Tourist from Buddhist Countries to get Visa on Arrival
Sahai Inaugurates International Buddhist Conclave

Union Tourism Minister Shri Subodh Kant Sahai has said that tourist from countries having sizable Buddhist population such as Thailand and Malaysia would be provided the facility of Visa on Arrival ( VOA). Inaugurating a two day International Buddhist Conclave at Varanasi today, he said his Ministry had also decided to develop a Ghat in the temple town Varanasi in the name of Lord Buddha on the bank of river Ganga. He said his Ministry had adopted a Keep India Clean Mission to keep clean the cities particularly tourist places across the country to attract maximum tourists. The Minister appealed to the State Governments to take initiatives for the success this Mission. He assured full cooperation of his Ministry to the state Government local administration to keep the holy city of Varanasi clean.

Shri Sahai said India being the land of origin of Buddhism, is the main attraction for the Buddhist tourists from across the globe. He said his Ministry is drawing up plans to to attract more tourists from Buddhist countries by providing them special facilities. Buddhism being a world religion now, its sites have a great attraction for tourists’ world over. The Ministry of Tourism is continuing with its efforts in identifying more and more Buddhist Circuits and developing them in holistic and integrated manner.

Shri Sahai announced that his Ministry has identified three circuits to be developed as part of Buddhist Circuits during the 12th Five Year Plan.they are:Circuit 1: The Dharmayatra or the Sacred Circuit - This will be a 5 to 7 days circuit and will include visits to Gaya (Bodhgaya), Varanasi (Sarnath), Kushinagar, Piparva ( Kapilvastu) with a day trip to Lumbini in Nepal.Circuit 2: Extended Dharmayatra or Extended Sacred Circuit or Retracing Buddha’s Footsteps - This will be a 10 to 15 days circuit and will include visit to Bodhgaya (Nalanda, Rajgir, Barabar caves, Pragbodhi Hill, Gaya), Patna (Vaishali, Lauriya Nandangarh, Lauriya Ariraj, Kesariya, Patna Museum), Varanasi(Sarnath), Kushinagar, Piparva (Kapilvastu, Shravasti, Saniska) with a day trip to Lumbini in Nepal.Circuit 3: Buddhist Heritage Trails State Circuits- Jammu and Kashmir - Ladakh, Srinagar and Jammu; Himachal Pradesh - Dharamshala, Spiti, Kinnaur and Lahaul. Shri Sahai expressed the hope that deliberations at the conclave would help us to carry on this process of identifying and developing more Buddhist circuits.

The Tourism Minister said that tourism today is being looked upon as a driver of economic growth. India too has seen rapid development in tourism over the last few years apart from promoting our rich heritage and culture and its diversity. He said during 12th Five Year Plan period we have identified around 35 major integrated circuits and destinations having potential to attract a large number of tourists. It is proposed to develop around 20 tourism parks on the lines of Sentosa Islands in Singapore

The conclave is being held with a view to showcasing and projecting the Buddhist Heritage of India. The delegates at the conclave include the International Buddhist scholars, tour operators and media both domestic and international who actively promote Buddhist Tourism. About 130 Overseas guests including Buddhist Scholars/Tour Operators and Media representatives (mainstream media and travel journalists) from 30 countries including Australia,Belgium,Bhutan,Cambodia,Canada,China,France,Holland,Hungary,Indonesia,Italy,Japan,laos,Malaysia,Myanmar,New Zealand, Phillipines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam are attending the conclave. More than one hundred Indian Tour Operators, Scholars, Media personnel from 16 States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Bihar are also attending the Conclave.

The Conclave is an important tourism marketing event designed to bring together international buyers from around the world particularly from the popular Buddhist destinations like Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China etc. together, to interact, promote and sell, with the objective of increasing tourist arrivals to India and specifically to the Buddhist sites in different states.

The Conclave sessions include Technical sessions on Buddhism for scholars, and travel and Tourism sessions for the media and Tour operators. The delegates will also be taken for site visits to Bodh Gaya and Nalanda. The International Buddhist Conclave in India is being organized after a period of two years. The last Conclave was organized in Nalanda in February 2010.

UPA and NDA will be defeated: CPI

UPA and NDA will be defeated: CPI

Both Congress-led UPA and BJP-led NDA would be defeated in the next general elections slated for 2014, CPI said and voiced optimism about the emergence of a programme-based alternative of the Left and democratic forces.

