Thursday 29 June 2017

Human trafficking report 2017: US continues to label India as Tier-II

According to the June 2017 edition of “Trafficking in persons” report released by the United States State Department, India continues to be placed in tier-2 of human trafficking, the department arguing that the country does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
The State Department in its annual Congressional-mandated report on human trafficking claimed that though India does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but it has been making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period; therefore, India remained on tier-2.
India 's efforts were reflected in increasing the number of victims identified, investigations completed, and traffickers convicted, as well as its budget for shelter programmes for female and child trafficking victims. It also adopted an action plan for children, which included plans to prevent child trafficking and protect child victims. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas.
The report ruled that overall victim identification and protection remained inadequate and inconsistent and the government sometimes penalised victims through arrests for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking.
According to the report, demonetisation had an impact on sex trafficking last year. Some NGOs commented sex trafficking was temporarily reduced until other forms of payment were established. Some NGOs reported a resultant increase in other methods of payment including online payments.
Other NGOs stated workers in the informal economy, including brick kiln workers, were at times paid in void currency notes or were not paid at all due to cash shortages. Both the situations subsequently increased the workers' vulnerability to debt bondage and forced labour.
As per the report, India is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. Forced labour constitutes India 's largest trafficking problem. Men, women, and children in debt bondage, sometimes inherited from previous generations are forced to work in brick kilns, rice mills, agriculture, and embroidery factories.
Most of India 's trafficking problem is internal, and those from the most disadvantaged social strata- lowest caste Dalits, members of tribal communities, religious minorities, and women and girls from excluded groups are most vulnerable.
Within India , some are subjected to forced labour in sectors such as construction, steel, and textile industries, wire manufacturing for underground cables, biscuit factories, pickling, floriculture, fish farms, and ship breaking, among others. Thousands of unregulated work placement agencies reportedly lure adults and children under false promises of employment into sex trafficking or forced labour, including domestic servitude, the report added.

Wednesday 28 June 2017

CABINET CLEARS AIR INDIA DISINVESTMENT:

The Union cabinet today cleared disinvestment of debt-laden Air India but the final modalities, including the quantum of stake sale, will be decided by a group of ministers.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the cabinet has given ‘in-principle’ approval for disinvestment of Air India.A group will be set up to finalise modalities/details of disinvestment of Air India, including the quantum of stake sale, he said.
The airline has a debt of more than 52,000 crore rupes and is surviving on a 30,000 crore rupees bailout package extended by the previous UPA government in 2012.
Surviving on taxpayers’ money, Air India has been in the red for long and various proposals, including government think tank Niti Aayog’s suggestion for complete privatisation, have been made.
The civil aviation ministry is charting out the disinvestment of the state-run carrier.
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EK HASEENA THI EK DEEWANA THA: AN INCOMPARABLE AND FRESH ROMANTIC THRILLER

