October passed off peacefully with9 lakh filings against 7.6 lakhfilings in October 2010. During the month of November 2011 also, the Ministrycontinued with its proactive efforts including monitoring the filing positionon day-to-day basis. During the month of November 5.91 lakhfilings have been received against 5.36 lakh filingsin November 2010. Inthe whole exercise no adverse report from anywhere has been received. Thesefigures indicate increased regulatory compliance by the companies.

Introduction of Extensible Business Reporting Language[XBRL]: The XBRL filings of financial statements for financial year 2010-11 byselect class of companies [totaling approx. 30,000]are being regularly monitored by the Ministry. This being a new initiative – requiring detailedinformation to be filed by corporate and with several validation checks by theMCA21 system – an extensive awareness campaign has been launched. More than9000 companies have so far filed their XBRL documents. For greater convenienceof stakeholders and corporate, a decision was taken to extend the last date offiling for such companies to 31st December, 2011.

(iii) Limited Liability Partnership (LLP):

A decision has been taken to bring the LLP e-GovernanceProgramme on the same platform as MCA21 to ensure better governance. The workof software development has been entrusted to M/s TCS who are expected to finda solution by end-January 2012. NIC will continue to maintain the LLPe-Governance system till then. To facilitate the stakeholders who will now havea common Code [DIN] for both companies as well as LLPs, the time for filing thestatement of account by LLPs was extended by another 30 days.

(iv) Company Law Settlement Scheme [CLSS]:

This was introduced in August 2011 to give a chance tocompanies who have failed to file the balance sheets and annual returnsearlier, to complete their filings to avoid prosecution. This measure haselicited a good response and so far about 1.25 lakhdocuments have been filed, yielding a revenue ofRs.15.37 crore. The Scheme is now valid till January15, 2012.

(v) CompetitionCommission of India:

There is a proposal for signing of Memorandum ofUnderstanding on ‘Competition’ related matters between the Competition Commissionof India and the Federal Antimonopoly Service [FAS], Russia. The draftMemorandum of Understanding agreed to between the two sides has been consideredin this Ministry and approved at the level of Minister for Corporate Affairs.The draft MoU has been sent to the Ministry ofExternal Affairs for their consideration and approval and for forwarding thesame to the Russian side.

(vi) International Cooperation:

The Minister forCorporate Affairs led a delegation to USA from 7th to 11th November 2011.During the visit, discussionswere held, at length, between the Indian delegation and the US delegation(Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission) on signing of an MoU on “Competition” related matters and on mattersrelating to India’s proposed National Competition Policy and other Competitionrelated matters. The draft MoU proposed to be signedbetween the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the Competition Commissionof India (CCI) on the Indian side with the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has been sentto the Ministry of External Affairs for their consideration and approval.

(b) Dr Henk Bleker, Minister forAgriculture and Foreign Trade, Kingdom of Netherlands, along with hisdelegation, had a meeting with Shri RPN Singh,Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, on 8th November 2011 to discuss theareas of Corporate Governance and the Corporate Social Responsibility, asformalized in the Letter of Intent signed between the Ministry of CorporateAffairs, Government of India and the Ministry of Economic Affairs of theKingdom of Netherlands on June 7, 2011.

(vii) Investor Awareness:

One hundred sixty two (162) Investor Awareness Programmeshave been conducted through the Professional Institutes in various cities ofthe country during November 2011. So far, 540 programmes have been conductedthrough the Professional Institutes in different parts of the country duringthe year 2011.

(viii) Establishment of four new offices of RoCs-cum-OLs:

The Ministry took a decision to establish four new officesof RoCs-cum-OLs at Nainital,Bilaspur, Ranchi and Shimlato cover the States, which had not been covered so far, with independentoffices. A decision was also taken to merge the separate office of RoCs and OLs in the States of Orissa, Bihar and Rajasthanto ensure better focus on liquidation activities.

CSR initiatives:

TheMinistry has formulated “National Voluntary Guidelines on Social, Environmentaland Economic responsibilities of Business” that will mainstream the subject ofbusiness responsibilities. The guidelinesarea refinement over the Corporate Social Responsibility Voluntary Guidelines2009. These guidelines have beenformulated keeping in view the diverse sectors within which businesses operate,as well as the wide variety of business organizations that exist in India today– from the small and medium enterprises to large corporate organizations. The Guidelines are applicable to all suchentities, and are intended to be adopted by them comprehensively, as they raisethe bar in a manner that makes their value-creating operations sustainable.

The other Recent initiatives onlegislative, regulatory, service delivery:

(1) GreenInitiatives in the Corporate Governance : The Ministry has allowed paperlesscompliances by the companies and Registrar of Companies under the provisions ofthe Companies Act, 1956 such as : -

(a) Allowing service of Documents includingBalance Sheets and Auditors report etc through e-mail addresses : In order to reduce cost of posting andspeedy delivery of documents, service of documents through electronic mode hasbeen permitted under section 53 of the Companies Act, 1956 in place of service of document under certificate ofposting. Similarly, to reduce theconsumption of papers and speedy secure delivery, service of copies of Balance Sheets andAuditors Report etc., to the members of the company as required under section219 of the Companies Act, 1956 has been allowed to be served through electronicmode by capturing their e-mail addresses available with the depositories or byobtaining directly from the shareholders.

(b) Participation byDirectors and shareholders in meetings through video conferencing : Inorder to provide larger participation and for curbing the cost borne by theCompany, Directors, and shareholders to attend various meetings under theprovisions of the Companies Act, 1956, participation through video conferencinghas been permitted subject to certain compliances.

(c) Voting in GeneralMeeting of Companies through electronic mode : In order to have secured electronic platformfor capturing accurate electronic processes, Central Depository Services(India) Ltd (CDSL) and NationalSecurities Depositories Limited (NSDL) are being given approval by the Ministryof Corporate Affairs to provide their electronic platform for capturingaccurate electronic voting in General meetings of the company.

(d) Issue of DigitalCertificates by Registrar of Companies: The Registrar of Companies has toissue a number of certificates to the companies and other stakeholders asrequired under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956. In order to cuttimelines and an another step towards “Green Initiative”, it has been decidedthat all certificates and standard letters issued by the Registrar of Companieswill now be issued electronically under the Digital Signatures of the Registrarof Companies.

(2) Simplification in Procedures and Processunder Companies Act, 1956: The Ministry has taken following steps tosimplify the procedures for the corporate are as under :--

(a) Incorporation ofnew Company within 24 hours by end of July, 2011

(i)Allotmentof Director Identification Number (DIN) has been made online by the system oncethe particulars of the applicant are verified by the practicing professionals.

(ii) The Ministry is issuing revised guidelines forallotment of name of the company. The name shall be made available online, ifthe application has been certified by the practicing professional that theproposed name is in conformity with the guidelines. The guidelines shall beimplemented by end of July, 2011.

