Tamil issue unresolved:
Tamil issue unresolved: India, Sri Lanka cozy on security, nuke power
ASHOK B SHARMA
New Delhi has moved an inch
forward to secure the Indian Ocean from the growing Chinese influence.
It has seized the right opportunity with the change of leadership in Sri
Lanka to strike a civil nuclear pact with the nearest island and agreed
to expand defence and strategic cooperation, including “the trilateral
format” with the Maldives. The civil nuke pact is the first of its kind
that Colombo has signed with any country. This can be seen as India’s
attempt to pre-empt any such move by the Chinese to ink a similar deal
with the island country.
China has been extending its “String of Pearls” in the Indian
Ocean. Beijing has recently developed the island nation’s Hambantota
port and has offered an investment of $1.4 billion for the Colombo port
city project. The new Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe during the election campaign had
criticized their opponent and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa for
incurring huge loans from China for building roads, ports and other
infrastructure. They also opposed the proposed Colombo port city project
with Chinese assistance as this would entail huge ecological damage.
But after assuming power President Sirisena made a U-turn and preferred
not to displease the Chinese and gave a go ahead signal to Beijing for
the Colombo port city project.
Just to recall, former president Rajapaksa during his tenure opted
to move closer to China, much to the annoyance of India. He allowed
Chinese submarines to dock at Colombo port twice and threatened to turn
Sri Lanka into a strategic asset for China at New Delhi’s expense. It is
now hoped that President Sirisena would be wiser to maintain a balance
in the interests of his country and not embitter relations with a
valuable and strategic neighbour like India. Apart from trade and
investment relations and other ongoing areas of cooperation, both
countries recently inked pacts to extend cooperation in the spheres of
culture and agriculture.
The civil nuke pact inked
with India during the recent visit of President Sirisena intends to
facilitate cooperation in transfer and exchange of knowledge and
expertise, sharing of resources, capacity building and training of
personnel in peaceful uses of nuclear energy including use of
radioisotopes, nuclear safety, radiation safety, nuclear security,
radioactive waste management and nuclear and radiological disaster
mitigation and environment protection. Such an agreement was necessary.
Colombo had earlier expressed apprehensions over India’s Kudankulam
atomic power project in its vicinity at the coast of Tamil Nadu as it
thought that in case of any Fukushima-like disaster, the island country
will have to bear the consequences. Therefore, this civil nuke pact will
not only clear Sri Lanka’s apprehensions but also help in its energy
security programme.
India’s concern is for
securing sea lanes of communications (SLOCs) in both Indian and Pacific
oceans that handle two-third of the world’s energy trade, half of global
containerized cargo and a third of bulk cargo. A considerable amount of
India’s trade passes through this region, including its energy
requirements. The strengthening of India-Sri Lanka-Maldives trilateral
is, therefore, necessary for ensuring security architecture in the
vicinity.
India is also a party to other trilaterals in the region like
India-US-Japan, India-Japan-Australia, India-Indonesia-Australia, to
mention a few. India is already a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum
(ARF), East Asia Summit, Asia Europe Summit Meeting (ASEM), ASEAN
Defence Ministers’ Meeting plus Eight (ADMM+8), Indian Ocean Naval
Symposium (IONS) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
During the recent Sirisena-Modi delegation level talks in New Delhi
much of the contentious issues relating to Sri Lankan Tamils like the
devolution of powers under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution,
rehabilitation, repatriation of Tamil refugees now in relief camps in
India and the problems of Indian fishermen were not resolved. These
issues are likely to be taken up when the Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi visits Sri Lanka in March.
At the time of elections,
President Sirisena had assured the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to
devolve political and financial powers to the Tamils, but would retain
military presence in the north and northeastern provinces. There are
about 130,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in various relief camps in
India, out of which 90,000 are in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil refugees are
waiting for return of normalcy and adequate environment for
rehabilitation for their return to their home country. The
rehabilitation process has been slow and tardy. Added to this Sri Lanka
had refused to hold an independent inquiry into the state-sponsored
deadly massacre of thousands of Tamils in 2009 despite being pulled up
by UN Human Rights Council and other human rights organization
worldwide.
However, there is a relief
for President Sirisena. The UNHRC has decided to postpone the release of
the report on alleged war crimes committed in 2009 civil war till
September this year. Initially it was planned to release the report in
March 25 during the 28th session of UNHRC, but on request of President
Sirisena it has been deferred on the pretext of the island nation
conducting an internal inquiry. India had so far soft-pedalled whenever
the issue came up before the UNHRC. But with the recent change in the
political dispensation in India, it remains to be seen how the Modi
government deals with the issue.
Another contentious issue
concerns the issue of fishermen of both countries being apprehended and
jailed for crossing territorial waters. The problem has been accentuated
by India handing over the uninhabited Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka,
which has caused a loss of territorial waters to India and placed
Indian fishermen at a disadvantage.