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The film Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha, directed and produced by Suneel Darshan features Shiv Darshan, Upen Patel and introduces the gorgeous   Natasha Fernandez in lead roles. The music is composed by Nadeem Saifi. The principle actor Shiv Darshan on being asked about the film said, “The speciality of the film is that it is a wholesome entertainment package which has got passion, pain, suffering, drama, romance and the soulful music which plays like a USP and will make a place in your hearts.”
The beautiful Natasha Fernandez on being questioned on her debut said that, “It changed my life when I was discovered by my mentor Suneel sir. I feel fairy-tails exist and dreams do come true because this films came to me by fate and destiny and I was blessed enough to catch sir’s eye. It was a challenging role but my creator painted me best like a blank canvas.”
The media got quite stunned when everyone got to witness a Skype interaction, that too the first time ever. In it Nadeen Saifi himself interacted with media through Skype and added on to the information. On music improvisation Nadeem said, “We wanted to keep our Hindustani culture alive so we have blended Indian with western and build up the composition. I think the only need is a good launch, moreover, the new emerging trend of music in the market will not affect much as good music will always attract and survive.” On being asked about his return to India he said, “The charges that were put on me were wrong and I also won the case. I really want to return to India as it is in my heart. But they should call me back with respect, I am a pure Indian and I love India.”
The movie have a love triangle, but with many more layers to it and comes somewhere from the world of classic English movies. Suneel Darshan commented on the uniqueness of the movie and said, “No doubt this is a romantic film but it is timeless and cannot be compared to any era.” On censorship the director said, “The board has upgraded and watch today’s cinema as it is, they have been extremely supportive with our film and I didn’t feel any rigidity in their suggestions that they gave.”
‘Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha’, presented by Shree Krishna International, is all set to release on June 30.
Shailesh Giri
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INDIA SECOND IN JUNIOR SHOOTING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Indian shooting squad has finished a creditable second at the ISSF Junior World Championship with three gold, two silver and three bronze medals in Suhl, Germany.
India picked up a gold and silver in the team and individual sections of the 25m pistol junior men’s event. India also won team bronze in the 25m pistol junior women’s event to shore up their tally on the fourth and final day of competitions yesterday.
Anish Bhanwala won three medals, one of each colour.
On day one, Anish had claimed gold in the 25m standard pistol men’s event. Yesterday, he win another gold teaming with Anhad Jawanda and Shivam Shukla for the 25m pistol event.
China topped the tally in the rifle/pistol tournament with 19 medals, including eight gold.
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RBI AMENDS BANKING OMBUDSMAN SCHEME

The central bank has extended the scope of Banking Ombudsman Scheme. The Reserve bank said that under the amended scheme, a customer would also be able to lodge a complaint against the bank for its non-adherence to RBI instructions with regard to mobile banking/ electronic banking services in India. As per the amendment, the pecuniary jurisdiction of the Banking Ombudsman to pass an award has been doubled to 20 lakh rupees.
AIR correspondent reports that the Reserve Bank yesterday extended the scope of Banking Ombudsman Scheme under which banks could be penalised for mis-selling third-party products like insurance and mutual funds via mobile or electronic banking. Banking Ombudsman is a quasi judicial authority functioning under the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006. The authority was created to enable resolution of complaints of customers of banks relating to services rendered by the lenders.
The gross fiscal deficits of all the states skyrocketed to 4,93,360 crore Rupee in the last fiscal from the 18,790 crore rupee in the financial year 1991, according to the latest RBI data. Most populous state Uttar Pradesh and the largest Rajasthan lead the list of states with highest deficit.
According to the second edition of RBI’s statistical publication titled ‘Handbook of Statistics on States 2016-17’, released on Saturday, the gap is projected to improve in the current fiscal. It is estimated to be 4,49,520 crore rupee as per the budget estimates of the states for financial year 2017.
The publication follows the ‘one-indicator-one table’ approach and covers all sub-national statistics on socio- demographics, state domestic product, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, banking and fiscal indicators across the states over a period ranging from 1950-51 to 2016-17.
It also offers data on state-wise availability of power, per capita availability of power, installed capacity of power, and power requirement, length of national highways, roads and state highways, and railheads.
According to the data released by RBI, banks’ credit growth grew at 6.02 per cent to Rs 76,58,212 crore in the fortnight ended June 9 from Rs 72,22,939 crore in the same period of fiscal 2016.
The data showed that the growth in advances in the reporting period was slightly higher than the previous fortnight ended May 26, 2017. In the fortnight ended May 26, advances had grown by 5.08 per cent with an outstanding loans at Rs 75,93,546 crore.
In the fiscal ended March 31, 2017, credit growth had plunged to a multi-year low of 5.08 per cent with an outstanding loan at Rs 78.81 trillion as against Rs 75.01 trillion on April 1, 2016. In the reporting fortnight, bank deposits grew at 11.19 per cent to Rs 105,77,947 crore from Rs 95,13,148 crore in the fortnight ended June 10, 2016.
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MODI RETURNS DELHI AFTER THREE NATIONS VISIT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned home a short while ago from Amsterdam after a four day three nation visit to Portugal, United States and The Netherlands. During his visit, India signed eleven MoUs for cooperation with Portugal and three with the Netherlands.
In USA, Mr Modi and President Donald Trump comprehensively reviewed bilateral relations and laid down the future road map.
Our correspondent covering the visit of the Prime Minister reported that the Prime Minister’s visit focused primarily on four broad areas: one, furthering India’s strategic interests, two- projection of India as a country with fast track reforms coupled with high economic growth making it a strong opportunity for investment; third- seek collaborations in areas like skill development, knowledge based society and frontier areas of science and technology and four- reviving bonds with Indian Diaspora and seek their contribution for the development of India of their dreams.
The first ever Modi Trump meeting reaffirmed close Indo-US relations with President Trump reiterating himself a true friend of India. India not only received full support in its fight on terrorism from the three countries but the US went a step further by calling Pakistan to put an end to terror.
The visits saw increasing convergence of views between India and the three countries on major international issues.
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MIKE PENCE:US TO HELP INDIAN ARMED FORCES SA