(iii) A separate e-form is being developed for theMemorandum and Articles of Association and incorporation process will betotally paperless.

(b) Issueof License under section 25 (non profit companies) of the Companies Act, 1956 : - Work relating to issue of license under section25 (non profit companies) has been delegated to ROCs and condition forpublication of notice for 30 days in the newspapers before issue of license have been dispensedwith.

(c) The Director`s Relatives (Office or Placeof Profit) Amendment Rules, 2011:- Limitof Directors relatives salary has been enhanced from Rs. 50,000/- per month toRs. 2,50,000/- per month. Now onwards, forremuneration for relatives of the Directors within the enhanced limit, companyneed not to approach Ministry for approval.

(d) Marking a company as having management disputeby Registrar of Companies under MCA-21 system : Inorder to have uniform practice in all Office of ROCs, clarification has beenissued that unless there is a order of the court or the Company Law Board, nocompany is to be marked as having management dispute by the ROCs.

(e) Various E-forms are approved online : A number of e-forms which are informative innature have been processed and approved/ recorded by the Registrar of Companiesonline and are made available for inspection to the public immediately.

(f) Registration of place of business by aforeign company: Registration of place of business by a foreign company hasbeen made priority item and it is registered by ROC on same day.

(g) Appointment of LLPs of charteredaccountants as auditor: After making amendment in definitions of body corporates, Limited Liability Partnerships of charteredaccountants will not be treated as body corporate for the limited purpose ofsection 226(3A) of the Companies Act, 1956, hence they can be appointed asauditor of a company.

(h) Allotment of Designated PartnerIdentification Number (DPIN) :Designated PartnerIdentification Number issued under Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Act,2008 has been integrated with DIN. Now (w.e.f.09.07.2011) only DIN will be allotted under Companies Act, 1956 and the samewill be used as DPIN for LLP Act, 2008.

(i) New Guidelines forFast Track Exit of defunct Companies : TheMinistry has issued guidelines for Fast Track Exit mode to give opportunity tothe defunct companies to get their names struck off from the Register undersection 560 of the Companies Act, 1956 in time bound manner.

(j) Special drive to clear pendency: A large number of e-forms filed prior toimplementation of revisedRegulation 17 are pending for want of action by the companies/stakeholders.Without any response from thecompanies, ROCs cannot process the said forms. As per Regulation 17, these forms

have become time barred. To reducethe pendency of such e-forms, Ministry has decided to re-open all such pendingforms for reviewing by ROCs and disposing them by 7th July, 2011.

(k) To improve compliances by the company : In order to ensurecorporate governance and proper compliances by the companies, it has beendecided that w.e.f. 3rd July, 2011, no e-forms shallbe accepted by ROC from such companies which have not filed their updatedBalance Sheets and Annual Returns since 2006-07. The Directors of suchdefaulting company shall also be debarred for filing any document unless theymake the default good.

(3) e-Payments in theMinistry: The payment of filing feeby the companies has been made completely online.

(4) International Financial Reporting Standards(IFRS) : In the field of financial reforms,convergence of Indian Accounting Standards called Indian AS’s withInternational Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) has been approved by theMinistry in February, 2011. The date of coming in force of Indian AccountingStandards will be notified shortly.

(5) Investorawareness programmes : In order to channelize the significant householdsavings available with the Indian households into the corporate economy, theMinistry has decided to launch investor awareness programmes in 300 districtsin association with ICAI, ICWAI ICSI, Stock Exchanges, RBI, SEBI, Trade Chambers,etc.

(6) Reorganisation of field offices: For better administration and faster service delivery, theMinistry created a new office in the form of Regional Director (SER), Hyderabadin May 2011. The field offices of the Ministry are now organized in sixregions. Similarly, it is planned to restructure the cadres in the Ministry forbetter service delivery to public and better promotional prospects to existingpersonnel.

(7) Easy Exit Scheme,2011 : With a view to reduce the number of defunct/inoperative companies, we launched Easy Exit Scheme, 2011 providing them aneasy route for closure. Under the scheme, till now, more than 29,000 defunct/inoperative companies have been struck of.

(8) Indian Instituteof Corporate Affairs (IICA) : The Indian Instituteof Corporate Affairs (IICA) has started functioning from its new office andbuilding at Manesar. A large number of newinitiatives, capacity building etc. are planned at IICA.

(9) Integration ofDirector’s Identification Number (DIN) with PAN data base: The MCA has already simplified the procedureof online allotment of DIN on the basis of verification with PAN data basethrough a practicing professional. To remove duplicate DINs, the existing DINholders have been called upon to update their PAN details, and the time limithas for the purpose has been extended till 15th December, 2011.

(10) Reducing Delayin approval of e-forms by Registrar of Companies: Earlier, the Registrar of Companies (ROCs) were allowed aperiod of 120 days for approval of e-forms, inclusive of time taken, if any,for seeking clarifications from the companies concerned. To reduce the pendencyand to expedite approvals, the time limit has been reduced to 60 days.

(11) Improvements inthe LLP e-Governance Service: Filing of annual statement of accounts by Limited LiabilityPartnership has now been brought up under the ‘Straight Through Process ‘(STP)procedure. Further, documents filed by LLP are now available for publicviewing.

People trickling in to MMRDA grounds #

2011-12-27T22:30:00.000-08:00

Anna sat on fasts for Lokpal as Lower house debates ombudsman antigraft bill

Amidst cheering supporters, Anna Hazare on Tuesday began his three-day fast in Mumbai in protest against a "weak" Lokpal Bill even as Lok Sabha initiated a debate on the proposed law.

Hazare, who suffering from a viral infection, arrived at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex Mumbai along with his close aides Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia to a thunderous applause and slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Matram'.

Hazare began his fast shouting slogans of 'Vande Matram' and 'inqilab zindabad.
The 74-year-old activist reached the venue after paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Juhu Beach while on his way in a rally, which took two-and-half hours to reach the ground, passing through Santacruz, Tulip Star Hotel, Mithibai College, S V Road, Vile Parle, Khar and Bandra Highway.

