Civil nuclear projects will be subject to Indian law: National Security Advisor.

20092013

 

 

Ahead of the Indian Prime Minister visit to the U.S., National Security Advisor Mr. Shivshankar Menon speaks on New Delhi perspective on bilateral trade, the civil nuclear agreement and regional security at the Aspen Institute India (AII) session on India & the U.S.

New Delhi, September 20, 2013: All civil nuclear projects in the country would be subject to Indian law,National Security Advisor Mr. Shivshankar Menon asserted while addressing the༢>Aspen Institute India session on ቮdia and the U.S. earlier today. Mr Menon also revealed that the two nations were ᣬose to finalising the commercial aspects of the civil nuclear deal.

Moderated byMr. Gautam Thapar, Chairman, Aspen Institute India, the session–aimed to be a precursor to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan SinghⳠmeeting with U.S. President Barack Obama糡w Mr. Menon share IndiaⳠperspective on a wide range of bilateral issues.

Underscoring the country pressing energy needs, the National Security Advisor said,be civil nuclear agreement is a significant part of our strategy to meet long term power demand in India, which is expected to grow four times over in the next two decades. It has been our consistent stand that the power plant should meet the highest standards of safety delivering power at a price that is competitive vis-a-vis other sources of energy. I was surprised in the last few days to see several stories claiming that somehow Indian law would not apply to projects in India. Civil nuclear projects in India will naturally be subject to Indian law, including civil liability. Domestic and foreign vendors have sought clarifications on some points of that law, which are being examined.

Reflecting on the growing India-U.S. ties,Mr. Menon opined,༩>㗥 have a growing dialogue and partnership on non-proliferation, export controls and nuclear issues.༯i>Some of our most innovative and rewarding partnerships are in the inter-linked domains of energy, health, higher education and science and technology. He added, total trade in goods and services exceeds 100 billion dollars. It has grown every year through the past five years of a global economic crisis. We might each have reasons not to be fully satisfied with our economic relations but no one denies its potential and significance. The US is our single largest trading partner and is a source of critical technology, investment, and collaborations, with over $ 11 billion worth of Indian investments in the US, and $ 50 billion of US investment in India.

At present, bilateral economic relations have expanded beyond the nuclear deal to shape a new Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). According to estimates, annual bilateral trade between the two nations has grown nearly five-fold in the last decade, with nearly 50 per cent growth registered during the Obama administration. Owing to closer and stronger business ties, the annual two-way trade is nearly USD 100 billion, while the bilateral foreign direct investment stands at nearly USD 30 billion.ࠂuilding on these highs, experts feel the need of the hour now is for the US to facilitate the expanding canvas of trade and foster the growth of Indian investments.

Highlighting the global political and financial turbulences in the recent past,༢>Mr. Menon emphasised that there was immense potential for growth in the India-U.S. relationship.༩>ㅣonomically, as we go forward we will focus on opportunities, especially in the infrastructure sector; improve market access; negotiate a Bilateral Investment Treaty; pursue constructive solutions in the WTO that addresses our key concerns; and, work to strengthen the global multilateral trade regime, avoiding its fragmentation or the growth of protectionism. There are also avenues to be explored in the areas of energy, defence, education, and in the quality and range of the strategic dialogues that we undertake,he said.

On the geopolitical front, India is emerging as a key strategic partner to the US Pivot to Asia trategy as Washington begins phasing down troops from Afghanistan. While India is wary of the ensuing fallout of this move, there is a fast-gaining recognition in the US on the critical role New Delhi can play anchoring stability in South Asia.

Responding to a query on this issue,Mr Menon said,I have had attacks on our missions in Afghanistan for some time. Yet, we want to assist the Afghanistan authorities to do what they want, which is, establish peace and stability in the region. So, we will continue to work with the government and the people of Afghanistan. There is no endgame for India in Afghanistan.

In the last few months, several top-level visits have been facilitated between India and the U.S., signifying the vibrancy of bilateral ties. US Vice-President Joe Biden’s visit in June earlier this year addressed some key outstanding issues gnawing the two sides, and instilled confidence among the lawmakers and the investors. The proposed visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the U.S. has hence elicited hopes of taking the ties to greater heights while simultaneously resolving contentious issues.