Sri Lanka has become a
partner in the Nalanda University project. The Buddhist majority island
country is very much interested in developing Buddhist sites in India
and President Sirisena has said that Buddhism and Hinduism have close
relations. It depends upon him how effectively he resolves the Tamil
issue in his own country, keeping in view the close relationship between
the two religions. Prime Minister Modi intends to give some time to
President Sirisena to settle down and resolve the issue and make Sri
Lanka an effective security partner in the Indian Ocean region.
(Ashok
B Sharma is a senior Columnist writing on strategic and policy issues
in several Indian and international newspapers and magazines. He
frequently writes in Bangladesh’s The Daily Observer and The Diplomatist
magazine. He can be reached at ashokbsharma@gmail.com His mobile phone no +91-9810902204)
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GERARD PIQUÉ NAMED NEWEST LAUREUS AMBASSADOR
21 02 2015
FC BARCELONA AND SPAIN STAR
GERARD PIQUÉ NAMED
NEWEST LAUREUS AMBASSADOR
· Winner of two Champions Leagues for FC Barcelona and 2010 World Cup
for Spain joins Laureus Family
· ‘I am delighted to be a Laureus Ambassador and I will do everything I can to support them in their cause.’ – says Gerard Piqué
- Laureus supports more than 150 projects around the world which have helped to improve the lives of millions of young people
· Picture of Gerard Pique on www.laureusarchive.com
BARCELONA, February 19, 2015 - Gerard Piqué, one of Spain’s greatest and most popular footballers, is today named as the newest Laureus Ambassador.
One of the most admired defenders in football, Piqué has played for FC Barcelona since 2008, winning La Liga four times, the Champions League twice and the Spanish Cup on two occasions.
He has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world
and was a key member of the highly successful Spanish national team
which won the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship two years
later.
Piqué said: “I believe in the
importance of helping the most disadvantaged people through sport,
especially youth and children. This is one of the characteristics that
we, as sportspeople, have been instilled with at FC Barcelona since we
were kids. I am very familiar with the great work that the Laureus
Foundation does worldwide, improving the lives of millions of young
people. I am delighted to be a Laureus Ambassador and I will do
everything I can to support them in their cause.”
He now joins the Laureus Family to
support the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses
sport to achieve social change and improve the lives of young people
around the world.
Gabriel Masfurroll, President of the Laureus Foundation in Spain, said: “We
are delighted to have the co-operation and involvement of a great
athlete like Gerard Piqué. It is a privilege that he takes part in this
great project which is the Laureus Foundation and that we can together
reach more young people and children in need.”
Piqué
made his debut for the Spanish national team in February 2009 and he
was the first-choice centre-back, playing alongside Puyol at the 2010
World Cup finals in South Africa. He started all seven matches as Spain
won the tournament, beating the Netherlands 1–0 in the final. With Piqué
and Puyol in defence, Spain conceded only two goals.
Piqué
played every minute of Spain’s European Championship victory in 2012,
partnering Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos in the centre of defence. He was
one of three Spanish defenders included in UEFA’s Team of the
Tournament.
Piqué joins an impressive list of former and current sportsmen and women as Laureus
Ambassadors, who, along with the members of the Laureus World Sports
Academy, support the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
The mission
of the Foundation is to utilise the power of sport to address social
problems through a global programme of sports related community
development initiatives. Laureus currently supports more than 150
projects around the world which have helped to improve the lives of
millions of young people.
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Categories : Business, sports
Cyclones wreak havoc in OZ
21 02 2015
Powerful Cyclone Marcia roared ashore Friday in a
heavily-populated area of northeastern Australia as officials warned of a
“calamity”.
“Severe tropical cyclone Marcia, category 5, is currently crossing
the coast near Shoalwater Bay north of Yeppoon,” the Queensland Bureau
of Meteorology tweeted
Cyclones wreak havoc but “catastrophe” avoided in Queensland #TCMarcia http://bit.ly/1CPtjbs
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Categories : Environment
Nitish Next CM Bihar #ManjhiQuits
21 02 2015
Nitish Kumar to take oath as Bihar CM on February 22Sushil Kumar Modi @SushilModi 7 minutes ago
जीतन राम मांझी के मुख्यमंत्री पद से त्यागपत्र देने के बाद भाजपा प्रदेश कार्यालय में प्रेस वार्ता…
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Categories : Politics
OECD on mainstreaming green growth
21 02 2015
Ever plodded thru floodwater to get to an event? http://bit.ly/1Lk7iW5 OECD on mainstreaming green growth #climate
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Categories : Environment
Pak FM: Operation Zarb-e-Azb may cost over $1.3 billion
21 02 2015
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the cost of ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan may exceed $1.3 billion.
Dar met with US Senate Armed Services Committee member, Jack Reed
and Ambassador Richard Olson and informed them that the Pakistani
government had already spent $400 million on the operation and IDPs.