US Vice President Mike Pence has said that his country will help the Indian armed forces to obtain the resources and technology it needs to support security in South Asia.
He said the process to approve the sale was underway and expressed hope that it would accurately reflect commitment to mutual security among both nations.
In a key note address to members of the US India Council in Washington yesterday, Pence said, the US and India can deepen their ties in many industries and areas.
He urged India to enact the necessary economic reforms to ensure fair and reciprocal bilateral trade. He also said India and the US, are strong partners in fight against terrorism.
He said, the United States and India already collaborate to a significant extent. But in the face of terror networks that are ever-more sophisticated, ever-more dispersed. He said, both countries will continue to take renewed action to facilitate two-way information and intelligence sharing to confront this threat.
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NO WINNER IN MONGOLIA’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

There was no outright winner in Mongolia’s presidential election on Monday, forcing the country’s first ever second-round run-off between the two leading candidates, the country’s General Election Committee said on Tuesday. The populist former martial arts star Khaltmaa Battulga of the opposition Democratic Party won the most votes, but failed to secure the majority required, the committee said. He will face ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) candidate Miyeegombo Enkhbold, who came second, in a run-off on July 9, the committee’s chairman Choinzon Tsodnomtseren confirmed at a briefing on Tuesday morning.
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TRUMP NOMINATE FBI DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER WRAY

President Donald Trump officially nominated Christopher Wray as the new head of the FBI on Monday. Trump first announced his intention to nominate Wray three weeks ago, describing him in a tweet as “a man of impeccable credentials.” Wray formerly served as assistant attorney-general in charge of the Criminal Division at the Justice Department under former President George W Bush. During his tenure, Wray oversaw several major corporate fraud investigations, including the federal prosecutions of executives involved in the Enron scandal. Wray’s nomination must now be confirmed by the Senate. If he is confirmed, Wray will take over for Andrew McCabe, who has been the bureau’s acting director since Trump fired James Comey on May 9. In a statement released by the Justice Department, Wray said he was “honored and humbled” to be nominated.
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NETHERLANDS BACKS INDIA’S BID FOR NSG ENTRY AND A PERMANENT UNSC SEAT