About Aspen Institute India (AII)

Aspen Institute India promotes values-based leadership, open dialogue and cross-sector outreach by engaging the civil society, government, private sector, and other key stakeholders on issues related to India development. It invites industrial, economic, financial, political, social and cultural leaders to discuss these issues in settings that encourage frank and open dialogue.

Samarth Pathak
Program Executive (Communications)
Aspen Institute India
1st Floor, Thapar House 124, Janpath
New Delhi-110001

Cellphone: +91-9811347927

Email: Samarth.pathak@aspenindia.org

RBI raises policy rate by 0.25%

20092013

RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on Friday surprised the industry and shocked the stock markets by hiking the short-term policy rate by 0.25 percent to keep worrisome inflation under check, a move that may increase EMIs for home and auto loans in the medium term.

Contrary to the expectations of the industry and experts, Rajan in his maiden policy opted for a hawkish monetary policy stance ahead of the festive season instead of shifting the focus to promotion of growth by lowering interest rates to generate demand. The RBI Governor, however, eased liquidity through a reduction in the marginal standing facility rate, at which banks borrow from the central bank, by 0.75 percent to 9.5 percent and eased the minimum daily maintenance of the cash reserve ratio (CRR). The repo rate, or the short-term lending rate, has been increased by 25 basis points to 7.5 percent from 7.25 percent with immediate effect. Other policy rates will be adjusted accordingly. “The need to anchor inflation and inflation expectations has to be set against the fragile state of the industrial sector and urban demand. Keeping all this in view, bringing down inflation to more tolerable levels warrants raising the repo rate by 25 basis points immediately,” Rajan said in the policy statement on Friday. Although bankers don’t see any immediate increase in interest rates for individuals and corporate borrowers, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex tanked by as much as 595 points after the policy announcement, while the rupee depreciated 69 paise to 62.46 against the dollar. “The increase in repo rate could have been avoided as industry is already reeling under pressures of high cost of capital and low availability in a tight liquidity situation…the increase in repo rate come as a surprise,” CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said. On Thursday, the country’s largest lender, State Bank of India, increased its minimum lending rate to 9.8 percent. Rajan left the CRR, or the portion of deposits that banks need to keep with the RBI in cash, unchanged at 4 percent. At the same time, the RBI reduced the minimum daily maintenance of CRR from 99 percent of the requirement to 95 percent, effective from 21st September, a move aimed at inducing liquidity into the system. “There will not be much impact on the interest rate immediately,” Canara Bank Executive Director A K Gupta said when asked about the effect of the policy on home, auto and corporate loans. The RBI, he added, “has done a balancing act. Much of the borrowing by banks is from the MSF window and the reduction of 0.75 per cent will lower the cost of funds.” Wholesale price inflation rose to a six-month high of 6.1 percent in August, driven by costlier food items. Rajan said WPI inflation will be higher than initially projected over the rest of the year in the absence of an appropriate policy response. “What is equally worrisome is that inflation at the retail level, measured by the CPI, has been high for a number of years, entrenching inflation expectations at elevated levels and eroding consumer and business confidence,” he said. “Although better prospects of a robust kharif harvest will lead to some moderation in CPI inflation, there is no room for complacency,” he added. Stating that economic growth has weakened with continuing sluggishness in industrial activity and services, the RBI said the pace of infrastructure project completion is subdued and the start of new projects remains muted. Observing that growth is trailing below potential and the output gap is widening, Rajan said, “Some pick-up is expected on account of the brightening prospects for agriculture due to kharif output and the upturn in exports.” He said concerns on the current account deficit have been mitigated with measures taken by the government and the RBI. Also, steps have been taken to improve the environment for external financing, turning the focus to internal determinants of the value of the rupee, primarily the fiscal deficit and domestic inflation, he added. Rajan said the timing and direction of further actions on exceptional measures will be contingent upon exchange market stability and can be two-way. “Further actions need not be announced only on policy dates. However, any further change in the minimum daily maintenance of the CRR is not contemplated,” he added. Rajan, who rescheduled the policy review keeping in mind the two-day US Federal Reserve meeting, said activity has slowed in several emerging economies, buffeted by heightened financial market turbulence on the prospect of tapering of quantitative easing in the US. “The decision by the US Federal Reserve to hold off tapering has buoyed financial markets but tapering is inevitable,” he added. Following are the highlights of RBI’s mid-quarter monetary policy review: * Key short-term lending rate (repo rate) hiked by 0.25 pc to 7.50 pc. * Borrowing rate for banks reduced under MSF by 0.75 pc to 9.5 pc. * Eases minimum daily liquidity maintenance of CRR to 95 pc from 99 pc. * Maiden policy announcement by new RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. * Retains Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 4 pc. * Inflation worrisome, no room for complacency. * WPI inflation will be higher than that projected for rest of the year. * Economic growth trailing below potential. * Pace of infrastructure project completion subdued, new projects’ starts remain muted. * Next monetary policy review on 29th October.

