Enjoy the atmosphere of a Czech Christmas

Enjoy the atmosphere of a Czech Christmas

Prague, September 2012 Visit the Czech Republic at Christmas and enjoy the unique atmosphere of advent. Try some hot wine or mead while observing the craftsmen at work demonstrating their traditional crafts and trades. There is so much more to see outside the Czech capital with Christmas markets taking place in many smaller Czech towns or in the courtyards of numerous castles all over the country. You can see nativity scenes and live performances. Christmas concerts at cathedrals or in one of the country’s beautiful concert halls are an unforgettable experience.

Many Christmas markets take place in the Czech Republic during advent. Some of them start at the end of November and carry on until the beginning of January. The Czechs celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, i.e. December 24. The festive meal is served that day and consists of fish soup then fried carp accompanied by traditional potato salad. Christmas carp is one of the symbols of the Czech Christmas. That is why you can spot large tubs full of fish in the streets of many Czech towns during advent.

After the festive meal the whole family turns to the decorated Christmas tree where there are presents left behind by Baby Jesus in the Czech Christmas tradition. At midnight many churches put on a special midnight mass. Delicious Christmas cookies are an important part of the Czech Christmas. Among the favourites are vanilla rolls, vanocka – Christmas buns with almonds, butter cookies with jam or beautifully decorated gingerbread.

If you happen to visit Prague during advent, make sure you take a walk through the Old Town Square where the largest Christmas market takes place. There is also a market in Wenceslas Square where you can enjoy your shopping from November 27, 2012 until January 5, 2013. Live performances take place on the main stage and the children´s choirs singing Christmas carols are particularly memorable. Make sure you taste hot mead, an alcoholic drink made of honey. The stalls which sell mead usually also offer a great range of bee products including honey and wax candles. If you are looking for a gift for younger relatives, the traditional Czech wooden toys on sale will delight them.

For shopping sprees go to the Palladium Shopping Mall at Namesti Republiky. The Christmas market held here has also plenty to offer. Warm up with a glass of hot wine, enjoy “trdelnik” – a special sweet pastry made of rising dough and covered in sugar and almonds. Don´t forget to take a proper look at the art-nouveau Municipal House (Obecni dum) and if you fancy a little exercise climb the Powder Tower (Prasna brana) to enjoy a wonderful view of Prague at Christmas.

Enjoy Christmas Concerts

Your Christmas itinerary should include at least one classical music concert. The ornate halls of the Rudolfinum Concert Hall or the Municipal House create the perfect Christmas atmosphere. Classical music will also be heard in many of the churches in Prague city centre including the St Simon´s and Jude´s Church (Kostel sv. Simona a Judy) or St Nicholas’ Church (Kostel sv. Mikulase) in Old Town Square.

Prague is unforgettable when covered in snow. If you take the steps leading from the Charles Bridge to Kampa, you will discover romantic corners lit by beautiful old fashioned street lamps. Inside the churches you will be able to admire various nativity scenes. The nativity scenes are constructed to the smallest detail and will fascinate children and adults alike.

Experience a Czech Christmas outside of Prague

You will be able to experience a traditional Czech Christmas at Zelny Market in Brno as well. The local Christmas celebrations will be inspired by Josef Lada´s paintings which have always been one of the symbols of the Czech Christmas. There will be an entertaining programme for adults and children and the market stalls will offer a range of attractive products. The Christmas market will be open from November 26 until December 23, 2012.

Cesky Krumlov is known as a fairy tale town throughout the year. But it is during advent that it becomes even more special. The local Christmas market which is held every weekend from Friday to Sunday starts on November 30 and runs until January 6. Among the highlights of the programme for children are the living nativity scene, St Nicholas or Christmas with the castle bears.  

The Krivoklat Castle also offers an interesting programme on the weekends of December 8, and 9 and 15 and 16. You will see dance and theatre performances at the traditional Christmas market and you will be able to buy gifts and souvenirs. To keep the chill away there will be plenty of hot mead and wine available. The children can enjoy a steam train ride which runs to Krivoklat from Prague and Plzen.

