Monday, November 17, 2014

“Ghazab Teri Ada” under the direction of Prof. Waman Kendre.

“Ghazab Teri Ada” under the direction of Prof. Waman Kendre.

“Ghazab Teri Ada” under the direction of Prof. Waman Kendre. In this regard, it is to inform that the Press Release in respect of the play already been sent to you and also to inform that a preview show / special show has been arranged on 18th November, 2014 at 6.30 pm at Abhimanch at NSD premises.
Since, it’s a new production after a long gap by NSD Repertory Company based on biggest war in history ‘World War-I’ and therefore, Director, NSD invites you to witness the special show on the above mentioned date & time.
Please accept our invitation and spare some time from your busy schedule to witness the play “Ghazab Teri Ada”. Prof. Waman Kendre, Director of the play will be available on the day for his views.
If you have any queries, please do call me on my cell i.e. 9810329401.
Looking forward to see you at the show.
With warm Regards,
A.K. Barua
Public Relations Officer
NSD

Waman Kendre pays his tribute one of the biggest wars in history ‘World War – I

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Waman Kendre pays his tribute one of the biggest wars in history ‘World War – I in his latest production, ‘Ghazab Teri Ada’
  • ‘Ghazab Teri Ada’ brings a socio political issue in a musical but humorous format on stage
17th November, 2014: A war of 65 million men from 30 countries, nearly 10 million deaths, 35 million civilian casualties and 20 million wounded. Spanish flu that caused 1/3rd of total military deaths and around 30 billion dollars spent on the mass massacre, World War – I complete 100 years.
Amidst this huge loss, the women turned stronger to being independent. She shifted from the periphery to being the center of attention and claimed her right in decision making. She demanded and further went to being independent.
Paying tribute to the war that is never to be forgotten, director Waman Kendre brings on stage ‘Ghazab Teri Ada’. To be staged on the 19th till the 23rd November, 2014 in Abhimanch at 6:30 PM. There will be two additional shows on the 22nd and the 23rdNovember at 3:00 PM also. This play is the NSD Director’s second production with the NSD Repertory Company after ‘Janeman’
The play opens with the king ordering his solders’ from his kingdom to go for a war with the motive of expanding his kingdom further. He calls for a war just to prove he is the mightiest emperor of the world. Amidst this, all the women of the kingdom looking at the after effects of the war take a stern decision to stop them. And this brings an interesting twist to the play and the plot…..
Director of the play says, “ ‘Ghazal Teri Ada’ is a farcical drama which deals with a very socio political content. With humor, music and drama the play highlights many issues that are the most discussed and talked about. Where war has always been a man’s responsibility, the play will highlight women can play an equally important role in bringing peace and serenity in a society.”
Wars which has changed millions of life, wars that has made children orphans and young women widow. ‘Ghazab Teri Ada’ is a tribute to the innumerable lives lost by the young, old and the innocent to fight these wars.
‘Ghazab Teri Ada’ has the expertise of playwright, music design and direction by Prof Waman Kendre. Prof. Suresh Bharadwaj is bringing the set to life with light design. The musical play has the music arrangement by Subhash M. Karote, Anil N Sutar at choreography, costume design by Sandhya Salve and set designed by Naved Inamdar.
Suresh Sharma is currently the chief of the NSD Repertory company.
About NSD Repertory
National School of Drama Repertory was formed in 1964 & 65 on an experimental basis by Sh. E. Alkazi. In the beginning, it consisted of only four actors, it later expanded into a larger group of actors, musicians and technicians, mainly drawan from graduates of the National School of Drama.
Over the years the Repertory has produced a variety of plays ranging from stylized musicals to realistic contemporary works of Indian drama to translations and adaptations of foreign language plays. Eminent directors of national and international repute from within the country and abroad have worked with the company.

Repertory has performed over 155 plays by 65 playwrights and has worked with 75 directors. Quite a few of the actors of the company have emerged over the years as celebrities in theatre, cinema and television in India. The Repertory tours extensively all over India and has made several successful trips of Germany, Poland, Britain, Nepal, Mauritius and Bangladesh.
The Repertory paid a homage too Mohan Rakesh, in 1992-93 on his twentieth death anniversary through a major festival of his plays.

