Friday, December 12, 2014

The First Indo-Russian Youth Innovation Summit

12122014
Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited Along With Sistema JSFC Present The First Indo-Russian Youth Innovation Summit
~Summit inaugurated In presence of senior leadership from Sistema JSFC, MTS Russia and MTS India ~
  • Indo-Russian Youth Innovation Summit to showcase the top 11 projects identified through MTS iNNOVATSii – a multi country initiative to identify innovative ideas across disciplines to make the world a better place.
  • Top 5 Indian teams from MTS iNNOVATSii awarded an all-expenses paid trip to Moscow.
  • Summit to also celebrate some of the most notable Russian inventions that made an impact on the course of human history and became Russia’s indelible contribution to global progress.
  • Entire event organised to promote Indo-Russian friendship and cooperation.
New Delhi,12th  December, 2014 – Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL)that provides telecom services under the brand MTS along with its parent Company Sistema JSFC partner with the Russian Federal Agency for CIS Affairs to host the first everIndo-Russian Youth Innovation Summit. The summit is devoted to state-of-the-art technologies and prospects of international cooperation in the sphere of telecom innovations and seeks to expand cooperation between Russia and India. The summit held at Russian Center for Science and Culture (RCSC), New Delhi was inaugurated in presence of Mr. Mikhail Shamolin, President & CEO – Sistema JSFC, Mr. Andrei Dubovskov, President & CEO – MTS Group, Mr. Dmitry Shukov, CEO – SSTL and Mr.Fyodor A Rozovskiy, Director – RCSC.
The summit showcases the best ideas and projects discovered through MTS iNNOVATSii– a unique initiative by MTS in India to look for telecom ideas that can be applied in commercial, social or government spheres with a high level objective to improve the overall quality of life. iNNOVATSii, which means “Innovation” in Russian, is a concept created by MTS in Russia and has been organised in Russia and CIS countries for the last four years under the aegis of “Telecom Idea” – an international contest for young innovators in telecom sphere. The initiative made its debut in India in 2014. The summit also presented an interactive exhibition devoted to Russian inventions that made an impact on the course of history and became Russia’s indelible contribution to global progress (nuclear-powered icebreaker, telegraph, radio, the first planetary rover, the glow lamp, etc).
According to Mr. Mikhail Shamolin, President & CEO – Sistema JSFC, “The Indo-Russian Summit is a great step forward in furthering the exchange of ideas amongst students and professionals from Russia and India. The summit not only celebrates some of the most important Russian inventions that have made a notable contribution to human history but also provides a glimpse into the future by showcasing innovative and futuristic ideas projects identified through MTS iNNOVATSii”.
As part of the event, the winners of MTS iNNOVATSii were felicitated and handed over their winner trophies – an apple, signifying innovation. MTS iNNOVATSii 2014 identified a total of 11 projects – 5 from India and 6 from Russia. The winners from Russia are on an educational trip to India and the Indian winners of MTS iNNOVATSii will be leaving for an all expenses trip to Moscow; the travel itinerary will include interactions with senior executives from MTS Russia and Sistema JSFC, along with a visit to the state-of-the-art Innovation Center in the Russian Capital.
According to Mr. Dmitry Shukov, CEO – Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL),“Our Company has been at the forefront when it comes to supporting new ideas and providing a platform for people to showcase their talent. Through MTS iNNOVATSii, it has been our constant endeavor to look for new ideas that help in improving the overall quality of life through the use of technology. Making its debut in India this year, MTS iNNOVATSii received a tremendous response from students as well as professionals from leading education institutions and the industry. I am sure in the coming years; this initiative would be even more successful.”



