Naresh --

Trying to get Congress to pass good, progressive legislation isn't easy -- we know that pretty well by now.

That's why this is so important: Right now, Congress is closer to passing comprehensive immigration reform than they've been in a generation.

Last Tuesday, a smart, bipartisan bill for comprehensive immigration reform moved ahead toward a full vote in the Senate -- and that vote could happen in just a matter of weeks.

If there was ever a time to get off the sidelines, it's now.

Simply add your name and say you'll join our fight for immigration reform today.

Just as we're going to rail on Congress when they cave to pressure from special interests and fail the people who sent them there, we're going to rally behind them when they start getting things done.

The organizing on the ground, the Days of Action, the tweets, Facebook posts, and calls to Congress are working -- but we absolutely can not let up now.

If we fail, it might be years before we get anywhere near this close again.

Keep going.

Add your name today:

http://my.barackobama.com/Comprehensive-Immigration-Reform

Thank you,

Jon

Jon Carson
Executive Director

महानगरों का विकास मानवता को विनास की तरफ ले जा रही है - शंकराचार्य

नई दिल्ली, 27 मई। गंगा को विलुप्त करने में कांग्रेस और भारतीय जनता पार्टी दोनो की भूमिका एक तरह की है। क्योंकि ये दोनो ही दल आज भारत के शासनतंत्र के केन्द्र में हैं। बाकी क्षेत्रीय दल तो इनके पीछे चलने वाले हैं। गंगा की जो दुर्दशा है उसके लिए ये दोनो दल जिम्मेदार हैं। गंगा ही नही और नदियां भी दुर्दशा की  शिकार हैं। किसी भी नदी से अगर जल निकाल लिया जाए तो उसका मरना तय है। क्योंकि जल नदियों के लिए रक्त की तरह है। ये बातें गोवर्धनमठ पुरी के शंकराचार्य निश्चलानंद सरस्वती ने दिल्ली के कांन्सट्शन क्लब में एक कार्यक्रम को संबोधित करते हुए कही। निश्चलानंद सरस्वती ने भारत में दो तरह के धर्मांतरण की भी चर्चा की। देश में एक घोषित धर्मांतरण हो रहा है और दूसरा अघोषित धर्मातरण हो रहा है। घोषित धर्मांतरण वो है जो लालच देकर करवाया जाता है। अघोषित धर्मांतरण वो है जो मैकाले की शिक्षा से हो रहा है। कहने को तो हम भारतीय रहेंगे लेकिन व्यवहारिक रूप से हमारी आने वाली पीढी धर्मांतरित हो चुकी होगी। उन्होने संविधान और शासन तंत्र पर भी सवाल उठाया। पूरी शंकराचार्य निश्चलानंद सरस्वती ने कहाकि विश्व को हमने अर्थशास्त्र, दर्शनशास्त्र और विज्ञान शास्त्र दिया फिर भी हमें अपने मुताबिक संविधान और शासनतंत्र सुलभ नही है। आज के विकास को भी पूरी तरह शंकराचार्य जी ने खारिज किया। उन्होने महनगरों के विकास को विकास नही विनास करार दिया। महानगर की संरचना महायंत्रों से होती है। महानगर बसाने के लिए खनिज पदार्थों हासिल करने के लिए पृथ्वी को खोखला किया जाता है। पर्वतों को तोडा जाता है। जल को दूषित किया जाता है। वन उजाडे जाते है। इन सबके बिना महानगरों की कल्पना नहीं की जा सकती। इन सबके लिए महायंत्रों की जरूरत पडती है। इसलिए मेरा मानना है कि मानव अपने बुध्धि से महायंत्रो के निर्माण को रोके नही तो प्रकृति रोकेगी। प्रकृति जब रोकती है तो महंगा पडेगा। उन्होंने कहाकि हम अपनी मेधा शक्ति, रक्षा शक्ति, वाणिज्य शक्ति और श्रम शक्ति से पूरे विश्व को चमत्कृत कर रहे हैं। हिन्दु राष्ट्र के सवाल पर उन्होने कहाकि पहले हमे विश्व के राष्ट्रों को सुसंस्कृत, सुशिक्षित, सुरक्षित, संपन्न और सेवा परायण राष्ट्रों का निर्माण करना होगा। जब हम ये कर लेगें तो हिन्दू राष्ट्र का निर्माण अपने आप हो जाएगा। कार्यक्रम में उत्तर प्रदेश के पूर्व डीजीपी प्रकाश सिंह, भारतीय जनता पार्टी के पूर्व महासचिव संजय जोसी, वरिष्ठ पत्रकार रामबहादुर राय, बनवारी, जीतेन्द्र बजाज, मांगेराम गर्ग, नरेश सिरोही और आदर्श गुप्ता उपस्थि थे।