The Netherlands has backed India’s early entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, NSG, and other multilateral export control regimes.
In a joint communique issued after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte in Hague the Netherlands also supported the country’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
Both leaders agreed that the NSG, Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group would benefit from India’s membership. Prime Minister Modi thanked the Netherlands for its role in India’s accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime in June 2016.
India and the Netherlands also strongly condemned the use of double standards in addressing the menace of terrorism, saying there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds.
They expressed concern about the serious and grave threat posed by the spread of terrorism and violent extremism to both the countries and the world. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to combat terrorism and prevent radicalisation that could lead to violent extremism.
Mr Modi also discussed the role of the Netherlands as ‘Gateway to Europe’ for India as 20 per cent of its exports to Europe enters through the Dutch country. Both leaders expressed hope for an early resumption of negotiations leading to the conclusion of the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement between India and the EU.
Prime Minister Modi invited the Netherlands to join the International Solar Alliance. Prime Minister Rutte appreciated the lead taken by India to galvanise global action on Climate Change through the its initiatives. Both leaders reaffirmed their countries’ commitment towards Paris climate deal.
Earlier yesterday, Prime Minister Modi described the Netherlands as India’s “natural partner” in its economic development and said the bilateral ties with the country’s major trading partner will grow rapidly.
India and Netherlands also signed three MOUs on water management, cultural cooperation and on amending social security arrangement. The MOUs were signed in the presence of both leaders.
Expressing that his Netherlands tour comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations, Mr Modi said the two countries have centuries old relations & are together progressing ahead steadily.
Stressing that today world is interdependent & interconnected, he said, India & Netherlands have convergence of views on the global issues.
Yesterday, Mr Modi also interacted with the CEOs of Dutch companies inviting them to utilize the vast opportunities provided by his ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Prime minister Narendra Modi has said that everything the country have must be world class as the India of the 21st century cannot stay behind when it comes to technology and infrastructure.
Addressing Indian diaspora at a stadium in South Holland’S capital the Hague, Prime minister stressed on larger community participation in development. Mr Modi said, India will have to be modernised at a greater speed.
Addressing the diaspora the Prime Minister announced that five years business visa will soon be granted to the dutch nationals.
Mr. Modi appealed all Indian origin people in Netherlands to apply for their Overseas Citizens of India, OCI, cards at earliest.
Mr Modi praised the Sarnami Indians for maintaining Indianness despite being outside India for around 150 years. He said, despite migrating as labourers to American country of Surinam & then to Netherlands, the Sarnami community has maintained Indian language, culture and traditions.
Emphasizing that relations of blood do not change with change in colour of passport, he said, Indian diaspora across world has feeling of an obligation towards India.
The prime minister Citing the contribution of India’s women across all fields, the prime minister said his government aims at the women-led development.
He said, his government’s thrust has been on jan bhagidari (people’s involvement) in governance as he believed that the country’s progress cannot be ensured only through the government’s work.
He mentioned about various initiatives taken by his government in the sectors like banking, energy and digitalisation and talked about progress being made in areas like space, healthcare and sanitation.
Later, The Prime Minister left for home after concluding his three-nation tour of Portugal, the United States and the Netherlands.
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MEGA CAMP TO FACILITATE DIVYANGJANS

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THREE JOURNALISTS ARRESTED BY THE BURMESE ARMY

Dear friend
On 26th June, three journalists were arrested by the Burmese Army in Shan State.  Lawi Weng, from The Irrawaddy, and Aye Naing and Pyae Bone Naing from Democratic Voice of Burma, have not been seen or heard from since then. Four other people were arrested with them.
Tell Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military, to free the journalists now! 
The military don’t publish contact details, but Min Aung Hlaing’s staff are regularly updating his Facebook and Twitter accounts, and read messages sent to him on Facebook.
Facebook and Twitter are the quickest way we can get the message to him.
Send this campaign poster to Min Aung Hlaing.
If you have a Facebook or Twitter account, please send Min Aung Hlaing a Facebook message with our campaign picture, and Tweet it to him as well.
1. Send Min Aung Hlaing a message on his Facebook page here. (click the blue ‘Send Message’ button and attach the poster)
2. Tweet the poster to Min Aung Hlaing: @Min_Aung_Hlaing
Min Aung Hlaing doesn’t want the media to report on the human rights violations committed by his troops in ethnic states. Don’t let him get away with arresting journalists and covering up human rights abuses.
Thank you so much for your support.
Anna Roberts
Burma Campaign UK
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Burma Campaign UK
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CULTURAL EVENTS JULY 2017

Ciné-Club – NOCTURAMA

Tuesday, 4th July 2017, 10am
ML Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française de Delhi
Initial release: 2016 | Director: Bertrand Bonello
Running time: 2h10min
French with English subtitles | Free Entry Open to All
Plot: Some young folks, tired of the society they’re living in, plan a bomb attack over Paris before to take shelter for a night in a shopping centre.
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HISTOIRES VRAIES