MoD’s Statement on a Media Report

The Government has received a report from the Army HQ on certain issues relating to one of its outfits as reported by a section of the media today. The report impinges on matters of national security and, as such, the government will take a decision and further actions after a careful examination of the report. The government has in place measures to prevent any such undesirable activities. It is further clarified that MoD has not taken any decision for a CBI inquiry into the issues raised in the Army’s Report.

India to help Cuba develop Renewable Energy resources

India has offered to help Cuba develop its renewable energy resources. This was conveyed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New and Renewable Energy to Mr. Marino Murillo, Vice president of the Republic of Cuba at Havana. Dr. Farooq Abdullah is visiting Cuba along with a high level delegation of experts to explore greater opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between the two countries. Dr. Abdullah also held detailed discussions with Mr. Alfredo Lopez Valdes, the Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines. Dr. Abdullah briefed his counterpart on the energy situation in India and India’s ambitious plans in renewable energy. He explained that India currently has over 29 GW of grid-connected installed capacity using renewable sources of energy and that it has plans over to add over 30 GW more capacity by 2017. He also dwelt on the success of India’s wind programme as well as the significant cost reductions in solar energy through the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Both Mr. Murillo and Mr. Valdez informed the Indian Minister of Cuba’s strong desire to diversify its energy mix by exploiting its renewable energy resources, especially in wind and bagasse-based cogeneration projects. They sought India’s support and expertise in helping Cuba achieve this objective. Dr. Abdullah recalled India’s long standing and traditionally warm relations with Cuba and said that India has always supported the Cuban nation and its people. He offered India’s support and expertise in setting up renewable projects as well as in capacity building and project preparation. He also urged the Cuban side to take advantage of the Lines of Credit offered by India in setting up renewable energy projects. Earlier Dr. Abdullah was given a brief on the achievements of Cuba in universalizing health care resulting in significant reductions in infant mortality and increase in life expectancy. He also visited the local polyclinic to understand first-hand the health systems and had detailed discussions there.

Mid Quarter Monetary Policy Review (2013-14) Update

September 20, 2013

·         The policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) increased by 25 basis points from 7.25% to 7.5%.

·         Reduced the minimum daily maintenance of the cash reserve ratio (CRR) from 99% of the requirement to 95% effective from the fortnight beginning September 21, 2013, while keeping the CRR unchanged at 4%.

·         Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.5% and the Bank Rate reduced to 9.5%.

·         Reduced the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate by 75 basis points from 10.25% to 9.5% with immediate effect.

·         The Bank Rate also reduced to 9.5%.

