“China as a World Power”

“China as a World Power” Wednesday, October 9; 2013: 6.00 – 7.00 pm. WWF Auditorium, 172-B, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi

Never before in the history of the world has any country amassed power as quickly as China has, over the past quarter century. What were the key steps in the accumulation of this power, both economic and military, and what role did other countries, such as the United States, play in China's rise? What are the key issues facing other countries now as they try to cope with China?  Will China be able to continue its steady rise, or will a host of new economic and social problems threaten its economic growth? Chinese workers are growing increasingly unhappy with low wages and poor treatment of urban migrants. Meanwhile, there seems to be growing discontent among middle-class Chinese over air pollution, internet censorship and tainted food and water. Will the Chinese regime be able to hold things together? Aspen Institute India invites you to an interaction with Mr James Mann, author-in-residence at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, to answer and also share his perspectives on the above set of questions. Mr. Mann is spending two months as the Avantha Senior Fellow at Aspen Institute India. The session will be Chaired by Mr Shyam Saran, Chairman, National Security Advisory Board & Former Foreign Secretary of India. Participation is restricted and will be by prior registration only. Registration begins at 5.30 pm.

WHEN Wednesday, October 9, 2013 6:00 PM  - 7:00 PM      WHEREWWF Auditorium, 172-B, Lodhi EstateNew Delhi – 110003      RSVPWednesday, October 9, 2013 by 10:00 AM

Please respond by clicking one of the buttons below

James Mann – Author-in-residence at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and Avantha Senior Fellow at Aspen India James Mann is a Washington-based author who has written a series of award-winning books about American foreign policy and about China. He is a former newspaper reporter, foreign correspondent and columnist who wrote for more than twenty years for the Los Angeles Times. His work was awarded the Edward Weintal Prize in 1999 for distinguished career-long coverage of foreign policy. He is now an author-in-residence at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Mann’s best-known work is Rise of the Vulcans: A History of Bush’s War Cabinet. Published in 2004, the book became a New York Times best-seller. Another of Mann’s books is The Rebellion of Ronald Reagan, which re-examines the role Ronald Reagan played in the end of the Cold War. The book won the 2010 Ambassador Book Award of the English-Speaking Union of the United States. His latest book is The Obamians: The Struggle Inside The White House to Redefine American Power (2012) Mann, a former Beijing correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, has also written three books about America’s relationship with China. The first, Beijing Jeep, is the story of a single American company and its frustrations starting to do business in China. Fortune magazine book placed the book on its list of 75 all-time greatest books for business executives to read. The second, About Face: A History of America’s Curious Relationship with China, From Nixon to Clinton, narrates the history of America’s diplomacy with China, starting in the late 1960s. The book won the New York Public Library’s Helen Bernstein award for best book of the year (2000). The third book, The China Fantasy, is a critique of the notion that trade will lead to democracy in China. It was listed by The Washington Post’s Book World as one of the best books of the year (2007). Mann graduated from Harvard College and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.   Shyam Saran – Chairman, National Security Advisory Board & Former Foreign Secretary of India Shyam Saran is a career diplomat and is currently Chairman of the National Security Advisory Board.  Since joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1970, he has served in Beijing, Tokyo and Geneva.  He has been India’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Indonesia and Nepal and High Commissioner to Mauritius. In the Ministry of External Affairs, Shyam Saran headed the Economic Division and the Multilateral Economic Division and also headed the East Asia Division which handles relations with China and Japan.  As a Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office in 1991/92, he advised the Prime Minister on foreign policy, nuclear and defence related issues. Saran was appointed India’s Foreign Secretary in 2004 and he held that position till his retirement in September 2006. Subsequently, he was appointed Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Indo-US civil nuclear issues and later as Special Envoy and Chief Negotiator on Climate Change. Shyam Saran is also Co-Chair on the Indian side on the India-Asean Eminent Persons’ Group.  Saran also serves as Chairman, Research and Information System for Developing Countries. He speaks and writes regularly on a variety of  subjects. He is currently serving as an Independent Director on the Boards of Wipro, ONGC (Videsh) and Indian Oil respectively. He is a member, Board of Trustees of World Wildlife Fund (India). In 2011, Shyam Saran was awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Telangana nod: Bandh hits normal life in Seemandhra

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Updated on : 04-10-2013 12:32 PM

Normal life was paralysed in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh as the 48-hour bandh in protest against the Union Cabinet’s decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh began on Friday morning.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has convened an emergency meeting on Friday afternoon with ministers, MPs, MLCs and MLAs from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema to discuss the developments following the Cabinet’s decision.  The united-Andhra supporters blocked highways and enforced closure of shops and other commercial establishments and educational institutions in the two regions.  The protesters organised rallies and sit-ins at important junctions at several towns.  The pro-united Andhra employees of Andhra Pradesh government, including the staff of state-run Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), have already been on strike since mid-August.  Sporadic incidents of public and private property, including offices of ruling Congress, being attacked also came in from districts like Srikakulam, Kadapa and Chittoor.  The 48-hour shut down was called by the Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers (APNGOs) and other united-Andhra supporters.  YSR Congress called for a 72-hour bandh separately. A clash took place in Anantapur district between the workers of TDP and YSR Congress in the town.  TDP MLA Paritala Sunita alleged that YSRCP activists tried to stop them during a protest and also threw stones. Union HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju and filmstar-turned- politician and Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi have offered to quit protesting the Cabinet decision last night. Media reports said some Congress MPs and other senior leader are contemplating quitting the Congress in protest against the move to divide Andhra Pradesh.

Protests in Seemandhra region natural

Updated on : 04-10-2013 02:28 PM

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Friday described the protests in Seemandhra region against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh as quite natural, saying wherever a new state is carved out, such feelings are bound to come.

Shinde also ruled out the possibility of creating any more states in the country.  “We will take them into confidence. We will try our level best. After all, wherever there is bifurcation of any state, such feelings are there. It is natural. No one can avoid these. But we have to console them. We will try to console them,” he told reporters here.  He was commenting on the protests in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh and the 48-hour bandh called after the Union Cabinet’s decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.  The united-Andhra supporters blocked highways and enforced closure of shops and other commercial establishments and educational institutions in the two regions. Asked about the demands for separate states in other parts of the country, the Home Minister said the central government has no plans to do anything on such demands.  “Now we have considered Telangana. Nothing more than that,” he said.  The Home Minister dismissed the suggestion that the Naxal problem may increase in the new state Telangana once it comes into existence.  “The Naxal problem is there. But Andhra Pradesh is one state where we have done excellent work in curbing Naxalism. I am quite confident that even after formation of Telangana, they will completely cut down the activities of Naxalites,” he said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has called for an emergency meeting at on Friday with ministers, MPs, MLCs and MLAs from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema to discuss the developments following the Union Cabinet’s approval of bifurcation of the state.