Rang Yatra, an exhibition, consisting of photographs, set models, costumes, properties, posters etc. of Repertory productions was inaugurated in 1991 on the occasion of the Silver
Jubilee celebration of the Company. The company celebrates 50 years of its existence.

For further details contact
A.K Barua
Public Relations Officer
National School of Drama
Mob: 9810329401




National Awards for Excellence in Journalism conferred by Press Council of India

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Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting has said that the success of Indian democracy owed much to the independent and responsible press which had played a crucial role in educating and empowering the masses. Journalists have acted like soldiers utilizing the weapons of pen and newspaper columns. The Minister stated this while delivering his address at a function to commemorate National Press Day organized by Press Council of India here today.
During his address, Col. Rathore reiterated the Government’s commitment to protect, preserve and promote freedom of the press. The Minister called upon the journalists to maintain professional integrity and ethical standards in their pursuit of truth. In the function, the Minister also released a souvenir highlighting the role of Press Council of India in ensuring fair practices of journalism.
Also speaking on the occasion, Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State (IC) for Environment, Forests and Climate change said that freedom of the press was sacrosanct in a democracy and that this freedom came with responsibilities. Media has to facilitate active discussions and debates on various issues of national importance, the Minister added. Justice Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India, who was the chief guest of the function, said that Press in India had a larger role to preserve, restore and propagate democratic and humanitarian values balancing them with changes in technology and perceptions of freedom.
The function also witnessed the conferring of National Awards in different categories on print journalists for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The categories of awards included Rural Journalism, Developmental Reporting, Stree Shakti (Women Empowerment), Single News Picture, Photo Feature, and Urdu Journalism. Justice Markandey Katju, Chairman, Press Council of India and Smt. Vibha Bhargava, Secretary, Press Council of India were also present on the occasion.
National Press Day marked the day of establishment of Press Council of India, PCI, as a statutory agency to ensure free and responsible press. This was the day on which the PCI started functioning as a moral watchdog to safeguard the independence of press in India.




PM’s Statement on Energy at G20 Summit

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Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today expressed India`s support for a new global standard on automatic exchange of information, which would be instrumental in getting information about unaccounted money hoarded abroad and enable it`s eventual repatriation. He was making an intervention during the G20 session on Delivering Global Economic Resilience. He said he supported all initiatives to facilitate exchange of information and mutual assistance in tax policy and administration.
Noting that increased mobility of capital and technology have created new opportunities for avoiding tax and profit shifting, the Prime Minister said he urged every jurisdiction, especially tax havens, to provide information for tax purposes in accordance with treaty obligations.
The Prime Minister reiterated his call for close policy coordination among major economies, saying this is important not just for also addressing the challenge of black money, but also for security issues like terrorism, drug trafficking, arms smuggling etc. He said although all countries have their domestic priorities, coordinated decisions would “help us all” in the long run. He said the resilience of the global financial system will also depend on cyber security.
• Increased access to affordable, assured and clean energy supply for all should be our primary goal. It is a major economic opportunity for all countries.
• Let us make an ambitious and innovative effort to make renewable, especially solar energy, competitive with conventional energy. In Gujarat, the canal-top project worked well and saved water, too.
• Pricing of carbon, especially in mature markets with universal availability of power, can stimulate shift to renewable energy.
• Let us increase our collective R&D efforts and collaboration; and, ensure dissemination to all countries. For this, I would propose that we set up a global virtual centre for clean energy research and development, with adequate public funding, which will fund collaborative projects in diverse sources of clean energy, smart grids, energy efficiency, etc. India and the United States have built an excellent virtual centre on a bilateral basis, with matching public and private funding. We can select a team of outstanding experts to evaluate and judge research projects. The results should be available to all countries.
• We should also discuss innovative funding models to ensure rapid expansion of renewable energy in decentralised manner in rural areas.
• In countries like India, there are vast opportunities for those wishing to invest in clean coal technology, since our dependence will not reduce very soon.
• Nuclear energy can still be a safe, reliable and clean source of energy. It will be an important part of our mix.
• Energy efficiency is the best source of clean energy. In India, for example, building energy efficiency and efficiency in areas such as buildings, household appliances and industrial goods is receiving strong attention. I invite you to come and invest in this sector in India.
• I also believe that change in lifestyle and economy in consumption will be the most enduring response to energy challenges.
• G20 can be effective in promoting an integrated the natural gas market, ensuring freer trade in gas and ensuring that the markets operate more efficiently.




