Zee TV presents the Zee 20 Cricket League

12052014

Cricket with the tadka of a daily soap! 

Whether it was being the first satellite channel to launch in India in 1992 or introducing non-fiction formats of singing & dancing talent hunt shows or producing fiction shows that addressed social issues in a poignant manner, Zee TV has been a pioneer in the Hindi GEC space, setting trends for competition to follow. The channel has also led the way in the marketing domain with path-breaking innovations such as the first-of-its-kind on-ground shaadi of the leads of its primetime show ‘Pavitra Rishta’, inviting the masses to bless Manav-Archana as they tied the nuptial knot. The channel further went on introduce the phenomenon ofMahasangams that captured an exciting interplay between the ongoing tracks and the actors of two of its shows. After setting several such precedents, Zee TV is all set to achieve yet another first on Indian television with its exciting new property - Zee 20 Cricket League.

For India, Cricket is a passion. A celebration. A religion. And…your favorite families on television are all set to bring you the most entertaining cricket tournament of this season! In an exciting coup, Zee TV will have the most sought-after actors from all its primetime shows come together on a cricket field, be split into two teams led by Raj (Mishkat Varma) and Samarth (Navi Bhangu),the protagonists of  its show ‘Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya’ and battle it out in a nail-biting 20-over match packed with high-voltage drama. The man who wins the match will take Avni, the leading lady of the show, to the prom! With half of your favorite stars backing Raj and the other half rooting for Samarth, wonder who will win the Zee 20 Cricket League and walk away with the heroine? To find out, watch this cricket tournament with the tadka of family entertainment on 24^th and 25^th May at 6:30 PM on Zee TV.

So,  who’s on whose team, you ask? Raj’s team is called Raj Ke Challengers and includes Mrunal Thakur (Bulbul of Kumkum Bhagya), Ankit Gera (Mayank of Sapne Suhaane Ladakpan Ke), Neha Marda (Urmi of Doli Armaanon Ki), Arhaan Behl (Raghu of do Dil Bandhe Is Dori se), Baburam of Do Dil Bandhe Is Dori se and Ashish Chowdhry (who plays Raghav in Ek Muthi Aasman).  Samarth’s team called Samarth ke Daredevils includes Shabbir Ahluwalia (Abhi of Kumkum Bhagya), Rachana Parulekar (Kalpi of Ek Muthi Aasman), Roopal tyagi (Gunjan of Sapne Suhaane Ladakpan Ke), Mohit Malik (Samrat of Doli Armaanon Ki), Supriya Shukla (Sarla of Kumkum Bhagya) and Aahil of Qubool Hai. Watching your favorite stars in stylish cricket jerseys instead of their usual looks will be a delightful treat for every viewer!

Zee TV Programming Head Namit Sharma said, “The Cricket fever is at its peak at the moment. Television audiences in India love their stars, the drama surrounding their lives and they love Cricket. What we have in store for them is a double whammy of drama and Cricket with some of their most favorite faces on television playing their favorite sport. This is the first time ever that a Hindi GEC has managed to assemble the most popular stars from all its shows and get them to play a 20-over match. The game will be peppered with interesting twists and turns that blend seamlessly into the ongoing tracks of each of our shows. There will be so many interesting aspects such as the commentary, performances by cheerleaders, locker-room dynamics between the characters that form a team, issues like cheating, sabotage & match fixing. Each of our actors will be completely in character. The entire drama of Zee TV’s most popular shows will unfold against the canvas of India’s favorite sport and we’re certain that the audience will relish this most entertaining spectacle!”

The pretty young girls of every show – Pooki of Ek Muthi Aasman, Pari of Pavitra Rishta, Shivani of Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se, Payal  of Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, Aalia of Kumkum Bhagya and Shazia of Qubool Hai will doll up as the cheerleaders and do a lively routine to motivate and charge up their respective teams. With comedian Suresh Menon donning multiple avatars ranging from Amitabh Bachchan to Sachin Tendulkar to … hold your breath, Usha Nadkarni’s character of Savita Tai from Pavitra Rishta, audience is bound to be in splits!

Do not miss the Zee 20 Cricket League on 24^th and 25^th May at 6:30 PM on Zee TV!