A decision on en masse resignation by ministers and legislators is expected to be taken at the meeting. At least five ministers and some legislators met at the Chief Ministers’ Residential Complex here late tonight and strongly condemned the Union Cabinet’s decision. Andhra Pradesh ministers and legislators from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema said the Union Cabinet’s decision to divide the state was “against the spirit of the Constitution”. “It’s a black day in democracy,” they said. Some ministers also met the Chief Minister at his camp office. Though the ministers and several legislators expressed willingness to quit their posts and also from Congress, the Chief Minister reportedly prevailed on them not to take such a step. “We have to defeat the resolution (on the state bifurcation) when it comes to the assembly,” Kiran reportedly told them.

After Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi, Union HRD Minister Pallam Raju resigned from his post on Friday morning after the Centre cleared the creation of a separate Telangana state from out of Andhra Pradesh. Bandh and protests continue in the Seemandhra region.

Over two months after the Congress Working Committee put its seal of approval, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Home Ministry for creation of the 29th state and decided to set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to work out modalities.  “The Cabinet has given its approval for the creation of a new state of Telangana,” Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters after the meeting that lasted more than two hours.  He said it was decided that Hyderabad will be the common capital of the two bifucated states for 10 years.  After the creation of the new state, the security and guarantees including fundamental rights of the people of coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana will be ensured, he said.  The Cabinet approved a GoM that will go into the issue of a special financial disbursement that may be required from the central government for the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, for building its capital and to cater to special needs of the backward regions.  The new state will have a geographical area of 10 of the 23 districts of undivided Andhra Pradesh.  The decision brings to fruition the announcement made by the then Home Minister P Chidambaram on 9th December 2009 for creation of Telangana.

Jagan for indefinite fast against Telangana from tomorrow

Updated on : 04-10-2013 12:46 PM

YSR Congress Party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy called for an indefinite fast from Saturday in protest against the Union Cabinet’s approval for creation of Telangana as the 29th state.

Holding the ruling Congress and main opposition TDP responsible for the decision, he demanded that all Lok Sabha members from Seemandhra regions quit, so that the process of division could be halted. He took exception to Centre’s decision to go ahead with the division without taking on board the resolution of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He recalled that Assembly resolutions were passed when the states of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand were formed. Future course of action by YSRCP would be decided soon, he said.

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Gujarat Economy STAGNANT, Corruption in MNREGA, JNNURM – CAG 

Gujarat Economy STAGNANT, Corruption in MNREGA, JNNURM – CAG
October04, 2013

Stagnant no growth in Income Tax Collection this year – 23% below
estimates point to WORST economic situation in India.

First Gujarat Industry is STAGNANT since 2009-10 and Last Drought Year
Was Severe and Heavy Floods & Rains had affected crops in Gujarat.

CAG slammed Gujarat for not implementing Child Care Programs against
75 thousand Angawadi workers 50 were engaged.

Gold and Diamond traders Fabricating Bills to get higher Bank Credits
in Gujarat.

There is Corruption in implementation of MNREGA and JNNURM programs.

In last story Banaskantha Dairy is giving just Rs.30 for full cream
milk against Rs.35 and also giving less share of profits at 6% against
13% by other established dairies.

Ravinder Singh
Progressindia008@yahoo.com

State’s I-T collection falls short of target
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: Half yearly (H1) figures for income tax (I-T) collection
indicate that a recession is creeping into Gujarat’s economy. The
target the IT department set for financial year 2013-14 is Rs 31,880
crore against which realization in the first six months is only Rs
12,091 crore.

    The I-T department had realized collections of Rs 11,200 crore in
the first six months of the Financial Year 2012-13. Though the
collection has slightly gone up this year, the IT department has
fallen much short of the targeted 23% growth.

    S K Ray, chief commissioner of Income Tax, Ahmedabad says, “Though
collection of income tax is 8% higher than the previous year, as of
now we are far behind our targeted growth. The festive season is one
of the chief reasons behind the slowdown in collection, especially in
Gujarat, we are hoping collections pick up after Diwali.”

    The main reason for the slowdown seems to be the liquidity crunch
in the market. Vijay Shah, a real estate developer and chairman of
Urban and Infrastructure Committee of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and
Industry believes,

“Instances like the NSEL crisis have hindered the flow of money into
all industries. The projects are thus delayed for six months or a
year. This will definitely bring tax collection down but in the long
run it is going to take a positive shape.”

CAG slap follows Rajan rebuke
Modi Government Slammed For Bungling Women, Child Welfare Schemes
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Gandhinagar: The country’s apex auditing agency, the Comptroller &
Auditor General of India, has slammed the Gujarat government in its
latest report on social indicators, with censure that recalls the
criticism of Gujarat by Raghuram Rajan. CAG notes that every third
child in Gujarat is reported underweight; a report by a panel led by
Rajan — now the RBI governor — had placed Gujarat in the category of
“less developed” states in a new development index.

    CAG has pointed out that basic amenities were unavailable in some
instances that involved Anganwadi Centers. It has also criticized the
poor implementation in Gujarat of an initiative of the Centre — the
Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) — that seeks to promote
holistic development in kids, expectant and lactating mothers, and
adolescent girls.

    “Against the requirement of 75,480 AWCs, 52,137 (69%) AWCs were
sanctioned and 50,225 AWCs were in operation,” CAG observes. “Thereby,
a population of 1.87 crore was deprived of the benefits of ICDS.
Though GOI directed the state in November 2008 to submit proposal for
additional projects based on revised population criteria, no proposal
was forwarded by the state.’’ In 123 projects in 8 districts, basic
amenities (building, safe drinking water, and toilets) were not
available in 9% to 40% of AWCs, CAG says. ‘Irregularities in MNREGA
implementation too’

Gandhinagar: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has brought
out several irregularities in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) in the state. It has
revealed deficiencies in planning and implementation of the act. The
CAG has found that the utilization of funds was not optimal and there
were deficiencies in financial management like incorrect financial
reporting, unspent balances lying, booking of advance payment as final
expenditure, among other things. There were also discrepancies in
registration of households and issues of job cards. Several instances
of suspected payments and ghosts workers were also noticed. Vigilance,
monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were found to be ineffective. TNN

CAG also notes that every third child in Gujarat is underweight

‘State failed to carry out urban development reforms’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Gandhinagar:The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has
slammed Gujarat government for failing to carry out stipulated urban
development reforms.