Indian Railways and Republic of Korea Sign MoU

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Indian Railways and Republic of Korea Sign MoU on Technical Cooperation in the Rail Sector
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed in Seoul today i.e. 17.11.2014 between the Ministry of Railways, Government of India and the Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of the Government of Republic of Korea (South Korea). The MoU on Technical Cooperation in the Rail sector was signed in Seoul by Shri Arunendra Kumar, Chairman, Railway Board from the Indian side and Mr. Yeo Hyung Koo, Vice Minister, MOLIT from the South Korean side.
The MoU would enable technical assistance and cooperation between the Railways of the two countries on areas such as High Speed Rail, Modernisation of Rolling Stock, Railway Operations, Modernisation of Signalling, Construction & Maintenance technologies and in development of Logistics Parks/Terminals.




G-20-WTO Events, Always Off AgendaPeople

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Ravinder Singh
To
Ajit Jha amitabhth@yahoo.com Anand Ganesh Paramartha Lingam ash kols and 337 more…
Today at 5:20 AM




WEC India Energy Portal – One Stop Energy Resource Center

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WEC India Energy Portal

One Stop Energy Resource Center
SMART: Strategic Management Actions for Radical Transformations
Location: Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, London, United Kingdom
Dates: 18-22 November, 2014
This  4 day long program  is designed and conducted by NTPC SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, Power Management Institute, Noida . The   program  will cover topics related to global sustainable energy, green cities, application of advanced financial instruments in funding energy sector projects across the globe, environmental Aspects of Energy and Power Sector, Challenges in Power Project: Execution and Implementation, Corporate Governance. The programme will be highly interactive with conceptual inputs supplemented with presentations, cases , exercises and group discussions.The attempt is to source participants from Energy & Power sector, Banks and Financial Institutions Funding Agencies in Energy and Power Projects, Oil & Gas Exploration and Marketing Companies, Consultants/ Regulators of Energy and Power sector