During the meeting the finance minister said the operation had the
full support of political parties, armed forces and civil society in the
country. Dar added that Pakistani had suffered economically due to the
exodus of people from the tribal areas owing to the operation.
Senator Jack Reed said it was essential that the global community helped Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.
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Categories : Business
US aircraft C-17 Globemaster and F-16 Falcon at the #AeroIndia2015 Show
21 02 2015
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Categories : Business
MoU Signed between KVIC and RSETIS
21 02 2015
An MoU was signed between Khadi & Village Industies Commission
(KVIC),under the Ministry of MSME and Monitoring Cell For Rural Self
Employment Training Institute’s, (RSETIS) under the Ministry Of Rural
Development in the presence of Shri Kalraj Mishra,Union Minister of
Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises here today.
The MoU was signed by Shri B. H. Anil Kumar, CEO & Commissioner for Khadi and Village Industries (KVIC) and Shri K. N. Janardhana, Chief Project Co-ordinator, Monitoring Cell for RSETIs. Present on the occasion were Shri Madhav Lal, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Dr. Veerendra Heggade, Co-Chairman, National Advisory Council for RSETIs, officials of Ministry of MSME and KVIC.
The Ministry of MSME through KVIC is implementing the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) for generating employment opportunities through setting up of micro enterprises in rural and urban areas of the Country.
Around 2.9 lakhs micro enterprises have been set up so far providing employment opportunities to 25.93 lakh persons. The scheme has received encouraging response from all the stake holders namely unemployed youth, Banks and implementing agencies i.e. KVIC, KVIB and DIC. It has been observed that applications from unemployed youth received are far in excess of the target every year which reflects the popularity of the scheme.
During PMEGP review meetings held by the Ministry of MSME, KVIC it has been observed that many of the applicants under PMEGP are not possessing business skills &skills related to their projects. This also increases the rate of rejection of Bank loan applications and affects the viability of the PMEGP project.
As a remedial measure, KVIC with the help of Monitoring Cell for RSETIs which monitors the Bankers Training Institute viz. Rural Self Employment Training Institutes available in all the districts of the Country to partner with KVIC for conduct of Entrepreneurship Development Programmes. There are 581 RSETIs/RUDSETIs in the Country and they provide skill development training, in more than 250 skills. RSETIs also provides handholding to the trainees for a period of 2 years which includes training, project formulation and handholding beyond bank sanction till setting up of the units, as well as monitoring for a period of 2 years after the unit is setup.
Convergence in the area of imparting Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) to PMEGP beneficiaries and linking skill development trainees to PMEGP was explored.
Mou signed by KVIC with Monitoring Cell for RSETIs :
• RSETIs& RUDSETIs will carry out EDP training of PMEGP beneficiaries.
• Trainees having undergone skill development programme at RSETIs& RUDSETIs will be provided a higher rating in District Level Task Force Committee (DLTFC) of PMEGP for their selection.
• Monitoring Cell for RSETIs& RUDSETIs will ensure hand holding for trainees, project formulation and guidance etc. upto a period of two years including arranging for bank loan sanction.
• Monitoring Cell for RSETIs& RUDSETIs will prepare district-wise model project reports for benefit of beneficiaries.
• Monitoring Cell for RSETI’s will also utilize infrastructure of KVIC Departmental Training Centres for their skill development courses as per requirement on payment of charges/expenditure which will be worked out mutually.
• Monitoring Cell for RSETIs will organize workshop jointly with KVIC at district level for officials of Banks to sensitize them on PMEGP alongwith DICs and KVIBs.
• MoU will be for initial period of three years, however performance under the MoU will be reviewed after 2 years.
The MoU was signed by Shri B. H. Anil Kumar, CEO & Commissioner for Khadi and Village Industries (KVIC) and Shri K. N. Janardhana, Chief Project Co-ordinator, Monitoring Cell for RSETIs. Present on the occasion were Shri Madhav Lal, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Dr. Veerendra Heggade, Co-Chairman, National Advisory Council for RSETIs, officials of Ministry of MSME and KVIC.
The Ministry of MSME through KVIC is implementing the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) for generating employment opportunities through setting up of micro enterprises in rural and urban areas of the Country.
Around 2.9 lakhs micro enterprises have been set up so far providing employment opportunities to 25.93 lakh persons. The scheme has received encouraging response from all the stake holders namely unemployed youth, Banks and implementing agencies i.e. KVIC, KVIB and DIC. It has been observed that applications from unemployed youth received are far in excess of the target every year which reflects the popularity of the scheme.
During PMEGP review meetings held by the Ministry of MSME, KVIC it has been observed that many of the applicants under PMEGP are not possessing business skills &skills related to their projects. This also increases the rate of rejection of Bank loan applications and affects the viability of the PMEGP project.