Key Projects Identified through MTS iNNOVATSii
MTS iNNOVATSii 2014 saw great enthusiasm from participants in India as well as in Russia. This year, a total of 11 projects have been declared winners including 5 from India and 6 from Russia. The top Indian projects showcased at the innovation summit includes ‘Greenopia’ – a mobile phone controlled system, which makes it less time consuming for urban residents to engage in Urban Farming and ‘Va-You’ – a security solution which uses a ceiling fan and converts it into a smart device which provides camera surveillance and intruder detection. The other ideas include projects onminimising power theft through real-time tracking of power consumption; use of instant messaging to create an information channel bridging the demand-supply gap for unorganised work-force and a project to create a mobile based service for people toknow the best places to visit in any city. The Russian projects are equally innovative and deal with areas like bio-metric authentication and apps to manage all appliances at home.
More About MTS iNNOVATSii 2014
Rolled out in a phased manner, MTS iNNOVATSii was launched in India on 1st July and invited entries to be submitted by 26thAugust. The initiative received great response and a total of 68 ideas and projects were received. In the second phase, an expert panel consisting of Rupesh Vyas, Professor – National Institute of Design, Vikas Jain, Co-Founder – Micromax, Anshoo Sharma, Principal – Light Speed Ventures and Dmitry Shukov, CEO – MTS India screened all the shortlisted projects to come up with the top 10 projects. The projects were evaluated on basis their potential to improve the overall quality of life through the use of telecom technology. The final phase saw the short-listed teams present their ideas before the expert panel. Out of the ten shortlisted projects/ideas, the top five were declared winners on 24th September. (Project Details in Annexure)
About Sistema JSFC
Sistema is the largest publicly-traded diversified holding company in Russia and the CIS, which invests in and is a major shareholder of companies serving over 100 million customers in the sectors of telecommunications, high technology, oil and energy, radars and aerospace, banking, retail, mass-media, tourism and healthcare services. Founded in 1993, the Company reported revenues of US$ 8.9 billion for the third quarter of 2014, and total assets of US$ 40.0 billion as at September 30, 2014. Sistema’s global depository receipts are listed under the symbol “SSA” on the London Stock Exchange. Sistema’s ordinary shares are listed under the symbol “AFKS” on the Moscow Exchange. Sistema was ranked number 308 in the 2013 edition of the Fortune Global 500 list. Website: www.sistema.com
About Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd
Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd. (SSTL) is a venture, involving equity participation by Sistema JSFC {LSE: SSA} of Russia, the Russian Federation and the Shyam Group of India. Sistema is the majority shareholder in the Company which operates its telecom services under the MTS brand. MTS is well recognized in India and worldwide for its commitment to high quality and innovative telecom solutions. MTS has recently been ranked by Millward Brown as 82nd most valuable brand in the world. For more information, please visit, www.mtsindia.in
About Mobile TeleSystems OJSC
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS”) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 100 million mobile subscribers. The Group has been awarded GSM licenses in Russia, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Belarus, a region that boasts a total population of more than 200 million. Since June 2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can be found at www.mtsgsm.com

  For Media enquiries:
Viraj Chouhan
Executive Director, Corp. Communications, SSTL
(M)+91 9136404000; (E)viraj.chouhan@mtsindia.in
Anshita Sharma
Senior Account Executive, Adfactors PR Pvt Ltd
(M) 9910669457;(E)anshita.sharma@adfactorspr.com





“Why is India’s Middle Class Back in Politics?”

12122014
  AAC logo without Formaly
Session on

“Why is India’s Middle Class Back in Politics?”


EVENT DETAILS
Black line
DATEWednesday, December 17, 2014
TIME4:45 PM  – 6:15 PM (Registration: 04:15 pm)
LOCATIONWWF Auditorium, 172-B, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi – 110003
SPEAKERSSmita Barooah,  Addictions Therapist, Writer and Fine Arts Photographer
Akhilesh Mishra, Marketing Professional, Election Campaigner & Writer
Rajeev Mantri,  Entrepreneur & Venture Capitalist
CHAIRSwapan Dasgupta, Political Columnist and Public Policy Analyst
Black line
ABOUT THE EVENT
The 2014 General Elections saw a huge movement of active participation of the Indian middle class in politics, especially the rise of professionals in the next generation of politics. Not long ago the presence of Indian “middle class” was insignificant in the political system. Of late, the ‘middle class’ has increasingly sought to influence national agenda and policies through new forms of citizens’ activism and on issues that directly affect it. Given their easy accessibility to digital and media technology, their intersecting interest with mainstream media, and televisions and instant connectivity, India’s middle class yearns for its voice to be heard in political sphere. Its numbers, accessibility and rising levels of anger at the state of things in the country provide a new political outlook in recent times. So now the main question arises – why is India’s Middle Class Back in Politics? The public session will have experts as well as professionals from diverse background who will discuss about the changing political dynamics of Indian middle class, who has often been considered as the mainstay of democracy.
Please respond by clicking one of the buttons below
YesNo
 SPEAKERS
Smita Barooah 11-12-14Smita BarooahAddictions Therapist, Writer & Fine Arts Photographer
Smita Barooah is an addictions therapist, writer and fine arts photographer. She is based currently in Singapore where she works in a mental health clinic. In the course of her work she has done projects in Changi Prison and in different halfway houses in Singapore. In addition, she conducts training for social workers and counsellors.
Ms Barooah is also a fine arts photographer and her work has been exhibited in some of Asia’s most prestigious galleries including the Fringe Club (Hong Kong), Sunjin & MICA Galleries (Singapore), NCPA (Mumbai), Birla Academy (Kolkata) and India Habitat Centre (Delhi). Ms Barooah has a BA (hons) and MA in Political Science from Delhi University and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Monash University. She has published numerous blogs and columns as well as written two books published by Roli Books. She took a sabbatical from her job to work on the BJP’s national election campaign of 2014.
 Akhilesh Mishra 11-12-14Akhilesh MishraMarketing Professional, Election Campaigner & Writer

