Prize Money zooms:Hero women's Indian Tour

Prize money zooms, International starcast for Hero Women’s Indian Tour
· Eight internationals to play on Hero Indian Women’s Tour
· 66 % rise in Prize Money; Up from Rs 42 lakhs to Rs. 70 lakhs
· 12 events with two Majors on the schedule

New Delhi, June 26: Women’s golf in India is poised for a major leap this season. The fledgling Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour in a major step forward has taken the prize money up by 66 per cent and the competition in the domestic is also being thrown open to international golfers.

The WGAI season will from this season align itself to international calendars. So, the 2012 season, which begins in August will conclude in December, but within this period it will have 12 events.

The opening event of the season will be treated like a ‘Major’ on the domestic circuit and the event scheduled to be held at the KGA Bengaluru will carry a purse of Rs. 10 lakhs. This will be followed by nine events with purses of Rs. Five lakhs each.

The Hero Women’s Indian Open will follow that and the season will end with a second ‘Major’ to be played for Rs. 10 lakhs on Matchplay format and the season-ending event will have another Rs. Five lakhs.

“The growth of prize money from the erstwhile Rs. 42 lakhs to Rs. 70 lakhs for 2012 is a huge leap forward and opening the events to limited international participation will also give our girls a taste of tough competition,” said Champika Sayal, Secretary General of the WGAI.

Keeping in mind the fact that from 2016 onwards Golf will be an Olympic discipline, Champika empathically stated, "All established Olympic aspirants who are a part of the World Professional or Amateur Rankings should be given playing courtesy access to all golf courses across India regardless of the strata of the society they belong to.”

The enhanced prize money will make it worthwhile for the Indian women professionals to make a good living, added WGAI officials, who have also embarked on their first-ever women caddy training programme.

The winner of the first Major event in KGA will get Rs. 2.30 lakhs and the prize money will be given to the top 16 finishers in the 54-hole, three round event.

The field for each event will comprise 16 Indian professionals, eight sponsor exemptions including internationals and six amateurs. These will include a maximum of eight professionals will be allowed on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Another highlight of the Tour will be that entries from the Hero Women’s Indian Tour for the Hero Women’s Indian Open will be chosen from the Indian Order of Merit and the players will need to play a minimum of six events to qualify for a ranking on the Merit list.

The 2011-12 season has seen Indian women professionals venture out into the European circuit. While Sharmila Nicollet came through grueling European Tour Qualifying School, seasoned Smriti Mehra has made use of the berths given to Indian pros by the Ladies European Tour besides getting some invitations. Nalini Singh Siwach, a promising star, has taken the step of going and playing in the Ladies European Tour’s Access Tour, the second rung Tour in Europe.

CM Modi increases Political pension

CM increases political pension of erstwhile rulers of Dang district by 25%



Chief Minister Narendra Modi has made a decision to raise the political pension given to the erstwhile rulers, naiks and bhaubandhs of Dang district by 25% with effect from April-2012.



Giving details of the decision state government spokespersons Health Minister Jay Narayan Vyas and Minister of State for Finance Saurabh Patel said that annual political pension is being given to the erstwhile rulers, naiks and bhaubandhs of triabl-dominated Dang district since 1954 on permanent bases as per heirship, as a part of their fundamental rights and privileges and in lieu of their ownership of forest land and estates.



The state government has decided to raise their pension by 25% with effect from April 1, 2012. This will benefit five rulers, nine naiks and 653 bhaubandhs. The state government felicitates these rulers and hands over them pension during the traditional festival - Dang Darbar - which is being organized every year in Dang district, spokespersons said.

Gross Failure of National Disaster Management Authority




June27, 2012



Honorable Prime Minister of India,



Dr. Manmohan Singh,



New Delhi 110011







Copy to the Secretary, NDMA.







Respected Sir,



It is unfortunate even after Seven years NDMA has functioned in most unprofessional manner with Never Learning from Mistakes attitude.







The very first challenge was Surat Floods 2006 that were entirely avoidable in view of One of Largest Storage Dam UKAI on Tapi River. The dam was allowed to fill up in first few weeks of monsoon leaving no flood absorption capacity.