Parliament debate on Lokpal

2011-12-26T09:29:00.000-08:00

Parliamentary Debate on the Lokpal Bill tomorrow. Shri Pranab Mukherjee will introduce Prevention of Money-Laundering(Amendment) Bill, 2011 tomorrow, which would be followed by the Whisleblower's Bill, along with Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill.AICC website

Baisoya wins Goodricke East India Championship

2011-12-25T09:22:00.001-08:00

Baisoya wins Goodricke East India, Chikka is beaten
25th December, Kolkata: Delhi’s Honey Baisoya showed his swing in Rory Mclroy’s style as he became the youngest winner of the 22nd edition of Goodricke East India Amateur Golf Championship at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Kolkata. The 15-year-old Baisoya, sent the opponent, The No.1 Amateur, S. Chikkarangappa home, wrapping up the match on the 34th green to win 3 and 2. Both of them had to play 2 rounds of 36 holes as it was the final day of the tournament.
Baisoya secured a winning start after making birdies on 1st, 4th, 5th, 9th, 12th and 15th in the first round of 18 holes where both Baisoya and Chikka halved 11 holes. Though, Chikka won 3 matches on 7th, 11th and 14th, Baisoya was 2-up after the first round.
In the beginning of second round, Baisoya again took the early lead after making a birdie on the 1st to go 3-up where Chikka’s 2nd shot went 10 yards off the green and he made a par. Chikka, who was suffering with the pain in his foot, hit his tee shot on the left green on 2nd and made a safe par while Baisoya double putted hole for a bogey to go one-down for 2-up. Both of them hit the center fairway on the 3rd and then Chikka’s second shot reached the edge of the green for another safe par while Baisoya made a 1-footer bogey to remain 1-up. After halving 4th, Chikka hit his tee shot next to the bunker on 5th and Honey made the par to go 2-up after hitting few ups and downs. Both of them halved 6th and then Baisoya won 7th and 8th after making both pars to go 4-up. An aggressive Chikka kept giving a tough competition after halving 9th, 10th 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and also by making a long awaited birdie on the 15th where Baisoya’s putt lipped out to go one-down again to maintain 3-up. By the time they reached 16th, a tired Chikka hit the center fairway but his bad luck couldn’t get him a birdie while Baisoya got the advantage of a birdie on the 16th to seal the victory.
A delighted Baisoya said, “I was very nervous throughout the round but now, I feel like I am on the cloud 9. I can’t show so much excitement as me and my dad wanted to be atleast 10-up in the first round but could only come up with 3 and 2. There is no doubt that I can’t express my feelings of winning my first amateur title from the no. 1 amateur of the country.”
A disappointed Chikka said, “I was struggling with my putting and the pain in my left foot but I played my fair game. Also, I am happy for the young Baisoya who showed me the real golf at this age which nobody else could show on the amateur circuit.”

Greetings for Christmas

2011-12-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas being celebrated across the globe
Christmas festivities have gripped the country and abroad as thousands of Christian pilgrims and tourists from around the world are flocking to Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born more than two thousand years ago.
Celebrations there will culminate in Midnight Mass at the 1,700-year-old Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Jesus was born.

Lokpalto be powers to take up corruption cases suo moto.

2011-12-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

Lokpal and Lokayuktas should inquire into

Corruption instances suo moto: Dr. JP

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today demanded that the Lokpal at the national level and Lokayuktas in States should be armed with powers to take up corruption cases suo moto.

Addressing a media conference on the Lokapal and Lokayukta Bill now before Parliament, Dr. JP pointed out that under the present provisions in the Bill the ombudsmen can take up cases only when there are specific complaints. People will be deterred from lodging specific complaints because of the provision that those who make false, frivolous and vexatious complaints invite a jail term of up to one year and a fine of Rs.100000.

The ombudsmen should look into cases where circumstantial evidence warrants an inquiry without waiting for a complaint. None can make a specific complaint with evidence of hundreds of crores of rupees changing hands in cases like allocation of the 2-G spectrum or award of contracts under Jalayagnam in Andhra Pradesh, although it is public knowledge that they reeked of corruption. Otherwise, monumental and startling cases of corruption go without a probe and the guilty being punished.

For the ombudsmen to be effective, they should be provided an independent intelligence wing, Dr. JP suggested. Only when the ombudsmen have knowledge of issues and reputation of public servants can they make rational judgments as to the relative importance to be accorded to the cases before them. Otherwise, trivial cases will dominate at the cost of important cases of gross corruption of those in high office.

Dr. JP said that although the Lokpal and the Lokayuktas have been freed from seeking prior Government permission for inquiring into and launching prosecution in corruption cases coming up before them, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Anti Corruption Bureaus have not been freed from taking prior clearances in cases handled by them directly. Therefore, Section 6 A of the CBI Act (Delhi Special Police Establishment Act), Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code should be repealed.

Dr. JP said that although the Bill takes great care in regard to the selection of the CBI chief and other officials, it fails to address the appointment of Anti Corruption Bureau Directors and others in States.

States have become the epicenters of corruption in the post-liberalization era. Of the total 2.2 crore Government employees in the country, the States account for nearly 1.6 crore. Of the 5000 total legislators in the country, 4000 are in States. Of the 700 ministers both at the Center and in States, 600 are in States. For tackling corruption at the State level which hurts a vast majority of people, the ACB should be autonomous and independent and not be at the mercy of those in power.

Dr. JP said that the ombudsmen would have to be judicious in taking up cases for inquiry as there is the prospect of their being flooded with cases against thousands of people who have all been brought under their purview. In the ideal situation, the ombudsmen would focus on Ministers and legislators at the Center and in States and top officials. They should not equate a person accepting Rs.100 with a Minister accepting crores of rupees as a bribe, a probability if the ombudsmen go by the letter of the law.

Dr. JP said that to fight corruption some more laws like the one drafted by the Law Commission for attachment of the entire property of the corrupt person, and another to go into cases of collusive corruption are necessary. The mechanism to unearth black money should be strengthened.

Lok Satta Party's acting Working President V. Laxman Balaji and General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao took part in the media meet.

NHAI Public Issue Rs 5,000 Cr Bonds

2011-12-23T06:39:00.000-08:00

NHAI to launch Rs 5,000 cr tax-free bonds
Amid volatile capital markets, the National Highways Authority of India on Friday announced the launch of its first ever tax-free bonds issue of Rs 5,000 crore on 28th December.
The issue, that will remain open till 11th January, has the option to retain over-subscription up to Rs 10,000 crore.
The bonds having a face value of Rs 1,000, will have two maturity periods of 10 years and 15 years and would get listed on the BSE and the National Stock Exchange.
The 10 years bond will give 8.2 percent interest per annum, while the 15 years bond of NHAI would offer8.3 percent interest.
"We have kept three categories for taking advantage of these tax-free bonds. Of this, 30 per cent subscription has been kept for retail investors who can invest up to Rs 5 lakh," Road Transport Minister C P Joshi said, while launching the issue in New Delhi on Friday.
Another 30 percent subscription of the issue has been kept for the high net-worth individuals (HNIs), who can invest over and above Rs 5 lakh, while rest 40 percent has been kept for institutional investors, he added.
Expressing hope that the bonds issue would get good response, Joshi said that about 21,900 km of roads will be awarded by the NHAI in the next three financial years.
The minister further said that the peak cumulative outstanding debt of NHAI is expected to be Rs 57,000 crore in 2016-17 as per the revised financial projections for the implementation of National Highways Development Programme (NHDP).
The proposed tax free bonds of Rs 10,000 crore will be one part of the market borrowings, he said, while adding that the money raised from it will be used to partly finance various NHDP projects and other government schemes.
In this year's Budget, the government had allowed NHAI to raise Rs 10,000 crore from the tax-free bonds, an instrument never used by it earlier.
Till now, it used to raise funds through issue of 54EC bonds, under which subscribers can claim exemption of capital gains tax.
Citing the provisions of Income Tax rules, the NHAI prospectus for the issue has, however, clarified that only the interest earned on the new bonds will be tax-free, not the actual investments.
The prospectus further says that the bonds issue will worsen NHAI's debt to capital ratio from 0.11 to 0.29 if it raises Rs 10,000 crore from the markets.
The debt to capital ratio reflects the financing strengths of a firm; higher the ratio, the more debt company has compared to its equity.
As on 30th June 2011, the NHAI's total debt (including secured loans) stood at Rs 6,636.21 crore, the prospectus said.