Akhilesh Mishra is a marketing professional, election campaigner & writer. He has 10 years of experience in techno-commercial sales in infrastructure segment, industrial sales & institutional marketing. Akhilesh left his corporate job to join the BJP’s national election campaign of 2014. He led the content team of the party’s social media effort. He is currently writing the official book on the campaign “The Modi Wave-The Inside Story,” to be published by Harper Collins.
Akhilesh is a very active voice on social media since 2009, writing and blogging on important political, social and economic issues of the day. He is also a regular Op-Ed contributor in newspapers and various online commentary portals. He volunteered and led content division of “National Digital Operations Centre (NDOC)” of BJP for the 2014 national campaign. Before that he worked in sales and marketing division of a number of reputed organisations like Valvoline Cummins Ltd., Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery Ltd., Castrol India Ltd., and Atlas Copco (I) Limited.  Akhilesh is a B.Tech (Mining Machinery Engineering) from Indian School of Mines (ISM) Dhanbaad. Currently he is based in Gurgaon.
 Rajeev Mantri 11-12-14Rajeev MantriEntrepreneur & Venture Capitalist
Rajeev Mantri is an entrepreneur & venture capitalist.  He co-founded Vyome Biosciences, a dermatology-focused life sciences startup, with world-leading scientists from Harvard Medical School and Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, India. His interest in politics has led him to take up writing as a means of expression. His columns appear in some of India’s leading publications on range of topics including politics, foreign policy, public health, federalism, environmental policy, economic policy, and higher education.
His columns on venture capital, innovation and entrepreneurship have been published in The Wall Street Journal, Mint, The New Work Times, Financial Times, India Today, MIT Technology Review and others. Rajeev has also recently become a part of the Swachh Bharat campaign. He is also founder & executive director of Navam Capital and worked as an associate at Lux Capital New York. He also co-founded India Enterprise Council, an institution committed to promoting economic freedom, entrepreneurship and innovation in India. Rajeev holds a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University, United States.
 CHAIR
 Swapan Dasgupta 11-12-14Swapan DasguptaPolitical Columnist and Public Policy Analyst
Swapan Dasgupta is a political columnist and public policy analyst with 30 years experience based in New Delhi, India. His columns on contemporary India are published in The Telegraph, Sunday Times of India, Asian Age, Deccan Chronicle, Pioneer, Jagran and Free Press Journal. In addition, he is a regular commentator on politics on TV news channels.
He has occupied important editorial positions in major Indian newspapers and weeklies including Times of India, Telegraph, Indian Express and India Today. He was the London correspondent of Indian Express from 1995 to 1996 and managing editor of India Today until 2003. He was appointed by the Indian prime minister as a member of the India-UK Round Table dialogue from 1998 to 2004. He holds a Ph.D. from the School of Oriental and African Studies (London) and was a Research Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford.




Sagar Media Inc @ At Engagement Ceremony

12122014




Putin’s Visit : STRATEGIC ELEVATION OF TIES?