    In its latest report on local bodies in the state, CAG has said,
“The performance audit on implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National
Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) revealed that the stipulated urban
reforms had not been implemented fully in the state.”

    It pointed out that implementation of JNNURM was deficient in
planning and the detailed project reports were prepared without
addressing all issues. It has highlighted irregularities worth around
Rs 132 crore in JNNURM works in the state. “Instance of award of work
to second lowest agencies after post-tender negotiations, injudicious
rejections of tenders, cost overruns and loss of central assistance
were noticed. In some cases, works were not taken up due to failure of
urban local bodies to arrange land and provide alternate or transit
accommodation for slum dwellers. Projects already under execution were
included in the Mission — against scheme guidelines. Monitoring
mechanism was also not effective,” the report says.

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Lalu Prasad gets five years in jail, Mishra four

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RJD leader Lalu Prasad was on Thursday sentenced to five years imprisonment in a 17-year-old fodder scam case by a special CBI court after he was convicted on corruption and other charges four days back.

The sentencing by special CBI judge Pravas Kumar Singh disqualifies Prasad from Parliament and renders him ineligible for contesting elections for 11 years. 65-year-old Prasad and other convicts are currently lodged in the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi. The former Bihar Chief Minister, who was convicted on September 30 dealing a body blow to RJD ahead of next Lok Sabha polls, was also fined Rs 25 lakhs. Another former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra was sentenced to four years imprisonment in the case. Six other politicians and four IAS officers, among the convicted, were also sentenced to prison terms for fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 37.7 crore from Chaibasa treasury when Prasad was heading the RJD government in the early 1990s. Of the 45 convicts, the judge had delivered the sentence against eight of them on September 30 itself. Earlier on Thursday, arguments on the quantum of sentence Prasad and 36 other convicts were completed in the special court here with CBI seeking maximum prison term of up to seven years for them. The counsel of Yadav, Mishra, sitting JD(U) MP Jagdish Sharma, former legislator R K Rana and others had pleaded for lesser sentence. Former Development Commissioner Phoolchand Singh, former Science and Technology Secretary Mahesh Prasad, former AHD Secretary Beck Juleus, former Income Tax Commissioner Adhip Chandra Choudhary, former Class I officers Gouri Shankar Prasad, Brajnandan Sharma, K M Prasad (all three were with the Animal Husbandry Department) and other officials, suppliers were among those found guilty. A sitting from Jahanabad, Sharma also faces disqualification in the wake of a Supreme Court judgement that an MP or MLA would stand disqualified immediately if convicted by a court for crimes with punishment of two years or more and under some other laws even without jail sentence. RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha has said that the verdict would be challenged in a higher court. None of the convicts was present in the court and the sentencing was done through video conferencing. The special court had earlier granted bail to eight of the convicts as they had been sentenced to three years imprisonment, a prison term that allows them to move for bail in the same court. The convicts were sentenced under IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of a valuable security/will or authority to make or transfer any valuable security/receive any money), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 477A (fraudulently destroying or defacing, or attempting to destroy or deface, or secreting a will). They were also found guilty under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Prasad had begun arguments on September 9 and had closed them on September 17 after the Supreme Court turned down his request to transfer the case to another court alleging political conspiracy. Following the fodder scam, Prasad had to resign as the Chief Minister of Bihar. After installing his wife Rabri Devi as the Chief Minister, Yadav had surrendered before a court in Patna on July 31, 1997. Later, he came to Ranchi following a court order that Ranchi had jurisdiction in the case. The Becon Guest House was converted to a camp jail in Ranchi before he was shifted to the old Birsa Munda Jail at Circular Road. After Jharkhand’s bifurcation on November 15, 2000, litigations were brought before the Supreme Court whether the Patna High Court had the jurisdiction on the cases in this part of the undivided Bihar and trial was stayed for a year till December 2001. The apex court had said in November, 2001 that trial would be conducted by special courts in Ranchi. Trial in Ranchi began in March, 2002 by seven special courts. Prasad’s counsel had examined 29 witnesses in his defence. But when the defence continued to skip dates, the court fixed July 15 for delivering the verdict and asked the accused to complete arguments by July 1. Subsequently, Prasad moved the Supreme Court pleading shifting of his case from the court of Pravas Kumar Singh on the ground of political conspiracy, which the apex court struck down, paving the way for the first judgement against Prasad.

Dish TV brings Entertainment Anywhere Anytime with ‘DishOnline’

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New Delhi, 3^rd October 2013: In line with its long term vision to own all video platforms for TV viewing irrespective of the screen, Dish TV, Asia’s largest DTH service provider today announced the launch of an innovative path-breaking service which will redefine TV viewing in India. Maintaining its highly differentiated and customer centric approach, the DTH industry leader will provide its  family of 15 million subscribers a unique TV viewing experience with the launch of its online application “DishOnline”. It is for the first time that a DTH player launched a full-fledged OTT (Over the top) streaming application that will provide ‘unlimited entertainment ON THE GO’. It is a huge delight for passionate TV viewers as they can now carry their TV along and enjoy it‘anytime, anywhere’. This will be a huge deal for passionate TV viewers as they will now be able to carry their TV along and enjoy it anytime anywhere.

DishOnline is a first-of-its-kind online video streaming service wherein a viewer has the option of going beyond watching TV on a TV screen on to devices such assmartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.

DishOnline subscribers can enjoy their TV in four forms i.e. Live TV, Movies, TV shows and Videos. The movie library includes over 1000+ Hollywood and Bollywood movies. The application can be accessed from Google Playstore or Apple App Store.

There will be two DishOnline packs – the JUMBO Pack at Rs. 129/- which will include –all live TV channels + all Movies + all shows+ all videos and the STARTER pack at Rs.49/- which will include all movies + all shows+ all videos.

As an introductory offer, the same will be available at Rs. 69/- and Rs. 29/- respectively.

Announcing this development, Mr. R.C Venkateish, Chief Executive Officer, Dish TV India said, “As industry leaders and pioneers of the DTH sector, we continue to reinvent and redefine the market with thought leadership to be ahead of the pack. DishOnline is a unique service for all those valued subscribers who want to keep in touch with their favourite shows and programmes even when on the move. We are delighted to offer them the world of unlimited entertainment on the go. This initiative will translate into huge competitive advantage for Dish TV as it is the only service provider in the cable TV and DTH industry to offer this one-of-a-kind facility.”

To offer the most advanced online TV viewing experience, ‘DishOnline’ is powered by Ditto TV- India’s premier online streaming portal.