Lok Pal Bill 2011 Introduced in Lower House

2011-12-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2011 Introduced in Lok Sabha
Government today introduced in Lok Sabha the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, aimed at setting up the body of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas at the level of the States. Government also introduced a Bill for amending the Constitution for conferment of Constitutional status on both bodies. Government also withdrew earlier Lokpal Bill, 2011 as it decided to introduce a new comprehensive Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 Bill after consideration of the suggestions made by the Parliamentary Committee which recommended significant changes in the scope and content of the earlier Bill.

The salient features of the proposed new Bills are as under:-
Focus on improving accountability:

Ø Establishment of new institution in the Constitution called Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for the States. These autonomous and independent bodies, shall have powers of superintendence and direction for holding a preliminary inquiry, causing an investigation to be made and prosecution of offences in respect of complaints under any law for the prevention of corruption.

Ø The Bill provides a uniform vigilance and anti corruption road map for the nation, both at Centre and States.
Ø The Bill institutionalizes separation of investigation from prosecution and thereby removing conflict of interest as well as increasing the scope for professionalism and specialisation.
Structure of the Institution:

Ø Lokpal will consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight Members of which fifty percent shall be judicial Members.
Ø Fifty per cent of members of Lokpal shall be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
Ø There shall be an Inquiry Wing of the Lokpal for conducting the preliminary inquiry and an independent Prosecution Wing.
Ø Officers of the Lokpal to include the Secretary, Director of Prosecution, Director of Inquiry and other officers.
Process of selection;Ø The selection of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal shall be through a Selection Committee consisting of –
§ Prime Minister
§ Speaker of Lok Sabha;
§ Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha;
§ Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court Judge nominated by CJI;
§ Eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India
Ø A Search Committee to assist Selection Committee in the process of selection. Fifty per cent of members of Search Committee shall be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
Jurisdiction
Ø Prime Minister to be brought under the purview of the Lokpal with subject matter exclusions and specific process for handling complaints against the Prime Minister. Lokpal can not hold any inquiry against the Prime Minister if allegations relate to:
§ International relations
§ External and internal security of the country;
§ Public Order;
§ Atomic energy
§ Space.
Any decision of Lokpal to initiate preliminary inquiry or investigation against the Prime Minister shall be taken only by the Full Bench with a majority of 3/4th. Such proceedings shall be held in camera.
Ø Lokpal’s jurisdiction to include all categories of public servants including Group ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ officers and employees of Government. On complaints referred to CVC by Lokpal, CVC will send its report of PE in respect of Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ officers back to Lokpal for further decision. With respect to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees, CVC will proceed further in exercise of its own powers under the CVC Act subject to reporting and review by Lokpal.
Ø All entities receiving donations from foreign source in the context of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs. 10 lakhs per year are brought under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.
Ø Lokpal will not be able to initiate inquiry suo moto.
Other significant features of the Bill
Ø No prior sanction shall be required for launching prosecution in cases enquired by Lokpal or initiated on the direction and with the approval of Lokpal.
Ø A high powered Committee chaired by the Prime Minister with leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and Chief Justice of India as members, will recommend selection of the Director, CBI.
Ø Provisions for confiscation of property acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending.
Ø Lokpal to be final appellate authority on all decisions by public authorities relating to provision of public services and redressal of grievances containing findings of corruption.
Ø Lokpal to have power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them.
Ø The Bill lays down clear time lines for :
§ Preliminary enquiry – three months extendable by three months.
§ Investigation – six months extendable by six months.
§ Trial – one year extendable by one year.
Ø The Bill proposes to enhance punishment under Prevention of Corruption Act
(a) Maximum punishment from 7 years to 10 years
(b) Minimum punishment from 6 months to 2 years
Ø The Bill proposes to give legal backing to Asset Declaration by public servants
Ø The Bill also seeks to make necessary consequential amendments in the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.

IOA writes to IOC on Dow issue

2011-12-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

IOA writes to IOC on Dow issue

Dec 21, 8:48 AM
IOA has shot off a strongly-worded letter to International Olympic Committee urging it to talk to the London Olympic organisers and remove Dow Chemicals as sponsor of the 2012 Games.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) General Body, at its meeting last Thursday, had decided to lodge a strong protest with the IOC over Dow's controversial sponsorship.

"It's IOA's considered opinion that Dow Chemical should be removed as sponsors of the Games because the very presence of this company is against the spirit of Olympic ideals," IOA acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in the letter.

"IOA urges International Olympic Committee to urgently take this matter up with the organisers of the London Games and also convey our concerns to them and ensure matter is sorted out amicably keeping in view the sentiments of the millions of people," he said.

"Even Britain's Shadow minister for Olympics Tessa Jowell, who was in Delhi last week, had asked the Games organisers to drop DOW Chemical's as the sponsors," he added.

Dow had bought United States chemical firm Union Carbide, whose plant was responsible for gas tragedy that took place in Bhopal in 1984 killing and disabling thousands in one of worst industrial disasters in recent history.

In the letter to IOC President Jacques Rogge, a copy of which has also been sent to London Olympic Games Chairman Sebastian Coe, IOA also said Dow Chemical's claim that the Bhopal issue has been settled was not correct.

"A false campaign has been launched by the DOW Chemical's saying that matter has been settled. It is not correct. The case is still pending in the court and no final compensation has been made," Malhotra said in the letter.

"IOA has received representations from several former Olympians, hundreds of suffering people, NGO's and agencies working among the thousands of Gas victims, protesting the London Games Organisers link with Dow Chemicals," the letter said.

Bowling to pressure, Dow has now agreed to remove its name from the fabric wrap around the London Olympic stadium but Malhotra said so far IOA has not received any communication from London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in this regard.

"We are trying to ascertain the facts," Malhotra said.

IOA has also informed Sports Minister Ajay Maken about the letter sent to the IOC and LOCOG and sought Government's views on the subject.

