Monday, November 11, 2013


Government launches portal on Azad

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Government to launch portal on Azad on Monday
A national portal to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, country’s first Education Minister, is launched on Monday, a government release said on Friday.
The portal is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the office of adviser to the Prime Minister, the National Commission for Minorities and the Cultural Ministry, it said. 


 

Prince Charles, wife on 4-day visit to Kerala

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Prince Charles, wife on 4-day visit to Kerala from tomorrow
A visit to the Jewish Synagogue at nearby Mattancherry, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth, and a trip to the elephant corridor at Vazhachal will be the highlights of the four-day visit of Prince Charles and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles to Kerala, starting from Monday.
The Royal couple, on their maiden visit to the state, will be reaching Kochi after completing their visits to Dehradun, New Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. Some 1,000 additional police personnel have been deployed in various places in and around the city to strenghten security in view of the visit. 
On November 11, the Royal couple will be visiting the private Kerala Folklore Museum and Theatre at Thevara, which showcases the rich heritage that the state exudes through its numerous dance forms.
Masks and sculptures in wood, stone and bronze, costumes of traditional and ritual art forms, musical instruments, traditional jewellery and rare manuscripts are on display at the museum.
The visitors would be taken on a tour of the museum, where a demonstration of traditional dance art forms of the state, including Kathakali, would be held.
The Prince of Wales would join urban planners and city dignitaries to view the signing of an MoU marking the participation of Kochi in the ‘Future Cities project.’ 
Later, the Royal couple will attend a reception for civic and business leaders hosted by Kerala Governor Nikhil Kumar.
Prince Charles will visit the elephant corridor, a 2,200 acre strip of land with the largest stronghold of Asian elephants in the world at Vazhachal forest range in neighbouring Thrissur district and see the steps being taken to help elephant conservation. 
He is also expected to discuss animal and forestry conservation at the Vazhachal Inspection Bungalow after meeting members of the local community and WWF outreach workers.
On November 14, the Royal couple would visit the Jewish Synagogue and meet members of the community and receive a traditional jewish prayer of blessing.
They would also be taken to the Mattancherry Palace Museum the same day before leaving for Colombo for the CHOGM, where Charles would be representing Queen Elizabeth II. 


 

Chhattisgarh polls: Policeman injured in Naxal attack, bombs found

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Chhattisgarh polls: Policeman injured in Naxal attack, bombs found
Over ten bombs, including a 10 kg pipe bomb, were recovered and a policeman was injured in a bomb attack by Naxals in Chhattisgarh where voting for first phase of Assembly polls in 18 constituencies of Naxal-hit Bastar region and Rajnandgaon district is underway today. 
Around 40 per cent polling was registered in 12 constituencies of Bastar and one in Rajnandgaon district till 1 PM, electoral officers said. 
Ahead of polling in Naxal-hit Bastar district, a clash broke out between supporters of BJP and Congress following which cases were registered against members of both the groups. 
A police personnel was injured when a pressure bomb laid by Naxals exploded in Kanker district of north Bastar. 
The incident took place when the jawan was removing the bomb, placed beneath the earth, for defusing near Parlakot village, Kanker Additional Superintendent of Police CD Tandon said. 
As the polling got underway, explosives were recovered from separate places in Bastar region. 
According to a senior police official, a pipe bomb of 10 kg was recovered from Murkinar area of Bijapur district while 8 bombs were found in Mangnar area and two in Kuwakonda area of Dantewada district were recovered by security forces during de-mining operations. 
Besides, tiffin bombs in Orcha area of Narayanpur district and a bomb in Kanker district were also recovered. 
Voting failed to kick start in two hyper sensitive polling booths – Durgapur and Sitaram – of Kanker as polling parties were unable to reach the venue owing to Naxal resistance and looting of EVM machines from polling parties. 
Encounters between security forces and Maoists were also reported near few polling booths in Naxal-hit Dantewada district and Bijapur of southern Chhattisgarh. 
A total of 143 candidates from 12 constituencies are in the fray in Bastar division and six constituencies of Rajnandgaon district with an electorate of 29,33,200 in the first of the two-phase polls to the 90-member Assembly in the state where Chief Minister Raman Singh is hoping for a hat-trick. 
Maximum number of candidates have been fielded in two constituencies – Rajnandgaon and Jagdalpur (14 each) and least number of candidates are in Konta (4). 
The fate of Raman Singh and his three ministers – Kedar Kashyap, Lata Usendi and Vikram Usendi – besides 
kin of the victims of Jiram valley Naxal attack will be sealed on Monday. A total of 4,142 polling booths have been set up for this phase of which 1,517 are sensitive booths while 1,311 are hyper-sensitive stations. 
Out of the 18 seats, BJP had won 15 while Congress had three in the last election. The rest 72 constituencies, including Bilaspur and state-capital Raipur, are scheduled for polls on 19th November. 
A large number of security personnel have been deployed across the state to ensure peaceful polling. 
A total of 562 companies (56,200 personnel) have been recently sent by the Centre for stepping up security in addition to existing 40 battalions (40,000 men and women) of paramilitary forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations and other security related duty in the state. 