A contemporary dance show

Choreographed by Cécile Loyer

Thursday, 6th July 2017, 7pm
ML Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française de Delhi
Free Entry | Open to all
In this contemporary dance project, the French artist Cécile Loyer weaves together the stories and the histories of dance.
Histoires Vraies” is, first and foremost, an enquiry into the origins of movement and how movements are passed on. Having been intro­duced to bharathanatyam, Cécile Loyer creates a mix contrasting two different traditions and their use of the body.
On the stage, 2 Indian dancers and 2 European dancers turn themselves into witnesses and nar­rators of their own stories. This bizarre, often funny, chaos of gestures narrates our ‘collective history’ and tries to capture the essence of what dance is and to see whether movements, gestures and signs can help us discover other versions of history – less tangible but more moving!
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Ciné-Club – JE FAIS LE MORT 

Tuesday, 18th July 2017, 10am
ML Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française de Delhi
Initial release: 2013 | Director: Jean-Paul Salomé
Running time: 1h 44min
French with English subtitles | Free Entry Open to All
Plot: A has-been actor takes a job playing the victims in a homicide re-enactment, where he sparks with the civil officer investigating the real-life crime.
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Music: TRIO RANGANATHAN

Thursday, 20th July 2017, 6:30pm
ML Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française de Delhi
Free Entry | Open to all
Ranganathan Trio is a presentation by a family: three brothers, three talents. Ajay, 22, playing piano, and the twins Ravi and Théo, 19, playing cello and violin. All three-started learning music at a very early age at a Conservatory in the city of Tours. Afterwards, they have continued their studies with famous professors in various Conservatories in France.
The three virtuoso will share with you the classical pieces by famous European composers such as Piazzola, Strauss, Joplin, Brahms…
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Ciné-Club

CHRONIQUES D’UNE COUR DE RECRE

Tuesday, 25th July 2017, 10am
ML Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française de Delhi
Initial release: 2013 | Director: Brahim Fritah
Running time: 1h 25min
French-Iranian with english subtitles | Free Entry Open to All
Plot: Pierreffite-sur-Seine, 1980. Brahim, a 10-year-old, lives with his family in the construction factory of cranes. His father, of Moroccan origin, is the keeper of this factory. It is a period full of Novelties for the young boy. But at the plant, a relocation of the site is announced to the South of France. The factory closes and the family of Brahim must move elsewhere.
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Ciné-Club – HANNAH ARENDT

Thursday, 27th July 2017, 6:30pm
ML Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française de Delhi
Initial release: 2013 | Director: Margarethe von Trotta
Running time: 1h53min
French with English subtitles | Free Entry Open to All
Plot: Writer and philosopher Hannah Arendt (Barbara Sukowa) goes to Israel to cover Adolf Eichmann’s war-crimes trial for The New Yorker magazine.
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DR. KHANNA

A play by Tom Alter

Friday, 28th July 2017, 7pm
ML Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française de Delhi
Free Entry | Open to all
Tom Alter directs this philosophical drama drama about the perception of one’s own happiness through the story of an unhappy man and his upbeat. Enigmatic psychiatrist played by theatre personality DIVYA ARORA.
About: ‘Dr. Khanna’, play written and directed by Padmashri Tom Alter, staring Divya Arora as the protagonist as she was the only actor in the writer’s mind when he wrote the play. Divya is a much remembered and loved alumna of the Alliance française de Delhi and Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University.
Presently living and working in Mumbai, Divya revisits Delhi now, after becoming an actor, director, writer and a national awardee herself. Divya Arora interprets Dr. Khanna’s role in “DR. KHANNA” opposite Tom Alter, for a course of precise 45 minute doctor- patient appointment that starts, gradually through the puns of Galib’s famous shayaris. The formal barriers of a patient and his doctor melt into a camaraderie that the two begin to share.
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Cine club screenings are open to all. Free admission.
For more details on programs, please contact the cultural section
@ 43500 217 / 218 / 222 | Or E mail: culture@afdelhi.org

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