"We will like to hear from you about the Government's stand on this issue. It will be in the interest of the Indian sports if Government and IOA are on the same page and speak in one voice on this sensitive matter," Malhotra said

Ban on Import of Chinese Crackers

2011-12-20T21:27:00.001-08:00

Ministry of Environment and Forests20-December, 2011 15:47 IST

Ban on Import of Chinese Crackers

Government has not issued licence for import of firecrackers of Chinese origin under the Explosives Rules, 2008 implemented by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Nagpur.

Irrespective of the country of manufacture, a firecracker when fired successfully, releases sulphur dioxide if the firecracker has sulphur as one of the ingredients.

There is no proposal to ban the import of fireworks of Chinese origin. Manufacture, possession and import of any explosives consisting of or containing Sulphur or Sulphurate in admixture with Chlorate of Potassium or any other Chlorate is prohibited in India vide Notification of Government of India No. GSR 64(E), dated 27.01.1992. Further, noise limits for sound emitting firecrackers at manufacturing stage have been prescribed vide Notification of Government of India No. GSR 682(E), dated 05.10.1999, issued under Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. Both these notifications are enforced by PESO.

The Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan gave this information in a written reply to a question by Prof. Anil Kumar Sahani in Rajya Sabha today.

EEPC India Presents 42nd National Awards for Export Excellence

2011-12-20T21:26:00.001-08:00

EEPC India Presents 42nd National Awards for Export Excellence

Engineering Exports 21% to the Total Exports: Scindia

Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, presented the 42nd national award for export excellence, here today. Speaking on the occasion Shri Scindia said, “The engineering & chemical industries are the way to the future. Within engineering, we need to move up the value chain both in terms of domestic production and exports. Engineering exports now accounts for the 21% of our total exports. Increasing exports of engineering sector has to be a major goal in any strategy for doubling exports in three years”.

The Minister during his speech remarked that, trading performance especially in exports depends on an economy’s openness to competition on the world market. With this in mind, India has launched important structural reforms to liberalize the market and attract FDI, which are the drivers of economic growth.

While addressing the winners Shri Scindia said that, given our tremendous capabilities in the engineering sector, we must also look forward to widen our markets for the wide range of engineering products made in India. He also outlined the Special Focus Market Scheme, which has been specially designed for this purpose. The Government has emphasized on the role of diversification for future growth of Indian engineering exports along with technological advancement and product innovation. Shri Scindia said, “We must also look forward to widen our markets for the wide range of engineering products made in India. He also outlined the Special Focus Market Scheme, which has been specially designed for this purpose”.

While re-emphasizing the role of Indian engineering industry, Shri Scindia said that it is a dynamic segment of India’s manufacturing sector with well-developed and diversified industrial machinery and capital base, capable of manufacturing the entire range of equipments. He also reitereated on Government’s commitment to do what is possible within the realms of policy. He said that creating an enabling environment, lowering transaction costs and upgrading port infrastructure remain the corner stone of a successful export promotion strategy and we will do everything possible to give our exporters the competitive edge. The Minister observed that trade facilitation is a key determinant of the country’s competitiveness in the international market. We constitute the task force on transaction cost in October 2009 to assess the procedural bottlenecks affecting India’s exports & imports. I am happy to inform that on February 8, 2011 we released the action taken report on the transaction cost issues, which have ensured benefits worth Rs. 2100 crores to the exporters in perpetuity. The second phase of work is in progress for the further reduction of the transaction costs.

The Minister said that Indeed, 2009-10, was an extremely difficult year in the aftermath of the sub-prime crisis that enveloped the developed world, particularly, the US and the EU, which are the two big markets for Indian engineering exports. India’s engineering exports declined by over 19% to USD 32.5 billion in 2009-10 largely as a consequence of global banking crisis. India’s total exports also declined by 3.53% to USD 179 billion as did India’s total imports by 5.05% to USD 288 billion. Clearly, therefore, the Awards Winners in 2009-10 in the engineering sector are true champions and have the ability to take on the most difficult challenges that the global environment can offer.

In his welcome address, Mr Aman Chadha, Chairman, EEPC INDIA said that all the member exporters who have won an award belong to a cross-section of the engineering industry with different scales of operations and have attained remarkable export performance under tremendous odds. They have circumvented innumerable challenges, vagaries of the global markets and a host of uncertainties.

While welcoming the recently announced amendments to Foreign Trade Policy, Mr. Chadha said that the new measures will help to assuage the negative sentiments. He said that the Policy has many ingredients that can enable the exporting community to withstand the present depressing demand in global markets.

At the Award Function, Shri Scindia presented Awards to 98 companies who were honoured with specially made trophies and certificates for their excellent export performance in the year 2009-10. Shri Sumanta Chaudhuri, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and other senior official from various ministries and dignitaries from the diplomatic community also attended the event.

Engineering industry is one of the most employment intensive sector in the country. According to the latest available data in Annual Survey of Industries, 2007-08, out of the 25 major industry groups at two digit level of NIC-2004 classification, engineering industry accounts for 8 groups. These 8 engineering groups represent 25.98% of total factories in India, 34.91% of invested capital, 28.86% of total persons engaged, 36.35% of total industrial gross output and 40.83% of the total Net Value added. To top it all, engineering exports accounts for over 20% of India’s total exports

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il dies

2011-12-19T20:38:00.000-08:00

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il dies

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il has died. He was 69. Kim's death was announced today by state television from Pyongyang. He was suffering from diabetes and heart disease.

He suffered a stroke in 2008 but appeared relatively vigorous in photos and video from recent trips to China and Russia.

In September 2010, Kim Jong Il unveiled his third son, Kim Jong Un, as his successor.

Indian Cabinet expansion

2011-12-18T23:37:00.000-08:00

Indian Cabinet expansion

The Union Cabinet will be expanded on Sunday. A spokesman of the Rashtrapati Bhavan said the swearing-in ceremony was scheduled at 11.30 AM.

Media reports say the probable to be inducted in the Cabinet include RLD chief Ajit Singh. His party recently joined the UPA.

Suu Kyi, Chinese ambassador meet in Rangoon

2011-12-18T21:08:00.000-08:00

Suu Kyi, Chinese ambassador meet in Rangoon:

Aung San Suu Kyi has reached out to the Chinese ambassador in Rangoon, according to China’s foreign minister, who said the two met privately, media report.

The meeting would mark the highest-level contact in two decades between China and Burma’s opposition.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said China's top diplomat, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, would travel to Burma for a meeting next week of Mekong River countries.

Liu said that ambassador Li Junhua's meeting with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate was in response to a request from her.

The ambassador "listened to Aung San Suu Kyi's ideas," he said.Suu Kyi's chief of staff, Khun Tha Myint, told Reuters that the meeting happened on Dec. 8 at Suu Kyi's residence, and lasted just over one hour.

