August 2017 CPI inflation stands at 3.36%
Rural India inflation stands at 3.30% in August 2017 as compared to 2.41% in July 2017 and
Urban India inflation stands at 3.35% in August 2017 as compared to 2.17% in July 2017
The all India general CPI inflation (Combined) for August 2017 stands at 3.36% as compared to 2.36% in July 2017. The inflation rates for rural and urban areas for August 2017 are 3.30% and 3/.35% respectively, as compared to 2.41% and 2.17% respectively, for July 2017. Rate of inflation during August 2017 for sugar and confectionery stands at 7.35%, pan and tobacco at 6.85%, cereals and products at 3.87%, milk and products at 3.58%, egg at (-)1.67%, spices at (-)1.74%, pulses and products at (-)24.43% etc.
Consumer Price Inflation (Combined) (%)
Ending Child Marriage and Dowry:An Initiative by Govt of Bihar and UNICEF
Ending Child Marriage and Dowry: An Initiative by
Government of Bihar in technical collaboration with UNICEF
Government of Bihar in technical collaboration with UNICEF
Promoting the value of girls and ensuring access to opportunities Patna/New Delhi, 4th October 2017: On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a state-wide campaign to end child marriage and dowry in Bihar, a first of its kind. This campaign, in technical collaboration with UNICEF India, urges the people of Bihar to join hands and to take strong action against these social practices, to improve the lives of children and adolescents, and ensure their development and empowerment. Standing up to end child marriage and dowry, were three brave champion girls, Kajal Kumari, Rinki Kumari and Dhanwanti Kumari. In front of a 5,000-strong stakeholders, they shared their personal stories of anguish and triumph and how they broke the mould to claim their life with dignity. They urged people to raise their voice against these social practices. Over 20 million people took part in the oath taking ceremony to abstain from promoting or participating in practices across the state including PRI members, 38 district administration, government functionaries across the board and school children. The event was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker of the House, Ministers of Education, Health, Panchayati Raj, Home, Rural Development, SC/ST Welfare including the Information and Public Relations. Addressing the occasion, CM Nitish Kumar said, “This social movement against child marriage and dowry system will show a new way to the whole country. By stopping child marriage, we can also reduce stunting and maternal mortality rate. If we want to see a developed Bihar, then we must create a society of equality and give our daughters an equal opportunity. We have to think about their progress and education, instead of marrying them at an early age.”
UNICEF India Representative, Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, present at the occasion, mentioned that “Parents and communities must see their daughters as assets – as individuals capable of standing on their feet and contributing to society, and not as burdens to be married in haste. This requires us to invest in daughters, as the Government of Bihar is doing. We have to ease the financial burden on parents so that girls complete their education. We must address the concerns of parents, engage with them in making change possible.”
Multi-media communication packages developed will enhance knowledge, generate visibility across 38 districts reaching 8400 Gram Panchayats. The next phase of the initiative will focus on capacity development of nearly 200,000 key functionaries from seven line departments on the issues of child marriage and dowry. Simultaneously, local groups with support from women’s groups, police and local administration will be activated to mobilse communities, monitor and report. In order to continue with the momentum, a State Action Plan with costing and monitoring mechanisms will be developed with key Ministries. A state task force chaired by the Chief Secretary with the key departments and District Task Forces will be established to roll out the State Plan of Action. Plans are underway to enhance the social protection measures for adolescent girls in Bihar and sustain the awareness and communication initiative on adolescent empowerment.
Launch of Child Marriage Campaign
Patna, 2 October 2017
- Shri Nitish Kumar, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of Bihar
- Shri Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Chairperson, Bihar Assembly
- Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, Deputy Chief Minister, Govt. of Bihar
- Kumari Manju Verma, Minister, Dept. of Social Welfare
- All colleagues in the government,
- Members of the Civil Society Organizations
- Media
- All women, girls and boys – come from different parts of the state
- Everyone reached through the audio and video connection
Shu Prabhat
It is indeed a privilege to be here with you today
This is my first time in Bihar where the leadership of the Honourable Chief Minister, Shri Nitish Kumar, supported by thousands of government officials, community leaders and workers, has significantly improved the lives of millions of children and women over the past decade.