bsnl & DIMENSION DATA launch cloud services powered by ‘global cloud exchange’

29 05 2013

bsnl AND DIMENSION DATA launch enterprise cloud services powered by first of its kind ‘global cloud exchange’

Acquires 15 user enterprises across Private and Government sectors

New Delhi, 28 May, 2013 – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India’s leading telecommunication services provider and Dimension Data, the leading global ICT solutions and services provider today jointly announced the launch of their Enterprise Cloud Services in India. Based on Dimension Data’s Managed Cloud Platform™ (MCP), BSNL forays into the Enterprise Cloud services space through its Internet Data Centres (IDCs). The launch was presided over by Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon’ble Minister for Communications and IT who witnessed the signing-on of 15 user enterprises across Financial Services, IT / ITES, Education and Government sectors.
Based on a standardised architecture, the MCP offers enterprises the advantage of being able to support public, private and hybrid cloud models. All MCPs are enterprise-ready, offering multiple layers of security, administrative controls, highest availability SLAs, 24/7 phone support and integrated management capabilities.
Specifically architected for Large Enterprise needs, these services have already been acknowledged as ‘Leaders’ in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Cloud IaaS, and have more than 1,000 clients globally.
Commending the launch of BSNL’s cloud services, Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon’ble Minister of Communications and IT, said, “I compliment BSNL and Dimension Data on being able to successfully launch enterprise class cloud services following up on their earlier initiative of building world-class Internet Data Centres. With the central, as well as State governments strategically investing in strengthening their E-Governance initiatives to benefit citizens, this public-private partnership to offer cloud services is another step towards realising the larger goal of bridging the gap between citizens and the government.”
Shri R. K. Upadhyay, Chairman & Managing Director, BSNL, said “The IDC and Cloud Services have not only enabled us to build and add new strategic capabilities to our portfolio, but also, it has benefited our clients who can leverage our flexible sourcing options or simply host their entire IT assets within our secure environment and with expert care. The fact that we have already signed on 15 leading organizations is a clear indicator of the value we are delivering.”
Further elaborating on the launch, Kiran Bhagwanani, CEO, Dimension Data India said, “India is a key market for Dimension Data and we continue to make significant investments here. Our partnership with BSNL to build the IDCs and offer world-class Cloud Services is testimony to our commitment to the region. We offer a wide range of Cloud Services that support our clients at every step of their cloud journey, be it implementing private clouds or offering public cloud services, very often ending up with a hybrid model for enterprise clients. Our highly secure, enterprise-class, globally connected cloud platform is positioned in the ‘Leaders’ quadrant of Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Cloud IaaS with more than a thousand global clients already on board.”
-ENDS-

About BSNL:
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. is the world’s seventh largest telecommunications company, providing a comprehensive range of telecom services in India: Wireline, CDMA mobile, GSM Mobile, Internet, Broadband, Carrier services, MPLS-VPN, VSAT, VoIP services, IN services etc. Presently it is one of the largest and leading public sector units in India. Scaling new heights of success, the present turnover of BSNL is around US$ 6 billion in last financial year. The turnover, nationwide coverage, reach, comprehensive range of telecom services and the desire to excel in new upcoming fields has made BSNL the leading Telecom Company of India. With this new business of Datacenter, Cloud services and IT solutions suites BSNL has further diversified its business portfolio. For more information, please visit http://www.bsnl.co.in

About Dimension Data
Founded in 1983, Dimension Data is an ICT services and solutions provider that uses its technology expertise, global service delivery capability, and entrepreneurial spirit to accelerate the business ambitions of its clients. Dimension Data is a member of the NTT Group.