Existing Dish TV subscribers will be able to access channels across genres – general entertainment channels, sports, Hindi movies, English movies, music, devotional, infotainment and regional – through DishOnline. Some of the popular channels like Zee TV, Sony, Sab, Zee Cinema, Zee Studio, Zee Cafe, Ten Action, Ten Cricket, Zee News, Aaj Tak, BBC, Sony Mix, Masti, Zee Marathi, Zee Tamil and Zee Telugu will now be available on this application.

For further information, please contact:

Tushar Singh – +91-88005 11577 / Tushar.singh@loweandpartners.com

Rimsha Bahl – +91- 99990 11667/ Rimsha.bahl@loweandpartners.com

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4102013

FDI IN E -COMMERCE WILL BE STRONGLY OPPOSED – CAIT

 

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has strongly objected to any move of the Government to allow FDI in retail in e-commerce. It is nothing but a back door entry to global retailers which will facilitate them to side step restrictions in Multi Brand retail since e-commerce has no geographical restrictions-said CAIT National President Mr. B.C.Bhartia and Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal, in a joint statement released here today at New Delhi.

 

Both Mr. Bhartia and Mr. Khandelwal said that as per media reports, the DIPP Department of Ministry of Commerce is preparing a note for allowing FDI in e-commerce and  the CAIT along with more than 20 thousand Trade Associations, Federations and Chamber of Commerce across the Country will strongly oppose any such proposal. “ We have failed to understand that why so far the Ministry of Commerce has never thought of preparing any proposal to strengthen the domestic trade which is second largest employment generating sector in the Country whereas on the other hand off and on ways and means are being contemplated by the Govt for providing greater access of Indian retail market to global retailers”-said Mr. Bhartia and Mr. Khandelwal.

 

FDI in retail in e commerce will not only circumvent the rules prescribed for FDI in retail but will also hamper the trade and commerce conducted by not only the traders but even by the MSME sector. It will also distort the taxation system since the e-tailers will be registered with taxation department in one state but will be entitled to trade across the Country without seeking registration with tax authorities in other states and will be free to deliver material in another state with paying the local tax of the concerned state whereas on the other hand the traders or the MSMEs need to obtain separate registration in each state if they conduct business activities in more than one state-said both trade leaders.

 

There are about more than 5 crore business enterprises in retail trade of India which is contributing about 15% to National GDP with an annual growth of 15% with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 lakh crores of rupees and more than 22 crores of people are dependent upon retail trade for their livelihood where as on the other hand the MSME sector in India currently contributes around 9 per cent of GDP, accounts for around 36 per cent of the total value of exports and provides employment to over 8 crore persons through more than 3.6 crore enterprises. Also the sector has been growing consistently above 10 per cent for the last five years.

 

The FDI in e-commerce will greatly hamper the existing retail trade and MSME sector and will wreck the already dilapidated economic condition of the Country and as such the trading community will oppose any move of the Government to allow FDI in retail in e-commerce.

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4102013

India’s Human Capital Index ranked at 78^th position

India ranks 78^th out of 122 countries on the Human Capital Index due to lower ranks in creating an enabling environment, education, health and wellness

According to The Human Capital Report of World Economic Council, India ranks 78^th out of 122 countries on Human Capital Index with Switzerland topping the index while Yemen was at the bottom.

The index measures countries on their ability to develop and deploy healthy, educated and able workers through four distinct pillars – (i) education, (ii) health and wellness, (iii) workforce and employment and (iv) enabling environment.

India’s Human Capital Index so far

Pillars of index	Ranking
workforce and employment	49
education	63
enabling environment	67
health and wellness	112

While India performs well on the Workforce and Employment pillar with a ranking of 49^th while holding only 112^th position for Health and Wellness. It ranked 67^th in creating an enabling environment and 63^rd in the area of education. In the area of workforce and employment, India fared poorly with regard to gender gap in economic participation, with a rank of 107. India ’s high prevalence of stunting and wasting, low scores in sanitation and hygiene and second–to–bottom rank on the health gender gap indicator are some of the variables driving down the scores for India .

Meanwhile the developed nations presented a mixed picture with Germany at rank 6, followed by United Kingdom at 8, Japan at 15 and USA at rank 16.

Warm Regards,

Dr. S P Sharma

Chief Economist

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AirAsia wins seventh ‘Best Asian Low Cost Carrier’ award from TTG!

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AirAsia wins seventh ‘Best Asian Low Cost Carrier’ award from TTG!                        SEPANG, 4 OCTOBER 2013 – AirAsia is on a winning streak with the Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier award from TTG, Asia-Pacific’s leading travel news publisher, being the latest accolade received by the airline. The award was presented to AirAsia at the 24th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2013 in Bangkok yesterday, the seventh Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier award for the airline since its first same category win in 2005. AirAsia Thailand Director of Business Development, M.L. Bovornovadep Devakula,represented the AirAsia Group to receive the award. AirAsia Group CEO, Tony Fernandes said, “Winning the Best Asian Low-Cost Airline award for the seventh time is truly amazing! Ever since AirAsia was established nearly 12 years ago, we always strive to provide the best services and products to our guests, along with various innovative aspects in our business to make travelling easier and pleasurable. We would like to thank TTG once again for the honour, and of course our guests and industry insiders for voting us as the best. We will not rest on our laurels, but instead continue to work hard to maintain our position as the market leader in the industry.” AirAsia was presented with the Best Asian Low Cost Carrier award for providing the best service, network and schedules, along with having the most professional sales and marketing team in terms of innovative ideas, incentive programmes and servicing. Voters also acknowledged the airline for being most agent-friendly in terms of reservations, confirmations and commission payments. TTG Asia Media Managing Director, Darren Ng said, “AirAsia’s achievement of defending their title as Best Low-Cost Carrier is truly an accomplishment. Their win again this year affirms AirAsia’s reputation in the region’s travel trade as being among the industry’s best.” Now a seven-time winner of the award, AirAsia was first awarded the Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier title from TTG in 2005, followed by straight wins from 2008 to 2013. In 2009, Tony Fernandes was named ‘Travel Personality of the Year’ by the editorial board of TTG. The Best Asian Low Cost Carrier award from TTG adds to other accolades garnered by the airline recently. Last month, AirAsia was honoured by the China Air-Finance Award Ceremony Awards Committee with ‘The First China Domestic A320 Aircraft Export Leasing Business Innovation Award’, in recognition of the airline’s groundbreaking aircraft leasing deal with the ICBC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd, the most innovative and globalized financial leasing company in China. AirAsia was also presented with the ‘Best Low-Cost Airline’ award by BusinessTraveller Asia-Pacific for the second time in succession, a nod to the airline’s growing power and its stature as the market leader in the low cost carrier segment.   AirAsia is a household name which has flown over 200 million guests since it was established nearly twelve years ago with a mission to democratize air travel in the region and has been operationally profitable from day one of its launch as a low-cost carrier. The airline now has operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, servicing the most extensive network with 85 destinations. *The TTG Travel Awards has been recognising the best of Asia-Pacific’s travel industry since 1989. This prestigious annual event honours stellar organisations and individuals in 4 categories: Travel Supplier, Travel Agency, Outstanding Achievement and Travel Hall of Fame.  This TTG Travel Trade Publishing event is proudly organised by TTG Asia, with the support of TTG India, TTG China, TTGmice, TTG-BTmice China and TTG Asia Luxury. TTG’s award winners were determined through voting by readers of TTG Travel Trade Publishing’s print and online titles. For 2013, a total of 120,000 valid votes were received from end May to early August.