The state of Bihar should be proud of all the progress achieved. Let me highlight just a few:
- The number of children being immunised has doubled in the past 10 yrs
- More infants are surviving – just last week we learnt the good news that the infant mortality has reduced from 42 per 1000 in 2013 to 38 in 2016
- Polio has been eradicated
- Child marriage has decreased significantly
- School enrolment and literacy has dramatically increased
These are impressive achievements. Now it is important that success not give way to complacency: it must inspire us to take stronger action in the interest of the 46 million children of Bihar.
I would like to share with you a few thoughts about our unfinished business, particularly with regard to the value of girls in our society, in Bihar:
- Recent data demonstrates that infant girls are at a much higher risk of dying than boys (for every 1000 live births it is 46 for girls and 31 for boys)
- Lakhs of girls and boys are lost in transition during adolescence. Of every 100 children who enrol in school, only 45 enter class XI. (Close to 25 Lakh children enrol every year)
- For girls this means an accelerated transition from childhood to parenthood – a traumatic and forced transition – 4 out of every 10 girls get married before the age of 18 years. Thousands of them even give birth before they turn 18.
We are here today at a new beginning we are here to renew our commitment to children in Bihar, especially girls. We are here to translate commitment into action.
Working together with the government and people of Bihar we will address two game changers that go hand-in-hand:
- First is that of postponing the age of marriage, especially for girls.
- The second is strengthening education and skill development opportunities forall The best way to prevent the scourge of child marriage and early pregnancy is to educate girls and boys, and equip them to realise their full potential as the human capital of Bihar.
We have been inspired by communities in the districts of Gaya, Vaishali, Nawada, Samastipur and Darbhanga who are empowering their adolescents. Community leaders and community workers who catalyse change in society, influencing people to abandon the harmful and adopt positive attitudes and behaviours. We know of exceptional community leaders in Bihar: we extend our full support to them.
The Women Development Corporation and partners have established vibrant adolescent groups and engaged with community leaders, reaching out to socially excluded communities – to change social norms related to child marriage, girls’ education and the value of girls.
We have seen how adolescent girls become change makers, some of them breaking the mould, to claim their rights and dignity and inspiring others to do the same.
Today’s initiative is yet another such example with action at the highest level generating momentum which is inspirational!
Honorable Chief Minister and all gathered here,
Permit me to share with you three ideals, three aspirations.
First, the rights of girls should not be perceived solely as the responsibility of girls and women. Men, play a crucial role in realising the equal rights of girls and boys. When girls have equal opportunities, the benefits percolate to the whole society– men and women, girls and boys.
Second, parents and communities must see their daughters as assets – as individuals capable of standing on their feet and contributing to society, AND not as burdens to be married in haste. This requires us to invest in daughters, as the Bihar government is doing. We have to ease the financial burden on parents so that girls complete their education. We must address the concerns of parents, engage with them in making change possible.
Third, every single one of us has a role to play. How many girls are there around us? In our home, in our neighbourhood, in our extended family? What can I do to empower the girls in my life to become equal citizens of Bihar, standing side by side with their brothers and contributing equally to the country?
Gandhi ji, one of the greatest leaders the world has seen, has said, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.” If we change how we see girls, the world would change – their world and our world.
Of this I am sure.
Bihar ki beti ut chali hai Samman ki Cycle par, Shiksha ke prahaar se ab
Toregi garibi aur soshan ka ku-chakraThis commitment, this momentum must be sustained… When it does, Bihar will successfully break the inter-generational transmission of poverty and malnutrition. Bihar will achieve its Seven Nishchay (seven resolutions).
So let’s re-affirm: Ek Shapath, Ek Nischay, Bihar ke Bacchon ke Liye
CEA Non-Cooperation With MoP RK Singh – Gen. 2014 Level
Views are of researchers only
October05, 2017 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
This is something Extra Ordinary. For last few days CEA website is dead which provides latest ‘Power Stats.’ We can’t imagine Power Generation shall come down to 2014 level.
Installed Capacity Addition 11,716 MW – Peak Generation 20 MW
Hoarded Power is Traded at Rs.4.94/Unit – almost Double rate.