"BJP's dream of regaining power will be shattered mainly due to infighting in that party," CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and senior leader A B Bardhan said in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

"Though BJP seems to be presuming that it would come back to power at the Centre in the polls, it must realise that people will reject the party as several of its leaders are embroiled in corruption," they said.

The Congress-led UPA on the other hand would fail miserably to retain power as people are fed up with rampant corruption, faulty economic policies involving permission for FDI in multi-brand retail and sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities, Bardhan said.

Under the circumstances, people are desperately looking for an alternative which would emerge when Left and democratic forces come together to provide a programme-based option, the CPI veterans said.

On CPI's possible tie-up with parties like BJD, Bardhan said "the question of alliance is still far off. When the time comes appropriate decision will be taken.

"It is not just a question of some political parties sitting together and distributing seats. If a new alternative has to emerge, people must know about it. It will not happen through talks across the table but by participation in an intensive struggle," he said.

The struggle by the Left and other parties besides a wide range of forces has already started against corruption, price rise and the harmful economic policies of the government and it needs to be intensified in order to bring about change, they said while expressing optimism about a positive outcome.

CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy criticised the UPA government for allowing FDI in retail and hiking prices of diesel and demanded their immediate rollback.

The CPI leaders accused the Centre of extending concessions and subsidies of Rs 24 lakh crore to the corporate sector in the past four years and said poor people were being burdened in order to sustain this.

They said Kelkar Committee's reported recommendation of withdrawal of subsidies on foodgrains, petroleum products and other articles was totally unacceptable as the poor would be hit hard.

If the government is courageous and determined, it can take concrete steps to bring back the Rs 71 lakh crore black money stashed in Swiss banks instead of taxing the people, they added.

Speaking against FDI in retail sector, they said if it was allowed the livelihood of millions in over four crore outlets would be at stake.

"Contrary to the government claims the move would snatch away more jobs than FDI would create."

FDI in media would have an adverse impact on the sector and the same in airlines would put country's security in jeopardy, Reddy claimed.

Reaffirming CPI's opposition to UPA's economic policies, they said leaders of Left parties would meet on 6^th October in Delhi to chalk out the future course of action on FDI in retail and increase in prices of diesel.

Opposing the decision on disinvestment in aluminium major Nalco, Reddy said it is shameful to disinvest the profit making Navaratna PSU.

Reddy and Bardhan asked BJD to involve other parties and forces in the fight against disinvestment of Nalco and said it should be made a people's movement.

On the coal blocks allocation controversy, Reddy and Bardhan said no captive mine should be given to private companies and all natural and mineral resources should be with the state agencies.

Panasonic business strategies and marketing plans

  Mr. Daizo Ito, President & Mr. Manish Sharma, Managing Director, Consumer Product Division

Cordially invites you to witness Panasonic’s most innovative offering this festive season “Celebrations for Life”

&

 Panasonic business strategies and marketing plans

Event shall be graced by Dazzling

 Dia Mirza

Let’s celebrate this festival with Panasonic

DATE: Monday, October 1^st , 2012

VENUE: Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi

TIME: 12:00 noon onwards

For media RSVP, please contact:

Malvika Sinha	Richa Sethi
9873382955	9560498765
Malvika.sinha@bm.com	richa.sethi@in.panasonic.com

