Friday, March 3, 2017

Premier League Champion Alan Shearer headlines Day 2 of The Football Movement

- Feels Indian football is on the brink of a revolution to grow bigger and better from here on -

Mumbai, 3rd March 2017: The UK Department for International Trade (DIT) together with India On Track (IOT) and the Premier league brought key British and Indian football clubs, sports organisations and businesses together at the second edition of ‘The Football Movement’ conference in Mumbai. This football conference, which took place on 2nd and 3rd March, gave a platform to clubs, businesses and stakeholders from India and the United Kingdom to interact and explore commercial opportunities in the sport.

The Football Movement, jointly hosted by India On Track, was held in partnership with the Premier League’s Indian broadcast partner Star Sports. This two-day conference featured keynote speakers including Richard Scudamore, Executive Chairman of the Premier League, St.John Gould, Director for UK Trade and Economics, India at the British High Commission and senior representatives of the Indian Super League and Premier League clubs. Panel sessions, workshops and keynote speeches provided a platform for UK and Indian businesses to discuss potential opportunities and the sustainability of the game in India’s emerging football sector.

Premier League Champion Alan Shearer, who was here on Day 2 of The Football Movement in Mumbai said, “I feel Indian football is at the brink of a great revolution, the same way as EPL was in 80s & 90s, because of the enthusiasm of the fans here. I feel Indian football is going to grow bigger and better from here on. In fact, one the main reasons I am here along with Premier League is to do everything in our capacity to help grow Indian football.”

A delegation of UK businesses and top British football clubs participated in the conference as part of DIT’s ‘Sport is GREAT’ campaign. The delegation included top football companies such as; Amaven, Alad, Baltic Publications, Final Third Sports Media, PwC, Deltatre, AVC Immedia, Barriers International India, Steer Davies Gleave and senior management from Arsenal, Southampton, Everton, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Watford and Charlton Athletic.

Speaking on Day 2 of The Football Movement, Premier League’s Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore said India is a major market for them. “We want to develop our relationship with everyone here. Football is going to a next level in India, because of leagues, grassroot programs and other competitions that are helping in to grow more. We are taking initiatives so that it will create best footballers, India is full of raw talents and we will work towards developing those in the near future. “

The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Strengthening the Football Ecosystem in India’. It focused on the broader aspects of the game, with a view to assessing the current landscape in greater detail. The conference addressed the core pillars of modern- day football such as commercial sustainability, youth development, leagues and competitions, broadcasting, support services as well as the role of corporates through CSR.

St.John Gould, Director for UK Trade and Economics, India at the British High Commission, New Delhi delivered the welcome address at the conference, which was attended by distinguished panelists and speakers, including industry leaders, policy- makers, investors, and pioneers in the field of commerce of football, from both India and the UK.

Braced for fair conduct of polls for 1st phase of Manipur & 6th phase of UP

Assembly poll bound States, preparation is in final stage for first phase of voting in Maniupur and sixth phase of Uttar Pradesh. Electorate arrangements are being made to ensure free and smmoth polling tomorrow. Polling personnel and security forces are being rushed to their respective polling stations.

In Uttar Pradesh, 49 constituencies spread over 7 districts of eastern UP will go to polls in this phase. These districts are Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau and Ballia. Voting will begin at 7 AM and will end at 5 PM. A total of 635 candidates including 63 women are in the fray for this phase.

In Manipur, polling for the first phase of Assembly elections will be held in thirty-eight constituencies spread across six districts. A total of 168 candidates including seven females are in the fray. BJP is fielding candidates in all 38 seats, while Congress is contesting in 37 seats. The National People’s Party (NPP) is contesting in 13 seats, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in 12 seats, Manipur National Democratic Front (MNDF) in 11 seats, Trinamool Congress in 10 seats. Besides, as many as 14 Independent candidates are in the fray.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that if poverty, unemployment and diseases are removed from Uttar Pradesh, the country will automatically progress.

Addressing an election rally in Mirzapur today, Mr. Modi said if these evils are removed, the state has potential to lead the country's development. The Prime Minister said this election will decide who will shape the future of youth in the state and who will provide safety and security to women.

Egyptian court acquits Mubarak

March 3, 2017

Egypt’s top appeals court found Hosni Mubarak innocent on Thursday of involvement in the killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that ended his 30-year rule, in a final ruling that could see the former president walk free. After an all-day hearing, Judge Ahmed Abdel Qawi announced: “The court has found the defendant innocent.” The court also rejected demands by lawyers of the victims to reopen civil suits, leaving no remaining option for appeal or retrial.