As a remedial measure, KVIC with the help of Monitoring Cell for RSETIs which monitors the Bankers Training Institute viz. Rural Self Employment Training Institutes available in all the districts of the Country to partner with KVIC for conduct of Entrepreneurship Development Programmes. There are 581 RSETIs/RUDSETIs in the Country and they provide skill development training, in more than 250 skills. RSETIs also provides handholding to the trainees for a period of 2 years which includes training, project formulation and handholding beyond bank sanction till setting up of the units, as well as monitoring for a period of 2 years after the unit is setup.
Convergence in the area of imparting Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) to PMEGP beneficiaries and linking skill development trainees to PMEGP was explored.
Mou signed by KVIC with Monitoring Cell for RSETIs :
• RSETIs& RUDSETIs will carry out EDP training of PMEGP beneficiaries.
• Trainees having undergone skill development programme at RSETIs& RUDSETIs will be provided a higher rating in District Level Task Force Committee (DLTFC) of PMEGP for their selection.
• Monitoring Cell for RSETIs& RUDSETIs will ensure hand holding for trainees, project formulation and guidance etc. upto a period of two years including arranging for bank loan sanction.
• Monitoring Cell for RSETIs& RUDSETIs will prepare district-wise model project reports for benefit of beneficiaries.
• Monitoring Cell for RSETI’s will also utilize infrastructure of KVIC Departmental Training Centres for their skill development courses as per requirement on payment of charges/expenditure which will be worked out mutually.
• Monitoring Cell for RSETIs will organize workshop jointly with KVIC at district level for officials of Banks to sensitize them on PMEGP alongwith DICs and KVIBs.
• MoU will be for initial period of three years, however performance under the MoU will be reviewed after 2 years.
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Categories : Business
CIL Gearing Up For 1 Billion Tonne Coal Production Mark
20 02 2015
CIL Gearing Up For 1 Billion Tonne Coal Production Mark Government committed to increase coal production: coal secretary
Coal India Limited (CIL), the Maharatna coal mining monolith had unveiled its roadmap, of strategies to be adopted, to attain the 1 Billion Tonne (BT) coal production mark by 2019-20. With the projected coal demand of the country hovering around 1,200 Million Tonnes (MTs) by 2019-20, at an envisaged growth rate of 7%, CIL is expected to chip in 1 BT, of which, 908 MTs is the expected contribution from the identified projects. This was stated by Shri S Bhattacharya, CMD , Coal India Ltd(CIL) while briefing the media here today. He further added that the process of identification of projects to share the balance quantity, to top up the 1 BT mark, is also underway. The two CIL subsidiaries Sambalpur based Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and the Bilaspur based South Eastern Coalfields Limited are expected to play a pivotal role in CIL’s quest of attaining the 1 BT production with 250 MTs and 240 MTs respectively , Shri Bhattacharya added. Earlier , Shri Anil Swarup , Coal Secretary said that coal ministry is committed to increase coal production in the country.Shri Bhattacharya pointed out the key issues that the coal miner is basically relying on are timely completion of three critical railway lines and timely land acquisition and green clearances.
Elaborating further, Shri Bhattacharya said that important actions initiated are creation of Coal Project Monitoring Group (CPMG) portal for regular monitoring of project related issues with different ministries and State Authorities. To overcome the hurdle of coal evacuation, CIL had decided to purchase 2000 railway wagons from its own kitty for which a specific fund had been earmarked. The coordination with Railways for implementation has already been initiated. In a move to synergize its efforts SECL already has 2 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) with State governments to develop rail network including last mile connectivity, involving Railways. More number of SPVS are on immediate anvil towards grounding railways infrastructure with Railways and concerned State Govt. participations, Shri Bhattacharya stated.
Shri Bhattacharya said that the strategies for future include Technology Upgradation in Opencast Mines with high capacity equipment , Operator independent Truck Dispatch System, Vehicle tracking system using GPS/GPRS, Coal Handling Plants (CHPs) and SILOS for Faster Loading and monitoring using Laser Scanners. As far as productivity improvement in Underground mines is concerned, Shri Bhattacharya said that the steps taken by CIL will include introduction of Continuous Miner Technology in large scale, Long-wall Technology at selected places, Man Riding system in major mines and Use of Tele monitoring Techniques.
CIL is also introducing a number of systems improvements that would help the company in realizing its challenging target. Use of ICT, remote sensing geophysical technologies and proper monitoring and evaluation methodologies will be the key features, Shri Bhattacharya added.