Best Wishes,

Aaruni Garg
Senior Associate

Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2012 final report

September 30, 2012

by sagarmedia

New Delhi, September 30th, 2012:*
The hot weather and high humidity put paid to the record-setting
aspirations of the elite athlete field, but it did not deter Kenyan Edwin
Kipyego and Ethiopian Yimer Wude from coming up with strong, front-running
performances to clinch the overall men’s and women’s titles in the IAAF
Gold Label Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, 2012 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
on Sunday.
Kipyego beat back a strong challenge from his countryman Leonard Langat,
winning the final sprint surge to win in 60.55 minutes. Langat clocked
61.07, while Silas Kipruto followed home in 61.57 to complete a Kenyan
clean sweep. Finishing fourth was another Kenyan, Titus Mbieshi, winner of
the World 10K Bangalore, who was making his half marathon debut here and
clocked 62.44.
The high-profile Ethiopian duo of defending champion Lelisa Desisa and this
year’s fastest athlete, Atsedu Tsegay wilted in the heat, with Desisa
finishing a disappointing seventh in 62.50 and Atsedu Tsegay finishing out
of the top 20.
Yimer won the women’s title in 61.10 and was followed home by her country
women Waganesh Amare, who clocked 71.12 and Kenyan Helah Kiprop, who timed
71.18. Both the winner’s went home richer by USD 25,000. Namibian Helalia
Johannes, who had a 12th place finish in the London Olympics Marathon, had
to contend with fifth place, coming home in 71.43.
The Indian performances too were encouraging, with Rahul Kumar Pal
breasting the tape in 66.12, winning the Indian category and finishing
16thoverall.
Nitender Singh followed him home two seconds later, while Indrajeet Singh
sprinted home to finish one second later in 66.15. Sudha Singh emerged the fastest Indian woman in 79.34, while former double winner Kavita Raur came in second.A total of 31,746 runners participated in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2012, which offered total prize money of USD 210,000.Kipyego took the lead at the 11 km mark and though not confident of winning, thanks to the strong field, pushed a bit harder to see if they
would respond. When the other continued to lag behind, Kipyego kept up his brave front running to win with his personal best.
“The weather was good at the start but later on it became humid. I tried
my best but could not set any record. But I am very happy with the results,
because I hadn’t expected to win,” said Kipyego at the post-match press
conference at the media centre at J N Stadium. It was only after the 18 km
mark that Kipyego realized he has beaten the field for good and pushed hard
for the podium finish.
Yimer, who won the bronze medal in 10,000 metres at the 2009 World
Championships and took the silver in the 2011 All-Africa Games, was pushed
hard by Waganesh and Helahand it was a sprint finish that saw her winning.
“It was a great run for me. It was a very hot and humid day but we ran
together till the finishing line. In the last few metres, I decided to push
to win the race,” Yimer stated and added: “I am very happy today, it was an
unbelievable result for me.”
“I knew that the competition will be tough and weather will be humid. I
started my training two weeks ago, which was not enough. But my experience
in recently concluded Open National Athletic Championship helped to finish
first,” said Indian winner Rahul, who is a middle-distance athlete.
Rahul will continue his training in 5000m and 10,000m as half-marathon is
not in his mind. “I am happy to win this marathon, but middle-distance
running is my aim,” he stated.
In women’s section, 2010 Asian gold medallist Sudha Singh stole the show
from two-time ADHM champion Kavita Raut and defending champion Lalita