German high school bans prayer rugs as ‘provocative’

March 3, 2017

A high school in western Germany has banned the use of prayer rugs and other traditional Muslim rituals saying it is “provocative” to other students. The Wuppertal school sent a letter to staff in February saying Muslim students had been using prayer rugs and performing ritual washing in the restrooms, and that they should get a “friendly reminder” it’s not permitted. After criticism when the letter was posted last week on Facebook, municipal authorities said the wording was “unfortunate” and the school had only meant to bring affected students in to discuss a solution to allow their prayer, Bild newspaper reported Thursday. Authorities say the school was, however, legally allowed to stop people “praying in a provocative manner.”

French police raid presidential candidate Fillon’s home

March 3, 2017

Police have raided the Paris home of French rightwing presidential candidate Francois Fillon on Thursday over an alleged fake job scandal as a senior party colleague warned him he risked dragging his party “into an abyss.” Fillon revealed Wednesday he is set to be charged over allegations he paid his wife and children hundreds of thousands of euros for fake parliamentary jobs, but he has vowed to continue his bid for power. After searches at his parliamentary office last month, police raided his central Paris home Thursday as he visited winegrowers on the campaign trial in southern France. Fillon has called the charges against him “entirely calculated to stop me being a candidate for the presidential election.”

India Must Have a National Sex Offender Registry

March 3, 2017

Nksagar_1@yahoo.com

Today at 14:14

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March 3, 2017

Russia, NATO hold 1st talks since freeze in relations

Chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Petr Pavel have held negotiations on NATO’s initiative for the first time after the relations were frozen, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Friday. Gerasimov and Pavel held a telephone conversation, TASS reported. This is the first high-level military contact after the NATO Council made a decision on the freeze of relations with Russia

5th edition of “The Growth Net”

March 3, 2017

Dear Naresh Sagar,

I would like to draw your attention to two upcoming platforms.

March 20-21
The Growth Net http://www.thegrowthnet.com/

The 5th edition of “The Growth Net”, which will take place on March 20-21, 2017 in New Delhi.
The Growth Net Summit was created in 2013 to reflect the new realities in the global economy as a result of the growing importance of a group of Emerging Market countries, which despite the slowdown will remain the most dynamic group of economies in the world. We have chosen to focus this year’s addition on “Empowering the private sector as THE growth driver”.
This 5th Growth Net Summit will bring together around 350 participants, 80% of them senior executives from emerging market countries and developed economies, set in an environment designed for productive and thought provoking interaction amongst speakers and participants.

July 20-21
Roundtable Japan http://www.roundtablejapan.com/

This year’s theme of Roundtable Japan is, “Navigating a New World Order”. Roundtable Japan was created 12 years ago as an initiative of Forma corporation and Smadja & Smadja as a unique platform to understand the challenges and opportunities facing Japan and the businesses operating in or with the country.

Participants are sure to take away valuable insights on what is currently affecting the heartbeat of Japans economy. The Roundtable will bring together Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and top business leaders from Japanese corporations as well as foreign companies operating in Japan, thus offering numerous possibilities to create new business relationships, and affect the course of discussions.

I have attached the both programs for your reference. We hope you will find them of interest and will be able to join one or both events.

I am obviously at your disposal to answer any question you may have.

Best Regards,

Yael Smadja

Rethinking Public Institutions in India

March 3, 2017

Mar

CPR and OUP are pleased to invite you to a book discussion on
Rethinking Public Institutions in India

Friday, 10 March 2017, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Editors: Devesh Kapur, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Milan Vaishnav
Panelists: Jay Panda, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Ramachandra Guha, Shailaja Chandra, Yogendra Yadav

Gulmohar, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003

Image: Book Cover

This book analyses the challenges of governance faced by contemporary India. It argues that while the expansion and growth of India’s private sector and a vibrant civil society can fill in for some of the shortcomings of the public sector in the foreseeable future, there is a wide range of core functions from regulation to security, from social inclusion to public goods provision, where the State is-and will be-indispensable. The integrity and responsiveness of the Indian state to the multiple challenges facing the country, both internal and external, will fundamentally determine India’s future.

The contributions to this volume critically assess different institutions and frameworks-civil services, presidency, judiciary, Parliament, Election Commission, financial and federal institutions, audits and accountability framework, and institutions of local governance. The editors of the volume demonstrate that fundamental state reform will be a necessary condition for India to realize its potential and fulfill its people’s aspirations in the twenty-first century.

Joining us on the panel will be Jay Panda, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Ramachandra Guha, Shailaja Chandra, and Yogendra Yadav.

Please join us for tea at 3:30 p.m.
RSVP: GAIMarketing.in@oup.com