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4102013

           

An Epic Romance is all set to unfold …

A tryst with a ferocious tiger to spark off
finer feelings between Jodha and Akbar on Zee TV’s historical drama

With Zee TV’s historical magnum opus ‘Jodha Akbar’ having scaled an impressive 8025 TVTs (Television Viewership in Thousands) in Week 38, the show is rapidly racing up the viewership charts and finding its place amongst the top-rated shows on Indian television. It is, in fact, the highest rated historical costume drama on television. It is evident through the show’s success that audiences across the country have loved Zee TV’s interpretation of one of history’s most intriguing chapters.

Zee TV’s ‘Jodha Akbar’ presents viewers with Akbar’s journey from being ‘Akbar the Warrior’ to ‘Akbar the Great’ and the role Jodha played in this transformation. The show captures how Jodha’s love had a calming influence on Akbar, gradually turning the fiery, aggressive braveheart into a benevolent king and a better ruler with great appreciation for art, culture and love for his people.

The show, so far, has captured the trying circumstances that led to Jodha-Akbar’s marriage – how it was a union based on political power-play rather than true love. But the story is now set to take a new turn that will find Jodha and Akbar gradually warming up to each other …!

Over the past few weeks, Akbar (Rajat Tokas)was all set to sentence Jodha (Paridhi Sharma) to death, if it was discovered that she‘s responsible for his first wife Rukaiya’s (Lavina Tandon) miscarriage. However, Akbar learns that Jodha is innocent while it is a lookalike of his trusted advisor Mahamanga (Ashwini Kalsekar) who is behind this act of treason. While out hunting, Jodha is attacked by a tiger. Akbar rushes to her rescue and saves her from the paws of the predator. As Akbar gets brutally injured in the process, Jodha goes to great lengths to nurse him back to health and it is in her tender, loving care that Akbar first finds his heart softening towards his wife. Watch this spark turn into a fire of strong steadfast love that transforms a warrior into a benevolent king as documented through history books.

Ajay Bhalwankar, Head- Content, Hindi GECS, ZEEL said, “We’re extremely glad to see that ‘Jodha Akbar’ has been received so well by the audiences. The success of the show establishes that the audiences are genuinely enjoying and appreciating the unexplored facets of Jodha Akbar’s relationship we’ve brought to the forefront. While the audiences have so far seen the resentment, negativity and misgivings with which Jodha-Akbar’s relationship began, we are now moving into an all-new phase of their relationship where an incident serves as a catalyst and sparks off finer feelings for the first time between the two. The epic romance between the royal couple is all set to unfold and we hope that the audience enjoys this new beginning to Jodha Akbar’s journey of love.”

“The tremendous success of ‘Jodha Akbar’ has reaffirmed my belief that viewers across the country are as fascinated with this epic love story as I have been since day one.  It’s a story about the power of love and its ability to transform someone into a better human being. It is relevant and relatable to present times as well. In India, historicals are more incident-based. But we are focusing on the human stories, characterizations that focus on inter-personal relationships, the politics, how the characters think and communicate. Watching the show grow from a mere thought to being one of the most popular shows on television is extremely fulfilling. I think all the actors and the entire crew of the show are doing a fabulous job! I hope that viewers continue to give us the same love and support all through.” Says Ekta Kapoor, producer, Balaji Telefilms.

Watch the turning point that changes the course of Jodha Akbar’s journey of love on Friday, 7^th October at 8 PM, only on Zee TV.