 

Germany emits more CO2 in 2013

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German power plants have emitted more greenhouse gases in 2013 than last year despite the country’s energy policy, a German newspaper reported Saturday.
“The energy-related CO2 emissions are estimated to increase in Germany by about 20 million tons,” Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung quoted Hans-Joachim Ziesing, managing director of the Working Group on Energy Balances, a statistical agency in the industry, as saying.
The latest report published by the agency showed that CO2 emissions were 810 million tons last year.
The yearly increase changed the declining trend of greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, though Germany has produced more electricity from renewable energy resources under its policy.


 

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Bohuslav Sobotka to lead Czech

Czech Social Democrats’ (CSSD) Central Executive Committee (UVV) on Sunday decided to support party leader Bohuslav Sobotka and confirmed his mandate as the head of the team to negotiate about a new government, announced Sobotka after UVV’s meeting.
The UVV cancelled the CSSD presidium’s two-week-old resolution that called on Sobotka to resign and expelled him from the negotiating team. Sobotka also confirmed as the party’s candidate for prime minister.
“First, the Central Executive Committee, on the basis of the stances by local organisations and district and regional committees, expressed full support to the CSSD chairman and at the same time confirmed him as the head of the team negotiating about the government constitution,” said Sobotka. He said these resolutions will enable the CSSD to return to the negotiating table with other parties.
The Social Democrats are to meet representatives of the ANO movement, which ended second in the elections on Sunday night, and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) on Monday. “I am glad that after two weeks the CSSD will finally start pushing for a well-functioning state,” said KDU-CSL deputy chairman Marian Jurecka.
The UVV also declined Sobotka’s proposal of holding an extraordinary election congress in February over the party’s poor election showing. Most Social Democrats agreed on Sunday that the party should primarily focus on the government formation. The UVV would vote on an extraordinary congress only if the negotiations on a new government failed


 

Ashwin becomes number-one ranked Test all-rounder

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Ashwin becomes number-one ranked Test all-rounder
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin has jumped to the numero uno position in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounders by virtue of his stellar show in the first cricket Test against the West Indies at Kolkata.
Ashwin scored 124, his second Test century, and also recorded match figures of 40-11-98-5 to help India register an emphatic innings and 51-run victory over West Indies with more than two days to spare.
The performance at Kolkata not only improved Ashwin’s batting and bowling rankings, but also helped him to leapfrog Shakib Al Hasan and Jacques Kallis into the number-one spot in the all-rounders’ list.
Ashwin has earned 81 ratings points and now leads second-placed Shakib by 43 ratings points.
In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, Ashwin has moved up 18 places to the 45th position, while in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, the 27-year-old off-spinner has gained two places and is now sitting in sixth position.
Middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma and fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who made impressive debuts in the Kolkata Test, have also entered the Reliance ICC Player Rankings.
Sharma, who became the 14th Indian batsman to score a century on debut when he struck 177, lies in the 63rd spot in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, while Shami’s figures of nine for 118 the most by an Indian fast bowler on debut has helped him enter in the 53rd place in Test bowlers chart.
West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford and India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the other bowlers to improve their rankings.
Shillingford’s figures of six for 167 has put him inside the top 20 in the 17th position for the first time in his career (up by four), while Kumar’s two wickets have helped him move into 87th place (up by 13).
The batting chart continues to be headed by AB de Villiers of South Africa, while his team-mate Dale Steyn is the number-one ranked bowler. 