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‘Forest, Livelihood and Development:

12052014

Nehru Memorial Museum and Library

cordially invites you to the Weekly Seminar

at 3.00 pm on Tuesday, 13^th May, 2014

in the Seminar Room, First Floor, Library Building

on

‘Forest, Livelihood and Development:

A comparative study of the
experience of two ‘’Progressive’’ Laws, Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) and Forest Rights Act (FRA)’

by

Dr. Kamal Nayan Choubey,

Abstract:

In post liberalization era two contradictory phenomena emerged in India’s forest areas. In these areas the process of privatization of resources increased but forest dwelling communities have vehemently resisted this process. A large part of this resistance has been related to struggle for ‘better’ or ‘progressive’ laws. In post 1990 era two such laws have been enacted for these areas. One is Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 (PESA) and the other is Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights Act) 2006 (or Forest Rights Act or FRA).  PESA extends 73^rd constitutional amendment to the Schedule V areas and makes important provisions for the autonomous Gram Sabhas in these areas. FRA, on the other hand, is related to forest areas of the whole country and gives individual property rights over ‘encroached’ forest land and community property rights over forest land and its resources. It also makes important provisions for the conservation of wildlife. These laws are commonly termed as ‘progressive’ laws because tribal groups waged a long struggle for these laws and apparently got some crucial rights over the affairs of their villages (particularly in PESA) along with forest land and its resources (in both PESA and FRA). This paper attempts to probe that in post-liberalization era, when we see an inclination in the government’s policies to hand over the natural resources of forests to corporate capital, how can we evaluate and comprehend the experience of PESA and FRA, which give local communities rights over forest land and its resources? Can we say that through these laws state has found a tool to control forest areas and make population of these areas more legible? Have these laws given local communities rights over their livelihood sources or work as a tool to make the process of handing over forest resources to corporate capital easier?  Or like people’s movement we should also accept that both these laws could undo all ‘historic injustices’?  This paper presents its arguments at three levels: first, it presents an introduction of both these laws and analyzes their general experiences; second, it underlines through some case studies how local communities are using these laws to resist state imposed development and also trying to create an autonomous space for themselves. At the third level, the paper proposes the idea of ‘Marginal Society’ and ‘legalism for below’ to describe the experiences of both these laws.  The speaker argues that due to the activities of grassroots organizations and Maoists and their day to day experience with state, people of forest areas (and most of Schedule V areas) have realized the significance of law in their life and hence demanded for ‘better’ laws, which could ensure their rights over forest land and resources. They are also using these laws to oppose state imposed ‘development’ model. State on its part, adopted the strategy to give minimum possible rights to these communities or even after giving rights through laws, state is not implementing them seriously or putting hurdles to their proper implementation. This paper proposes that though the experience of both PESA and FRA is less than satisfactory, nevertheless one can easily find that the struggle for the enactment and implementation of these laws have increased the political consciousness of many local communities and many local groups are using these laws as a tool for their struggle to preserve livelihood resources in their control.

Speaker:

Dr. Kamal Nayan Choubey teaches in the Department of Political Science, Dayal Singh College, University of Delhi, Delhi and is currently a Junior Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.

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FICCI Ladies Organisation’s Panel Discussion on Women & Politics:

12052014

Elections Today & Tomorrow

FICCI Ladies Organisation, under President FLO 2014, Ms Neeta Boochra, organised a Panel Discussion on Women & Politics: Elections Today & Tomorrow to deliberate upon issues, challenges and opportunities faced by women in the political arena and to suggest key action points to engage more women in legislatures, political parties and civil society as leaders and informed citizens.  

Distinguished Panellists included Ms Navika Kumar is Political Editor with Times Now and also The Economy Editor, Ms Nistula Hebar is Assistant Editor, Political Bureau with Economic Times,Ms Smita Sharma is Associate Editor for Foreign Affairs with IBN7 and Mr Ashutosh Sinha is a senior business journalist, having been one of the senior editors for NDTV and TV18

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Retrospective, Caricatures, Children Paintings on Gypsies and Films