For more information please contact:

Jitka Šnobrová

Press Department Manager

ČCCR - CzechTourism

tel.: +420 221 580 485

e-mail: snobrova@czechtourism.cz

Godrej Properties launches Godrej Gold County in Bengaluru

October 4, 2012

The Mumbai-based real estate developer launches a luxury villa project at Tumkur Road, Bengaluru.
Godrej Properties Ltd. (GPL) (BSE scrip id: GODREJPRP), the real estate development arm of the Godrej Group, today announced the launch of its residential villa project, Godrej Gold County, at Tumkur Road, Bengaluru. Spread over approximately 12 acres, this project will comprise of 87 villas built over a total saleable area of 2.8 lac sq. ft. Customers can choose from 4 types of contemporarily designed villas ranging in size from 3,303 sq. ft. to 4,113 sq. ft., at prices starting from Rs. 2 crores.
The Tumkur Road location offers excellent connectivity with its close proximity to Nelamangala-Bangalore Expressway. Furthermore, Hesaraghatta Cross metro station is located near the project and will offer excellent connectivity to all parts of the city.
The project offers a variety of amenities including a modern clubhouse, a well-equipped gymnasium, a swimming pool, a health club and a cafeteria. Sports facilities include a tennis court, an indoor squash court, a table tennis and snooker room. A meeting room and a party hall are also provided in the project. Most importantly, almost 1.5 acres of the project will be dedicated to a well manicured central park, which will greatly enhance the quality of life at Godrej Gold County.
Godrej Gold County is designed on the principles of sustainability. The project will use eco-friendly materials and will integrate environment-sensitive passive architectural solutions to minimize the carbon emission associated with the development. Features like an electric car charging facility with every villa, rainwater harvesting, solar heating, low VOC paints, large glazed windows for natural light and enhanced ventilation and water efficient fixtures will be incorporated in the project design.
As is the case for almost all Godrej Properties’ projects, Godrej Gold County is a joint development project, which Godrej Properties is developing in partnership with Fardeen Khan and Laila Khan.
Mr. Pirojsha Godrej, Managing Director & CEO, Godrej Properties said, “We are very happy to launch Godrej Gold County in Bengaluru. The project will offer a world class lifestyle to its residents and will adhere to the highest standards of quality in all aspects. This is our fourth project in Bengaluru, which is a very important market for Godrej Properties.”
About Godrej Properties Ltd.:
Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) brings the Godrej Group philosophy of innovation and excellence to the real estate industry. GPL has completed several landmark projects and is currently developing significant projects in 12 cities across India. Throughout its operations, GPL aims to deliver superior value to all stakeholders through extraordinary and imaginative spaces created out of deep customer focus and insight.
GPL is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and The National Stock Exchange (NSE).
GPL has received several recognitions for its processes and performance which include receiving the ‘Best Emerging National Developer’ award at the Zee Business – RICS Real Estate Awards 2011. GPL has also featured as the #1 ranked real estate developer for four consecutive years in ‘India’s Best Companies to Work For’ survey conducted by ‘The Economic Times’ and ‘The Great Place To Work Institute’. GPL has been ranked #2 amongst the Top 50 companies having up to 1000 employees and has been ranked #14 in the overall list in the 2012 survey. GPL has been featured for six consecutive years as one of “India’s Top 10 Builders” by Construction World magazine.

 

Tony Fernandes is GQ India’s ‘International Businessman of the Year’!

SEPANG, 4 October 2012 – AirAsia Group CEO, Tony Fernandes was named GQ India’s ‘International Businessman of the Year’ at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2012 held in Mumbai recently.

 

Tony, highly recognized for his influential actions for directly shaping the way the aviation industry has evolved, joined the ranks of other distinguished men who have won GQ Men of the Year awards previously such as John Travolta, Rahul Dravid, Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan and Anil Kapoor, among others.

 

Tony, excited to receive the award, said, “When I was told that I was to receive an award from GQ India, I knew right away it was not because of my fashion sense. It was an honour for me to receive this award and I would like to thank GQ India for the prestigious recognition. It was also great to meet up with the dazzling GQ India team, whose effort in recognizing talents and hard work is commendable as it motivates people to be the best. This year’s award winners comprised of amazing individuals, and I was pleased to see Rahul Dravid awarded the GQ Legend award. A great sportsman, brilliant achievement and a true legend!” 

 

Across the world, GQ Men of the Year are considered extremely prestigious and conferred to some of the most stylish personalities and significant achievers. International winners include the likes of Barack Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Clinton, Michael Caine and Gordon Ramsay. Last year, GQ India’s winners included Shahrukh Khan, Farhan Akhtar, A.R. Rahman, Imran Khan, Yuvraj Singh and Frieda Pinto among others.

 

Editor of GQ India, Che Kurrien said, "By running a successful airline, Formula 1 team and English Premiership football club, Tony has shown the power of dreaming big. I can't think of anyone more fitting for GQ's International Businessman Award."

 

The International Businessman of the Year award from GQ India is Tony’s fifth personal accolade received this year. In July, he was named as one of Malaysia’s outstanding CEOs by The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC), for taking AirAsia to the extra mile in the aviation industry. 

 

In June, he was honoured with the ‘Best CEO for IR – Mid Cap’ award by the Malaysian Investor Relations Association Berhad (MIRA), two months after receiving the ‘Best CEO for Malaysia’ award by Corporate Governance Asia, at the 2^nd Asian Excellence Recognition Awards in April.