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Boletín informativo. Viernes 4 de Octubre 2013. Portada EL BARCO NAUFRAGÓ FRENTE A A LAS COSTAS DE LA ISLA ITALIANA DE LAMPEDUSA  Un centenar de inmigrantes muertos  ·La mayoría de ellos son mujeres y niños. ·El balance oficial por ahora es de 93 muertos. ·Tres pesqueros pasaron de largo sin ayudar. ·El Gobierno italiano ha advertido de que la tragedia no es solo un problema del país transalpino sino un “drama europeo” y pide la cooperación del resto de miembros de la UE. ·El Papa califica el naufragio de “vergüenza”. ·ACNUR expresa su “conmoción. ·Amnistía Internacional lamenta que las aguas en torno a la pequeña isla de Lampedusa “han vuelto a convertirse en una tumba para inmigrantes“. No nos ponga en ridículo, Presidente  Por Eduardo Sotillos | Nuestro Presidente ha querido concluir su viaje a Japón rindiendo tributo al gesto del fundador de su partido e ilustre paisano, Manuel Fraga, desafiando los riesgos nucleares en Fukushima… · Joan Coscubiela: Unidad de mercado y sobreproducción legislativa  Se trata de un proyecto que en teoría pretende simplificar la gestión de empresas y “agentes económicos”, pero que como muchas de las Leyes del Gobierno Rajoy… Desmontando la Sanidad Pública  Por Pablo Vaamonde | La OMS afirma que invertir en salud pública es rentable: se atajan las dolencias evitables y se mejoran los indicadores de salud, produciendo un incremento de la capacidad laboral y de la productividad. “TRAS LOS SUCESIVOS RECORTES”  El PSOE pedirá explicaciones al Gobierno sobre el estado del SNS  El PSOE denuncia que, desde el inicio de la actual legislatura, la sanidad pública está sufriendo un conjunto de actuaciones y decisiones por parte del Gobierno que está teniendo “consecuencias negativas” para la calidad asistencial y para el conjunto de los ciudadanos y pacientes. El dato del paro solo anticipa angustia y decepción  Por Enrique Negueruela | Si vemos qué ha ocurrido en los últimos cuatro años, desde 2010, no hablaremos de esperanzas, sino de decepciones: hay 553.342 personas que ya no están afiliadas a la Seguridad Social, más que el año pasado y el peor dato de ese período. LA LOMCE es además una ley contra el profesorado  Por César Arenas Vázquez | Ahora se está desandando lo positivo del camino ya andado para retroceder en dirección a la escuela anterior a 1970, un proyecto caracterizado por recortar y desinvertir en una escuela más selectiva y segregadora, más cutre y más antigua. · Antonio Antón: Empobrecimiento  La reducción global de las pensiones públicas previstas, como se decía, se derivan del impacto de los dos factores aprobados por el Gobierno en su proyecto de reforma… DELEGADA DEL GOBIERNO PARA LA VIOLENCIA DE GÉNERO  No comparece en el Congreso por estar de permiso por matrimonio  La Delegada del Gobierno para la Violencia de Género no explicará en el Congreso los Presupuestos de su departamento por estar de permiso por matrimonio. El PSOE denuncia que el Gobierno, en lugar de ofrecer una fecha alternativa para su comparecencia, envía a otro alto cargo para que le sustituya. · Cándido Marquesán Millán: Siento vergüenza  Está claro, que a la derecha no le gusta la Memoria Histórica, pues ello es tanto como aludir a sus raíces ideológicas y personales… POR EL ‘CASO BÁRCENAS’  Álvarez Cascos pretende que un dirigente de IU le pague 20.000 euros  El ex secretario general y ex tesorero del PP demanda al dirigente y abogado de IU, Enrique Santiago por su “ánimo de despedazarle públicamente” e “imputarle “flirteo con la corrupción” en el caso Bárcenas. “ES OBVIO QUE LOS ANÁLISIS HAN FALLADO”  EQUO pide el cierre definitivo del almacén Castor  EQUO ha reclamado una investigación que aclare si se realizaron o no estudios y qué tipo de estudios, sobre riesgos sismológicos en el proceso de Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental del proyecto Castor. EXIGENCIA DE CONFEDERACIÓN DE CONSUMIDORES Y USUARIOS  Las empresas de energía deben acabar con las estrategias comerciales desleales  CECU vuelve a reclamar a las empresas de energía que controlen las prácticas de los comerciales que los representan y acaben definitivamente con los engaños y la falta de transparencia que sufren los usuarios. CRÓNICAS DE AMÉRICA LATINA | JAVIER M. GONZÁLEZ  Vuelve a deteriorarse la relación entre Argentina y Uruguay  La disputa por la presunta contaminación de una fábrica de papel enfrenta a los dos gobiernos. MODIFICAR / CANCELAR SUSCRIPCIÓN Está recibiendo este boletín tras solicitar este servicio a través de la web de Nueva Tribuna. En cualquier momento puede modificar o cancelar su suscripción accediendo a esta dirección.  Nueva Tribuna Información continua y análisis para una ciudadanía comprometida con los valores de libertad, igualdad y justicia.   © medio digital de información general editado por Página 7 Comunicación S.L. C/ Noblejas, 5 Bajo – 28013 Madrid

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Kuzuzangpola (Hello) everyone!   Autumn has well and truly begun in September. The month also marks the beginning of one of the high seasons for tourism. In commemoration of the season we will be focusing on the capital city Thimphu!   The Kingdom’s capital city is home to approximately 100,000 inhabitants including the Royal family. This bustling little city is the main center of commerce, religion and government in the country.   Thimphu is the most modern city in Bhutan with an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers, however it still retains its’ cultural identity and values amidst the signs of modernization. This month we will step into the living heart of the Thunder Dragon.

WHAT TO SEE The District of Thimphu (Thimphu Dzongkhag) Druk Wangyal Lhakhang and Chortens: Set high atop the mist-wreathed Dochula pass is the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens and Lhakhang (temple).   This site is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass. Known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens - the construction of these 108 chortens was commissioned by the eldest Queen Mother, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.   The Druk Wangyal Festival Ground is located close to the temple and is the site for the annual Dochula Tshechu which takes place every December 13th. The Tshechu is one of the newest religious festivals that has been organized in the country and features fantastic religious dances.   Memorial Chorten: TheNational Memorial Chorten was consecrated on July 28, 1974 in memory of the Third King. It is a monument to the Third Druk Gyalpo and to World Peace.   Visitors will always find elderly Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day. Chorten literally means ‘Seat of Faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments, the ‘Mind of Buddha’.   The chorten is an extraordinary example of Buddhist architecture and artwork with its gorgeous paintings and intricate sculptures.   Folk Heritage Museum:Located in the capital city Thimphu, this museum was established in 2001 and provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life. The Folk Heritage Museum is set inside a three storied, 19th century traditional house.   It gives you a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, in addition to artifacts from rural households. It also displays an impressive collection of typical household objects, tools and equipment. The museum organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits and customs as well as hosting educational programs for children.   The museum also organizes an open air buffet lunch and dinner offering visitors a taste of traditional cuisine. The menu for such arrangements is available at the Museum and consists of a variety of traditional dishes from every region of the Kingdom.   Learn more at:  http://www.tourism.gov.bt/western-bhutan/folk-heritage-museum WHAT TO DO Thimphu Tshechu: One of the biggest festivals in the country is the Thimphu Tshechu. This festival is held in the capital city for three days beginning on 10th day of the 8th month of lunar calendar.   This Tshechu is witnessed by thousands of people many of which travel from neighboring Dzongkhags (districts) to attend the festivities. The actual Tshechu is preceded by days and nights of prayer and rituals to invoke the gods.   See more at:  http://www.tourism.gov.bt/activities/thimphu-tshechu#sthash.ddOMyCq9.dpuf   To farmers, the Tshechu is also seen as a break from farm life. It’s an occasion to celebrate, receive blessings and pray for health and happiness. For more information on the Thimphu Tshechu visit our website at: http://www.tourism.gov.bt/activities/thimphu-tshechu   Thimphu Dromchoe: Besides the annual three day Tshechu, Thimphu also celebrates a one day festival known as heThimphu Dromchoe. The day long festival dates back to the 17th century. It was first introduced by Kuenga Gyeltshen in 1710, who was recognized as the reincarnation of Jampel Dorji, son of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel. The dromchoe is celebrated 3 days prior to the Thimphu Tshechu.   The Dromchoe showcases the sacred dances dedicated to the chief protective deity of Bhutan, Palden Lhamo. Legend has it, that the deity Pelden Lhamo appeared before Kuenga Gyeltshen and performed the dances while he was in meditation. Based on these dances, Kuenga Gyaltshen initiated the Dromchoe.   UPCOMING EVENTS IN BHUTAN Dochula Tshechu (December 13th 2013):The annual Dochula Tshechu is one of the newest Tshechus in the country. It was inaugurated on December 13th, 2011 and takes place every year on the same date.   The festival is unique in that it features newly developed dances that draw inspiration from numerous sources all over the world. The dances are performed on a specially crafted stage that slopes up towards the center to form a high mound.   This unique shape takes full advantage of the dramatic backdrop of the Himalayan mountain range and allows the dancers to loom larger than life.   The Takin Festival (February 2014): The Takin Festival is your once in a lifetime opportunity to get an up close look at Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in their native summer grazing grounds.   Despite being a rare and endangered species around the world, there are still thriving populations of this majestic animal in Bhutan. You won’t want to miss this chance to admire their unique physique and natural agility.   The festival is set in Jigme Dorji National Park, the second largest national preserve in the country. The festival offers visitors numerous attractions including trekking, medicinal hot spring baths and local handicrafts. DID YOU KNOW? Bhutan is a paradise for bird lovers and ornithologists. Over 670 species of birds have been recorded and many more are yet to be discovered. Around 50 species of the known birds are winter migrants. These include ducks, waders, birds of prey, thrushes, finches and buntings.   Learn more at:  http://www.tourism.gov.bt/activities/bird-watching