It was quite puzzling when on October04 Northern RegionalPEAK GENERATION was only 47,662 MW – almost same as peak in 2014 Summer i.e. 47,642 MW. Installed capacity in March2014 was 63,434 MW – 75,150 MW in March2017.
Even more puzzling when there is No Power shortage at 19:00 PM in Congress Ruled Punjab, Himachal and AAP ruled Delhi – there are Power Shortage in BJP Ruled states of 488 MW in Haryana, 1759 MW in Rajasthan, 1010 MW in UP, 150 MW in Uttarkhand, and 451 MW in J&K.
As Power Expert for 40 years – CEA & State Electricity Boards of BJP states are not cooperating with new Minister RK Singh.
There is 6% more water in Dams than last year – States can’t meet EVEN PEAK demand is horrendous.
CWC – The northern region includes States of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan. There are 6 reservoirs under CWC monitoring having total live storage capacity of 18.01 BCM. As per Reservoir Storage Bulletin dated 28.09.2017, the total live storage available in these reservoirs is15.02 BCM which is 83% of total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during corresponding period of last year was 77% and average storage of last ten years during corresponding period was 82% of live storage capacity of these reservoirs. Thus, storage during current year is better than the corresponding period of last year and is also better than the average storage of last ten years during the corresponding period.
Dams in UP and Uttarkhand gas above average storage except Rihand which has catchment in MP but this is only 300 MW generator or 2% of Northern Region.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, ND -110016, India. Ph: 091- 8826415770 [4G], 9871056471, 9718280435,
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power, Transportation,
Smart Cities, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore: ‘Khelo India school games’ in December
Sports Ministry to launch ‘Khelo India school games’ in December: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
New Delhi, October 3, 2017: Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore revealed that the government to launch ‘Khelo India school games’ by December 2017 to provide platform for children to nurture talent at an ASSOCHAM event held in New Delhi today.
The Khelo India school games will be in December 2017 and we will have it every year and will be in partnership with corporates houses and with the broadcasting channels so that we can deliver in these categories. Khelo India will spot a 1,000 children from the School Games and fund them by allocating Rs 5 lakh per year for eight years, said Mr Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sport (I/C) while inaugurating an ASSOCHAM FIFA U-17 World Cup, India Industry Discussion & Felicitation Sessions here at New Delhi.
Mr. Rathore added, every year we will keep adding 1,000 athletes more to this number. So, eight years down the line, 8,000 athletes being supported by Rs. 5 lakhs each and to a quantum of about Rs. 250 crore, said Mr. Rathore.
We will try and raise it to the level of Asian games and American games so there is provide platform for children who are studying in school to come and play and participate in that platform. Without doing this we will not be able to nurture talent, said Mr. Rathore.
We will create first ever ‘Khelo India college games’ and that’s going to be in the month of January 2018, said Mr. Rathore.
Mr Rathore said, the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 is a very important occasion as for the first time an Indian team will participate in a FIFA Tournament and thus it is a great honour for all of us.
“Each and every one of you can inspire this nation by what you do on the football field”, Rathore added.
Addressing the Indian U-17 World Cup squad members, he said, “you are going to play the game of your life and every moment counts. When you enter the field, you should enter to win.”
Mr. Rathore added that, Sports is not just play and fun, it is a medium for breaking boundaries and communications. The Prime Minister certainly sees sports as something that unites the country.
The way we look at sport needs to change in India. Every stakeholder has to become part of what sports is all about and that includes the federation, corporates, parents, schools, colleges and media as well.
He further added, this country is the youngest country in the world and it has to behave like a young country. It has to play and have fun and learn through sports.
Therefore, the ministry of sports will always will be available to the cooperates in ASSOCHAM, he further said that any idea that you bring about be it in manufacturing, trading and anything to promote manufactures of the sports goods, all promotions of sports.
Ahead of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup starting on October 6, Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Mr Rathore said, 24000 tickets have been sold out and we actually held on the sale of the tickets so that we can reserve some for the children. We want children to watch the matches in large numbers.
All India Football Federation’s General Secretary Kushal Das, who was also present at the ocassion said, “Hosting of U-17 football world cup in India will prove to be a watershed event. He said, we are ready for the event and just a beginning for Indian Football, there is a long way to go.