12122014
By ASHOK B SHARMA
India and Russia are natural allies, despite whatever is happening across the globe. Though not being an immediate neighbour, Russia is an indispensable and time tested friend. The erstwhile Soviet Union was sympathetic towards India’s struggle for independence. After Independence right from the Nehru era till today, the friendship between India and Russia passed through several trials. In the days of the cold war, when India opted for the non-aligned movement (NAM), the friendship between the two countries did not enter a bitter phase. Contrary there were pressure tactics from the Western bloc on India on various issues.
The most significant example of the erstwhile Soviet Union extending support to India in the time of need was in 1971 war with Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh. Its support was crucial at that time. The US had sent its Seventh Fleet to the Indian Ocean and China was preparing to intervene — both were trying to counter India’s move in liberating Bangladesh. The erstwhile Soviet Union deployed its forces at its borders to caution Beijing. Further it supported India’s position both at the United Nations and UN Security Council.
Even after, the end of cold war and collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia continues to be India’s important ally. In today’s era of multi-polarity in geopolitics, the two cannot choose any other as better friends. Both the countries have their natural compulsions in the contemporary situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly mentioned in a recent meeting that every child in India knows that our closest friend is Russia. President Vladimir Putin’s visit must only reconfirm it.
Some people in this country are much perturbed over Russia entering into a military pact with our neighbour-adversary, Pakistan for the first time to exchange of views and information on politico-military issues as well as issues related to strengthening of mutual trust and international security. Russia had been a long-time supplier of defence platforms to India. Even today 60 per cent to 70 per cent of our defence platforms are from Russia. It is the first country to come for co-production and co-development of defence products with India.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia may have lost some of its defence capability to its erstwhile Soviet members, but still the technology it has in its possession is quite needed for India. Whose technology is superior or more updated and sophisticated – whether the US or Russia – is not the moot issue. No country will be prepared to part with its recent technology. What matters is the trust and confidence and overall friendship in the time of need.
Today, the US has replaced Russia as the top supplier of defence products to India. It has also promised co-production and co-development with New Delhi and has assured to implement Modi government’s ‘Make in India’ ambitious programme. It is the right of India to have a choice of technologies in building up its defence preparedness.
Similarly, it is the case with Pakistan when it seeks to ink a defence pact with Russia. Here at this point, Russia needs to answer the critics of India-Russia friendship that its relationship with Islamabad would not come in the way of its long lasting and trusted friendship with New Delhi.
Russia today is a pariah after annexing Crimea. Western powers have accused it of continuing to support the separatist rebels in the eastern Ukraine and have also alleged Russia’s involvement in shooting down of the Malaysian airliner MH 17 killing 298 people on board while flying over the rebel-held area. President Putin had to face uncomfortable situation from leaders of the US, Canada, Japan and UK at the recent G20 Summit in Brisbane and as a result he had to leave before the G20 Leaders’ Communique was released and US President Obama and European leaders opened their talks on Ukraine.
It is now the right time for New Delhi to reciprocate its friendship with Russia. India stands to gain strategically in this situation in many ways by deepening its relations with Russia and is therefore, right in saying categorically that it cannot be party to any sanctions against its friend. India is Russia’s partner in BRICS, RIC, G20 and other global fora and Russia supports India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and membership of SCO.
But it is unfortunate that Prime Minister Modi could not give much time to President Vladimir Putin at the margins of BRICS Summit at Fortaleza as he devoted most of his spare time discussing with the Chinese President Xi Jinping. He, however, met the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, but had no structured meeting with Putin at the sidelines of G20 Summit.
India and Russia, being strategic partners, have multi-layered mechanism for bilateral interaction, one of the largest with any country in the world, that meets at Summit level annually, since 2000. The other key institutional mechanisms are Inter-governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation, co-chaired by two defence ministers, Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation co-chaired by Indian external affairs minister and Russian deputy prime minister, India-Russia Trade & Investment Forum co-chaired by Indian commerce minister and Russian economic development minister. Both India and Russia are determined to take this relationship to qualitatively new levels with a joint vision for the next decade.
Apart from several ongoing defence cooperation deals, the first stage of co-designing of the 5th generation fighter aircraft is completed. India and Russia are engaged in cooperation in space technology and India is interested in use of Russian receivers for satellite signals. On energy cooperation, Kudankulam nuclear power project stands out as the best example. India is interested in supply of gas through pipeline from Russia and acquiring more hydrocarbon projects in Russia.
Further, as Eurasian Free Trade Area is likely to take shape, New Delhi is interested in boosting the bilateral trade to beyond the existing $10 billion. It is also pressing for a North-South Transport Corridor via Iran. On the trade side, India benefits much from the import of rough diamonds from Russia and processing it for exports. India would stand to benefit from further agreements on defence, nuclear energy, customs, banking and energy cooperation. It awaits a new strategic elevation.
(Ashok B Sharma is a senior independent Columnist writing in several national and international newspapers and magazines on strategic and policy issues. He can be reached at ashokbsharma@gmail.com His mobile phone no 09810902204)