 

Earlier this year in February, he was bestowed with the Individual Achievement of the Year award at the 1^st Malaysia Achievement Awards 2012, organised by the Malaysia Achievement Organisation (MACA).

 

Photo captions:

 

Photo 1 - Tony Fernandes presenting a speech upon receiving GQ India’s ‘International Businessman of the Year award. Also present were (top to bottom) Amitabh Bachan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor.

 

Photo 2 - Tony Fernandes winner of International Businessman at GQ MOTY awards.

 

***ENDS***

 

For media enquiries, please contact:

Nazatul Ekma Mokhtar

Communications, AirAsia

nazatulekmamokhtar@airasia.com 

Smriti takes 2-shot lead, set for fourth win on Hero-WGAI Women’s Tour

October 4, 2012

New Delhi, October 4: Smriti Mehra will carry a two-shot lead into the third and final round of the seventh leg of the Hero-WGAI Women’s Pro Tour. Smriti was one of the two players to come back with a sub-par round as she registered one-under 71 and set up things for a fourth win this season.
Also coming in with a round of 71 was Nalini Singh Siwach, who has superb two-under back nine. Smriti leads the field with a 36-hole total of 146, while Nalini is at 148 at the Delhi Golf Club course.
Vani Kapoor, who had a great birdie-birdie start, lost her momentum on the back nine, where she gave away back-to-back bogeys on 15th and 16th and ended with a 74 that gave her the third place after two rounds with a total of 150.
Smriti had birdie to start and close the round and one in between on the 14th, but she also dropped bogeys on fifth and 11th. She has already won three titles this season.
Nalini was the most consistent player with just one bogey on par-3 seventh and had two birdies, on the 13th and 14th.
Neha Tripathi, lying second after the first round, slipped with a round of 76 as she paid the price of a triple bogey on par-4 ninth. She had as many as four birdies, the most by any player in the second round, but she also gave away five bogeys and a triple for a four-over card. She has a total of 151.
Shraddhanjali Singh had a highly eventful round with four birdies, five bogeys and one double in her 77, which put her in fifth place at 153. Behind her in sixth was Saaniya Sharma (79) at 156.
Rani Sonti fired in a great round of 74 and moved up to tied seventh after a disappointing first round of 85.
Tee times: Round 3
8:30 AM: Nikki Ponappa (168)/ Priya Puri (167)
8:40 AM: Pallavi Jain (163) / Preetinder Kaur (163)
8:50 AM: Ankita Tiwana (161) / Meghna Bal (159) /Rani Sonti (159)
9:00 AM: Saaniya Sharma (156) / Shraddhanjali Singh(153) / Neha Tripathi (151)
9:10 AM: Vani Kapoor (150) / Nalini S. Siwach(148) / Smriti Mehra (146)
To get more info on Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour please visit us on our websitewww.wgai.co.in and join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or contact Abhoy Chattopadhyay / Deependra Chetri on +91 98113 25251 / +91 98111 82106.

Kedar Nath Sahni left for heavenly abode

Newspapers Editor society expressed great grief  over the demise of
Kedarnath Sahani, former governor of Sikkim and  ex Mayor of Delhi.
Mr NK Sagar, in a statement, said that K.N.Sahani was very closely
connected with the welfare people. 


KedarNath Sahani widely traveled overseas , especially during the
infamous Emergency of 1975, to set up overseas Indians’ associations
in several countries.  A well known face   all over the
country because of being the first citizen of India ( as Mayor of
Capital city) and erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh  and BJP leader. He
was known for his impeccable  social and political career of several
decades.

Senior BJP Leader Manniya Shri. Kedar Nath Sahni left for heavenly abode today morning.  After serving the social man kind for 85 long years, Late Kedar Nath Sahni passed away peacefully at 10.20 AM on 3rdOct 2012 at Batra Hospital in South Delhi, India.  

On 4th Oct 2012, from 1.00 PM to 3.00 PM, the parthiv sharir of the Late Leader shall be placed for “Darshan” and last respects at BJP Central Office, 11 Ashok Road, New Delhi-110001. The cremation shall take place the same day in the evening at 6.00 PM at Lodhi Road Crematorium, New Delhi.  

HUAWEI LAUNCHES INDIA BROADBAND REPORT 2012

Posted on October 4, 2012 by sagarmedia

HUAWEI LAUNCHES INDIA BROADBAND REPORT 2012

October 4, 2012

Huawei Launches India Broadband Report 2012

- India to have 450 million wireless broadband base by 2020; Wireless broadband base to account for 28% of the total wireless subscriber base in India-

- Every 10% mobile penetration thrusts GDP up by 1.2%-

New Delhi, October 3 2012; Huawei India, a global leading Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) solutions provider today unveiled a comprehensive 108 page detailed report called Connected possibilities; Innovation, Integration and Inclusiveness. In the report prepared in partnership with Ernst & Young, the company pointed out current trends and impact of broadband on 7 key industry sectors namely- Education, Healthcare, Enterprise, BFSI, Governance, M2M and Entertainment. The report also forecasted the future these sectors with the current growth pattern of the broadband industry.