Coal India Limited (CIL), the Maharatna coal mining monolith had unveiled its roadmap, of strategies to be adopted, to attain the 1 Billion Tonne (BT) coal production mark by 2019-20. With the projected coal demand of the country hovering around 1,200 Million Tonnes (MTs) by 2019-20, at an envisaged growth rate of 7%, CIL is expected to chip in 1 BT, of which, 908 MTs is the expected contribution from the identified projects. This was stated by Shri S Bhattacharya, CMD , Coal India Ltd(CIL) while briefing the media here today. He further added that the process of identification of projects to share the balance quantity, to top up the 1 BT mark, is also underway. The two CIL subsidiaries Sambalpur based Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and the Bilaspur based South Eastern Coalfields Limited are expected to play a pivotal role in CIL’s quest of attaining the 1 BT production with 250 MTs and 240 MTs respectively , Shri Bhattacharya added. Earlier , Shri Anil Swarup , Coal Secretary said that coal ministry is committed to increase coal production in the country.Shri Bhattacharya pointed out the key issues that the coal miner is basically relying on are timely completion of three critical railway lines and timely land acquisition and green clearances.
Elaborating further, Shri Bhattacharya said that important actions initiated are creation of Coal Project Monitoring Group (CPMG) portal for regular monitoring of project related issues with different ministries and State Authorities. To overcome the hurdle of coal evacuation, CIL had decided to purchase 2000 railway wagons from its own kitty for which a specific fund had been earmarked. The coordination with Railways for implementation has already been initiated. In a move to synergize its efforts SECL already has 2 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) with State governments to develop rail network including last mile connectivity, involving Railways. More number of SPVS are on immediate anvil towards grounding railways infrastructure with Railways and concerned State Govt. participations, Shri Bhattacharya stated.
Shri Bhattacharya said that the strategies for future include Technology Upgradation in Opencast Mines with high capacity equipment , Operator independent Truck Dispatch System, Vehicle tracking system using GPS/GPRS, Coal Handling Plants (CHPs) and SILOS for Faster Loading and monitoring using Laser Scanners. As far as productivity improvement in Underground mines is concerned, Shri Bhattacharya said that the steps taken by CIL will include introduction of Continuous Miner Technology in large scale, Long-wall Technology at selected places, Man Riding system in major mines and Use of Tele monitoring Techniques.
CIL is also introducing a number of systems improvements that would help the company in realizing its challenging target. Use of ICT, remote sensing geophysical technologies and proper monitoring and evaluation methodologies will be the key features, Shri Bhattacharya added.
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Categories : Business, Energy
PM unveiling Itanagar Water Supply Project
20 02 2015
PM unveiling the plaque to dedicate Itanagar Water Supply Project and Harmuti-Naharlagun Rail Line to the Nation
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Categories : Business, CSR, culture, Education
National Standards in road sector should align with Global Standards, says Nitin Gadkari
20 02 2015
Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin
Gadkari has suggested that the national standards for design,
construction, maintenance and operation of roads, bridges and flyovers
should align with the global standards to bring down the cost of
construction while maintaining high standards of quality. He was
speaking at the inaugural session of a workshop cum exhibition on
‘adoption of innovative technologies and materials for road construction
in India’ organized by Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE) and
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in association with the World
Bank at Noida near Delhi today.
The Minister said that an appropriate scientific approach towards quality construction, time bound solutions and road safety would certainly lower the number of road accidents. “Engineering and research part of our planning should be inclusive of all types of new and innovative technologies”, he added. He further added that as the priority of the Government lies in the development of infrastructure, an in-depth study of the gaps between international and national standards is required immediately. He reiterated that a proper person at proper place scripts a successful management story; therefore people who are interested in innovation should be encouraged at all levels. He also underlined the necessity to launch a portal for bank of ideas on road constructions.
Shri Gadkari emphasized on use of locally available materials in road construction sector to bring down the cost. He added that there is need to reduce the time for completion of projects, particularly in extremism affected areas through use of pre-fabricated and innovative technologies.
Earlier speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Road Transport & Highways, Shri Vijay Chhibber said that India has a large pool of talent; the need is to transport knowledge from lab to field. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has issued guidelines that the new/alternative materials/technologies proven in India or abroad shall be deemed to be accredited for adoption in the highway sector, subject to the conditions that the developers/promoters of new/alternative materials/technologies shall have to provide the standards & specifications and certified performance reports from the user agencies of major developed countries where the proposed materials/techniques have been successfully used to the executing agency to establish their suitability for adoption. It is further envisaged that the developers/promoters shall strive to establish permanent base in India and show long term commitment to the goal of innovative infrastructure development in India.
The Minister said that an appropriate scientific approach towards quality construction, time bound solutions and road safety would certainly lower the number of road accidents. “Engineering and research part of our planning should be inclusive of all types of new and innovative technologies”, he added. He further added that as the priority of the Government lies in the development of infrastructure, an in-depth study of the gaps between international and national standards is required immediately. He reiterated that a proper person at proper place scripts a successful management story; therefore people who are interested in innovation should be encouraged at all levels. He also underlined the necessity to launch a portal for bank of ideas on road constructions.