 

FIH allocates 4 major events to India including 2018 WC

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FIH allocates 4 major events to India including 2018 WC
India will host four major international hockey events in the next four years, including the 2016 men’s junior World Cup and the 2018 men’s senior World Cup.
Accodrding to the 2015-2018 tournament cycle unveiled by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) today, India will also play host to the 2015 and 2017 editions of men’s Hockey World League Finals to be held in the months of December.
But the most-prized event that India has been awarded was the 2018 senior men’s World Cup.
It will be the second time in a span of eight years the country will be hosting the mega event having successfully organised the previous edition three years ago.
The 2018 edition will see an expanded field with 16 teams competing in both men’s and women’s events. The 2018 women’s World Cup will be held in England. The women’s tournament is scheduled to take place from Junly 7-21, with the men’s event planned for December 1-16.
India last hosted the World Cup in New Delhi in 2010 while the next edition will be held next year in The Hague, Netherlands in the first two weeks of June.
If that was not enough, the FIH also awarded the 2016 junior World Cup to India. As a matter of fact, the country will also be holding this year’s junior World Cup from December 6-15 at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here.
“The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is delighted to announce that England and India will host the Hockey World Cups in 2018. England Hockey were successful in their bid to host the women’s showpiece, with Hockey India winning the race to host the men’s equivalent,” world body FIH said in a statement late last night.
The announcements were made by FIH President Leandro Negre at a special ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland. 


 

Heena Sidhu wins pistol gold in World Cup shooting

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Heena Sidhu wins pistol gold in World Cup shooting
Woman shooter Heena Sidhu created history by becoming the first pistol exponent from India to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup finals in Munich, Germany.
Heena won the gold medal on Sunday by beating double Olympic Champion Guo Wenjun from China, world champion Arunovic Zorana from Serbia and multiple Olympic medallist Olena Kostevych of Ukraine in a stiff competition. 
The earlier gold medallists in this competition were Anjali Bhagwat [2002} and Gagan Narang [2008] in small bore rifle shooting, said a media release from Maharashtra Rifle Association. 
The ISSF World Cup is held once a year and features only top 10 shooters of the world. 
Heena shot 384 points in the qualification stage and was in third position behind Ukraine’s Olena but ahead of China’s Guo, who was placed ninth, and Serb Zorana, who was placed sixth after the qualification stage, the release said. 
The Indian shooter mad a shaky start in the final. She shot a 9.3 followed by another 9.3 and slipped to eighth position after the first two shots. 
But Heens picked up the gauntlet in right earnest and proceeded to execute 15 consecutive bulls eye to end the competition with a huge lead of 5.2 points. 
So high was her level of commitment and determination, that even after having reached the top position midway through the finals, she did not relax even once and kept increasing her lead


 

Typhoon Haiyan makes landfall in Vietnam

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Typhoon Haiyan makes landfall in Vietnam: US meteorologists
 