Today, India is touted to be one of the fastest growing economies across with an economy size estimated at US$1.3 trillion in fiscal year FY11 and the telecom services’ sector alone directly contributing US$35-38 billion annually to the economy. In terms, of real GDP at purchasing power parity, India ranks 3rd on the world map after the United States and China and has been maintaining a GDP growth rate of above 6%. The country charted GDP growth of 8.5% [1]for FY11 (financial year ended March 2011). The telecom sector is amongst the leading sectors attracting FDI, accounting for 8.1% of the cumulative FDI equity inflows from FY01 to FY11. From FY08 through FY10, FDI equity inflows in the telecom sector increased rapidly at a CAGR of 42.3% to reach US$2.6 billion, due to the entry of international players and transfer of advanced technologies.

In his address to media, Mr. Cai Liqun, CEO- Huawei India expressed his delight on the unveiling of the report and stated, “One of the biggest innovations in the field of communication is broadband. As a committed player in the Indian ICT industry, Huawei always strives to evaluate needs of the Indian ICT industry and also provide need based solutions. 2012 is a big year for Mobile Broadband with the latest development in this sector- The 4G/ LTE. Today we are here to come together to get a holistic view of telecommunications sector and analyze how the sector is poised for connecting possibilities and the future of broadband in India. I would like to thank Ernst & Young our partners for putting together such an informative report”.

The report not only highlight telecom sector’s which contribution towards GDP, but also how the sector catalyzes development in other sectors to additionally generate economic surplus. Per the evaluation every 10% increase in mobile penetration rate is expected to increase the GDP of the country by 1.2%. The report also highlights an addition of net revenue of USD $ 31 billion (37% growth) and USD $ 27.5 billion (42% growth) in education and healthcare industries respectively and is optimistic that M-commerce would be next revolution in the telecommunication and banking industry providing the consumer with an opportunity to transact anytime and anywhere. It also elicits role of E-Governance in strengthening government processes and their evaluation.

While the report presented a very optimistic picture of the growth of telecom and vis-୶is broadband in India, it did not overlook the various bottlenecks posed by accessibility and affordability issues in the telecom sector. The report estimated 700 million people in the world without access to broadband services due to cost barriers, lack of awareness and relevant content in the local context especially for rural areas. “More than 60% of current broadband subscribers reside in the top ten metros and tier-I cities and more than 75% connections belong to top 30 cities. Only 5% of the broadband connections are in rural areas in comparison to 31% of total mobile telephones”, Highlighted Mr. A Sethuraman- Executive Director, Huawei India. In comparison to other BRICI countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and Indonesia), India fares the lowest in terms of internet and PC penetration. Internet users in Indian on an average spend only 0.5 hr online each day, which is lowest rate amongst all the BRICI countries owing to these bottlenecks. “Lack of rural penetration is directly proportional to the lack of awareness, access to affordable technologies and relevant content offered to the subscribers. Most content available today is in English and might not be relevant to the population residing in rural areas where regional content is important. We should thus aim to provide affordable devices and relevant content to ensure optimum connectivity”, added Mr. Sethuraman.

So far the Indian market has primarily been driven by the demand for voice services. The launch of third generation (3G)/Broadband wireless access (BWA) is likely to play a pivotal role in weaving the next round of aggressive growth for this industry and with the voice market stagnating its is data services that would contribute towards incremental revenues. Rural India has emerged as the new target market, but, the focus will be on network coverage and setting up infrastructure in the hinterland to achieve the anticipated growth. The non-voice /data revenue is expected to increase from US$ 3.9 billion in 2011 to US$ 19.3 billion by 2020, registering a 400% growth. On the other hand, the voice revenues are expected to decline from US$ 34.7 billion in 2011 to US$ 31.5 billion by 2020, registering a negative growth of 9.5%. If the government continues to focus on its agenda for “broadband on demand” by providing easy, affordable and reliable broadband access to the masses, India is expected to reach 450 million accounting for 28% of the total wireless subscriber base in India.

About Huawei:

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Through our dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, we have established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices and cloud computing. We are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services. Our products and solutions have been deployed in over 140 countries, serving more than one third of the world’s population.

For more information, visit Huawei online: www.huawei.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/huaweipress

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HuaweiPress

For Further information:

Corporate Voice Weber Shandwick

Priyanka Seth- 9810449951

priyankaseth@corvoshandwick.co.in