More information available onwww.assocham.org
Exposing Education Minister, Vinod Tawde and MP Gopal Shetty.
Dear friends of the media,
Education Activist Sachin Pawar along with parents of the children studying at MKVV High School (Pragnesh Gopani and Bhavik Shah), Borivali West to hold a press conference tomorrow at 3pm at the Marathi Patrakar Sangh to expose the nefarious modus operandi and nexus of Education Minister, Shri Vinod Tawde and Member of Parliament, North West, Shri Gopal Shetty, CBSE board with the school management to usurp and grab the land where the school is situated by using their immense political clout and muscle power.
The lives of 2600 children and their parents whose are put at stake because of the greed and avarice of the above powerful personas.
The school has also been deaffiliated from CBSE in the last month.
The parents are also the petitioners in the cases filed against the school management and the above politicians.
Date : 5th october 2017 (Tomorrow)
Time : 3pm
Venue : Marathi Patrakar Sangh, near Azad Maidan, CST.
Time : 3pm
Venue : Marathi Patrakar Sangh, near Azad Maidan, CST.
RSVP – Abhishek Bhat 7303152510
ONGC Masters 2017
M Dharma takes route 63 to the top in round one of ONGC Masters 2017
Abhishek Jha one shot back
Noida, October 4, 2017: It was M Dharma all the way in round one of the ONGC Masters 2017, a tournament that returned on the PGTI schedule after eight years. The Bengaluru golfer shot one of the best rounds of his career, a flawless nine-under-63, at the Noida Golf Course on Wednesday, to make his way to the top of the leaderboard.
Abhishek Jha, another Bengalurean, also came up with an exceptional effort of eight-under-64 to be placed second.
Dharma, who posted top-10s in the last two PGTI events, continued his good work on the course. After three birdies on the back nine, Dharma picked up the pace with birdies on the first and second. But it was his birdie run on the last four holes that turned out to be the highlight of his round.
Dharma sank putts at will on the last four holes, draining four from a range of 10 to 20 feet. He even salvaged a birdie from the bunker on the eighth.
Dharma, a former winner on the PGTI, said, “I’ve been in contention all year. I’ve made the cut in all 10 events that I’ve played this year. I’ve constantly been in a strong position after the first two rounds of most events this year. It’s the third and fourth rounds where I’ve been slipping. I need to finish better.
“This is one of my best rounds ever. It was a combination of some good ball-striking and consistent putting. I’ll continue to play steady from here on in order to build on the solid start.
“My improved performances are a result of all the work I’ve put in with regard to my physical fitness. Fitness was never my strength but now it has given me much more stability on the course.”
Abhishek Jha was hitting it close through the day and therefore didn’t need his putter to do much work. He scored four birdies on the front nine and followed that up with a hat-trick of birdies from the 10th to the 12th. Jha landed his tee shot within a foot of the flag on the 10th. He also came close to making eagle on the 11thwhen he almost holed it from the fairway.
The tall and lanky Abhishek, yet to bag his maiden title, finally earned an eagle on the 14th. However, a double bogey on the next where he found the trees and then missed a two-footer on the green, seemed to have come at the wrong time for Jha. But he regained some ground with a birdie on the 17th.
Abhishek said, “I was pleasantly surprised with my round. I backed myself after every good and bad shot. The belief I had in myself was the key.
“I didn’t let the double bogey on the 15th affect me. I was proud with the way I bounced back with the birdie on the 17th. Playing the MENA Tour during the summer months helped me get in some good tournament practice. That has contributed to raising my game.”
R Murthy’s seven-under-65 meant there were three Bengalureans at the top after day one.
Noida had representation in the top-5 as the local duo of Amardip Sinh Malik and Dipankar Kaushal closed the day in tied fourth at 66 along with Sri Lanka’s K Prabagaran.
VANI is conducting a one day Round table
With the introduction of Goods and Services Tax, the country underwent a dynamic transformation in its economic architecture that has revolutionized the procedural processes in the country’s indirect taxation regime. As such there have been innumerable concerns about the operability and application of GST, with each sector of the economy demanding clarifications to be issued by the GST Council. Similarly in a recent notification issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (Notification No.12/2017-Central Tax dated 28th June 2017), the application of GST has been notified on specific activities deemed as ‘charitable’ under organization registered under Section 12AA.