Babar. “I didn’t have good practice before this marathon and I was also bit
upset after the 2012 London Olympic qualifiers. But this result has given
me some relief and joy,” she added.
The leading women were running together till 12km, after which they pushed
hard for the podium finish. One of the main contenders, World 10K Bangalore
2012 winner Monika Athare suffered a cramp in the middle of the route, due
to that she could not complete the race.
As usual the race witnessed the participation of a large number of
enthusiasts and celebrities. A host of dignitaries led by Delhi Chief
Minister Sheila Dixit and event ambassador David Rudisha, besides Bipasha
Basu, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sanjay Kappor (CEO Bharti Airtel, India & South
Asia) and Bharat Bambawale (Global Brand Director Bharati Airtel) were
present to cheer on the participants. Tarun Tahliani, Hasleen Kaur, Rahul
Bose and Gul Panag were among the celebrities who cheered on the
participants.
*Following are the results:*
*Overall  Athlete Men*
Edwin Kipyego(KEN) 01:00:55, Leonard Langat(KEN) 01:01:07, Silas
Kipruto(KEN) 01:01:57,Milton Rotich(KEN) 01:02:01, Titus Mbieshi(KEN)
01:02:44,Yemane Tsegaye(ETH) 01:02:47, Lelisa Desisa (ETH) 01:02:50, Gideon
Kipketer(KEN) 01:03:33, Bazu Worku (ETH) 01:03:38, Abdellah Fathi(MAR)
01:03:53
*Overall  Athlete Women:*
Yimer Wude(ETH) 01:11:10, Waganesh Amare(ETH) 01:11:12, Helah Kiprop(KEN)
01:11:18, Yebrugul Melese(ETH) 01 :11:30, Hilalia Johannes(NAM) 01:11:43,
Belayanesh Oljira(ETH) 01:12:16, Aberek Afework(ETH) 01:13:00, Caroline
Kilel(KEN) 01:13:26, Tigist Kiros(ETH) 01:13:52, Goitetom Tesema(ETH)
01:14:30
*Overall Indian Athlete Men:*
Rahul Kumar Pal(IND) 01:06:12(overall 16th), Nitender Singh(IND) 01:06:14
(overall 17th), Indrajeet Singh(IND) 01:06:15 (overall 18th), Sandip Kumar
(IND) 01:06:15 (overall 19th), Elam Singh(IND) 01:06:20 (overall 20th),
Arjun Pradhan(IND) 01:06:23, Soji Maathew(IND) 01:06:38, Suresh Kumar(IND)
01:06:57, M D Yunus(IND) 01:07:04, Ratti Ram Saini(IND) 01:07:07
*Overall Indian Athlete Women:*
Sudha Singh(IND) 01:19:34 (overall 17th), Kavita Raut(IND) 01:19:53
(overall 18th), Lalita Babbar(IND) 01:20:47(overall 20th), Kiran
Tiwari(IND) 01:21:06, Anuradha Singh(IND) 01:21:50, Manisha Dattatray
Salukhe(IND) 01:21:57, Ritu Pal(IND) 01:22:12, Monika Raut(IND) 01:24:13,
Priyanka Singh Patel(IND) 01:26:53, Seema(IND) 01:27:37
*Inter-college Sporting Challenge (Men):*
Shyamlal College 01:17:14; IGIPESS Boys 01:18:36; Khalsa College 01:19:27.
*Inter-college Sporting Challenge (Women):*
IGIPESS Girls 01:34:58; Lakshmibai College 01:38:50; Miranda College
01:40:43.
*Men Veteran Category:*
Mukesh Rana 01:26:51; Nirmal Kumar 01:27:32; Dinesh Kumar 01:27:54.
*Women Veteran Category: *
Anne Philpott (GBR) 01:4:26; Shubha Bhargava (IND) 01:49:13; Vaishali
Kasture (IND) 01:51:37.
*Men Senior Veteran Category:     *
S.J.Yadav 01:33:41; Bhaskar Desai 01:41:56; Ram Autar Rajbhar 01:42:15.
*Women Senior Veteran Category:*
Kuldeep Kaur 01:39:02; Asha Agarwal 02:01:15: Parvin Batliwala 02:14:32.
*Men Super Veteran Category:*
Guru Dayal Singh Yadav 01:47:49; Mahadev Samjiskar 02:17:19; Ram Singh 02:18:00.
*Women Super Veteran Category:*
Urmila Katakam 03:12:48.
*DHL Corporate Sporting Challenge Winners:*
1st Cairn India
2nd   PNB
3rd FISERV
*Kingfisher Ishtyle Wale Winner:*
1st (Theme) Mahengai-Gurpreet Bains ( Individual)
2nd (Theme) Use Paper Bag-Vaibhav Singhal (Individual)
3rd (Theme) Gold Prices (Lakshan Rana) & Ministry of Scam (Deepa Sachdev)
*Kingfisher Green Crusader:*
1st Amarjeet R Bains-Save the Yamuna (Theme)
2nd Poonam Philips – Green Belt (Theme)
—
Deepak M Pilankar
P R Executive| Procam International Ltd | 14 St James Court, Marine Drive,
Mumbai 400 020 | Tel: +91 22 2202 0284