Since then 3 times Bhakra Dam was allowed to fill up by first week of August by fully draining out storage for pre-monsoon irrigation leading to floods in 2008 and dangerous situation in 2010.



http://www.cwc.gov.in/bulletin(2).pdf



As per CWC report of June21, 2012 Seven important dams have more than 50% of live storage just ahead of Monsoon – these dams are Rana Pratap Sagar in Rajasthan, Panam in Gujarat, Upper Tapi in Maharashtra, Bansagar in Madhya Pradesh, Mahanadi and Manimata Bongoi in Chhatisgarh, Paramnikulam in TN. Three important dams have 30% to 50% of Live Storages are Mahi Sagar in Rajasthan, Kadana in Gujarat, Somasila in AP, Mettur and Aliyar in TN. Dams in TN are storing water for irrigation during South West Monsoon months when state get low rainfall unlike rest of India.







Fire Fighting operations in Maharashtra and New Delhi, involving most important State and GoI buildings, were very Un-professional. It was horrible Fire Fighters were not wearing Fire Proof Uniforms, Didn’t carry Sledge Hammer to Break Open Heavy Door – were seen kicking it. They didn’t have one inch Hoose-Reel to take it with them inside North Block to Water Down fire in close situations. In both cases Firefighters were throwing water from outside at considerable distance wasting water and effort and failing to Containing Fire in Mumbai for hours.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_toxicity

NDMA have yet to develop procedures to take out children from Open Wells. Heavy Duty Vacuum Cleaner with extended hose could maintain Natural Air circulation in wells, Unregulated Oxygen doses are fatal.







NDMA need to develop Methods and Procedures to prevent and deal with disasters. For Example: - States need Executive Orders to Fill up Bore-wells With Sand before Drillers abandon Unsuccessful Wells.







Thank you,



Faithfully,







Ravinder Singh*



Inventor & Consultant



Y-77, Hauz Khas,



New Delhi – 110016



*Ravinder Singh is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power, Transportation, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects.

General Motors India Launch New Chevrolet Cruze

General Motors India Launch Chevrolet Cruze By sagarmedia on June 27, 2012

General Motors India Launches All-New Chevrolet Cruze
Includes new 2.0-litre diesel engine, new transmission and added features

New Delhi, June 27, 2012 – General Motors India today launched the all-new Chevrolet Cruze at a ceremony in New Delhi presided over by Lowell Paddock, President & Managing Director, General Motors India. The new Cruze comes with a new 2.0-litre diesel engine which is the most powerful in its segment, along with a new manual transmission and added features. However, t maintains the nameplate’s coupe-like design proportions, comfortable interior and class-leading amenities.



Three variants – the LT and LTZ with GM’s next-generation six-speed manual transmission and the LTZ with an automatic transmission – are being offered in seven exterior colors. The new Cruze goes on sale at Chevrolet dealers acrossIndiastarting today.



“The Cruze has received an overwhelming response from consumers acrossIndia, since its launch in 2009,” said Paddock. “We expect the newest member of the Cruze family to continue to exceed the expectations of car buyers and stand out against the competition in its segment.”



New Diesel Engine



The new Cruze is powered by GM’s all-new FAM Z 2.0-litre diesel engine. It features a high-performance common rail fuel injection system and advanced electronically controlled variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) with intercooler.



The engine provides maximum low-speed boost for high torque and power density with higher elasticity across the rpm range. The 16-valve DOHC engine generates peak power of 166 ps at 3,800 rpm and peak torque of 380 Nm at 2,000 rpm, enabling the Cruze to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 9 seconds.



The engine also features direct injection with a solenoid injector capable of injecting very small quantities of fuel in extremely short intervals at pressures of up to 1,800 bar. The improved mechanical design of the cylinder head and valvetrain provides 180 bar of maximum in-cylinder pressure for increased power and torque.



A high-capacity EGR cooler along with a reduced compression ratio of 16.3:1 controls nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions without sacrificing high power density. A new cylinder head port design provides increased air flow and variable swirl control by incorporating Cobra-shape intake ports. This further improves performance and cuts emissions.



A two-piece oil pan with an acoustic metal lower section and a Balance Shaft Module (BSM) with twin counter-rotating balance shafts in the oil sump reduce noise, vibration and harshness. A chain drive camshaft with hydraulic chain tensioners ensures maintenance-free operation.