"The meeting went very well," he said. "It was very cordial and friendly."

China is Burma’s closest foreign ally, but relations took a step back after the new Burmese government suspended the construction of Burma’s largest hydropower project in September, which was funded by China. Almost all of the electricity would have gone to China.

China also invests heavily in infrastructure, an oil and gas pipeline to transport fuel to southern China and other basic resource areas.

Recently, the U.S. has approached Burma in an effort to establish a closer relationship, and help the once-isolated country to move forward on democratic reforms.

Suu Kyi’s move comes only a few weeks after the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Burma. Observers say the U.S. and China are engaged in a not-so-subtle effort to protect their geo-political interests in Burma, which forms a buffer between China and India

Myanmar halts offensives against Kachin militias

2011-12-18T21:06:00.000-08:00

Myanmar halts offensives against Kachin militias:-Myanmar, government plans to bring an end to a series of decades-old conflicts with ethnic rebels within three years and has ordered troops to halt offensives against Kachin militias.

Minister of Industry and head of the Union Level Peace-Making Group Aung Thaung said that the government is discussing ceasefire agreements with numerous armed ethnic groups and will eventually shore up the deals at a special conference in parliament to find lasting peace.

Ceasefires with Myanmar's many border-based armed ethnic groups have been a key demand by the West for sanctions to be lifted and the government has made it a priority among a wave of reforms launched in the past few months. The reforms include the release of more than 200 political prisoners.

Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who plans to run in a by-election next year for a vacant parliamentary seat, has been pushing for peace deals for years. She has advocated autonomy under a federal system for at least three months.

Vatavaran aty Samaj Bachaao Morcha Punjab

2011-12-17T19:41:00.000-08:00

So to protect health, environment, farming and society from deterioration and to bring these issues on the forefront as most important electoral issues is the immediate goal of the morcha. The morcha will reach out to all political formations and ask them to make these issues into their manifestoes and governance agenda on highest priority.

The activities of the alliance on for the coming days have been devised as follows
Three main State level public Dialogues - 1) 7 January 2012 Jalandhar 2) 15 January 2012 Bathinda 3) 22 Januray Mohali
Three regional public functions - 1) 25 January 2012 Patiala 2) 29 January 2012 Amritsar and 3) 31 January 2012 Ludhiana where Open Public Dialogues will be conducted

Apart from these many regional seminars will be conducted at other towns of punjab like Phagwara, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Lehra Gaga, Firozepur , Barnala etc.

Apart from that, the activists of all organizations and personalities that are members of this alliance will educate and encourage voters of their respective areas to ask questions to the candidates visiting them for votes on their past performance on these issues and future plans.

As per the suggestion of Sant Baba Balbeer Singh Ji Seechewal , every candidate visiting voters will be asked to give written undertakings to find a practical solutions for these issues

During the meeting, a Core Committee of representatives of various organizations was formed.

The Core Committee is as follows - Singh Sahib Giani Kewal Singh Ji, Umendra Dutt, Jaskirat Singh, Sukhdev Singh Bhupal/Narinderjit Singh Sodhi, Dr Amar Singh Azad, Malvinder Singh Mali, Karnail Singh Jakhepal, Charan Gill Patiala, Gurmeet Singh Palahi, Dr Pavittar Singh, Tarsem Singh Haraj and Deepak Babbar/Jagmohan Singh have been inducted as members.

Sant Baba Balbeer Singh Ji Seechewal will be the patron of the committe and Prof Jagmohan Singh Ludhiana, Dr Nirmal Singh Panjabi Sath, Jagdev Singh Jassowal, Dr Bibi Inderjit Kaur, Balbeer Singh Rajewal, Pishaura Singh Sidhupur and Dr. GPI Singh Bathinda have been made advisors to the committee. Rajeev Gupta Ludhaiana has been made the treasurer.

More members will be added to the Core Committee and Advisory Committee in the coming days.

In the meeting the immediate program of the alliance has been decided as follows:

Within one week, leaders of all parties and manifesto committees of political parties will be approached and social and religious leaders will also be approached.

Contact will be made with electronic and print media. Meetings will be held with all editors on priority. Umendra Dutt will write letters to all editors and a meeting will also be held with the director of Door Darshan.

Alliance will setup stalls and exhibitions at melas of Anandpur Sahib, Muktsar and Fatehgarh Sahib.

Jaskirat Singh will prepare the website of the alliance and will update activities of the alliance on internet. Gurbhej Singh from Amritsar will also help with these activities.

Meetings will be held with Press and Election Commission of India

Awareness campaigns shall be launched in villages and nukkad nataks will take place. Charge for preparations for these activities have been given to Tarsem Singh.

Dr Pavittar Singh will coordinate with natak mandlis. Publicity material including posters, pamphlets, leaflets, stickers, banners etc will be printed and distributued. Karnail Singh Jakhepal, Balvinder Singh Jai Singh Wala and Satpal Vehniwal will contact 17 Farmar-Worker associatations and other public associations.
Rajeev Gupta will send messages about the activities of the alliance using SMS. All members of the alliance will provide contact numbers to him.
Core committee will search and include new organizations into the alliance to strengthen the movement.

WTO approves Russia's membership;

2011-12-16T23:31:00.001-08:00

WTO approves Russia's membership; India, US welcomes this development

The World Trade Organization gave its second and final approval for Russia's membership in the trade body after a record 18-year quest to join.

"The ministerial conference so agrees," said Nigerian Trade Minister Olusegun Aganga, who is chair of the eighth WTO ministerial conference.

The Russian parliament will have up to 15th June next year to ratify the accord and bring it into force.

Moscow's lead negotiator Maxim Medvedkov said earlier he expected the deal to be ratified "early next year."

Russia applied to join the trade body in 1993 but talks dragged on and its brief war with Georgia in 2008 further delayed its application.

No other country has had to bargain so long before being granted entry.

Moscow cleared its last hurdle for WTO accession when it finally clinched in November a deal with last hold-out Georgia, which was able to veto any accession bid by virtue of its membership to the trade body.

In all, Russia sealed 30 bilateral agreements on market access for services and 57 on access for goods in order to secure the green light from other WTO states.

For the overall package, Moscow agreed to cut its tariff ceiling from the 2011 average of 10 percent for all products to 7.8 percent.

The average tariff ceiling for agricultural products is cut to 10.8 percent from 13.2 percent currently, with manufactured goods at 7.3 percent, down from 9.5 percent.

Russia also agreed to limit farm subsidies to USD 9 billion (6.9 billion euros) in 2012 and to gradually reduce them to USD 4.4 billion by 2018.