Typhoon Haiyan makes landfall in Vietnam: US meteorologists
Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in Vietnam early on Monday, meteorologists said, days after it left thousands feared dead and widespread devastation in the Philippines. 
The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) said in an update at 2100 GMT the storm “is currently making landfall” approximately 100 miles (160 kilometres) east south-east of the capital Hanoi. 
The storm, which had weakened significantly since scything through the Philippines over the weekend, made landfall with sustained winds of 75 miles (120 kilometres) per hour, said the JTWC, a joint US Navy and Air Force task force located in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 
More than 600,000 people were evacuated on the weekend as Haiyan bore down on Vietnam. 
Residents of Hanoi were braced for heavy rains and flooding, while tens of thousands of people in coastal areas were ordered to take shelter.
“We have evacuated more than 174,000 households, which is equivalent to more than 600,000 people,” said an official report by Vietnam’s flood and storm control department. 
The storm changed course on Sunday, prompting further mass evacuations of about 52,000 people in Northern provinces by the coast. 
“People must bring enough food and necessities for three days…. Those who do not move voluntarily will be forced,” online newspaper said, adding all boats have been ordered back to shore. 
The Red Cross said Haiyan’s changed path meant that “the disaster area could be enlarged from nine provinces to as many as 15″, stretching the country’s resources. Many of the capital’s residents were rushing to stock up on food and water before the storm hit. “I ran to the supermarket to buy instant noodles, vegetables and meat for the family,” said office worker Nguyen Thi Uyen. 
“There was not much left on the shelves…. People are worried, buying food to last them for a few days.” All schools were ordered shut in the capital Monday and extra police were dispatched to redirect traffic in flood-prone areas. In the northern port city of Hai Phong, also facing heavy rain and flooding, residents voiced frustration with official preparations. 
“The city only warned us about the typhoon very late…. They were too slow in advising people to prepare,” Nguyen Hung Nam, 70, told. 
Many of the estimated 200,000 people evacuated in four south-central provinces initially thought to be in the storm’s path have been allowed to go back to their homes, according to the government’s website. 
US marines in typhoon-hit Philippines for disaster relief 
The United States has dispatched a team of about 80 marines to carry out humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines in the wake of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan that has killed more than 10,000 people. 
The United States stands ready to provide more assistance, President Barack Obama said in a statement. 
“Michelle (Obama) and I are deeply saddened by the loss of life and extensive damage done by Super Typhoon Yolanda. But I know the incredible resiliency of the Philippine people, and I am confident that the spirit of Bayanihan will see you through this tragedy,” Obama said. 
“The United States is already providing significant humanitarian assistance, and we stand ready to further assist the government’s relief and recovery efforts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the millions of people affected by this devastating storm,” he said. 
The Pentagon said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed the US Pacific Command to support US government humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
“The initial focus includes surface maritime search and rescue (SAR), medium-heavy helicopter lift support, airborne maritime SAR, fixed-wing lift support and logistics enablers,” it said.
In coordination with the US Agency for International Development and the US ambassador in Manila, the Department of Defense will continue to monitor the effects of Typhoon Haiyan and stands ready to help our ally recover from the storm, the Pentagon said. 
The International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde in a statement expressed sadness at the extensive damage and devastating loss of life from Typhoon Haiyan in the central Philippines.
“On behalf of myself and my colleagues at the IMF, I would like to offer our sympathy to those affected by this natural disaster. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones, crews undertaking the rescue operation, and with the people of the Philippines as they work to recover from this terrible tragedy,” she said in a statement. 
Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the images of devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan coming out of the Philippines are truly heartbreaking. 
“The Filipino people have my sympathy and support as they deal with the effects of a storm. The United States can and must do everything in our power to assist our friend and ally in dealing with the devastating consequences of this storm, and to help meet the needs of the Filipino people in addressing this disaster,” he said.


 

India, Korea discuss ways to boost bilateral ties

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India, Korea discuss ways to boost bilateral ties
India and Korea on Saturday discussed ways to add strategic and economic content to bilateral ties in the key areas including security, trade and investments.
During the 7th India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se, the two sides conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, which have been upgraded to a Strategic Partnership and have acquired range and depth over the past few years. 
The Indian delegation included representatives of the ministries of External Affairs, Defence, Civil Aviation, Shipping, Commerce & Industry and the government of Odisha. 
“Noting that high level political exchanges had imparted momentum to the relationship, they discussed the possibility of a visit to India by ROK President Madame Park Geun-hye in early 2014,” MEA said in a release. 
The JCM deliberated on ways to add strategic and economic content to bilateral ties including in the political, security, trade, investment, consular, scientific and cultural spheres apart from discussing regional and international issues of mutual interest, it said. 