12122014





Banking NPA Rs.3,00,000 Cr > Rs.60,00,00 Cr National Loss

12122014
December11, 2014 (C) Ravinder Singh ravinderinvent@gmail.com
When Banks report NPA of Rs.3,00,000 Crores they don’t report Cost of
Replacing Old Factories with new one.
Considering cost of new Green Field factory to replace a shut down
factory could be average 20 times more so it is national loss of
Rs.60,00,000 crores.
Another Example – Bhakra Dam in 1965 cost Rs.50 crores if it is to be
built today would cost Rs.10,000 crores or 200 Times More.
I worked in BST at Ganaur, one of biggest in North India, in 1974
which Originally Cost Rs.6.5 crores or less in 1965, is shut down for
over 25 years.
If India has to install a new Green Field factory it shall cost over
Rs.200 crores. Same BST factory site can support 1000MW/Year Solar
Cell Plant worth over Rs.2,000 crores.
I worked in a Aerospace Company in USA in 1986 for few weeks during
Business Visit – it had changed hands twice since and third owner is
working it.
Banks inability and deficiency in laws could be Rs.60,00,000 crores loss.
There is 30 fold increase in $ rate, 5 fold since 1985, cost of land
over 1000 times so if India has to install, new Replacement Units
would need say 20 times average –  Or Rs.60,00,000 crores.
No Environment Clearance, Land Acquisition, Infrastructure is required
except New Plant and Machinery and some renovations.
Little Tweaking of ‘Recovery Laws’ would result in Rs.30,00,000 Crores
Gain to India and Banks in short time.
BUT MOST IMPORTANT – INDIAN ECONOMY CAN BECOME EFFICIENT & COMPETITIVE
– $ Exchange Rate Could Come Down to Rs.30 to a $. This is to be
supported by Solar, Energy Efficiency and LED Programs by 2019,
Innovative Projects and opportunities created by Efficiency & Savings.
In five year India can introduce 20,000 Double Decker Coaches –
increasing Through Put of IR by say 50% Free of Cost by just advancing
‘Renovation Program’ and Increased Revenue Earnings due to new High
Capacity Coaches.
50 Extra Seats in Rajdhani Train per Double Decker Coach would yield
Rs.100,000 every day – Rs.3.65 crores annually – pay for the cost of
new coach within two years just from additional earnings.
Over 40% of Indian factories are Shut Down for years Take over and
Reviving them is Like Subsiding New Factories.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India. Ph; 091- 9718280435, 9650421857
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power,
Transportation, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing,
Technologies and Projects




Registration now open for The Shri Ram Ananta Aspen Leadership School

12122014
Registration now open for The Shri Ram Ananta Aspen Leadership School [TSALS] 2015
Kiran Pasricha
To
me
Today at 3:38 PM




FICCI BUSINESS DELEGATION TO TAIWAN

12122014
January 21st – 23rd , 2015, Taipei
With a view to enhancing India-Taiwan business relations, FICCI is leading a high-powered business delegation to Taipei from21st -23rd of January, 2015in Taipei, Taiwan.
Taiwan, the 6th largest economy in Asia and 19th largest economy in the world is an important trading economy. Much has been known about its dominance in ICT products with Taiwanese companies controlling over 90% of the market share in many ICT parts and peripherals, it is also home to some of the leading companies in other sectors such as food processing, electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, auto parts, gems and jewelry, textiles, machinery & machine Tools, Real Estate & Infrastructure, General Trading, etc.
This visit will provide you with an opportunity to meet with the representatives of Taiwanese companies engaged in these sectors and will help in better understanding the business opportunities of the Taiwanese market. Based on your business interest, we would organize one to one business meetings with Taiwanese companies during the visit.
The major highlights of the visit include: factory/industrial park visits; One-to-one business meetings interactions with decision-makers in the Government.
In view of the importance of the visit, we would be grateful if you could kindly join the business delegation to Taipei . If, on account of other business engagements you are unable to join, kindly nominate a senior executive from your organization to be a part of the delegation.
In order to defray a part of the Secretariat expenses, we are obliged to charge adelegation fee of Rs. 25,000/- + 12.36% service tax. We look forward to receiving your kind confirmation in the Registration Proforma (Click here to download), latest by 28th November 2014. For any further details, please contact my colleague Mr Amit Tyagi,amit.tyagi@ficci.com
Looking forward to your positive response.
Regards,
Nirankar Saxena
Senior Director, FICCI

                                     

















Competitiveness, climate, security Finn’s priorities Ministry of Finance release Finnish road map of EU presidency. Finland i...