France's Chirac guilty of graft

2011-12-15T19:09:00.001-08:00

Chirac guilty of graft

December 15, 2011-France's Chirac guilty of graft:Popular former French president Jacques Chirac was convicted of graft on Thursday but escaped jail, receiving a suspended two year sentence for running ghost workers at Paris city hall.The 79-year-old statesman, who was excused from court on medical grounds, was found guilty of influence peddling, breach of trust and embezzlement between 1990 and 1995, when he was mayor of the French capital.In their ruling, judges said Chirac's behaviour had cost Paris taxpayers the equivalent of 1.4 million euros (USD 1.8 million)."Jacques Chirac breached the duty of trust that weighs on public officials charged with caring for public funds or property, in contempt of the general interest of Parisians," the ruling said.He is the first president of modern France to be tried, although Nazi-era collaborationist leader Philippe Petain was convicted of treason and the country's last king, Louis XVI, was sent to the guillotine in 1793.The verdict marked the end of a long legal drama.France's current foreign minister, Alain Juppe, was convicted in the same case in 2004 but has since returned to public life and is a key ally of President Nicolas Sarkozy.Today's sentence was a surprise.Even state prosecutors had called for Chirac-who still polls as one of France's most popular figures to be cleared, and France has largely forgiven his long history of corruption."I hope this judgement won't change the profound affection that the French people still rightly have for Jacques Chirac," defence counsel Georges Kiejman said, adding that Chirac would decide later in the day whether to appeal.Chirac's 54-year-old Vietnamese-born adopted daughter Anh Dao Traxel, said the ruling had been "too, too harsh"."Justice has spoken, it must be respected but it's unfortunately a great pain for our family and for Jacques Chirac," she told reporters.A spokesman for the opposition Socialist Party, Benoit Hamon, said the verdict was late but "a good sign for French democracy".Chirac was president of France between 1995 and 2007 and as such enjoyed legal immunity.He denied all the charges, but the case is only one of many corruption scandals to have dogged him in a long public career.Doctors say he has "severe and irreversible" neurological problems including memory loss and dementia linked to his advanced age.While he still makes occasional public appearances as a respected centre-right elder statesman, he was unable to attend the trial.He was tried alongside nine alleged accomplices.

Two were cleared, but the rest were convicted of helping Chirac run a system at Paris city hall under which political allies were paid municipal salaries for fake jobs.The city of Paris, which is now run by a Socialist mayor, dropped a case for damages over the case after Chirac and his UMP party agreed to pay 2.2 million euros to cover the embezzled funds.
Chirac - who lives in a luxury Paris flat overlooking the Seine near the Eiffel Tower paid for by the family of the late former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri repaid 500,000 euros out of his own pocket.
He was convicted of hiring members of his political party for non-existent municipal jobs, using the civic payroll to employ his own campaign staff. Media agencies

Khap Panchayats

2011-12-15T18:38:00.001-08:00

Khap Panchayats The Law Commission of India has informed that they have prepared a draft consultation paper on “Unlawful interference of Caste Panchayats etc. with marriages in the name of honour; A suggested legislative framework” along with the proposed bill titled “The Prohibition of Unlawful Assembly (Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial Alliances) Bill, 2011”.

Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Law and Justice, said that the said consultation paper is in the process of being placed in public domain to elicit view and suggestions. The Government shall consider the Report and the proposed Bill of the Law Commission in the matter when submitted.

Bring back Rs 25 lakh crore black money from abroad

2011-12-14T18:54:00.001-08:00

The issue of black money dominated in Lok Sabha on Wednesday with the Opposition asking the government to bring back an estimated Rs 25 lakh crore stashed away illegally in foreign banks and reveal identity of depositors. Moving an adjournment motion on the issue, the first in the current Lok Sabha, BJP veteran L K Advani also wanted a White Paper on the magnitude of the black money menace and steps taken by the government to tackle it.

The Chairman of the BJP Parliamentary Party said his party agreed with the estimate of an international think-tank -- Global Financial Integrity -- that Rs 25 lakh crore have been illegally stashed away abroad by Indians.

The adjournment motion was on the situation arising out of money deposited illegally in foreign banks and action being taken against the guilty persons.

Bill to digitalise Cable TV passed in Lower house

2011-12-13T20:08:00.001-08:00

A bill aimed at digitization of cable TV was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday with the government saying it would not harm cable operators as it would provide only those channels a person wanted to watch and at affordable cost.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, who had earlier introduced the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Second Amendment Bill, said the measure was a major step towards reform which would enable digitalisation of the analog TV network and bring India on a par with other countries like US, UK, Korea and Taiwan.

Though members expressed their ire at the content being broadcast on some channels, including those telecasting news, almost all present supported the bill.

Soni said perceptions that the new Act would render cable operators jobless were misplaced and insisted that the main concern of the government was the viewers' interest.

"The prices of set-top boxes will fall. These will be available on installments and on rent. Also, viewers do not have to take a whole bouquet of channels. TRAI will impose a tariff capping for subscribing to channels," she said.

The most important aspect of this legislation is that it would end the fight for more TRPs among channels.

"When we issue notices to channels or take them to court for showing objectionable content, they say we have to do so to get more TRPs as they bring the advertisements. Now the subscriber list will determine this," Soni said.

The bill also gives the government the right to cancel licenses of cable operators who flout rules.

"But this bill is not anti-poor and not against small operators. This is not for big players," Soni said.

Soni justified the government decision to bring an ordinance earlier, saying this was done to meet the deadline set for full digitalisation by 31st December, 2014.

The government will complete the process in four phases starting with the metros.

She said it would benefit the customer by providing a la carte selection of channels and video-on-demand, among other things and the broadcasters and cable operators by ensuring transparency, reducing their dependency on TRP and ad revenues and raising subscription revenue.

The government would also stand to benefit as it would ensure proper tax collection, Soni said.

The discussion on the legislation saw members making a strong plea to protect the interests of customers, including those in the rural areas.

Initiating the discussion, Rajendra Agrawal (BJP wanted that certain channels, identified by the government, should be designated free-to-air and not included in any package for which the consumer would have to pay.

Making a strong plea for regulation of content by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, he sought rules to fix the time for advertisements in between programmes and of social messages through the channels.

On set-top boxes, Agrawal said these should be provided to consumers at cheap rates, especially in rural areas.

Agreeing with Agrawal on the high price of set-top boxes, Ijyaraj Singh (Cong) wanted steps like tax benefits to small cable operators to ensure their survival as they could face the threat of being gobbled up by big operators.

Seminar on Religious Freedom

2011-12-12T19:23:00.001-08:00

To:

enkaysagar@yahoo.co.in

All India Christian Council, in its series of seminars and conferences conducted in different states of India, is organising one-day “Seminar on Christian Persecution” at Guwahati on December 13, 2011 for pastors, church leaders, Christian workers, Christian mission leaders, and Christian NGOs. The seminar will address the issues and challenges of Christian persecution, religious freedom, and practical guidelines on how to tackle persecution.