SAB TV promises a Magical Comedy with Baal Veer

~Starting 8^th October every Mon-Friday at 8pm~

New Delhi,September 27^th,2012:The joy of watching a fairy tale on screen is unbridled especially when you discover it even has a dynamic superhero as its protagonist. Baal Veer is an enchanting saga of a little boy, raised by fairies and blessed with super powers like no other human. However, since this show is a SAB TV creation, it’s not all action, but instead it’s copious laughter scene after scene! It’s a hilarious show with extremely entertaining characters, who will redefine everything you know about fairyland.

Speaking of fairyland, this fairyland in particular, known as Pari Lok, has the most motley assortment of angels. Meet Aarpaar Pari, with the power to transcend matter and travel through walls, transporting herself anywhere within seconds; Vijdaar pari, fairy of thunder and lightning; Atakti Pari has a power to freeze a person anywhere;BaalPari whose tresses are so long that she can tie people with them;Bhatakti Pari who has a unique power to confuse people and make them lose their way and lastly Gaal Pari who has magic tricks hidden in her big rosy cheeks.Natkhat Pari has power to befool people.Little Baal Veer is blessed with the combined power of all these 7 angels and uses these powers for the good of mankind.

Overseeing all that’s happening in Pari Lok, there is Rani Pari, as no fairytale is complete without a fairy godmother! Rani Pari has the power of all the angels in Pari Lok. This significant character in the show  is played by Karishma Tanna. Karishma, who has been a part of the television industry for over two decades, is no stranger to comedy. She will now be seen in elaborate costumes and hair-dos in Baal Veer, which will add yet another feather in her hat for portraying varied roles. Playing her rival on the show, in the role of an antagonistic Pari, is Shama Sikandar, who revels in creating turbulence in the otherwise ethereal firmament. Shama too, has been part of television for the longest time and even has numerous films to her credit. Both Shama and Karishma have had a background of comedy in television and they sure look like an ideal choice to match their powerful, unexpected roles for the show.

Baal Veer is esentially a show about a child bestowed with godly powers, who shuttles between earth and fairyland. His sole motive is to save young kids like himself, from bullies and other injustice against them. In the course of his travel between the two realms is when he meets two earthlings, Manav and Meher, who eventually become his dear friends. Manav and Meher are often troubled by older kids and treated insensitively. Baal Veer comes to their rescue with the powers of his wand causing much comic mayhem in the process but as the proverb goes, all is well as it eventually ends well.

For an ensemble cast like this one, higly crafted outfits and magnificent sets, this show surely promises a lot. With all the detailing, the channel promises to stay faithful to its most essential facet, that of comedy. The exaggerated character sketches provide ample humour to get the audiences in splits.

Mr. Anooj Kapoor, EVP and Business Head, SAB TV said, ‘It’s a very large scale venture from our side which is a mythical fiction. We have upped the production value and quality and even the scale at which TV shows are made today. It’s a landmark show for SAB TV as its a totally new genre of magic and special effects. A family entertainer and a visual delight, all in one!’

Baal Veer is being produced by Mr. Vipul Shah from Optimystix.

In keeping with SAB TV’s belief that “Asli Maaza Toh Saab Ke saath aata hai”, gather all generations of your family and enjoy this adorable show with its innocent charm and humour. Catch this new flavour of fairytale and comedy on SAB TV every Mon-Friday at 8 pm.

About SAB

SAB is a part of the network of Television channels owned by Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd. SAB is India’s only family comedy entertainment channel with a core brand promise of ‘Asli Mazaa SAB ke Saath Hai’. SAB with its impressive lineup of innovative programs and light-hearted content ranging from daily family comedy to path breaking concepts like Silent comedy is dedicated to promoting an enjoyable “family-viewing” experience. Its programming mix includes Golmaal Hai Bhai Sab Golmaal Hai,Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah, Chidiyaghar, R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya, Lapataganj, FIR, Waah Waah Kyaa Baat Hai & classic films on weekends. For its differentiated programming and healthy entertainment, SAB has also won the Brand Leadership award in Media & Entertainment space.

 

Warm Regards,

Satya

M: +91- 9999488749

Naresh --

Tomorrow is the biggest fundraising deadline of this campaign so far -- and one of the last.

None of what we've accomplished together would have been possible without people like you, but I need your support today more than ever. Your response right now determines how strong our campaign will be in these final 38 days.

It determines how many organizers we can hire to get out the vote, how many ads we can run with our message, and how many field offices we can open.

Thirty-eight days to go -- this is our one shot.

Donate $5 or more today and let's head into October with the momentum.

It bears repeating: This deadline requires all of us doing our part because we're choosing to run a people-powered campaign, and that's the only way this works.

It's also what sets us apart.

Donate $5 or more today before the critical FEC fundraising deadline:

https://donate.barackobama.com/September-Deadline

Forward.

Barack

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP ON EXPORTS OF ORGANIC COTTON TEXTILES FROM INDIA,

   5^th October, 2012, Hotel Sarovar Portico, Indore (M.P.)

I am delighted to inform you that APEDA in association with FICCI is organizing an Interactive Workshop on Export of Organic Cotton Textiles on 5^th October 2012 at Hotel Sarovar Portico, Indore.

The objective of having an interactive session with exporters is to identify and discuss issues that are perceived as hampering expeditious growth of exports of organic Cotton textiles from India, it is proposed that by the end of the workshop the delegates would have enhanced awareness on potential for export ; import regulations of select countries; role of testing, certification ; Understand of the role of APEDA, Export Financing Institutions and other government initiatives such as the market Development\ assistance and the Market Access Initiative schemes and also be sensitized about investment opportunities in infrastructure and R&D.

We invite you to grace the event with your presence and be a part of the discussion. You may nominate 2-3 persons from relevant departments of your organisation to participate as well. A tentative programme is attached for your kind perusal.

Please forward your confirmation / regret to the undersigned to enable us to make necessary arrangements.

I would look forward to your kind and positive response.

Yours sincerely

Mallika Verma
Joint Director
FICCI