SHIV KAPUR EAGER TO CONTINUE HOT STREAK AT TAKE SOLUTIONS MASTERS
Bengaluru, August 2, 2017: Shiv Kapur has been one of the leading performers for India on the international stage this year. The Indian is now eager to continue his hot streak in his home country as he sets his sights on the inaugural TAKE Solutions Masters, a US$ 300,000 event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the PGTI, which gets underway on Thursday.
It has been a satisfying season so far for the Indian, who won his second Asian Tour title at the Yeangder Heritage in Chinese Taipei in April after waiting for more than 11 years. He followed that up with a joint second finish at the Thailand Open and also played in The Open two weeks ago where he missed the cut by a single shot.
Kapur said, “I’m really looking forward to this week since I’m playing in Bengaluru after five years. The win in Chinese Taipei earlier this year took a big load off my shoulders. It was then nice to back that up with another top result in Thailand and a few good finishes in Europe.
“Mentally I’m now in a good place. I’m in this bubble right now and the game is good. I would love to make this week count.
“We have a great field at this week’s event. It’s probably one of the best fields of the year for a full field event. You have all the recent winners on the Asian Tour here as well as most of the leading Indian players. With Bengaluru now emerging as a major centre for golf in India, it was befitting that the city got an Asian Tour event.
“The KGA course is in superb shape. The rough is up and one will need to be more accurate off the tee. You need to be in the right sections of the green since the greens are undulating. It’s a course that you can’t overpower, as it needs careful planning and execution. It suits my game.”
Shiv is excited about the fact that India is now hosting as many as three international events with the addition of the TAKE Solutions Masters to the Asian Tour schedule. He was all praise for TAKE’s initiative.
“Some of the top Indian players such as Jeev, SSP and me, are playing here this week as a mark of respect for Mr. Srinivasan and his immense contribution to Indian golf. It’s great to have the TAKE Solutions Masters upgraded to an Asian Tour event. We’re now fortunate to have three Asian Tour events in India. Hopefully, this event will grow into something even bigger and better in the years to come,” said Shiv.
However, the two-time Asian Tour winner admits that his attention will be divided between trying to win the US$ 300,000 Asian Tour event and to the wellbeing of his wife, who is due in the next 10 days or earlier.
He said, “My wife has been very cooperative, she told me to come and play this week even though we will be expecting our first child next week. My phone will be on standby just in case I have to go back and enjoy the birth of our first child. My wife is on emergency dial and in case I have to go back, I’ll go back to the baby.”
Speaking about his recent outing at the British Open, Shiv mentioned the positives he drew from the experience despite missing the cut.
“It was a wonderful experience. I was unfortunate to miss out by one shot. Probably Anirban and me got the worst end of the conditions but that’s the luck of the draw and one has to be prepared for it. I only take positives out of the week. Given the conditions I played quite well and it gave me this belief that when I play well I can compete with the best in the world. Hopefully I can play myself into more Majors in the future. I feel I’m now better prepared to deal with the rigours of playing a Major.”
THIRD BI-MONTHLY MONETARY POLICY STATEMENT, 2017-18
Third Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2017-18
Policy repo rate reduced by 25bps to 6%
On the basis of an assessment of the current and evolving macroeconomic situation at the meeting today, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of RBI decided to
· Reduce the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 6.25 per cent to 6.0 per cent with immediate effect.
· Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 5.75 per cent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 6.25 per cent.
· The decision of the MPC is consistent with a neutral stance of monetary policy in consonance with the objective of achieving the medium-term target for consumer price index (CPI) inflation of 4 per cent within a band of +/- 2 per cent, while supporting growth.
‘GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD IN INDIA’
The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
cordially invites you to a Public Lecture
on
‘Governance Challenges for the Public Good in India’
by
Prof. D. P. Agrawal
Ex Chairman, UPSC
at 03.00 pm on Friday, 4 August 2017
in the Seminar Room, Library Building
All are welcome.