We would like to invite you, your pastors, workers, missionaries, and staff to this important seminar. We will have three sessions: - 1) Christian Perspective and Respond to Religious Persecution, 2) Legal Implication specific reference to Religious persecution and 3) Role of media and reporting.

Seminar on Religious Freedom

Venue:

CNI Hall, Opp Post Office, Panbazar, Guwahati 781 001, Assam

Date:

December 13, 2011, Time 09:00 AM to 3:00 PM

(Registration 09:00-09:30)

The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders across the nation.

Yours in building of His Kingdom,

Rev. Madhu Chandra

PRO – All India Christian Council (+91-9716004939)

Ranjit Singh & team win the Pro-Am event of the CG Open 2011

2011-12-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

Ranjit Singh & team win the Pro-Am event of the CG Open 2011

Mumbai, December 11, 2011: The Pro-Am event of the CG Open 2011 was won by professional Ranjit Singh and his team at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club on Sunday.

The Pro-Am was played in the team scramble format where the team’s best ball was chosen on every shot including the putting green. After the best ball was chosen all other players were to place their ball within one score card length before continuing play.

PGTI member Ranjit Singh led his team to victory with a score of 54.6. Ranjit’s team comprised of amateurs Mr. Harish Mehta, Mr. Hemesh Patel and Mr. Harjot Grewal.

PGTI member Kunal Bhasin’s team posted a score of 55.2 to finish second. Kunal’s team comprised of amateurs Mr. Zach Yusuf, Mr. Ram Kevalramani and Mr. Avnish Kumar.

Volcano eruptions of mud and small amounts of lava

2011-12-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

An earthquake in Rakhine State has caused underground water temperatures to rise, setting off volcano eruptions of mud and small amounts of lava.“When there is earth crust movement in these fault lines, there will be underground water circulation and more water will move up to the surface as hot springs, but they are not like real volcanoes. They do not pose a danger to people,” Soe Thein said.The highest number of underground hot spring fault lines is in Kyaukphyu Township. The hot spring fault line runs through Magwe Region.A mud volcano erupted on November 26 on a small hill one mile west of Bawyabaya village, about 32 miles from Kyaukphyu. The eruption sent magma and lava 15-feet into the air, and about 5 acres of nearby land was covered by magma.By evening, the eruptions had subsided, said local residents. Past eruptions in the area occurred in 1990 and 2000.A volcano erupting in the Kyaukphyu area in 2008.Retired geologist Soe Thein said volcanos in the Kyaukphyu Township area on Ramree Island were set off along a fault line. More volcano mud eruptions might occur, he said, but there is no danger or need for mass evacuations.

Sagar31News_6th CMS Vatavaran Environ & Wild Life Film Festival

2011-12-09T22:34:00.000-08:00

Sagar Burma News:

Aung San Suu Kyi on election campaign trail

Indian Govt to take up Indonesia's proposal on coal tax

Taj Mahal's minaret tilted 3.57 cm in three decades: ASI

ITALIAN INITIATIVES FOR THE KOLKATA BOOK FAIR

FILMS ON SPIRITUALITY & FAITH

India Art Fair 2012

Suu Kyi audio broadcast at World Economic Forum

Burma has a high growth potential

Expert Committee on Sugar Sector

“Vivekananda Memorial Programme for Museum Excellence”

Myanmar, Mr. U. Wunna Maung Lwin called on the Prime Minister

Myanmar, Mr. U. Wunna Maung Lwin called on the Prime Minister

Tell President Obama to support in word and deed democracy and human rights in Egypt and Bahrain!

India Art fair Saturday, 28th January 2012

Our security interests are intertwined with Myanmar: Krishna

India concerned over victory of "dark forces" of terrorism

President Obama’s 2012 State of the Union address

India and Myanmar Resolves Border Issues.

EU to lift sanctions against Myanmar

India, Myanmar look to strengthen ties

EU eases travel bans on Myanmar officials

Sania Mirza to Head the Indian Women’s Team in Federation Cup

PRESS INVITATION

REPUBLIC DAY 2012 - FLY PAST- AN IAF APPEAL

Social Innovations needed to solve the problems of the poor: Sam Pitroda

Tell President Obama: Support Democracy and Civilian Rule in Egypt!

Tell President Obama: Support Democracy and Civilian Rule in Egypt!

India Will Touch Export Target of US$ 300 Billion

Henrik Ekersund to Coach Indian Tennis Players

Bravery award winning children to meet Minister

Tibetans call for independence

Suu Kyi to contest Kawhmu for Lower house

Agenda Insurgency on India-Myanmar talks

American Express Bangladesh Open 2012.

India & Nepal Discuss Coorperation to Curb Cross-Border Crimes

Costa Concordia liner hit a reef

Swamy quizzed over inflammatory article

Myanmar can improve relations with United States: Hillary

Saina enters semifinals of Malaysia Open

Myanmar, Karen rebels sign ceasefire

High Speed Rail Corridors

High Speed Rail Corridors

SIDBI inks MoU with IOB

US' Special Envoy Derek Mitchell arrives in Yangon

Election Commission of India visit Manipur

25 dead, about 100 missing in Philippine landslide

Prof Trinh Xuan Thuan of Vietnam gets Kaligna Chair

Turkey’s Foreign Minister to visit Iran

Twin presidential, legislative polls Taiwan this year, 2012

Amnesty to Thaksin would spark conflict:Abhisit

Honorary Golden Bear for Meryl Streep

Burma President orders limited prisoner release

Burmese President Thein Sein announced a reduction in prisoners’ sentences on Monday to coincide with the country’s 64th Independence Day.

Blast Off 2012 with AirAsia X’s Great Deals!

INDIAN AMERICAN PREETA BANSAL APPONTED TO KEY ADMINISTRATIVE POST

Death of Río Negro province governor Carlos Soria

The Media Professional

The Media Professional

Obama signs defence spending bill

FICCI & Maryland

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Iran test fires long-range missiles

LAUNCHES ONLINE AGENT TRAINING & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Important Initiatives in Oil and Gas Sector

AMC on modernization spree EC Rs 8100 Cr

Gaza Vu: Israel warns of major attack

Yangon explosion kills sevnteen

Ministry of Corporate Affairs Initiatives During 2011

People trickling in to MMRDA grounds #

Parliament debate on Lokpal

Baisoya wins Goodricke East India Championship

Greetings for Christmas

Lokpalto be powers to take up corruption cases suo moto.

NHAI Public Issue Rs 5,000 Cr Bonds

Lok Pal Bill 2011 Introduced in Lower House

IOA writes to IOC on Dow issue

Ban on Import of Chinese Crackers

EEPC India Presents 42nd National Awards for Export Excellence

Burmese President Thein Sein announced a reduction in prisoners’ sentences on Monday to coincide with the country’s 64^th Independence Day.