Warm regards,

Dr. S P Sharma

92.7 BIG FM DELHI CELEBRATES BIRTHDAYS OF Legends

92.7 BIG FM DELHI CELEBRATES BIRTHDAYS OF THE MUSICAL LEGENDS LATA MANGESHKAR AND ASHA BHOSLE WITH SUREELA SEPTEMBER

 

THIS MONTH, ႏLLYWOOD KA SALAAM, ASHA AUR LATA KE NAAM⼯b>

 

92.7 BIG FM TO HUNT ᄥLHIⳠASHA AUR LATA⠉N AN EXCITING SINGING TALENT CONTEST

༯SPAN>

Delhi, September 19, 2013: September is considered the sweetest month in the Indian music industry as the countryⳊmost loved singing sisters were born during the month. Celebrating the lives and voices that have charmed millions of people for decades, 92.7 BIG FM has christened the special month Sureela September -Bollywood ka Salaam, Asha aur Lata ke naam. With this property, the station launches a host of activities to honour two of the most respected playback singers who have been IndiaⳊglory and pride for countless years with the message - Chahe jitney bhi naye singers aaye弢>Lata-Asha Hit the, Hit Rahenge.

The campaign will air exciting celebrity capsules on Lataji and Ashaji, playing some of the most special songs from HMV Records along with exclusive bytes from bollywood celebrities such as Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rahman, Jaya Bachchan, Bhappi Lahiri, Kailash Kher, Abhijeet, Alka Yagnik, Kajol, Anup Jalota, Suresh Wadkar, etc. Apart from these celebs, 92.7 BIG FM will also air archived bytes of legendary stars like Madan Mohan, Kalyanjee, Noorjahan, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Yash Chopra, Nargis, Smita Patil, etc.༯span>

92.7 BIG FM will also run a trivia contest, where the winners will be invited for qualifiers to be held in different malls of Delhi NCR. Ten finalists will be chosen from the qualifiers and compete in the final round which will be held on September 29th. Two of DelhiⳠbest singers will be chosen and given the title of ἢ>DelhiⳊAsha Aur Lata⮠The winners will receive an opportunity to be part of the Sureela September with RJs at the 92.7 BIG FM Delhi studios for a day. The network will also reward the winners with an exciting prize and certificate.

Commenting on the celebrations, Mr. Ashwin Padmanabhan, Business Head 92.7༳pan style=”background-repeat:initial initial”>BIG༳pan style=”background-repeat:initial initial”>FM, said, ㍩llions of people all over the world are grateful to Lataji and Ashaji for adding something that is so special, to our lives. The sisters have enriched our hearts with some of the most beautiful songs the world has heard. It is our honour to celebrate their birth anniversaries through ᓵreela September – Bollywood ka Salaam, Asha aur Lata ke naam⼯i>. Owning to the success of the stationality ሩt The Hit Rahenge, ⼢>DelhiⳠAsha Aur Lata⼯b> is our endeavour to present to listeners with the perfect entertainment experience of timeless musical pieces. We are hopeful that our listeners will enjoy the month and together, honour the singing queens of India.伯span>

㔨e title ἢ>DelhiⳠAsha Aur Lata⠡ims at encouraging DelhiⳠhidden singers to come out and exhibit their their singing talent. The show will present an opportunity to women from all over the city and give listeners an enjoyable experience as well. We believe the show will go a long way in consolidating our position to serve the music interest of the audiences by playingevergreen retro classics䬠he added.

September will always carry a lot of significance as the legendary singers were born in the same month four years apart.Sureela September is an initiative by 92.7 BIG FM to honour IndiaⳠmost loved singing stars.

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Gangjee in the ‘driver’s seat’ in round three

20092013

Akshay hangs in there, Randhawa slips

Chandigarh, September 19, 2013: Rahil Gangjee was in the driver’s seat after round three of the PGTI Players Championship at Chandigarh Golf Club as he opened a three-shot lead courtesy a sublime five-under-67. The Kolkata golfer’s total score now stands at 11-under-205. Akshay Sharma of Chandigarh kept his hopes alive with a steady even-par-72 that placed him second at eigh-under-208.

Rahil Gangjee (67-71-67) fired his second 67 of the week to move up from overnight second position into the sole lead. Rahil, who was also the first round leader, had a bogey on the sixth due to a poor second shot but negated that with a birdie on the eighth where he holed a 12-footer.

Gangjee was then on a roll on the back-nine as he made a 15-feet birdie conversion on the 11^th and followed that up with an up and down from the bunker for birdie on the 13^th. The 35-year-old sank birdie putts from 45 feet and 15 feet on the 16^th and 18^th respectively and almost drove the green to set up another birdie on the 17^th. The winner of two professional titles, one each on the Asian Tour and PGTI, thus birdied the last three holes to end up with the day’s joint best score of 67.