  1. Reliance Jio Infocomm looks to hire 3,000 at regional levels to set up retail, distribution chains
    Two former Google executives have also joined Jio as part of efforts to build up a global team, with special accent on digital media.
  2. JSW Engery, JP Power gain on hydro projects deal
    Jaiprakash Power Ventures has rallied 6% to Rs 15.20, while JSW Energy gained 4% to Rs 78.60 on NSE.
  3. Powerful 6.7 quake off New Zealand coast
    A powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook the east coast of New Zealand today, but authorities ruled out an immediate tsunami threat.
  4. Indraprastha Gas gets government backing over power to fix transport tariff in Delhi
    Government has backed IGL, arguing that the board cannot fix the maximum retail price under the Act and that this will be decided by the company.
  5. India, Nepal to sign deal for 900 MW power project
    Two Nepalese cities have formed sister city relationships with two Indian cities and preparations are underway to sign a memorandum of understanding for the purpose.
  6. JSW Energy agrees to buy Jaiprakash hydropower assets for Rs 9,700 crore
    JSW Energy Ltd said on Sunday it had agreed to buy two hydropower projects from Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd in a deal valued at Rs 9,700 crore.
  7. Sell solar power to discoms under new initiative
    The national capital has been facing severe power shortage during peak summer months and the power regulator is of the view that solar energy can bridge the gap.
  8. BJP urges Centre to review power projects in Arunachal Pradesh
    Demanding a CBI probe into the matter, he said the project opposite to the Parshuram Kund was a threat to the holy site.
  9. ADR trains sights on money power in politics
    The modest office in New Delhi’s Green Park can barely accommodate 32 enthusiastic employees, colourful posters and a series of incisive reports. An annual budget of nearly Rs 3 crore keeps the organisation afloat, but the Association for Democratic …
  10. Centre announces mega power project for Bihar
    Electricity-starved Bihar will get a 4,000-Mw Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP) and Centre will allocate sufficient number of coal blocks for it, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Saturday.”The Centre will soon initiate the process for …
  11. 4,000 mw ultra mega power plant for Bihar announced
    Bihar will get a 4,000 MW Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP) and Centre will allocate sufficient number of coal blocks for it, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal announced.
  12. Modi govt paying attention to power-starved eastern states: Piyush Goyal
    Keeping politics at bay, the Narendra Modi government is paying special attention towards eastern states, including Bihar, for improving power situation, Union Minister for Power Piyush Goyal said today.
  13. DERC rolls back power tariff hike
    The hike was to adjust the increased cost of power purchase by distribution companies
  14. GVK Power net loss widens in September quarter to `235.56 crore
    Gas supply issues to plants, interest costs of `140 crore on money taken as debt to buy a stake in Mumbai, Bengaluru airports weigh on profit
  15. With new team in place, Modi tightens grip on power
    Anil Swarup is just the kind of man Prime Minister Narendra Modi is relying on to fix India – a high-flying civil servant with a taste for complex policy and swift decisions.
  16. Delhi power rates to go up by 7%
    The rise in rate is to adjust the increased cost of power purchase by distribution companies
  17. ONGC to sell petrochemical, power unit stakes worth $1 billion
    Firm is seeking to sell to strategic investors a 25% stake each in two petrochemical ventures and a power project
  18. Opec’s choice is pricing power or sales in new oil order
    Opec, in its November meeting, could decide if it will reassert control by cutting output or wait to see if lower prices choke off the shale boom
  19. Tata Power Solar to supply modules for 10 MW project
    Tata Power Solar today said it has won an order to supply entire module requirement for the 10 MW project in Rajasthan.
  20. Coal issues need to be addressed for affordable power: Essar Energy CEO Sushil Maroo
    Essar Energy Plc’s Chief Executive Officer Sushil Maroo today said that affordable power is linked to many risk mitigation factors.
For more information Contact – WEC India Secretariat, C/o NTPC Limited, 7th Floor, Core-6, SCOPE Complex, New Delhi-110 003, India
Email: info@wecindia.in, Phone: 011-2436 3719, Fax: 011-2436 9530, Website: http://www.wecindia.in




Quake of (M6.7) OFF EAST COAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND, N.Z

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Quake of (M6.7) OFF EAST COAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND, N.Z. -37.8 179.8 (3fa06)
USGS ENS
To
Nksagar_1@yahoo.com
Today at 4:39 AM