Shri Gadkari emphasized on use of locally available materials in road construction sector to bring down the cost. He added that there is need to reduce the time for completion of projects, particularly in extremism affected areas through use of pre-fabricated and innovative technologies.
Earlier speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Road Transport & Highways, Shri Vijay Chhibber said that India has a large pool of talent; the need is to transport knowledge from lab to field. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has issued guidelines that the new/alternative materials/technologies proven in India or abroad shall be deemed to be accredited for adoption in the highway sector, subject to the conditions that the developers/promoters of new/alternative materials/technologies shall have to provide the standards & specifications and certified performance reports from the user agencies of major developed countries where the proposed materials/techniques have been successfully used to the executing agency to establish their suitability for adoption. It is further envisaged that the developers/promoters shall strive to establish permanent base in India and show long term commitment to the goal of innovative infrastructure development in India.
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Categories : Business, CSR
Very soon on power tariff cut, free water, CM Arvind
20 02 2015
#AAPKiSarkar | Good news very soon on power tariff cut, free water, says CM @ArvindKejriwal http://ibnlive.in.com/news/delhi-good-news-very-soon-on-power-tariff-cut-free-water-says-cm-kejriwal/529622-3-244.html …
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Kailash Manasarovar Yatra-2015
20 02 2015| Announcement of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra-2015 by External Affairs Minister and Minister of Overseas Indian affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj |
| The External Affairs and Overseas Indian affairs Minister Smt.
Sushma Swaraj in a ceremony on February 19 launched a dedicated website
for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra-2015 (http://kmy.gov.in).
The External Affairs Minister also inaugurated a new Yatra Helpline
number (011-24300655) for the Yatris. 2015 is a watershed year for the
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. For the first time since its resumption in
1981, the Yatra will be conducted through two routes.During External
Affairs Minister’s visit to China from January 31 to February 3, 2015,
the two sides formally exchanged notes on modalities for Yatra via Nathu
La which has made it possible for Yatra to commence via Nathu La
beginning June 18, 2015. This new route does not involve trekking by
foot except for the Kailash Parikarma. It would help many old age
pilgrims to fulfil their desire to undertake the Kailash Manasarovar
pilgrimage.
This year the Yatra will be conducted during the period from June 8
to September 9, 2015. There will be 18 batches of 60 pilgrims each on
the existing route through Lipulekh Pass in Uttrakhand. Five batches of
50 Yatris each will be able to utilize the newly opened route via Nathu
La in Sikkim. The dedicated Yatra website is bilingual in Hindi and English and has an integrated online application registration, submission and tracking system in-built. Beginning this Yatra season, the Yatris will get a unique Yatra registration number through SMS and email. The Yatris would also be able to access status of their applications at any time through the website. The helpline is based on Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS). It will address queries of the Yatris in both Hindi and English. The IVRS has a feature for Yatris to request a call back facility from the Helpline officials. The Yatra Helpline and the new dedicated Yatra website have been developed and maintained by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The Yatra is organized in close cooperation with the Government of the People`s Republic of China. State Governments of Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Delhi, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMVN) are other major Indian partners of the Ministry in organizing the Yatra. With the launch of the website, the application process for the Yatra has commenced. The last date for submitting applications through the website is 10 April 2015. The selection of the Yatris will be done through an open, fair, random, gender balanced, computer generated draw of lots. Priority will be give to first time applicants, senior citizens, doctors and married couples. On the Nathu La route, priority will be given to old age pilgrims. New Delhi 20.02.2015 |
British RAF scrambles Typhoon jets, intercepts Russian Bear bombers off Cornwall
British RAF Typhoon fighter jets have been scrambled in response to two Russian Bear long-range bombers spotted off the coast of Cornwall, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
A spokesman from the MoD said: “RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched yesterday after Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK airspace.
“The Russian planes were escorted by the RAF until they were out of the UK area of interest. At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace.”
Thursday’s interception follows a similar event in January when two Russian Bear bombers flying close to UK airspace were intercepted by RAF Typhoons.
The British fighter jets were scrambled from bases at Lossiemouth in Scotland and Coningsby in eastern England, according to the MoD.
The UK Foreign Office summoned the Russian ambassador to lodge a complaint about the flight of Russian military jets over the English Channel, which authorities claimed posed a danger to passenger aircraft.
However no details were given as to how the bombers posed a danger.
Russia’s Air Force spokesman said the air patrol flights were carried out according to an approved plan, and conducted in strict compliance with international regulations of the use of airspace above neutral waters, without violating other countries’ borders.
RT news
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Viktor Orban has criticized EU’s attempts to isolate Moscow
19 02 2015
Ukrainian conflict is center stage of International politics which is dividing the globe with two poles of power and EU the most powerful conglomerate in terms of wealth and technology is thus balancing group state for the most talked globally strategic terms which can put the world to remain, work,co-operate for its holistic approach in global affairs. In case EU gets divided and get on to two sides of big political powers the international affairs solutions would turn out to be from bad to worse. German, France has thus moved forward to curb the ignite of war torn state of Ukraine. In this international relation of nodal importance Hungary has also shown its statesmanship to bring matter to restructure for the benefit of this region which may not spark two power mus-understanding.