In Asia Pacific, we operate in over 60 offices across 13 countries. We help clients plan, build, support, manage, improve and innovate their ICT infrastructures. It combines an expertise in networking, security, data centre solutions, Microsoft solutions and converged communications and contact centre technologies, with advanced skills in consulting, integration, training and managed services. www.dimensiondata.com

Hindalco reports Standalone and Consolidated audited results for year ended 31 March 2013

Ø  First Metal tapped at Mahan Aluminium Project

Ø  Utkal Alumina Project under commissioning

Ø  Consecutively 4^th quarter of improved performance

Financial Highlights

	STANDALONE						CONSOLIDATED
	Q4FY13	Q3FY13	Q4FY12	FY13	FY12		FY13	FY12
(In Rs. crore)
Revenue from Operations	6,994	6,872	7,647	26,057	26,597		80,193	80,821
EBITDA	644	582	864	2,204	3,105		7,837	8,184
Other income	231	318	161	983	616		1,012	783
Profit Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation & Amortisation	875	900	1,025	3,187	3,721		8,849	8,967
Depreciation	173	188	166	704	690		2,861	2,864
Finance Costs	158	169	80	436	294		2,079	1,758
Profit before tax	544	543	779	2,047	2,737		3,909	4,345
Tax Expenses	62	109	139	347	500		886	786
Net profit before Minority Interest and Share in Associates	482	434	640	1,699	2,237		3,023	3,559
Share in Profit/ (Loss) of Associates (Net)							(16)	50
Minority Interest							(20)	211
Net Profit for the Period	482	434	640	1,699	2,237		3,027	3,397
Basic EPS	2.52	2.26	3.34	8.88	11.69		15.81	17.74

Note:   Certain descriptions and /or figures of earlier periods have been changed/regrouped to conform to current practices

Hindalco Industries Limited, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, today announced its standalone and consolidated audited financial results for the year ended 31 March, 2013.

Standalone results

Quarterly Results

The operational results for the Quarter ended on 31^st March 2013 showed significant improvement over the previous quarter – EBITDA surged by over 10%. The Company has delivered sequentially an improved EBITDA in every quarter of this year.  The operating margin of the Company also grew in this quarter by 72 basis points due to operational efficiencies.

As a result, Net profit has risen by over 11% at Rs. 482 crore.

 Aluminium sales grew by 8% to Rs. 2,396 crore from Rs. 2,215 crore in Q3FY13 on the back of higher volumes. The Segment results before Interest and Tax soared by 37% to Rs. 284 crore.  The Company was able to register a significant increase of 250 basis points in its EBIT margin in Aluminium business.

Alumina and Aluminium Production in Q4’13 at 330 Kt and 142 Kt respectively have also been higher over Q3FY13.

The Capital employed in the Aluminium Business stood at Rs. 31,942 crore as on March 31, 2013, which included around Rs. 22,500 crore relating to the Greenfield investments, viz., Mahan, Hirakud Flat Rolled Products and Aditya Aluminium Projects.

Copper The EBIT of Copper Business posted a growth of 15% to Rs. 259 crore while Capital employed in Copper Business remained at Rs 5,916 crore.  The Company achieved an 80 basis point increase in EBIT margin in Copper business.

Copper Cathode production in Q4’13 at 84.6 Kt is higher compared to 83.7 Kt in Q3’13.

Thus there was an all-round improvement in performance in volumes, margins and results in both the businesses of the Company.