“I drove the ball better today and made more fairways. I also converted more putts as I was quite comfortable on the greens. I just need to keep doing the same stuff in order to be right up there at the end. Akshay played really well. He can be a contender in the final round as it’s his home course and he knows the lines on the greens. He also got a taste of playing in the leader group today which will help him in round four,” said Gangjee, looking for his first title in five years.

Akshay Sharma (69-67-72), the overnight leader, held his own to close day three in second place. He made three birdies and three bogeys on Thursday. The highlights of his round were a 25-feet birdie putt on the eighth and a three-putt for bogey on the third.

     

The 23-year-old Akshay, who turned professional in 2011, said, “I played a steady round today and achieved my target of playing level-par. The aim was to avoid bogeys at any cost. I didn’t put too much pressure on myself despite playing in the leader group for the first time on the PGTI. In fact, I got to learn a lot playing alongside experienced professionals such as Rahil Gangjee and Sujjan Singh.”  

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (72-70-67) of Bangladesh shot the day’s joint best score of 67 to be placed third at seven-under-209. Zamal made six birdies against a lone bogey. He was in excellent chipping form as he chipped-in for birdie on the 15^thand landed it within three feet on three occasions to set up birdies.

  

Delhi’s Chiragh Kumar and Chandigarh’s Abhijit Singh Chadha are in tied fourth at five-under-211 while another Chandigarh golfer Sujjan Singh occupies tied sixth position along with Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow at three-under-213.

Randhawa makes a quadruple-bogey and an eagle

Jyoti Randhawa (68-74-74) fired a disappointing two-over-74 to slip from overnight tied 10^th to tied 15^th position with a total score of even-par-216. Randhawa’s eventful round featured a bogey on the first, a birdie on the third, a rare quadruple-bogey on the par-4 ninth hole and an eagle on the par-5 13^th. Jyoti hit it out of bounds twice on the ninth that led to his quadruple-bogey (8). He then recovered some lost ground by hitting the green in two shots on the 13^th and following that up with a 20-feet eagle putt.  

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India’s Role in Regional Co-operation

20092013

India’s Role in Regional Co-operation Is India Ready to Walk the Extra Mile? Thursday, September 26th 2013: 5.00 – 6.30pm iLead Auditorium-Kolkata

As India grows so does its international interests. However India’s core foreign policy imperatives still remain in its immediate neighbourhood. These are a peaceful periphery, which India believes is necessary for its development. For this, India wants its neighbours to join the Indian growth story so they can grow as well. How well has India been able to broaden the stakes of development among its neighbours, and will historical differences cast a shadow on regional cooperation? Is India ready to walk the extra mile to strengthen bridges of friendship and create new opportunities for growth, security and well-being of neighbours both bilaterally and through regional mechanisms? The panelists for this session are Amb. Aloke Sen, Former Ambassador to Myanmar,Major General (Retd) Arun Roye, AVSM, VSM-Founder Director of CENERS, Kolkata and Mr. Shiv Siddhant Narayan Kaul, Managing Director, Nicco Engineering Services Limited. Ms. Indrani Bagchi, Diplomatic Editor, The Times of India will moderate this session. Participation will be by prior registration only.

WHEN Thursday, September 26, 2013 5:00 PM  - 6:30 PM      Followed by High Tea        WHERE iLEAD Institute 113/C/1, Matheshwartala Road, Topsia,, (Ahead of Vishwakarma Building, /Park Regency), Kolkata – 700 046 (To see map and directions, please click here)         RSVP Thursday, September 26, 2013 by 10:00 AM