The SARCist

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To
me
Today at 12:16 PM




आधुनिक इंडिया के बैनर तले बिरसा मुंडा जयंती  धूमधाम  से  मनाया  गया  

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नई दिल्ली  (15 नवंबर) धरती  अबा  नाम  से  प्रसिध्य  आदिवासी  महानायक  बिरसा  मुंडा  का  139  जन्मदिवस  पुरे  देश  के  साथ  ही शनिवार को  राजधानी  दिल्ली  में  भी  बड़े  ही  धूमधाम  से  मनाई  गई . जय  सिंह   मार्ग  स्थित  हेंज  ऑडिटोरियम  में  आधुनिक  इंडिया  के  बैनर तले  बिरसा  मुंडा  का  139 वी  जन्मजयंती   मनाई  गई . इस  अवसर  पर  एक  संगोष्ठी  का  भी  आयोजन  किया  गया . बिभिन्न आदिवासी जनगोष्टी के प्रतिनिधियों ने शामिल हुए इस संगोष्ठी में जिसका नाम आदिवासी पूर्व, वर्तमान और भविष्यत् रखा गया था.
इस अवसर पर सबसे पहले आदिवासी परंपरा अनुसार सभी अतिथियों का स्वागत किया गया तत्पचात दीप प्रज्वलित किया गया उसके उपरांत धरती अबा बिरसा मुंडा के चित्र में फूलो द्वारा उनका नमन किया गया. उसके बाद सभी अतिथियों का फुलाम गमछा से स्वागत किया गया. उसके उपरांत संगोष्ठी का सुरुआत किया गया . संगोष्ठी का अध्यक्षता एम सी देऊगम ने किया.
इस अवसर पर कार्यक्रम को केंद्रीय सुचना आयोग के संयुक्त सचिव  शांति प्रिय वेक, दिल्ली सरना समाज से सोमा मिंज, मेजर शिवेन्द्र पाण्डेय, उत्तर प्रदेश भाजपा सामाजिक न्याय मोर्चा के कार्यकारी सद्यस्य महेश चन्द्र साहू,   हो समाज से एम.सी. देवगाम, सीबीसीआई सेंटर के आदिवासी कमिटी के सचिव स्तानिस्लॉस तिर्की, मौलाना आज़ाद मेडिकल कॉलेज के निदेशक प्रोफेसर डॉ. प्रकाश चन्द्र राय, अशोक बक्सला, जॉन नाग, यूपीएससी के  उप सचिव मंगल मरांडी तथा एशिया पसिफ़िक इंडिजेनस युथ नेटवर्क, फिलीपींस के भारत के अध्यक्ष तथा भारत के लिए संयुक्त राष्ट्र के प्रतिनिधि, डॉ. मीनाक्षी मुंडा, योजना आयोग के निदेशक मैरी बी बारला, असम आदिवासी दिल्ली एसोसीएसन के अध्यक्ष जेम्स टोप्पो, पूर्व भारतीय प्रशासनिक अधिकारी आर एल मीणा ने संबोधित किया।
कार्यक्रम के दौरान वक्ताओं ने बिरसा मुंडा के सामाजिक और स्वतंत्रता संग्राम में योगदान को याद करते हुए आदिवासियों के जंगल और जमीन को बचाने के लिए हर संभव प्रयास करने की जरूरत पर बल दिया। देश के राजनीतिक नेतृत्व द्वारा आजादी के बाद भी बिरसा मुंडा को उचित सम्मान न दिए जाने पर निराशा व्यक्त करते हुए कार्यक्रम में मांग की गईं कि राजधानी में एनडीएमसी एरिया में कहीं उपयुक्त स्थान पर बिरसा मुंडा की मूर्ति लगाईं जाए। उनके नाम पर राजधानी में कम से कम एक सामुदायिक केंद्र का निर्माण किया जाए जहां आदिवासी समुदाय के लोग मिलजुल कर विचार-विमर्श कर सके और अपने कार्यक्रमों को अंजाम दे सके। कार्यक्रम में बिरसा मुंडा के नाम पर एक सड़क या लेन का नाम रखने की भी मांग की गईं। कार्यक्रम के आयोजक आधुनिक इंडिया के मुख्य संपादक डी.के.चौहान ने वहां मौजूद लोगों को जानकारी दी कि जल्द ही आदिवासी लोगों का टेलीफोन नम्बरों की एक डायरी प्राकाशित की जाएगी। कार्यक्रम में मेहरौली ट्राइबल कल्चरल  ग्रुप द्वारा सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम प्रस्तुत किया गया. कार्यक्रम का संचालन कमल चंद किसपोट्टा ने किया. कार्यक्रम का धन्यबाद ज्ञापन आधुनिक इंडिया के मुख्य संपादक डी. के. चौहान ने किया. कार्यक्रम में असम, बंगाल, झारखंड, बिहार और राजस्थान से भी बड़ी संख्या में लोग आए थे।

With Regards..
D.K.Chauhan
AADHUNIK INDIA
Press Room, CTO, Eastern Court,
Janpath, New Delhi – 110001
M – 09716775291