12052014

Hicc

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		Dear Friends, Greetings from the Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre! Close to end of this season, for our art lovers we will continue to exhibit caricatures by ÉDUA SZŰCS from Hungary till the end of May. During the summer, we will showcase the PRIZE WINNING PAINTINGS of the on-the-spot painting competition held in the month of February with the themeGypsies in Hungary. For film lovers, as a tribute to the legendary Hungarian Director, MIKLÓS JANCSÓ, we will conclude the Retrospective session with the screening of the last two films. Also a package of his films will be screened as part of the Trivandrum International Film Festival. Hungarian film FRESH AIR will travel toMumbai, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune as part of the ongoing 19th EUFF 2014. Please keep yourself updated about the events for our upcoming issues of the monthly e-Newsletterby subscribing to it. You may send your details and email id to hicc.delhi@gmail.com. Please visit ourwebsite at www.delhi.balassiintezet.hu for more information. Tibor Kovács Director and Cultural Counsellor CALENDAR OF EVENTS Details of our upcoming events can be seen below by clicking on the date in the table. Dates Type of programme Venue Event Till May 30 Fri Exhibition HICC “LIFE IS LIKE THAT” caricatures by Édua Szűcs May 13, Tues 5:00 pm Film Screening Mumbai Hungarian film “FRESH AIR” directed by Ágnes Kocsis screened as part of EUFF 2014 at Max Mueller Bhavan May 13, Tues 6:00 pm Film Screening HICC “RED PSALM” by Miklós Jancsó May 15, Thurs 6:00 pm Film Screening HICC “ELEKTREIA” by Miklós Jancsó May 30, Fri 7:00 pm Film Screening Jodhpur Hungarian film “FRESH AIR” directed by Ágnes Kocsis screened as part of EUFF 2014 at Jain Narain Vyas Town Hall, Jodhpur June 2 – Aug 29 Exhibition HICC “GYPSIES IN HUNGARY” prize winning paintings of the Children’s Painting Competition  June 17, Tues 6:00 pm Film Screening Kolkata Hungarian film “FRESH AIR” directed by Ágnes Kocsis screened as part of EUFF 2014 at Bengal Film Centre, Kolkata July 12, Sat 7:00 pm Film Screening Hyderabad Hungarian film “FRESH AIR” directed by Ágnes Kocsis screened as part of EUFF 2014 at Goethe-Zentrum Journalist’s colony, Hyderabad July 19, Sat 2:00 pm Film Screening Pune Hungarian film “FRESH AIR” directed by Ágnes Kocsis screened as part of EUFF 2014 at National Film Archive of India, Pune Aug 9 – 15 Film Screening Trivandrum Hungarian film session including package of films by MIKLÓS JANCSÓ Balassi Institute Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre, New Delhi Programmes from Mid-May to End-August 2014 Exhibition at HICC  Till May 30 Friday  LIFE IS LIKE THAT Caricatures by Édua Szűcs  In the contemporary art, Édua Szűcs belongs to those mature graphic artists who practice their expertise based on their brief and proficiency. Her drawing skills are amazing, her aspects of creating situations are brilliant, her knowledge of humanity can sensibly react to such resonance that makes it possible for everyone to have the same personal reaction. (On view on weekdays only from 10 am – 4 pm) You can read a fresh article about the exhibition by clicking here Lecture series at HICC  May 13 and 15 RETROSPECTIVE OF THE FILMS BY MIKLÓS JANCSÓ (1921–2014) In cooperation with the Federation of Film Societies of India (Northern Region) We conclude with the Retrospective film session paying tribute to Miklós Jancsó by the following two screenings: 13th May, Tuesday 6:00 pm:  Red Psalm (1971) (Még kér a nép), 1972, colour, duration: 84 minutes 15th May, Thursday 6:00 pm:  Elektreia (1974) (Szerelmem, Elektra), colour, duration: 75 minutes You can read two articles about the programme by clicking here and here Film Festival  in Mumbai, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune May 13, 30 and June 17 and July 12 and 19 19th EUROPEAN UNION FILM FESTIVAL (EUFF 2014) Hungarian film Fresh Air (Friss levegő)  As part of the 19th edition of the EUFF 2014 with the theme VOICES OF YOUTH, Hungary will participate with the film Fresh Air by Ágnes Kocsis (2006), colour, duration: 109 minutes. Viola is still a beautiful woman. Angéla is ashamed of her mother. Communication between them has become almost impossible. Probably, in secret, they both are in love with the protagonist. Viola works where no one else wants to. She is looking for a real man whom she could love. Angéla would like to design nice dresses. She desires something different. Another life. Fresh air. The screening in the five cities will take place as per the following schedule: 13 May, Tuesday at 5:00 pm at Max Mueller Bhavan, Mumbai 30 May, Friday at 7:00 pm at Art Gallery, Jain Narain Vyas Town Hall, Jodhpur 17 June, Tuesday at 6:00 pm at Bengal Film Centre, Kolkata 12 July, Saturday at 7:00 pm at Goethe-Zentrum Journalist’s colony, Hyderabad 19 July, Saturday at 2:00 pm at National Film Archive of India, Pune Film series  in Trivandrum August 9 – 15 TRIVANDRUM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Organised by Chalachithra Film Society in Trivandrum A package of Hungarian films by Miklós Jancsó will be screened during the festival. The films include The Round-Up, The Red and the White, Agnus Dei, Red Psalm and Elektreia. Exhibition  at HICC June 2 - August 29 GYPSIES IN HUNGARY Prize winning paintings of the Children’s Painting Competition The exhibition features award winning paintings of the on-the-spot children’s painting competition hosted by the Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre in February 2014. This years’ theme was “Gypsies in Hungary”.  (On view on weekdays only from 10 am – 4 pm) Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre reserves the right to change the programs and the dates.     Date: 12.05.2014