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Ambassador Aloke Sen – Former Indian ambassador to Myanmar Ambassador Aloke Sen was Indian envoy to Burma until July 2010, when he retired from the Indian Foreign Service.  He earlier held ambassadorial positions in Cambodia and Turkey.   His diplomatic experience spans more than three decades, during which he toured Bangladesh, Canada, Algeria and Uzbekistan, among other countries.  Between April-May 2011,  he was Ambassador-at-Residence at Calcutta University’s Institute of Foreign Policy Studies. Amb. Sen obtained a Bachelors’ degree with Honors in Economics from Presidency College and a Masters’ in English Literature from Bombay University.    Major General (Retd.) Arun Roye AVSM, VSM – Founder Director of CENERS, Kolkata (Centre for Eastern and North Eastern Regional Studies) Major Gen Arun Roye , a graduate of National Defence Academy, was commissioned into the 2nd Battallion the Rajput Regiment in 1967. He saw frontline action in Chhamb in 1971, with the 8th Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry. The unit was the recipient of the highest number of gallantry awards in the Indian Army, and won two battle honours in the same operation. He commanded a frontline Mountain Brigade facing the Chinese on the Watershed in Sikkim, and went onto become the General Officer Commanding of the frontline Desert Division in Gujarat and Rajasthan during OP Parakram facing Pakistan. He held the appointment of the ADG Assam Rifles under the MHA in the North East.  He has also held the diplomatic assignment of Military and Defence Advisor in USA. He was designated as the senior member of the Joint Working Group with China on Anti- Terrorism by the MHA. Qualified in Higher Command from Army War College, a graduate in Defence Studies from Chennai University, he followed up his MBA from IIMM Delhi with a degree in Strategic Management  from College of Defence Management. He is presently the Executive Director and Secretary, of the Research Centre for Eastern and North Eastern Regional Studies Kolkata, CENERS-K for short.   Shiv Siddhant Narayan Kaul – Managing Director, Nicco Engineering Services Limited Mr Kaul is the Vice President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Managing Director of Nicco Engineering Services Limited, part of the Nicco group of companies which has activities in cable manufacturing, theme parks and specialty industrial maintenance services. After school at St. Xaviers Kolkata, he received a BA from the College of Wooster and a MSE from Princeton University in the US. While at Princeton he taught as a graduate instructor and was published in The Journal of Alternative Investments. Mr Kaul worked for over 4 years in New York at Bank of America’s, Capital Markets Group, rising to be a Vice President of Fixed-Income trading prior to joining the Nicco Group in Kolkata.   Indrani Bagchi – Diplomatic Editor, Times of India Indrani is Diplomatic Editor with The Times of India, where she reports and analyses foreign policy issues for the newspaper. Indrani covers daily news on foreign affairs in the foreign office, as well as interpret and analyze global trends with an Indian perspective. She writes news stories as well as opinion articles, news features, a blog, “Globespotting” and a fortnightly column for The Times of India Crest edition. The subjects she covers are diverse: India’s neighbourhood, US, China, Pakistan, terrorism, nuclear weapons, national security issues etc. She joined the Times of India in 2004. Earlier, Indrani was associate editor, also covering foreign affairs for India Today. Indrani started her journalism career in The Statesman where she was the weekend editor, before moving to The Economic Times in Calcutta to edit the Metro Magazine. Having graduated from Loreto College, Calcutta University with English Honours, Indrani has been a Reuters Fellow, in Oxford University (1996). In 2010, India was awarded the Chang Lin-Tien fellowship by the Asia Foundation to study US-China relations at Brookings Institution, Washington DC. She is a Fellow of the Third Generation Class of Aspen India’s Leadership Initiative.

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North East Design Festival kicks off in Delhi

20092013

North East Design Fest kicks off in Delhi to showcase N E India talents to the world

- Bollywood stars Minisha Lamba, Sonal Chauhan walk the ramp supporting and expressing their solidarity to the talents of North East Region

New Delhi, 19 September, 2013: North East Design Fest - a mega four day festival comprising of Fashion shows, Cultural program and Exhibitions of Handloom, Handicrafts, Jute, MSME sector of the North East Region kicks off  in New Delhi today. The aim of the festival is to create an interaction of ideas, provide an international standard marketing forum and a unique platform to showcase NE IndiaⳠtextiles and artisans who have come not only with their handlooms, but also- Jute, Khadi, Coirboard, Assam Silk and handicrafts as well. The leading institute of Assam, North East Institute of Fashion Technology (NEIFT) is  organizing North East Design Fest which will be ongoing till 22 September, 2013.