Those wishing to have their names added to the email list may please email us at ccs2nmml@gmail.com
Audio links of Lectures:
GUJARAT TOPS IN SUBSTANDARD WORKS CORRUPTION & LOOT
August02, 2017 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
When same AMC is responsible for Roads and Drainage there will not be any improvement expected in Roads & Drainage works even in 15-20 years under same political party.
There is no blacklisting and same contractors who laid set of substandard roads in 2000 will lay road for 15th-17th time same set of roads.
TOI great story. “When the engineering department submitted a figure of 202 km of roads completely washed out, it also claimed that just 18km of them were under the defect liability period, while 184km remainder will be on taxpayers’ money.”
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, ND -110016, India. Ph: 091- 9871056471, 9718280435, 9650421857
GAIL COMMENCES 100% CONSTRUCTION WORK IN KERALA STRETCH OF KKMBPL PROJECT
New Delhi, August 2, 2017: GAIL started its foray into the state of Kerala with Kochi – Koottanad – Mangaluru-Bengaluru Pipeline with a total project cost of Rs 3,263 crores. Despite the initial hurdle, the Kerala stretch of the project will gain impetus with commencement of 100 % construction work. This pipeline will form part of the National Gas Grid and it will go a long way in fulfilling the vision of the Government of India towards building a gas based economy.
The construction activities are under full swing and the momentum will gather new speed with GAIL awarding Contracts for Pipeline Laying works of the remaining section of 111 km stretch falling in Malappuram, Kannur and Kasargod districts at a cost of approximately Rs 160 crore. As a part of Phase-II of the project, the pipeline section from Kochi-Koottanad (in Kerala) to Mangaluru (in Karnataka) section of 438 km is being executed. With today’s award of contracts, the entire stretch of 438 Km Kochi – Koottanad – Mangaluru Pipeline will be in the Construction Phase.
Speaking on the development of the pipeline project, Shri B C Tripathi, Chairman and Managing Director, GAIL said “Looking into the substantial progress in the Laying works already awarded with the help of State Government in providing statutory clearances and permissions and Right of way, GAIL is commencing laying activities in the remaining 111 kms stretch of the pipeline. The project activities in 100% of the pipe length will gather full momentum after the monsoon. With the continued support of the State Government and the people at large, GAIL is confident of completing the entire Kochi – Koottanad – Mangaluru Pipeline by December 2018.”
The Kochi – Koottanad – Mangaluru Pipeline will give a major economic boost to the state of Kerala by way of supplying environmental friendly industrial development. In Phase-I of the project, around 41 Km Pipeline had already been commissioned during 2013 to transport natural gas from Kochi LNG Terminal. Currently around 2.6 MMSCMD of gas is being supplied to various consumers in and around Kochi city.
Think Digital, Be Digital
ROMANIA TO SPEND $11.3BN ON DEFENSE IN NEXT DECADE
Romania’s top defense body has approved a €9.8 billion ($11.3 billion) spending plan for the next decade and has pledged to spend 2 percent of its GDP on defense as NATO requests of its members. The Supreme Defense Council met Tuesday and agreed to spend the money to upgrade the country’ military from 2017-2026. Last week Defense Minister Adrian Tutuianu said Romania would buy Patriot missiles worth $3.9 billion from the US. Parliament needs to pass a law that would allow the acquisition. The US State Department approved the sale in July.
MACEDONIA, BULGARIA SIGN HISTORIC PACT
Macedonia and neighboring Bulgaria have signed a historic friendship agreement. The deal, in which both countries have renounced territorial claims against each other and Bulgaria commits to backing its smaller neighbor’s bids to join the European Union and NATO, was warmly hailed by EU and German officials. Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Bulgaria’s Boiko Borisov signed the agreement Tuesday in Skopje, where Borisov is on a two-day visit. It says neither country will engage in or back hostile acts against the other. It also calls for a committee to re-examine their common history. Bulgaria historically regarded Macedonians and their language as a branch of the Bulgarian nation and language
NATO INTERCEPTS RUSSIAN JETS
Spanish and Finnish fighter jets were sent to intercept three Russian planes flying near Estonian air space on Tuesday, the NATO military alliance said in a statement.