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8TH NTA ICT WORLD COMMUNICATION Summit & Awards

12052014

8TH NTA ICT WORLD COMMUNICATION Summit & Awards along with 2nd Global ICT Forum- Innovations to drive Economy of developing C

 

 

 

ICT World Communication Awards

To Me

 

Today at 3:01 PM

8^TH NTA ICT WORLD COMMUNICATION Summit & Awards  along with 2nd Global ICT Forum- Innovations to drive Economy of developing Countries and Cyber Security Co-organized by – Ministry of ICT, Mauritius & CMAI Association of India 

Dear Sir  

I invite your nomination and kind presence to 8th NTA ICT World Communication Summit & Awards 2014 jointly hosted with 2^nd India Global ICT Forum - Innovations to drive Economy of developing Countries and Cyber Security on 23^rd & 24^th July, 2014 at Mauritius.

The 8^th NTA ICT World Communication Summit & Awards 2014 would be graced by Hon’ble Shri Houlin Zhao, Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecom Union, Hon’ble Shri Tasarajen Pillay Chedumburum, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Mauritius, Hon’ble Shri Tim Unwin, Secy. Gen. CTO. Hon’ble Indian Minister of Communications and IT is also expected to join.

The Events are officially supported by Ministry of ICT, Mauritius, NCB, Mauritius, Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization ( CTO),Telecom Export Promotion Council (TEPC), National Internet Exchange of India ( NIXI), National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT ), Electronics India – DIETy, AICTE-All India Council of Technical Education, AIU- Association of Indian Universities  etc and several other international and domestic industry associations.

These are the only ICT recognition platform show in world which are supported by Government & various associations around the globe & presented by Dr. Hamadoun Toure, Secy Gen ITU during 2012 & 2013 and during current year will be presented by Dr. Zhou, Deputy Secy. Gen. ITU. The 8^th NTA ICT World Communication Summit & Awards 2014 will attract all the senior decision makers in the industry around the globe. 

The 8^th NTA ICT World Communication Summit 2014 will attract all the senior decision makers in the industry – don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to highlight your Company’s achievements to the assembled dignitaries & wider Telecom community! And also avail the wonderful opportunity to interact and network with dignitaries & wider Telecom community.

Participation in 8th NTA ICT World Communication Summit & Awards is most sought after to: 

·         Stand out among your peers – standing head and shoulders above the rest you will be the business setting the industry standards.

·         Make headlines on an international scale – International coverage ensure the industry will know about your win.

·         Network with the industry’s most influential people – A level representation from all the most important   operators makes this an unrivaled, informal networking forum.

·         Reward your team – Let your stars shine by recognizing & celebrating their achievements. 

As the largest IT Summit in the World, 8th NTA ICT World Communication Summit & Awards 2014 is a ring of business activity for the entire Information & Telecommunication industry.