New Transmission and Features



The new engine in the Cruze is complemented by a new F-40 six-speed manual transmission that features a cable shift mechanism with hydraulic clutch operation. Its three-shaft design has gear ratios that are optimized to suit Indian driving preferences and conditions.



Among the new amenities are PEPS – Passive Entry Passive Start with Push button start/stop, which is now standard in all variants, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a power express driver up/down window with pinch protect, clutch footrest and premium speakers. Front fog lamps, tilt & telescopic steering, chrome door handles and Up-level smart screen are available on the LT variant.



A Proven Model



Indiais one of 140 markets that offer the Cruze. The Cruze led the Chevrolet brand with global sales of more than 180,000 units in the first quarter of 2012, a nearly 20 percent increase over 2011, making it the best-selling Chevrolet nameplate around the world.



“The Cruze is all about value, refinement and power-packed performance combined with an array of unique features,” said Paddock. “When you add it all up, it offers everything any discerning Indian car buyer could want in a sedan at a price point that represents uncontestable value for money. As a result, we expect the new Cruze to be a hit.” We believe this vehicle is the right product forIndiaright now because of its unique features and fine tuning that meet the requirements of local consumers as well as local climate and driving conditions. The all-new Cruze will allow GM to continue building on the Chevrolet brand’s success nationwide, he added.



To enhance the Chevrolet buying experience, GM India continues to expand its dealer network. It now has 279 sales points and 272 authorized service outlets across the country.



About Chevrolet

Chevrolet was founded in Detroitin 1911. Chevrolet products are sold in more than 140 countries. The Chevrolet brand was introduced in Indiain 2003 and is one of the fastest-growing automotive nameplates in the country. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio in Indiaincludes the Chevrolet Captiva, Chevrolet Optra, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Aveo U-VA, Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Beat and Chevrolet Tavera. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.co.in.

Supreme Court Refuses Relief to dead US ship Exxon Valdez again, refers it to original bench༳pan style>


CourtⳠorder, International and Indian laws should not be made subservient to US GovernmentⳠShip Disposal Policy

Environment Ministry's Affidavit in dead US ship case contrary to its order in another US ship Platinum II case paves way for more dead US ships like Delaware Trader ༯span>

New Delhi, June 26, 2012 In its order dated June 25, 2012, Supreme CourtⳠVacation Bench of Justice HL Gokhle and Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has ordered that the matter of dead US ship Exxon Valdez should be placed before the appropriate Bench.

The ship owners had tried their luck even before another Vacation Bench of Justice Deepak Verma and Justice Sudhanshu Jyoti Mukhopadhya on May 14. Both the benches have refused any relief to the owners of US hazardous dead vessel now named MV Oriental N (Formerly, Oriental Nicety, Exxon Valdez, Exxon Mediterranean, Sea River Mediterranean, S/R Mediterranean, Mediterranean, and Dong Fang Ocean).
On May 3, 2012, the bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice J. Chelameswar in the matter of this US hazardous dead vessel that was trying to enter Indian waters at Alang beach Bhavnagar in its order sought compliance with UNⳠBasel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal to which India is a party. ༯span>It had refused any berthing permission to the dead ship. The ship owners have failed to comply with the order so far. ༯span>The continued presence of this dead US ship in Indian waters off Mumbai coast is in violation of courtⳠorder. The authorities must ensure that the ship is sent away from the Indian waters.

Ministry of Environment & Forests appears to be acting contrary to the precedent it set in the matter of Platinum II (ex-SS Independence, MV Oceanic), another US dead ship which entered Indian waters on fake documents and violation of US Toxics Substances Control Act. ༯span>The same is being violated in this case as well because the ship is PCB laden. The submission of the Ministry is erroneous and will be suitably replied during the course of the hearing.

US Maritime Administration (MARAD)Ⳡdubious act witnessed in the case of Platinum II (ex SS INDEPENDENCE, MV OCEANIC), a dead and hazardous US ship, the real owners had taken Indian law enforcement agencies for a ride due to lack of coordination and cooperation between concerned ministries. In an Office Memorandum No.29-3/2009-HSMD, Government of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, (HSM Division) dated 9th May, 2011, relating to implementation of Supreme Court directions in respect of ship breaking activities, the previous dead and convicted US ship, Platinum II (Ex SS Oceanic, MV Oceanic) was denied beaching permission but it remained in Indian waters without beaching. It had left US waters despite indictment by US Environment Protection Agency with the apparent connivance of US MARAD. It had entered Indian waters on proven fake documents.
In any case, the Focal Ministry for ship breaking is Ministry of Steel as per court order dated October 14, 2003 and September 6, 2007. The Inter Ministerial Committee on Shipbreaking set up by the order is under this very Ministry. It has made many recommendations which have been filed in the court. These recommendations have not been complied with by Gujarat Maritime Board and Gujarat Pollution Control Board.