Ukraine’s Security Council has agreed to call on the UN and EU to deploy a peacekeeping mission in the war-torn eastern part of the country, as requested by President Petro Poroshenko.
“We hope that Verkhovna Rada [the Ukrainian parliament] will also support this decision regarding an appeal to the UN and EU on the deployment of a peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine,” said Aleksandr Turchinov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
Turchinov believes peacekeepers should be stationed not only at the “demarcation line” but also along the “uncontrolled” part of the Russian-Ukrainian border, which is now controlled by the self-proclaimed republics. Such deployment will help “observe, and most importantly, to localize the violations, and provide real steps for the peaceful settlement of conflict in Ukraine,” he said.
The council also approved amendments to a legislative act on martial law as well as to the international military exercise plan proposed by Poroshenko.
At the meeting with Ukraine’s Security Council in Kiev on Wednesday, Poroshenko asked them “to consider the issue of a UN peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, which will act in accordance with an UN Security Council mandate.”Poroshenko added that he believed an “EU police mission” would be the best format for an international presence in Ukraine.
“The best format for us is a police mission from the European Union. We are convinced that this will be the most effective and optimal solution in a situation when promises of peace have not been kept,” said Poroshenko.
“I held preliminary discussions about this issue with the leaders of Germany, France and Russia while in Minsk, foreseeing that the terms of the treaty would not be complied with.”
Poroshenko added that if his suggestion is approved by Ukraine’s Security Council, the government will address its allies and start official consultations.
The Ukrainian president also asked the council to rubberstamp planned “international military training exercises”.
He also asked the security officials to update legislation on martial law in the country, to respond to “hybrid warfare, which threatens to escalate to a full-scale war.” Poroshenko previously threatened to introduce martial law in Ukraine, if the Minsk accords were not enforced.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticized EU’s attempts to isolate Moscow, in particular blaming former Polish PM and President of the European Council Donald Tusk for spearheading the European anti-Russia crusade.
“This rift in the EU is very deep, of a strategic nature,” Orban said regarding the division in the EU and on how to build the bloc’s relationship with Russia.
The European Council President Tusk is “on the other side” of this dividing line, Orban said, a day after striking economic deals with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Tusk has been an ardent critic of Moscow’s stance throughout the Ukrainian conflict, and on numerous occasions has called for a much tougher sanctions against Moscow. He speaks out against the “appeasement” of Moscow.
But the EU countries are divided in Brussels in their attitude towards Russia. Orban specified that the Baltic States and Poland sided with the United States in their belief that Russia should be gradually excluded from cooperation with Europe.
On the other hand, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria, Orban claims, believe cooperation with Moscow is essential.
“We think that without cooperation with the Russians we cannot achieve our goals,” the Hungarian prime minister said, referring mainly to energy security, which the EU sanctions against Russia jeopardize.
Russia also sees Hungary as a strategic partner and will pursue mutually beneficial energy projects. This was Vladimir Putin’s message to his Hungarian counterpart on Tuesday, as both countries sealed a number of energy deals.
Orban’s foreign policy towards the Ukrainian conflict has been criticized in the West from the onset as too soft. Generally supporting a Moscow-backed approach of achieving a long lasting peace in the region, Orban has on numerous occasions spoken out against discriminatory treatment of Russia by Brussels.
His vocal criticism of EU and US role in European foreign policy forced Washington to issue travel bans for several Hungarian businessmen. In October, US Chargé d’Affaires André Goodfriend, visiting the country warned that Hungary should “stand firm with the EU, with EU sanctions” stating that it was not the time for Hungary to “break with its EU partners to criticize so publicly the approach that the partners have taken.”
Media agencies
Ukrainian conflict is center stage of International politics which is dividing the globe with two poles of power and EU the most powerful conglomerate in terms of wealth and technology is thus balancing group state for the most talked globally strategic terms which can put the world to remain, work,co-operate for its holistic approach in global affairs. In case EU gets divided and get on to two sides of big political powers the international affairs solutions would turn out to be from bad to worse. German, France has thus moved forward to curb the ignite of war torn state of Ukraine. In this international relation of nodal importance Hungary has also shown its statesmanship to bring matter to restructure for the benefit of this region which may not spark two power mus-understanding.
Ukraine’s Security Council has agreed to call on the UN and EU to deploy a peacekeeping mission in the war-torn eastern part of the country, as requested by President Petro Poroshenko.