These Summit & Awards will include:

·         Service Providers

·         Handset & Equipment Manufacturers

·         Accessory Manufacturers

·                      E Commerce Companies around the globe

·         Content Providers & Mobile Applications

·         Enterprise IT Telecommunications

·         Network Infrastructure Manufacturers

Dr. Toure, Secretary General, International Telecom Union quoted in this behalf : “It is also a great pleasure to see so many delegates here in the audience today; Indeed, I believe that this is the first time that National Telecom Summit & Awards have been organized on such a grand scale in any Country in the world.  I am delighted to be a part of the 2013 and 2012 National Telecom Summit & Awards, which I am sure, will have a long-lasting impact on ICT development and international telecom policies, both here in India and around the world”

CMAI Association of India is apex premier and foremost non-profit trade promotion organization based in India with 48,500 members and 54 MOU partners across the globe. CMAI is prominent trade association promoting growth in communications, manufacturing trade sector through Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy, Research, Exhibitions, Trade shows, Conferences and Seminars, Technology events, Buyers-Sellers Meets B2B meetings promotion and fostering business and strategic relationships. More details are available at www.cmai.asia 

You are requested to file nomination for yourself or others by logging on to http://www.ictwca.com/nomination.php  or by email at president_cmai@cmai.asia/navtesh@cmai.asia.

For any further information you may contact directly - Navtesh, GM-International Trade CMAI at navtesh@cmai.asia  or Sauravi Dutta, AGM CMAI at sauravi@cmai.asia or phone numbers +91 97 118 69771 and +91 83 769 75258 respectively for any further queries.

Details about 2^nd Global ICT Forum – Innovations to drive Economy of developing Countries and Cyber Security is given below are available at http://www.ictwca.com/inc/Global%20ICt%20Forum%20brochure.pdf 

REGARDS

Prof N K Goyal

President CMAI Association of India, Chairman Emeritus TEMA 
Member Governing Council Telecom Equipment & Services Export Promotion Council, Govt. of India
Vice Chairman, ITU APT India, Adviser Gujarat Technological University

Chairman India Trade Promotion Services, Dubai UAE,  

Director NFL National Fertilizers Ltd, Govt. of India

+91 98 111 29879, president_cmai@cmai. asia, www.cmai.asia

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AAP X-rayed : Kejriwal in race for muscle and money power

12052014

ASHOK B SHARMA*

Indian democracy is faced with a challenge of electing leaders with a clean image. Over the years criminalization of politics has almostreached its nadir. The judiciary has tried its best to bring the political system to order by pronouncing several verdicts and ensuring the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951 are not violated in any manner. The judiciary has from time to time sent necessary directives to the Election Commission.

Born out of the movement led by Anna Hazare for cleansing public life in the country, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal tookup the initiative for providing the people of a dream alternative.

The party assumed power in Delhi after the assembly elections with the support of the Congress. The AAP government resigned within 49 days on the pretext that both the Congress and the BJP were not allowing it to function in the way it liked. AAP made several promises to the Delhi people, including scaling down the high water and electricity tariffs and others which the government could have down on its own without seeking the support of either the BJP or the Congress on the floor of the House. But Kejriwal resigned without fulfilling a single promise.

Instead he sought the support of the BJP and the Congress to introduce and pass the controversial Jan Lokpal and Swaraj Bills without goingthrough the mandated legal and constitutional procedures. As both the Congress and the BJP did not agree, Kejriwal resigned and sought to invoke public sympathy.

After resigning from the chief ministership of Delhi, Kejriwal put up AAP candidates in several parts of the country in 2014 parliamentary polls. But his promise to provide a clean alternative to the country’s
political system seems to be an eyewash.

A survey conducted by an independent think tank Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has exposed the hollowness of Kejriwal’s tallclaims. The ADR has analysed the affidavits filed by 8163 out of 8230 independent candidates and candidates of several political parties in the fray in 2014 parliamentary elections.  About 15% of AAP candidates (65 in numbers) have criminal cases filed against them.  Out of them 10% are battling in courts against serious criminal cases filed
against them. AAP candidates are facing charges relating to murder, attempts to murder, crime against women, charges of creating communal disharmony, robbery and dacoity, kidnapping.

Some of the serious criminal charges, if proved, may amount to imprisonment up to five years or more. Some of the offences are non-bailable in nature. About 42 AAP candidates have confessed have serious criminal cases pending against them.