 

Moily approves taking away 5 gas discoveries from RIL

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Moily approves taking away 5 gas discoveries from RIL
Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily has approved taking away five gas discoveries from Reliance Industries in the KG-D6 block over the company’s failure to meet timelines but has allowed it to retain three other finds. 
The five discoveries – D4, D7, D8, D16 and D23 – hold 0.805 trillion cubic feet of reserves, or about one-fourth of the restated reserves in the currently producing Dhirubhai-1 and 3 (D1&D3) fields in KG-D6 block, and are worth USD 10 billion. 
Moily in the October 9 order, however, agreed with RIL’s contention that the company would retain D29, D30 and D31 gas finds, holding 0.345 Tcf (Rpt) holding 0.345 Tcf, to conduct tests for their confirmation, sources said.
RIL as per the contractual requirement of retaining only the area where discoveries have been made, had offered to give up or relinquish 5,367 square kilometres out of the total 7,645 sq km area in the eastern offshore KG-D6 block. 
However, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) wanted another 1,130 sq km of area, which contained these 8 finds, to also be taken away from RIL on the grounds that the timeline to develop the fields had expired.
RIL and its partner BP plc officials on September 18 made a detailed presentation to the Minister, Oil Secretary Vivek Rae and DGH Director General R N Choubey contending that it had not deviated an inch from the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) and had the right to retain the 1,130 sq km area. 
Sources said Moily after examining the issue wrote on the file that, “the contractor should be asked to relinquish corresponding areas pertaining to 5 discoveries (814 sq km) with immediate effect” as RIL had not submitted the field development plan for these within the stipulated timeframe.
He wanted this area to be to be offered for bidding on a priority basis. For the balance three finds covering an area of 316 sq km, he agreed with RIL-BP that the DGH had not been insisting on drill stem test (DST) for confirmation of a discovery in the past and had decided to rake up the issue of absence of DST in case of D29, D30 and D31 finds after 8 months of commerciality documents being submitted and around 40 months from the discovery.
“There has been pactice in the past not to insist for the DST for declaration of the commerciality (a prerequisite before investment plans are considered) by the DGH and a circular to that effect is still in existence,” Moily wrote.
He noted that RIL had submitted declaration of commerciality (DoC) for three finds within time and there was delay on part of the DGH in reviewing them. “Therefore, a fair and balanced approach could be to allow the contractor to conduct DST now and review the DoC on the basis of outcome of these tests,” Moily wrote.
Depending on the outcome, the matter may be taken up before the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for its information, he added.


 

India home to 103 billionaires

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India home to 103 billionaires; 6th largest globally 
 
India home to 103 billionaires; 6th largest globally
India has more number of billionaires than France, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Hong Kong and is home to the sixth largest group of super rich population in the world, says a report.
Moreover, the country’s financial capital Mumbai with 30 billionaire, is among the top 5 ‘billionaire cities’ globally, which was topped by New York that is home to 96 billionaires.
Hong Kong, Moscow and London make the top five with 75, 74 and 67 billionaires respectively.
Notwithstanding the number of billionaires in India having decreased between July, 2012 and June, 2013, India still enjoys a decent 6th position in the top 10 league with 103 billionaires.
This list was topped by United States with 515 ultra-rich people, three times more than in China, which ranks second with 157 billionaires.
Germany, United Kingdom and Russia make the top five countries with a billionaire population of 148, 135 and 108 respectively.
According to the wealth-X and UBS billionaire census report 2013, India’s billionaire population has decreased by 5.5 per cent to 103 and the total billionaire wealth has fallen by USD 10 billion to USD 180 billion.
However, the world’s population of billionaires continues to grow. Between July 2012 and June 2013, the number of billionaires has increased by 0.5 per cent, with their total wealth rising by 5.3 per cent.
Globally, there are 2,170 billionaires as of 2013, with a combined net worth of USD 6.5 trillion, more than the GDP of every country except the United States and China.
The report further noted that industrial conglomerates and pharmaceuticals are the first and second most significant industries for Indian billionaires