Annual Results

Financial Year 2013 was marked by consistently low aluminium LME and constantly increasing costs. As a result, aluminium companies across the globe suffered during this year. However, Hindalco was able to mitigate impact of the above factors by improved efficiencies and higher volumes. Consequently, the Company’s results in this business segment stand out on almost every parameter in the peer group – both domestic as well international.

The Company closed the year with stand alone revenues at Rs. 26,057 crore, Profit before Depreciation, Interest and Tax at Rs.3,187 crore and Net Profit at Rs 1,699 crore.

Consolidated results

Despite a sluggish market and headwinds in all businesses of the Company, the Consolidated Revenue as well as Profit before Depreciation, Interest and Tax for the year at Rs 80,193 and Rs 8,849 crore respectively compare well with last year’s corresponding figures. With regard to segment results, Aluminium Segment has done particularly well by maintaining its EBIT at Rs 4,388 crore on consolidated basis.

Novelis Inc (wholly owned subsidiary)

The performance of Novelis was negatively impacted by pricing pressures from competitors, supply chain disruptions due to implementation of a new ERP system in two North American plants, as well as production challenges and softer demand.

Shipments of flat rolled products are marginally lower at 2,786 Kt for the year ended 31March, 2013, compared to 2,838 Kt in the prior year. Net sales were 11% lower primarily driven by a 15% decline in average aluminium prices and a fall in flat rolled product volumes by 2%.

 

Aditya Birla Minerals Limited (51 per cent subsidiary)

The company’s copper production expanded by 16% mainly on account of restart of Mt Gordon mine. Sales volume is up by 14% compared to the previous year. The revenue in value terms was sustained. Profitability was adversely affected given lower realisation of copper compared to the previous year and higher average unit cost of production, because of higher volume from Mt Gordon operations at higher cost.

At Nifty, the ore mined was 2.27 million tonnes up by 8% over the previous year. At Mt Gordon, the ore mined was 1.10 million tonnes representing a step up of 59% over the previous year.

Mount Gordon mine’s operations are currently placed under care and maintenance.

Dividend

The Board of Directors of the Company have recommended a dividend of Rs. 1.40 per share aggregating to Rs. 313.6 crore (including dividend distribution tax of Rs. 45.55 crore) for the year ended 31st March, 2013.

Projects – in India

		Estimated Capacity	Actual or estimated
Location	Description of Expansion	(at full capacity)	Commission Date/ Progress Update
India
Hirakud, Odisha	Smelter Expansion	52 Kt	Under Commissioning
	Captive Power Plant Expansion	100 MW
	Rolling Plant	135 Kt	Partially Commissioned
Rayagada, Odisha (Utkal Alumina)	Alumina Refinery)	1500 Kt	Under Commissioning
	Captive Power Plant	90 MW
Mahan, Madhya Pradesh (Mahan Aluminium)	Aluminium Smelter	360 Kt	First Metal Tapped, commissioning being undertaken in phased manner
	Captive Power Plant	900 MW
Lapanga, Odisha  (Aditya Aluminium)	Aluminium Smelter	360 Kt	2013
	Captive Power Plant	900 MW

 

All these ongoing projects of the Company with a cumulative investment of around Rs 28,000 crore have either been commissioned or are in advanced stages of commissioning/implementation.

Projects - Overseas

					Estimated Capacity		Actual or estimated
	Location		Description of Expansion		(at full capacity)		Commission Date/ Progress Update
North America
Oswego, NY		Automotive sheet finishing plant		200 kt		Mid CY2013
Europe
Nachterstedt, Germany		Recycling expansion		250 kt		Mid CY2014
Asia
Ulsan & Yeoungju, South Korea		Rolling expansion		350 kt		Mid CY2013
Yeoungju,South Korea		Recycling expansion		265 kt		Oct-12
Changzhou, China		Automotive sheet finishing plant		120kt		End CY2014
South America
Pinda, Brazil		Rolling expansion		220 kt		Dec-12
Pinda, Brazil		Can coating line		100 kt		End CY2013
Pinda, Brazil		Recycling expansion		190 kt		End CY2013

 

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