The Russian airplanes were identified as two MiG-31 jets and one Antonov AN-26 transport aircraft, NATO said.
“Two Spanish F-18 jets assigned to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission scrambled from Estonia’s Amari Air Base,” NATO said. “Finnish jets also scrambled to intercept the aircraft.”
Intercepts of Russian aircraft by NATO have increased in recent years amid heightened tensions between the West and Moscow over Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine crisis.
NEO-SPONSOR IN PRO KABADDI LEAGUE 2017 SEASON 5
Insecticides (India) Limited joins hands with Haryana Steelers as associate sponsor in Pro Kabaddi League 2017 season 5
New Delhi, 02nd August,2017: Country’s leading farm Solutions Company Insecticides (India) Limited today announced its association with the Pro Kabaddi League as associate sponsor of Haryana Steelers team for the 2017 season.
With Kabaddi fast wresting its lost glory in the psyche and minds of Indians sports enthusiasts with the advent of Pro Kabaddi League, this association of Insecticides (India) Limited with the great sports is well timed.
Haryana Steelers is among the front runners in the fifth season of Pro Kabaddi League and is widely expected to outshine other teams. The team boasts of some of the top players of the League like Surrender Nada and Mohit Chillar, who can not only change the course of any match but they also exhibit great sportsmanship spirit. With the presence of Mohit Chillar, who currently ranks among the top defenders with 170 tackle points, and other ace players, the team can easily emerge victorious in the grueling League.
“We are very happy and proud to announce our association with the Haryana Steelers Team in the Pro Kabaddi League. We wholeheartedly support the team and really hope that the team wins the Title this season. We have always been excited about Kabaddi which originated in India and is played in every nook and corner of the country. With Pro Kabaddi League, the sports is getting even more visibility and prominence,” said Mr. Rajesh Agarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India) Limited.
Started in 2014, the Pro Kabaddi League is in its fifth season and going strong. It is being watched widely by people on television which has given even more vigour to the age-old sports and has added a new paradigm to the sports.
The partnership as the sponsor of the Haryana team reinforces Insecticides (India) Ltd’s commitment to supporting sporting activities in India and engaging with youth.
The sponsorship deal comes close on the heels of the company launching its revolutionary biological product Kayakalp that can completely transform the health of soil which has been battered by the heavy use of fertilizers. Kayakalp can organically rejuvenate the soil to nurture healthier plants with greater yield.
Kayakalp, a Hindi term which means ‘Rejuvenation’ or ‘Transformation’ of one’s physical being, works as a natural catalyser to improve soil’s organic capacity, strengthen its nutrient value and act as a health booster tonic for the soil that will help Indian farmers improve output. The product is also duly approved by National Centre of Organic Farming, Government of India for its features.
VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADERS IN NEW CRACKDOWN
Venezuela government jailed two leading critics of President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday in a fresh blow to the opposition after the election of a new political body with absolute powers to strengthen the hand of the leftist government.
The United States imposed sanctions on Maduro on Monday, calling him a “dictator” for Sunday’s election of a constituent assembly that the opposition boycotted and denounced as illegitimate.
In a statement announcing the jailing of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and veteran politician Antonio Ledezma, the pro-government Supreme Court said they were planning to flee the country and had violated terms of their house arrest by making political statements and speaking to media.
But government opponents called the abrupt removal of the men from their homes by security forces in nighttime raids a sign of Maduro’s determination to silence rivals and stamp out four months of massive street protests against him.
About 120 people have been killed in the unrest, including at least 10 during Sunday’s vote.
Both Lopez and Ledezma had been urging protests against Sunday’s vote, which they charged was rigged and a naked power grab by Maduro.
In addition to rewriting the constitution and superseding other institutions, the constituent assembly will have the power to dissolve the opposition-led congress, eliminating any formal political challenge to Maduro.
Lopez had been held more than three years in a military jail until last month, when he was unexpectedly released in what was seen as a potential breakthrough in the country’s long-running political standoff.
Attempts to get the opposition and the government to reach a negotiated deal subsequently floundered, however, and allies said Lopez, 46, may have been jailed again because he rejected government proposals.