Mumbai City FC eyeing a win and ISL top spot

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Mumbai: Mumbai City FC will look to find their scoring touch and three full points when they take on FC Goa in the Hero Indian Super League encounter at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Monday evening.
The team, co-owned by Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor and Chartered Accountant Bimal Parekh, have maintained a clean slate in their last four games though having also failed to score in their last two away encounters.
One of those encounters were against the visitors, where both teams fought for midfield superiority and failed to break the opposition defence.
However, the home support and conditions could play a big factor on Monday as the hosts aim to win all remaining hom points available with an eye on a semi-final berth.
Mumbai City FC have 11 points from eight outings so far and have three more home games, including the one on Monday, to play as the battle for the top four slots hots-up.
As things stand now, all the eight teams have a chance to reach the semi-finals and only two points separate Mumbai City FC from table toppers Atletico de Kolkata. A victory on Monday could see the host take pole position in the overall standings for the first time in the tournament.
But for that to happen, coach Peter Reid knows that the forward line has to fire again and it would be interesting to see if the Englishman makes any changes to his starting XI, after having tweaked his formation only due to injuries in the last few games.
At the Pre- Match press conference Mumbai City FC’s Assistant Coach Steve Darby commented “Players don’t like being beaten and it just doesn’t help morale, so it is important to stop getting beaten. We have done that and we have had four clean sheets in a row. I think there’s been a lot of nil-nil draws going on in the League, so it’s a sign of a mature League”
“I can categorically say that Freddie is not playing. The others are all in contention. Everyone else, 26 players are all fit but Freddie is not ready yet. We go for a win every game, honestly. Our view is we don’t give anything away. We have people like Anelka, possibly Moritz who can score. That’s the realistic… We are told there will be a good crowd, a lot of tickets sold. It does help, the crowd, honestly.
Tiago Ribeiro at the pre-match press conference commented “We have ensured that the gaps we have had earlier in the League, we have closed them. We are communicating better on the field and we started working as a unit. That’s changed over the last few matches”




“What Can Make SAARC Work?”

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  AAC logo without Formaly
Session on

“What Can Make SAARC Work?”