A perusal of the Supreme Court orders of June 25, May 3 and May 14 2012 along with the application of Gopal Krishna, ToxicsWatch Alliance seeking compliance with court's order and Basel Convention and the application of Hongkong based Best Oasis company, subsidiary of Gujarat based Priya Blue Ship Recycling Pvt Ltd seeking permission to anchor Exxon Valdez (MV Oriental N) at Alang reveals that the US vessel is non-compliant with US laws, Indian laws and international laws besides the courts order.

The reference to September 6, 2009 directions of court without reference to October 14, 2003 order is misleading because the former orders reproduces ad verbatim every word of the 2003 order.

ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA) disagrees with selective reporting of facts and court's orders by a section of media. TWA condemns Barack Obama administrationⳠexport of dead and toxic ships like Platinum II, 'Exxon Valdez' and now 'Delaware Trader' to Indian waters to poisons fragile Indian coastal environment, workers, fishermen, villagers. It demands probe in the role of Indian officials who are colluding with the vested interests from USA.

Another dead and hazardous US flagged ship, ㄅLAWARE TRADER䠨IMO No. 8008929) has been cleared by the U.S. Maritime Administration (US MARAD) for dismantling in the infamous shipbreaking yards of Alang beach, Bhavnagar, Gujarat. It is expected to arrive in Indian waters in the coming days. It was last reported at the Port of Maputo, Mozambique on 13 June, 2012. TWA demands that DELAWARE TRADER should not be allowed to enter Indian waters. These ships enter Indian waters and present fait accompli to the law enforcement agencies. ༯span>

The ex Exxon Vadez is currently located off Mumbai in a manifest act of illegality. The violations of Supreme CourtⳠorder, international law and the complicit violations of Indian laws and U.S. law is on full display. The rule of law will be tested once again when the DELAWARE TRADER soon arrives in Indian waters, the court will surely compel it to comply with its order.

There are hazardous materials, such as asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), used in the ship's construction. Workers condition on the Alang beach is one of the worst. They are under extremely dangerous and polluting conditions where workers labor on tidal sands to cut ships up by hand, exposing themselves to the risks of toxic chemicals, fires, explosions and falling steel plates. Pollutants are allowed to flow unimpeded into the marine environment.

The courtⳠactions are consistent with multilateral decisions made in October 2011, when 178 parties to the Basel Convention met in Cartagena, Colombia to not only re-endorse the Basel Ban Amendment forbidding the export of hazardous wastes from rich to poorer countries, but also resolve that the Basel Convention must continue to prohibit the dumping of end-of-life vessels on developing countries. TWA urges central government to enforce the letter and spirit of Basel Ban Amendment and Basel Convention to save India's environment from hazardous waste trade mafia.

TWA demands that those officials of Ministry of Shipping, GPCB and GMB who allowed Platinum II to remain in Indian waters despite denial of permission for beaching must be probed and punished. It is noteworthy that USAⳠregulations and European Union regulations prohibit the entry of such vessels in their waters.

For Details: Gopal Krishna, ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA), Mb: 08002263335, 09818089660, E-mail:krishna1715@gmail.com, Web: toxicswatch.blogspot.com

Jun


27

Sad to say :Michelle Obama Sad to say Wednesday, 27 June, 2012 3:27 AMFrom: "Michelle Obama" Add sender to ContactsTo: "Naresh Sagar"





Naresh --









I'm sad to say this is probably the last dinner with supporters that Barack and I will be able to host together before the election.







Today's the last day you can chip in to be automatically entered for the chance to join us -- and I hope you will. You can donate all the way up to midnight tonight, when the campaign will randomly select the winners:







https://donate.barackobama.com/Meet-Us-for-Dinner







Thanks for everything you're doing. Every little bit makes a difference.







Hope to see you at dinner,







Michelle