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	Dear N.K, Thomas Kritzer from Wiener Linien in Austria discusses why balancing technology, procedures and staff can lead to better security. Kritzer links customer experience and the role of staff to raising the standards of security and explains their methods for improving that can be applied elsewhere.   Download the presentation here >  Find out more on: Implications of exploding passenger numbers and current social trends How to raise customer´s perception on security: Experiences and strategies Role of staff in metro systems: from customer service to a widespread security role Staff training: current developments and future needs of operators Download the presentation here >   I hope you find this useful! Enjoy.  Lorna Moffatt Content Executive Total Rail

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HP Expands Designjet Z-series Portfolio

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HP Expands Designjet Z-series Portfolio with New Solution for Copy Shops HP Designjet Z5400 PostScript ePrinter delivers high-quality prints with improved productivity as the industry’s first multi-roll, large-format ePrinter

New Delhi, India, October 03, 2013 — HP today announced the new HP Designjet Z5400 PostScript ePrinter, expanding the HP Designjet Z-series portfolio with the first multi-roll, large-format ePrinter for copy shops.⁽¹⁾ 

The new printer allows customers to increase their print offerings to address a wider range of requests without a large capital investment. It is the best fit solution not just for copy shops, but also for graphics service providers (PSP) and repro houses with graphics & technical (line print) applications.

Copy shops often fulfill urgent and diverse print requests, so they depend on solutions that can produce a large variety of applications quickly and efficiently without compromising quality. The HP Designjet Z5400 PostScript ePrinter ensures copy shops can respond to these demands.

“Our customers are constantly under competitive pressure to differentiate their print offerings and meet tight deadlines,” said Mahesh Soni, Country Manager, Designjet HP GSB India. “To help our customers address these needs, HP continues to deliver innovations built to fit the varying demands of graphic professionals.”

The 44-inch (1.11 meter) device is ideal for printing large-format applications with high image quality, such as posters, photos, canvases, backlit prints, indoor signs, point-of-sale posters, line drawings and maps. The HP ePrinter provides fast delivery of completed print projects with two-roll media and automatic switching features. This increases productivity by reducing time spent changing media as well as downtime in between multiple print jobs.

The HP Designjet Z5400 PostScript ePrinter features HP Multi-Dimensional Smart Drop Placement Technology, providing increased levels of color accuracy for reliable operation. Based on automatic drop detection and intelligent masking capabilities, the technology detects then corrects ink placement errors during printing to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

Driving business growth with increased efficiency and durability

Copy shops can employ HP Instant Printing PRO to preview, crop and easily print PDF, PostScript, HP-GL/2, TIFF and JPEG files. Additionally, the web-connected HP Designjet Z5400features automatic software updates, USB flash drive or email printing, as well as a color touch screen and print preview for quick checking of prints.

The HP Designjet Z5400 PostScript ePrinter allows copy shops to produce durable, water-resistant prints that can last up to 200 years.⁽²⁾ The HP ePrinter uses six HP Photo Inks with three different shades of black to produce quality color and black-and-white images with up to 2400 x 1,200 dots per inch (dpi).

                                                                                                                     

Large-format portfolio expanded with the customer in mind       

With the addition of the HP Designjet Z5400 PostScript ePrinter, HP continues to provide affordable and easy-to-use large-format printing solutions. Designed to deliver high-quality, durable prints with speed, productivity and efficiency, the HP Designjet Z-series printers includes:

·    HP Designjet Z6200 Photo Printer: Ideal for copy shops and print service providers who strive for the highest print quality and maximum speed.⁽³⁾

·    HP Designjet Z5200 PostScript Printer: With eight inks, this device is suited for copy shops that have a demand for high-quality, graphic print jobs with an affordable solution.

·    HP Designjet Z3200 and Z2100 Photo Printers: These two printers, with 12 inks and eight inks, respectively, provide high-impact, long-lasting color prints with a wide color-gamut for pro labs, photography and graphic design professionals. 

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CORROSION A MAJOR THREAT IN INDIA

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Average 3-4% of the country’s GDP affected due to Corrosion

New Delhi, 3^rd October 2013: Corrosion is a major threat to Asset Integrity. In an initiative to strengthen and protect assets and the environment from Corrosion, a mega international conference and expo, CORCON 2013 was inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Praful Patel on 30^th Sept (Monday)  in The Lalit, New Delhi. With the loss due to corrosion worldwide has been estimated at over one trillion US dollars per year or 3.5% of the world’s GDP. Tushar Jhaveri, the first Indian President in history of NACE over 70 years along with Dr. Samir Degan, Chairman of NACE International Gateway India section, Bob Chalker, Executive Director of NACE International (US), Del Doyle, Director of NACE International focused on the developments in the Corrosion Industry and its control.

Mr. Sudhir Vasudeva CMD, ONGC said, “Corrosion is one of the major challenges in developing suitable infrastructure essential for green energy, potable water and clean air-three essentialities required for a a healthy human development index, in which India, as per UNDP report 2013, ranks as low as 136 out of 186 countries. And as the average cost of corrosion is in the order of 3-4% of a country’s GDP, corrosion prevention and co ntrol is imperative for the growth of India.”

The event sees some of the keynote speakers from the best in the industry namely B.C. Tripathi, CMD, GAIL, A.K.Purwaha, CMD EIL and Board of Directors and President and Chairman of NACE International.

R.D Goyal, Director, GAIL said, “Assets must only be safety protected but also their economic life be extended beyond design. Track record in Safety performance and environmental compliances become an important factor in the brand image of the company. Studies reveal that prediction, diagnostics and early corrosion control can save upto 60% of all maintenance and repair costs.”