EVENT DETAILS
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DATETuesday, November 18, 2014
TIME3:00 PM  - 4:30 PM (Registration: 02:30 pm)
LOCATIONWWF Auditorium, 172-B, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi – 110003
SPEAKERSAmbassador Shyam Saran,  Chairman, National Security Advisory Board & Chairman, Research and Information System for Developing Countries
Dr Gowher Rizvi,  Prime Minister’s International Affairs Advisor (with rank and status of Cabinet Minster),  Bangladesh
CHAIRAmbassador Sheel Kant Sharma, Former Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
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ABOUT THE EVENT
The absence of an effective multilateral mechanism in South Asia has withheld any purposeful convergence in the region. SAARC, the only regional forum available, continues to be plagued by regional rivalries and trust deficit and is yet to attain the vibrancy demonstrated by several regional arrangements in other parts of the world. This is despite the forum possessing enormous potential for cooperation in cross-cutting sectors to foster well-being of the people in the region. The upcoming SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in November would provide the Indian leadership an opportunity to further its vision of regional integration and infusing dynamism in the forum. The public session will have outstanding experts who will discuss new ways of enhancing connectivity across the region, promoting regional trade and investments and addressing the security concerns and hence create a vibrant SAARC forum.
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 SPEAKERS
Shyam Saran 29-08-14SHYAM SARAN, Chairman, National Security Advisory Board & Chairman, Research and Information System for Developing Countries
Shyam Saran is a career diplomat born on September 4, 1946.  Since joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1970, he has served in several capitals of the world including 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, New Delhi, 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. After a career spanning 34 years in the Indian Foreign Service, Saran was appointed India’s Foreign Secretary in 2004 and held that position till his retirement from service in September 2006. Subsequent to his retirement, 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.  He has, since March 2010, returned to being a private citizen. During his last two assignments, Shyam Saran served as Prime Minister’s personal representative or “Sherpa” at the Gleneagles and St. Petersburg G8+G5 summits and was present at the Tokyo and L’Aquila Summits as an advisor on Climate Change issues. He also attended the Pittsburg G-20 summit as a member of the Indian delegation. Currently, Shyam Saran is Chairman of the National Security Advisory Board under the National Security Council. He serves as Chairman, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, which is an autonomous think tank specializing in studies on economic and trade related issues. He is also Senior Fellow with the Centre for Policy Research, a prestigious think tank which covers a wide range of political, social and economic issues, including foreign policy related issues. He speaks and writes regularly on a variety of subjects. Shyam Saran was Co-Chair on the Indian side on the India-ASEAN Eminent Persons’ Group in 2010-2012.  He was, until recently, serving as an Independent Director on the Boards of Wipro. He continues to serve as Independent Director on the boards of ONGC (Videsh) and Indian Oil respectively. He is a member, Board of Trustees of World Wildlife Fund (India). Shyam Saran has recently been appointed as Chancellor of the Garhwal Central University. On January 26, 2011, Shyam Saran was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India for his contribution to Civil Service. The Padma Bhushan is the third highest national award in the country. Saran holds a post-Graduate degree in Economics.  He speaks Hindi, English and Chinese and is conversant in French. He is married and has one son and a daughter.
 GOWHER RIZVI 13-11-14DR. GOWHER RIZVIPrime Minister’s international Affairs Advisor (with rank and status of Cabinet Minster), Bangladesh
Professor Gowher Rizvi is Advisor to the Prime Minister for International Affairs and Special Representative since April 2009. In a career nearly three decades, and spanning four continents, Professor Rizvi has combined academic appointments with positions in international organizations, not-for-profit institutions and the media.
 Prior to moving to Dhaka Rizvi held the offices of the Vice Provost for International Programs & Professor of Global Affairs at the University of Virginia. Earlier he was the director of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance & Innovation at the John F. School of Government, Harvard University. He has held a number of other positions in academic, nonprofit and international organizations including: Representative of the Ford Foundation for South Asia in Delhi & New York; Director, Asia Society New York; Fellow and Professor of International Relations, Nuffield College, Oxford; Pro-Director & Beit Fellow in Commonwealth Studies, Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford; Senior Lecturer, University of Warwick; Regional Director for Asia Pacific at Oxford Analytica; Lecturer in History, Balliol College, Oxford; and special Assistant to the UN High Commissioner for Afghanistan. He has both taught and written on a range of subjects and has considerable hands-on experience in institutional management, international development and conflict resolution. His publications include wide range of issues on Bangladesh, South Asia and international affairs. In the last two decade he has been involved in the setting up of a large number of new foundations, institutions and capacity-building programs. As a teacher and educationist he has deep interest in quality education and research. He was born in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh. He obtained a ‘double first’ in BA Honors and MA from the University of Dhaka before going to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, where he obtained his D.Phil. He is married to Agnese Barolo, a native of Piedmont, Italy and has a daughter named “Maya.”
 CHAIR
 SHEEL KANT SHARMA 13-11-14SHEEL KANT SHARMAFormer Secretary General of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma is a career diplomat who was the ninth Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), serving from 2008 to 2011. An expert on energy, he also served as Ambassador of India to Austria and Permanent Representative of India to International Organisations in Vienna. He joined Indian Foreign Service in 1973.
 During his career, he served as First Secretary (Disarmament), Permanent Mission of India, Geneva (1983-1986), Counsellor, Embassy of India, Algiers (1986-1989). He was also Director (United Nations Division) and Disarmament Head, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi,  (1989 -1991), Joint Secretary (South & Disarmament), Ministry of External Affairs, dealing with ASEAN, Indo-China and South Pacific (1991 -1994), served deputation to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna in External Relations & Policy Coordination Division (1994 -2000), Joint Secretary (Disarmament & International Security Affairs) 2000, Additional Secretary (International Organisations), Ministry of External Affairs with previous charge expanded to include international organisations (2003 – 2004). Dr. Sharma represented India in various international forums covering all disarmament issues, bilateral security dialogues and Dialogues on nuclear non-proliferation, export controls and defence Cooperation, regional security forums such as ARF, CICA and other ad hoc groupings. He was a fellow at Institute of Defence Studies & Analysis (IDSA), New Delhi. He has authored and co-authored number of research articles, reports on range of issues on international affairs, nuclear disarmament and energy issues. Mr Sharma holds MSc degree in Nuclear Physics from Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai and PhD in High Energy Physics from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai. He is fluent in French and Arabic.

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