“We hope that Verkhovna Rada [the Ukrainian parliament] will also support this decision regarding an appeal to the UN and EU on the deployment of a peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine,” said Aleksandr Turchinov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
Turchinov believes peacekeepers should be stationed not only at the “demarcation line” but also along the “uncontrolled” part of the Russian-Ukrainian border, which is now controlled by the self-proclaimed republics. Such deployment will help “observe, and most importantly, to localize the violations, and provide real steps for the peaceful settlement of conflict in Ukraine,” he said.
The council also approved amendments to a legislative act on martial law as well as to the international military exercise plan proposed by Poroshenko.
At the meeting with Ukraine’s Security Council in Kiev on Wednesday, Poroshenko asked them “to consider the issue of a UN peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, which will act in accordance with an UN Security Council mandate.”Poroshenko added that he believed an “EU police mission” would be the best format for an international presence in Ukraine.
“The best format for us is a police mission from the European Union. We are convinced that this will be the most effective and optimal solution in a situation when promises of peace have not been kept,” said Poroshenko.
“I held preliminary discussions about this issue with the leaders of Germany, France and Russia while in Minsk, foreseeing that the terms of the treaty would not be complied with.”
Poroshenko added that if his suggestion is approved by Ukraine’s Security Council, the government will address its allies and start official consultations.
The Ukrainian president also asked the council to rubberstamp planned “international military training exercises”.
He also asked the security officials to update legislation on martial law in the country, to respond to “hybrid warfare, which threatens to escalate to a full-scale war.” Poroshenko previously threatened to introduce martial law in Ukraine, if the Minsk accords were not enforced.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticized EU’s attempts to isolate Moscow, in particular blaming former Polish PM and President of the European Council Donald Tusk for spearheading the European anti-Russia crusade.
“This rift in the EU is very deep, of a strategic nature,” Orban said regarding the division in the EU and on how to build the bloc’s relationship with Russia.
The European Council President Tusk is “on the other side” of this dividing line, Orban said, a day after striking economic deals with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Tusk has been an ardent critic of Moscow’s stance throughout the Ukrainian conflict, and on numerous occasions has called for a much tougher sanctions against Moscow. He speaks out against the “appeasement” of Moscow.
But the EU countries are divided in Brussels in their attitude towards Russia. Orban specified that the Baltic States and Poland sided with the United States in their belief that Russia should be gradually excluded from cooperation with Europe.
On the other hand, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria, Orban claims, believe cooperation with Moscow is essential.
“We think that without cooperation with the Russians we cannot achieve our goals,” the Hungarian prime minister said, referring mainly to energy security, which the EU sanctions against Russia jeopardize.
Russia also sees Hungary as a strategic partner and will pursue mutually beneficial energy projects. This was Vladimir Putin’s message to his Hungarian counterpart on Tuesday, as both countries sealed a number of energy deals.
Orban’s foreign policy towards the Ukrainian conflict has been criticized in the West from the onset as too soft. Generally supporting a Moscow-backed approach of achieving a long lasting peace in the region, Orban has on numerous occasions spoken out against discriminatory treatment of Russia by Brussels.
His vocal criticism of EU and US role in European foreign policy forced Washington to issue travel bans for several Hungarian businessmen. In October, US Chargé d’Affaires André Goodfriend, visiting the country warned that Hungary should “stand firm with the EU, with EU sanctions” stating that it was not the time for Hungary to “break with its EU partners to criticize so publicly the approach that the partners have taken.”
Media agencies
ATDC organizes golf tournament near Jorhat
Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) organizes golf
tournament to bring Assam on tourist map in the state with a tourney
near Jorhat. The corporation is organizing the Assam Tourism
Invitational Golf Meet at the scenic Kaziranga Golf Resort in Jorhat
district. The day long tournament will feature 80 golfers with eight
from abroad teeing off at the 18-hole course. The idea of the meet is to
promote the hotspots in the state among domestic and foreign tourists
through golf.
The golf meet is expected to give boost to the Assam International Trade and Industrial Fair in Jorhat that is underway from today. Over 10 countries are taking part in the fair organized by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Assam, in association with the Federation of Federation of Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region. Assam Tourism Development Corporation is also one of the partners in the fair. The scheduling of the two events, that is golf and trade fair has been done in a manner that more and more people may come to the venue.
Centrally located and being close the oil fields and the tea estates, Jorhat serves as the base for tourism to places like Kaziranga National Park and the world’s largest river island Majuli.
The golf meet is expected to give boost to the Assam International Trade and Industrial Fair in Jorhat that is underway from today. Over 10 countries are taking part in the fair organized by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Assam, in association with the Federation of Federation of Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region. Assam Tourism Development Corporation is also one of the partners in the fair. The scheduling of the two events, that is golf and trade fair has been done in a manner that more and more people may come to the venue.
Centrally located and being close the oil fields and the tea estates, Jorhat serves as the base for tourism to places like Kaziranga National Park and the world’s largest river island Majuli.
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