It seems that AAP has followed the path of other political parties by relying upon muscle power, instead of providing a clean alternative that it founder Kejriwal and his mentor Anna Hazare had promised time and again to the people.

In the race for use of money power in polls, AAP is not much behind. About 45% of AAP candidates (192 in numbers) are wealthy people called Crorepatis. About 115 (27%) out of 427 AAP candidates occupy the top three highest assets positions in their constituencies. To cite a few examples, AAP candidate from Bangalore central V Bala Krishnan  has adeclared asset of Rs 1,89,42,53,519, AAP candidate from Mumbai South Meera Ashish Sanyal has declared asset of Rs 50,94,61,553, AAP candidate for Darbhanga Lok Sabha seat in Bihar, Prabhat Ranjan Das has a declared asset of Rs 36,46,42,463, AAP candidate from Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu R Chakravarthi Raja Gopala Krishnan has a declared asset of Rs 32,59,25,000 and AAP candidate from Ghaziabad in UP Shazia Ilmi Malik has a declared asset of Rs 30,33,42,609.  According to ADR survey 109 AAP candidates have not filed their Income Tax Returns.

AAP has moved away from its declared concept of Aam Aadmi (common man) for whose interests it had pledged to fight against injustice. The party leaders live in luxury apartments and bunglows in posh colonies. They dress themselves in costly suits and attires and not in dhoti-kurta, the dress of the country’s common man – the real Aam Aadmi.

The party has enough funds to pay its full-time and part-time volunteers. Funds are flowing from foreign countries and AAP says that these funds are contributions from non-resident Indians (NRIs) abroad. The situation raises several eyebrows. Every year, on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the government had been making appeals to NRIs and Overseas Indians to investment in Indian economy, individually or by pooling in their resources. But the NRI investment in Indian economy had not been that encouraging, though their remittances to their family remained high. It is difficult to believe that NRIs who are shying to invest their hard earned money in Indian economy would fund a political party like AAP in a big way.

But AAP leaders have been careful in showing their poll expenses within the limits fixed by the Election Commission at Rs 14 lakhs. In the last 2013 Delhi Assembly elections, the average election expense declared by six ministers was Rs 8.07 lakh. AAP leader Girish Soni had shown highest election expense at Rs 12,53 lakh, followed by Rakhi Birla at Rs 11.65 lakh, Jarnail Singh at Rs 11.64 lakh, Harish Khanna at Rs 10.97 lakh, Jagdeep Singh at Rs 10.88 lakh, Sanjeev Jha at Rs 9.96 lakh. Arvind Kejriwal has shown a low poll expenditure at Rs 3.99 lakh followed by Ashok Kumar from Ambedkar Nagar constituency at Rs 3.78 lakh.

It is clear that AAP has moved away from its pledge to cleanse the Indian political system. It is very much in the race for both muscle and money power.

(*The writer is a senior journalist on strategic and policy issues. He is a former Agriculture Editor in Financial Express. He can be reached atashokbsharma@gmail.com. His mobile ph no 09810902204)

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WASH for School Program to be Scaled Up across 400 schools in Assam

12052014

Group Handwashing with Soap before Mid-day Meals  

Guwahati: A high level team consisting of the Axom Sarba Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) Mission, Govt. of Assam and UNICEF  visited   rural primary schools in Kamrup district, Assam, today  to review the strategic  intervention of Group Handwashing with Soap before  mid-day meals.

As part of the  DHaAL  (Daily Handwashing for an Ailment-free Life ) – Fit for School  project, team members had an opportunity to see the low-cost and high impact innovations demonstrating group handwashing with soap before mid-day meals. These are being implemented  as a part of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools initiative. 

“We visited Sajjanpara Lower Primary School under Rani Block and Dahali Lower Primary School under Rampur block in Kamrup district to review the progress of the WASH programme initiated two years ago. So far we have covered 100 schools and plan to scale it up to 320 more government  schools,” said Dr.Tushar Rane, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Assam.

Mr. Harkirat Singh, Managing Director, Woodland was also part of the team.  The company’s Corporate Social Responsibility wing ’Proplanet’  has been supporting WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) in Schools programme of UNICEF since 2011 and has raised over 1.25 crore  rupees towards the programme.