 

Telecom M&A guidelines may be announced this week: Sibal

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Telecom M&A guidelines may be announced this week: Sibal
The government may finally announce much awaited, first-ever policy on mergers and acquisitions for the telecom sector this week.
“It (Mergers and acquisition guidelines) has been cleared by Telecom Commission. We will announce it any day now. Probably in coming week,” Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said.
Inter-ministerial panel Telecom Commission on 6th November approved the guidelines which will allow telecom companies to acquire operators in a manner that market share of the resultant entity does not exceed 50 percent.
The M&A policy is expected to further infuse investment in the sector.
India’s telecom sector, which has 13 mobile service providers, is expected to see consolidation as some of them under huge debts and unable to generate profits may look to exit the market.
Vodafone India, which has around 17.8 percent market share, has already said it has strong financial condition to acquire another company.
“I think 4 to 5, may be if you include state operators then 6, is the maximum (number of operators) that this market can have. It means where we see nine today, major 3 to 4 (service providers) need to consolidate in one way or the other,” Vodafone India’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Martin Pieters has earlier said.
Last month, Bharti group Chairman Sunil Mittal also said that Airtel will look at opportunities to acquire another firm in India, provided that there is a clear M&A policy in place.


 

Parliament’s Winter Session to be held from Dec 5 to Dec 20

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Winter Session of Parliament will be held from December 5 to December 20.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA), chaired by Defence Minister AK Antony,in New Delhi on Monday. 
The Winter Session is generally a month-long affair but this time it had been curtailed in view of Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram. 
Polling in these states will end on December 4 and counting of votes is scheduled to take place on December 8.


 

Siddikur wins 50th Hero Indian Open

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L-R - Gen. Bikram Singh, President, IGU Siddikur Rehman, Winner, Hero Indian Open 2013 Mr. Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, Hero MotoCorp ltd.
New Delhi, November 10: SSP Chowrasia fell five feet short of landing his maiden Hero Indian Open and his first Asian Tour titles since 2011 and Anirban Lahiri failed to keep his love-affair going with the Delhi Golf Club going even as Bangladeshi Siddikur claimed a nerve-wracking one-stroke victory at the 50th Hero Indian Open on Sunday.
It was Siddikur’s second career title on the Asian Tour and he finally broke through the jinx of regular top-10 finishes at the DGC.
Siddikur, who made just two bogeys in 54 holes, made five bogeys and one triple bogey, but he also had five birdies. His card of 75 brought his total to 14-under 274 and one ahead of Chowrasia and Lahiri at 13-under 275.
Chiragh Kumar (68), Rashid Khan (72), Baek Seuk Hyun (68) and Angelo Que (72) tied for fourth. Chiragh and Rashid earned their cards for Asian Tour for 2014.
Shiv Kapur (68) was tied 13th at eight-under  while Rahil Gangjee (73) was tied 19th along with Shankar Das (72) at seven-under 281.
Leading by four overnight, the tenacious Siddikur made life difficult for himself with a wobbly final round of three-over-par 75 at the Delhi Golf Club which allowed the chasing pack to breathe down his neck and apply the pressure.
Chowrasia, who has won twice previously at the fabled Delhi venue, agonisingly missed a five-foot birdie chance on the 72nd hole to force a play-off as Siddikur ended a three-year winless run following his career breakthrough at the 2010 Brunei Open.
Siddikur, who earned US$225,000 said: “I am so happy. After I won in Brunei, I struggled to win a tournament. It was a long day for me but it’s been the best golf of my life this week. Honestly, I didn’t put pressure on myself but I had some bad shots for bogeys but I had a good feeling that I would win this tournament. The putt on 17 was certainly the winning putt.”
“I had a four-shot lead but on this golf course, I knew that Anirban (Lahiri) and S.S.P. Chowrasia will not play it safe. They could have shot a low score. In that case, I didn’t play safe and continued playing aggressively.
“After winning Brunei in (2010) I was really hungry to win more tournaments but it didn’t happen. However, I still remained confident and I told myself that a big victory is coming my way. That big victory happened today,” smiled Siddikur.