Dr. Samir Degan, Chairman of NACE said, “In the past corrosion issues were not taking seriously and costs due to corrosion lead to significant expenses in maintenance budgets around the globe.  As corrosion awareness grows, organisations are planning for eliminating these issues in the design stages itself, leading to a reduction of costs in the future.  Platforms like CORCON allow for problems to be discussed and ideas exchanged which leads to increase in corrosion awareness and ultimately should lead to reduction in costs due to corrosion worldwide, which currently are estimated at US 1 trillion per annum.”

This year CORCON had over 1000 delegates from across the spectrum of all industries for the four day event from 30 September to 3rd October 2013. It witnessed over 20 countries participation which gives it a truly global outlook.

Ajay Singha, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce in India,said, “India loses more than USD 40 billion a year- about 4% of the size of the total economy –due to corrosion in infrastructure and industry segments.”

The International Expo was inaugurated on 1^st October and the technical program included symposia on key themes on the context of corrosion and its control which were discussed with the President and Chairman of NACE along with Board of Directors. These includes Reinforced Concrete, Coatings and Linings, Catholic and Anodic Protection, Materials and Composites, Microbial Corrosion and Inhibitors, Corrosion Monitoring and Testing, Corrosion in Transportation, Research in Progress, Marine and Offshore Corrosion, Power Plants and Utilities Corrosion in Refinery, Petrochemical, Chemical and Fertilizer Industries, Corrosion in Military and Aerospace Systems and Facilities, Students Session and Residual Life Assessment in Industries.

 In order to appreciate the work done by the corrosion fraternity, NACE distributed Corrosion Awareness Awards on 2nd October to acknowledge the contributions of the individuals and organizations.  Padamshree Dr. Baldev Raj was awarded for Life Time Achievement Award for his significant contribution to the activities for the growth & development of NACE International & NIGIS, Corrosion Science & Technology, and Corrosion Awareness in India.  The event was concluded by Valedictory session along with keynote speakers of the industry. It is endorsed by US Commercial Services Department and supported by the American Chambers of Commerce.

About NACE International India Gateway

Established in 1992, the NACE International India Gateway with over 1100 members is the fourth largest in the world, after USA, Canada and China. The India section is part of the East Asia and Pacific Rim area which is one of the eight areas of NACE. This is the second largest area and the fastest growing area compared to North America, where the membership is very large. The profile of members in our area is that they are younger and more educated and therefore NACE looks to this area for impetus and growth worldwide. From March 1, 2013, Mr Tushar Jhaveri has taken over as President NACE International he is the first Indian to be President of NACE International.

For registrations write to support@corcon.org / admin@corcon.org

For any further information please contact:

Neeraj Shorya, Team Leader, 9310333595, neeraj@impactpr.in

Parul Kohli, P R Associate 8010133598, parul@impactpr.in

Impact Public Relations Pvt. Ltd.

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Delhi gears up for Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2013

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Delhi gears up for its biggest annual celebration: Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2013

The 2013 edition of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon will be held on 15^th December and is now open for registrations

                                 

New Delhi, 3^rd October 2013: Registrations for the 2013 edition of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (ADHM), the worldⳠmost prestigious half marathon, were announced open during a press conference held in the capital city. This yearⳠADHM will be held on 15^th December 2013 at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi and mark the 6^th consecutive year of this annual sporting eventⳠsuccess. 

Celebrating the human spirit once again, ADHM 2013 is expected to see participation from over 30,000 sports loving Delhi-ites (including professional athletes, serious runners, health and fitness enthusiasts) who will run alongside some of the worldⳠbest long distance athletes to celebrate their common passion for running.

The registrations for ADHM 2013 were declared open at the Official Host Hotel, Le Meridian in the presence of members from Airtel, officials from Athletics Federation of India (AFI), various partners as well as Anil Singh of Procam International, promoters of the event.

Commenting on the occasion, Mohit Beotra (Chief Brand Officer – Bharti Airtel India) said, ㏶er the years, we have seen Airtel Delhi Half Marathon play an increasingly prominent role in bringing us closer to the vibrant and spirited side of Delhi. We are proud to be affiliated with this annual sporting event for the transformational role it plays in bringing individuals, organizations and institutions together to celebrate their common love for running and look forward to an even more buzzing edition of ADHM this year䮼/span>

The event will also witness the presence of some of the biggest names from the world of sport as Event Ambassadors. Besides the Half Marathon, which occupies pride of place, race day has been packed with features like the Great Delhi Run, the Senior Citizen’s Run and the Wheelchair Event, giving every Delhiite above the age of 12 years an opportunity to emerge winners in their own right.

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first ever North East Festival in Delhi

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North East India comes closer to Delhi through first ever North East Festival

Will showcase the vibrant future, present & past of North East India

-࠼i>Renowned Personalities, Academicians join hands with students bodies and civic society groups to promote North East through this festival༯span>

New Delhi, 3^rd October, 2013:North East Festival, a two day carnival to be held in New Delhi on 8^th& 9^th of November, 2013 will showcase the cultural & traditional heritage as well as present a case for the future of the region. North East India a hitherto lesser known part of the country, will bring all its varied flavours alongwith serious discussions about the future of the region which is greatly intertwined with the future of the country.

The two day event, biggest ever event on North East to be celebrated outside of the region,  will showcase all the eight states, their success stories, ethnic dances, top musical talents, tourism potential created by private tour operators, a photographic journey to the region known as ᐡradise Unexplored⮠The event, to be made part of DelhiⳊannual event calendar, will be held at Indira Gandhi National Certre of Arts (IGNCA), Janpath, New Delhi

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4102013

Dear Naresh - Over the last few weeks we witnessed something amazing on Change.org. Lakhs of Indians took action to save the RTI ACT from being diluted. More than 1.27 lakh of you signed specific petitions on Change.org asking MPs and the Government not to amend the RTI Act. Thousands of people called up their representatives, organised protests and talked about it on social media. The Government had to finally listen to the demands of the people. Last month, the RTI Amendment Bill was sent to a standing committee for wider consultation. This is a huge milestone for everyone who fought to save the RTI Act. The fight for RTI has just become stronger. The Standing Committee is now accepting comments from the people of India until the 6th of October. With just 3 days to go, here is what you can do to support the campaign to save RTI - Support the petition to save RTI Forward this email to your friends asking them to sign the petition. Send your comments to the chairman of the Standing Committee, Shantaram Naik, onshantaram.naik@sansad.nic.in or rs-pers@sansad.nic.in. Our mission is to empower people everywhere to create the change they want to see. And we at Change.org feel honoured to have been part of this massive people-powered change. Naresh, you can also create positive change by mobilising people on issues that you care about. Start your own petition. Thank you for being part of this. Preethi, Surendran, Tamseel and Raheel.