Day one of North East Design Fest witnessed three fashion shows highlighting Handloom and Handicrafts Ensemble by designers Meghna Rai Medhi, Aji Semy Rengma and Mona Pali. The inaugural performance of the festival was a Sattriya Dance performed by Sanjukta Barooah. Rock band group Featherhead performed folk & rock fusion.

North East Region of the country with the eight beautiful, exotic and to an extent unexplored states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and  Sikkim has a strong history of its traditional textiles and handicrafts which forms an integral element of  its socio- economic structure of the societies.

The festival will act as a curtain raiser to showcase the talents of Designers, Performing artists, Artisans, Craftsmen, Weavers coming from different parts of the versatile North East region. People of the capital will get an opportunity to interact with this wonderful talented young visionaries and this shall create a bridge of understanding and mutual growth of thought process between NER and mainstream.

North East Design Fest was inaugurated by  Srimati Pranatee Phukan, Minister of Handloom and Textiles Government of Assam.

Delhi Fashion connoisseurs rarely gets an opportunity to witness talented designers from NER like Aji Semy, Meghna Rai Medhi, Boney Darang, Rinzing Choden, Charlee Lalthlenmawia, Melody Runremsangi, Vianney Nongrum, etc who will create kaleidoscopic magic in psychedelic coloured weaved textiles and crafts of the rich traditional design methodology of NER.

To create a fusion of Pan India and NER, designers such as- Meghna Rai Medhi, Boney Darang, Charlee Lalthlenmawia, Monapali, Agnimitra, Gauranga have been roped in to  display their collections along with the NER designers. Bollywood stars Minisha Lamba, Sonal Chauhan with others walked the ramp supporting and expressing their solidarity to the talents of North East.

Mr Vikram Rai Medhi, Event Director said, ㅩghty number of stalls being erected at Select CITYWALK which will showcase and create a mini North East for cross section of the society of Delhi and this will create an element of positive awareness and curiosity of our region which will thereby also play a role in the development in the Tourism sector. We appeal to all culture loving people of Delhi and the media to wholeheartedly support this humble and sincere effort closer to the mainstream.伯span>

The festival is presented by Ministry of Textiles with the support of Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Home Affairs – departments of Handloom and Textiles of govt. of Assam & govt. of Arunachal Pradesh in association with Select CITYWALK.

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20092013

We will soon make a representation to the IOA and ask them to make sports administration in India corruption-free Sign Our Petition Dear Naresh -     A few days ago, I sent you a mail about our campaign for a corruption-free sports administration in India. I am overwhelmed by the support of more than 25,000 signatures on our petition. Sign the petition. I have some great news to share with you. The Indian Olympics Association (IOA) now has to ensure that ‘charge-framed and convicted individuals’ cannot contest the IOA elections. They were directed to do so by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) 2 weeks ago. However, the fight is not over. India is still banned from the Olympics and Indian athletes cannot represent the country at any sporting event organised by the IOC. This ban will be lifted only if the Indian Olympics Association ensures that corrupt people cannot take part in its elections and become sports administrators. We will soon make a representation to the IOA and convey the sentiments of thousands of Indian athletes and sports lovers. We will ask them to make sports administration in India corruption-free by stopping ‘charge-framed and convicted individuals’ from IOA contesting elections. Sign Ajay’s petition to support our campaign. If thousands of us sign his petition, the members of the IOA will know that they cannot ignore people’s demand for corruption-free sports administration in India. Forward this to your friends urging them to join the fight for corruption-free sports administration in India. Thank you for taking action, Abhinav Bindra via Change.org     Sign Our Petition

Posted 7 minutes ago by Naresh Kumar Sagar

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20092013

Press Invite:

Gulail is releasing a path-breaking investigation into the shocking subversion of truth and justice by the Maharashtra ATS.

The half an hour film cut from over 10 hours of sting footage will be shown at 3pm at Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Azaad Maidan, Mumbai, on the 20th September 2013.

Please send your representative/reporter to cover the event.

Ashish Khetan
Editor, Gulail.