 

e-UttarPrades

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The Platform for Promoting IT Industry in Uttar Pradesh
e-UttarPradesh, one of the largest IT and e-Governance events, is being jointly organised by the Department of IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd on 29-30 November 2013 at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in the historic city of Lucknow.
Structure of the e-UttarPradesh Event
Conference : The event will witness deliberations on the best ways of promoting IT industry. It will provide an opportunity to showcase Uttar Pradesh as one of the largest emerging destination for IT companies to set up their strategic business units.
Exhibition : The IT initiatives of many government departments and private organisations will be presented before an important community of stakeholders.
Awards : The awards will be conferred to bring recognition to the most important IT initiatives that have been undertaken in the state of Uttar Pradesh and rest of the country.
Key Participants:
 
  • The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (Chief Guest)
 
  • Leaders from various departments in Government of Uttar Pradesh
 
  • Officials from Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and IT, Government of India
 
  • CMDs, CIOs and other concerned officials from India’s public sector enterprises and state run enterprises.
 
  • Key officials from other state governments in the country
 
  • Leaders of private Information Technology companies that are playing active role in IT & Communications space
 
  • Thought leaders and Industry experts
 
Key Themes:
 
  • Uttar Pradesh – The emerging Destination for IT Companies
 
  • Contribution of MSMEs in IT Sector
 
  • Growth of IT Infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh
 
  • IT for better Government Services
 
  • Land Registration and e-Stamping
 
  • IT in Healthcare
 
  • IT in education
 

For Programme Enquiries Contact:
Kartik Sharma, kartik@elets.in, +91-8860651635
For Sponsorship Enquiries Contact:
Gaurav Srivastava, gaurav@elets.co.in, +91-8527697685
up.eletsonline.com


 

Dear N.K , Just a gentle reminder

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Dear N.K ,
Just a gentle reminder that you can save $720 off the standard rate when you register before Friday 15th November.
This year, Middle East Rail is under the Honorary Patronage of H.E. Dr. Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works, Chairman of the National Transport Authority.
We can guarantee attendance from all the key rail stakeholders in the GCC.
This is a unique opportunity to meet and network with over 200 government and rail operators at Middle East Rail on 4 – 5 February 2014.
You need to be at Middle East Rail if you want to:
  • Meet the man behind the most developed GCC rail industry
  • Hear from the man behind the Abu Dhabi light rail system
  • Latest plans for the UAE national network
  • How rail fits into the Dubai 2020 vision
  • Become the partner of choice for upcoming tenders
  • Find out how to design and plan next generation rail networks
  • Learn how to build futuristic, world class railways lines
  • Find out how to operate efficient and safe networks
  • Discover how to create an integrated GCC network
  • How to manage an urban railway construction project
See you soon!
Kind regards, 
Chloe Higman
Project Director
T: +971 4 440 2560
E: chloe.higman@terrapinn.com


 

Press Invite Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA)

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Press Invite

Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA)

cordially invites you to the
the sharing of

Expert Policy Briefs for resolving conflicts through effective governance
༵>
in

Jammu & Kashmir, Maoist areas of Jharkhand/Bihar & Meghalaya
༵>
on the occasion of
༵>
International Seminar on Cultures of Governance and Conflict Resolution in the EU and India
༵>
Date: Tuesday, 12th November, 2013
Time: 12:30 PM Onwards
Venue: Magnolia, India Habitat Centre,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi


 

ANOTHER TOP TEN DOUBLE CLOSES MAHINDRAⓠBRILLIANT YEAR

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* And Indian race team announces 2014 rider line-up *