“They have kidnapped Leopoldo Lopez because he simply would not break under the pressures and false promises of the regime,” said Freddy Guevara, a legislator in the Popular Will party led by Lopez.
A US-educated economist and former mayor in Caracas, Lopez is beloved by some in the opposition for his hardline anti-government stance and has become an international cause celebre.
The government sees him as an elitist coup-monger, and even some opposition sympathizers have criticized him for being hot-headed and authoritarian.
Lopez himself suspected he would be detained again, and had recorded a video alongside his wife Lilian Tintori in which he urged Venezuelans to keep fighting even if he was put back behind bars.
“If you’re seeing this video it’s precisely because that’s what happened, they jailed me again, illegally and unjustly,” said Lopez, in the video shown on social media on Tuesday.
Blamed by many for an unprecedented economic crisis and rising levels of poverty in Venezuela, Maduro has faced almost daily protests demanding freedom for jailed politicians, humanitarian aid to combat food and medicine shortages, and early elections to replace him.
Condemnation of Tuesday’s arrests came, among others, from the United Nations human rights chief, the president of the European Parliament, and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who called the re-arrests “very alarming.”
Lopez and Ledezma were both taken from their homes to Ramo Verde, a military jail in a slum area about an hour’s drive from the capital, according to lawyers and family.
Lopez was originally arrested for his role in leading street demonstrations against Maduro. Ledezma, a 62-year-old veteran politician, had been arrested on charges of plotting a coup.
Maduro accuses the opposition of continuing to seek a coup against him and says the constituent assembly is designed to bring peace back to the volatile nation.
The opposition-controlled congress, whose days may now be numbered, condemned the creation of the constituent assembly in a session held on Tuesday.
Ambassadors from Britain, France, Mexico, and Spain attended the session. Underscoring fears of escalating violence in the South American nation, the UK said all dependents of embassy staff in Caracas had been withdrawn.
CZECH’S NEW OFFICE TO DEAL WITH CYBERATTACKS
The Czech Republic has opened a new office focused on preventing cyberattacks. The Czech National Cyber and Information Security Office is based in country’s second-largest city, Brno. It employs 118 people for now, but officials say the staff could grow to 400. The official opening on Tuesday comes as public institutions and businesses have reported a growing number of attacks. The foreign minister announced earlier this year that his email account and the accounts of dozens of ministry officials were hacked.
QUAKE SHAKES BUILDINGS IN SANTIAGO
An earthquake shook buildings in the Chilean capital Santiago in the early hours of Wednesday. The tremor, measuring 5.4, struck 36km northeast of the city at 3.15am (0715 GMT), according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center.
INDIA IS MORE ATTRACTIVE TO FDIS
India along with Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam is more attractive to FDIs as compared to other emerging markets. A report by Japan’s financial services major, Nomura, dubbed India and these ASEAN countries as Asia’s tiger cubs.
It said FDI inflows to these nations will increase from around 100 billion US Dollars per year now to around 240 billion dollars by 2025.
The report said, sources of FDI to these countries are also witnessing a significant shift with more inflows expected from countries as China and Japan.
The report also said, rising labour costs in China and an ageing population in Northeast Asia have dis-incentivised FDI and they are in search of new destinations and India and the ASEAN-5 are well placed to emerge as that destination.
INDIA TO CONSTRUCT HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER UNDER INDUS WATER TREATY
India is allowed to construct hydro-electric power facilities on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty. The World Bank’s comments came in a fact sheet yesterday as officials from India and Pakistan concluded the secretary-level talks over the Treaty.
Pakistan is opposed to the construction of the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants being built by India in Jammu and Kashmir. The two countries disagree over whether the technical design features of the two hydroelectric plants contravene the treaty. The World Bank said that among other uses, India is permitted to construct hydroelectric power facilities on these rivers subject to specified constraints.
A statement issued by World Bank said the talks on the technical issues of the Indus Waters Treaty took place in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation in Washington. The parties have agreed to continue discussions and re convene in September.
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