“UNICEF has been a strong partner to our sustainability initiative ‘ProPlanet’ and both of us have worked together over the last few years. We have nurtured a community of ProPlaneteers who are concerned about the environment and through them, we have touched the lives of many vulnerable communities,” said Mr Singh.

The corporate partnership has helped reach out to over 20,000 children across the country over the past three years and sets the way forward for similar corporate engagement initiatives supporting access to safe drinking water and sanitation for children in schools.

The delegation interacted with teachers, School Management Committees, students, mothers’ group during the field visit and were accompanied by  Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Assam team working under the WASH in Schools component of Child Friendly Schools and Systems Programme.

Interacting with the teachers, Mr. Murat Sahin, Global Advisor, WASH in Schools, UNICEF, New York, said, “ The visit to these schools show how integrating critical behaviours such as hand washing,  into the world’s largest Mid-Day meals program can bring amazing results for children.”

Functional WASH infrastructures in schools have a far reaching impact,  enabling children to internalize related behaviours and influence their families and communities to adopt hygienic practices. Moreover,diseases such as diarrhoea, intestinal worms and respiratory infections lead to school absenteeism, increased drop-out rates and impact on children’s physical and cognitive development as well as education attainment.

The visiting team also reviewed other key  WASH in School interventions being implemented under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. These include three  crucial components viz.  availability of safe drinking water,  good quality functional toilets for girls and boys, and  handwashing.

About UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do.  Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. 

For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org and www.unicef.org/india

For more information, please contact:

Delhi:

• Geetanjali Master, Communication Specialist, UNICEF India 

Tel: 91-981 810 5861, E-mail: gmaster@unicef.org

• Sonia Sarkar, Communication Officer- Media, UNICEF India

Tel: +91-981 017 0289, E-mail: ssarkar@unicef.org

Assam:

Veena Kumari, Communication Officer, UNICEF Field Office, Assam, +9706237123, vkumari@unicef.org

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India to make a mark in the world cycling circuit with the inaugural Manali Khardungla Cycling Championship-2014

12052014

New Delhi: Put on your riding gears, sunglasses, old jacket and the running shoes, clean up your cycles, the water can, the helmet and prime up your body. For, India is to make its mark in the world cycling circuit with the Northern Escapes’ Manali Khardungla Cycling Championship – 2014 – and everyone is invited to make it a grand success.

Whereas in countries like Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherland, USA people are crazy about cycling as a sport, India had till sometime back, completely lacked taking interest in the sport. But, recently there has been a sea-change in the interest levels and more and more people have taken up cycling on a regular basis. Northern Escapes brings India’s first ever cycling championship to India this year in July (5^th-13^th July).

  

Amidst a clear blue sky, the Manali Khardung La route is very soothing and picturesque with snow capped mountains, rocky terrain, deep valleys, shimmering high altitude turquoise lakes and a deadly desert which have always attracted cyclist and motorists from across the world. But, it has never had a cycling championship, and hence Northern Escapes brings the experience of unparalleled beauty and adventure in this 520 Km’s race directed by long distance cyclist Anil Uchil, where the eligibility for entering the race is 18+ and physically fit with good amount of endurance. The winners will win high end championship grade cycles.

The championship has three integral formats – the first format is a 7 stage race from Manali to KhardungLa determining the winner on the basis of time, speed and distance (TSD). The second format of race is of 2 days from Manali to Jispa in Himachal, the participants can then complete the journey with Northern Escapes’ support vehicles or take a leisure cycling trip route further. The third format is for participants who want to enjoy the ride and do not wish to be a part of the race. More details about the formats are available in www.manalikhardungla.in

This route has been famous for its changing scenic beauty at every bend. From lush green pastures to rocky mountain deserts famously known as the Moon Land has attracted several cyclists from many countries. The ever-changing landscapes and the challenging terrain attracts more than 3,000 cyclist and bikers to explore the region every year.

Northern Escapes founder, Gaurav Schimar says, “The Manali-Khardungla Cycling Championship is a test of ability and endurance where the cyclists are not only pitched against each other, but also against the sheer elements in surreal surroundings in this high-altitude region. Each year, hundreds of cyclists from across the world cycle on this route, but this is the first time a race is being organised on this circuit.”

“With the times to come, this race is aimed to become an international event, with cyclists from across the globe participating in it. This race is to encourage and ensure that we can put India on the global cycling circuit.” adds Mr Schimar.

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