1.1          

Valencia, Spain, November 10, 2013: Mahindra MGP3O rider Efrén Vázquez equalled his best result of the year at Valencia today, finishing a fighting fifth to secure his top-ten championship position and close his account with the team on a high note.
Team-mate Miguel Oliveira was tenth securing another double top ten for the only Indian constructor in international motorcycle racing in spite of being troubled with set-up issues following an engine-swap before the race. He finished sixth in the World Championship.
Vázquez had qualified on the third row of the grid, started strongly, and had a race-long battle with Japanese GP winner Alex Marquez. He was less than five hundredths of a second adrift over the line.
Oliveira, who scored the first top-three podium for an Indian manufacturer at the Malaysian GP, had a difficult weekend. Testing components for 2014, he was still looking for the right set-up and qualified 17th. An engine swap in the morning complicated matters, but even so he gained seven places to secure tenth.
The Valencia GP was the 17th and final round in the Moto3頣hampionship, in the first season for the all-new, all-independent Mahindra MGP3O. The 250cc four-stroke single racer, designed and built in record time over the winter, made an impression from its debut, and has already attracted customers from other teams. Next year, there will be at least six Mahindras contesting the MotoGP World Championship.
Reinforcing success on the world stage, the Mahindra MGP3O also won this yearⳠItalian national CIV constructors⠣hampionship and took first and second place in the riders⠣hampionship with Italian teenagers Andrea Locatelli and Michael Rinaldi.
EFRÉN VÁZQUEZ Fifth Position
I⭠very happy with this result. I fought a lot for fourth place with Marquez, but in the end he was a little faster to the line. All race I could make a good rhythm, staying constant. On the last lap I attacked Marquez again and I made a perfect last corner, but he beat me by a fraction of a second. ItⳠa good result for my last race with the team, and I want to say thank you to Mahindra Racing, and all the mechanics especially my chief mechanic Massimo.


MIGUEL OLIVEIRA Tenth Position
Today was very difficult. We changed the engine this morning, and couldnⴠset up the bike well. We tried a lot of new things this weekend, but in the end ran out of time to make me fully comfortable. We made some good progress this year, and also a couple of mistakes but it was a good year. Next season we need to work a lot to stay competitive. I will forget this weekend and look forward to the first tests in the coming week.
MUFADDAL CHOONIA Mahindra Racing CEO
Efrén had a very good race he was so close to fourth, and it was a great fight. We did face some set-up issues with MiguelⳠbike. We tried a lot of new components this weekend, and in the short time we didnⴠmanage the perfect set up.
I want to sincerely thank both riders, our engineers, and the track team. They all worked so hard to make an exciting season. We had highs and lows, but the ups were greater than the downs. Efrén is joining another team, and I wish him all the best. We welcome a new rider for next year, the Australian Arthur Sissis, in what I am sure will be a strong pairing with Miguel.
I am reasonably satisfied with 2013 we had a podium, pole position and 10 top five finishes. But we have no time to reflect, as the 2014 season begins tomorrow, and we plan to be even stronger in the second year of this MGP3O racer.

SISSIS JOINS MAHINDRA
This was VazquezⳠlast race with the team, and his place alongside podium finisher Oliveira will be taken by 18-year-old Australian Arthur Sissis.
Sissis graduated to the Moto3 World Championship in 2012, after two seasons in the Red Bull Rookies series, and finished 12th, recording a podium at his home race. This year, the Adelaide-born rider was 15th.
㍡hindra Racing has been keeping a close eye on a number of young riders since we started our journey in the world of MotoGP,䠥xplains Mahindra Racing CEO Mufaddal Choonia. ふstralia has produced many fine two-wheeled champions over the years and we feel that Arthur has real potential. We have shown the MGP3O is a very competitive package so he should have a great opportunity to fulfil that potential with Mahindra.伯span>
ARTHUR SISSIS
㉒m really happy to join Mahindra itⳠa very good team and great to be riding for an Indian manufacturer. Iⶥ spoken to the guys and like them a lot. ItⳠa good time for me to change bikes, and I think I can do well. Miguel has shown the Mahindra can be on the podium, and itⳠalways up near the front. When Iⶥ been close to it I can see itⳠfast. I⭠really excited


 

NTERSOLAR INDIA

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SEE YOU TOMORROW AT INTERSOLAR INDIA!NOVEMBER 2013

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