This notification makes the exemption to charitable trusts available for charitable activities more specific. While the income from only those activities such as advancement of public health, advancement of religion, spirituality and yoga, preservation of environment, watershed development, advancement of education towards mentally ill, prisoner and old persons in rural areas is exempt from GST, income from the activities other than those mentioned above is taxable. This notification makes the exemption to charitable trusts available for charitable activities more specific. While the income from only those activities listed above is exempt from GST, income from the activities other than those mentioned above is taxable.
In August 2017 VANI had convened a select group consultation of Chief Financial Officers in New Delhi to discuss the various aspects of GST that had subsequently resulted in forming a core group that worked on a comprehensive document detailing issues Voluntary Organizations face when confronted with GST. In the coming months VANI is seeking to conduct an interface with the GST Council concerning the various clauses and modalities of GST and will endeavor to petition Ministry Of Finance. It is also necessary that the concerned line departments such as CBDT issue circulars and notifications that address the financial operations of Voluntary Organizations in their day to day activities and provide clarity on what services are subjected as ‘taxable’. For your perusal we are attaching the document prepared by the select group on recommendations to the GST Council and the CBDT notification letter.
Looking towards these issues, VANI is conducting a one day Round table of Chief Financial Officers on GST on 13th October 2017 to discuss the document prepared by our select group as well as solicit inputs on the notification issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. We request organizational heads to forward the participation of their respective organization’s Chief Financial Officers, so as to bolster VANI’s endeavor in conducting targeted advocacy on regulatory laws as well as provide their experienced inputs. The meeting’s details are provided below, VANI will be providing travel to outstation participants with one day accommodation.
Round table of Chief Financial Officers on GST
Date- 13th October 2017
Venue- Amaltas Hall, India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
I request you to kindly forward your confirmations to my colleague Mr Arjun Phillips arjun@vaniindia.org. We will be forwarding you the agenda very soon.
Best Regards,
HARSH JAITLI
Chief Executive Officer
Voluntary Action Network India (VANI)
Plot No. 7, PSP, Sector 8, Dwarka,
New Delhi 110075
Voluntary Action Network India (VANI)
Plot No. 7, PSP, Sector 8, Dwarka,
New Delhi 110075
Phone: +91-11- 49148610
Mobile: 9717473474
Email: harsh@vaniindia.org, info@vaniindia.org
Website: www.vaniindia.org
Mobile: 9717473474
Email: harsh@vaniindia.org, info@vaniindia.org
Website: www.vaniindia.org
PRESS INVITATION-‘RANCHI DIARIES’
PRESS INVITATION
Coconut motion pictures & Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares cordially invites you to attend the Press Conference & to share with you the uniqueness of their latest film
‘RANCHI DIARIES’
(An upcoming Indian drama film set in a small town with Anupam Kher and Jimmy Shergill spearheading the cast. The story is slice of life comic small-town tale which will resonate with young urban and heartland audiences alike.)
To be addressed by:
- Anupam Kher
- Satish Kaushik
- Himansh Kohli (Yaariyan movie fame)
- Soundarya Sharma (Lead Actress)
- Sattwik Mohanty (Director)
Time: 3:00 pm
Date: 5th October 2017 (Thursday)
Venue: RSVP, 19 Ashok Road, New Delhi
You are requested to send correspondents/ photographers/ camera crew for the Press Conference.
August 2017 core infra grows at 4.9%
The core infrastructure grows at 4.9% in August 2017 as against 2.6% in July 2017. The combined Index of Eight Core Industries stands at 123.6 in August, 2017, which was 4.9 % higher compared to the index of August, 2016. Crude Oil and Natural Gas growth stands at -1.6% and 4.2% respectively in the month of August 2017.
Table 1: Sector wise trend in monthly production (% growth)
Sector
|
Weight
|
Aug 17
|
July’17
|
Crude Oil
|
8.98
|
-1.6
|
-0.5
|
Natural Gas
|
6.88
|
4.2
|
6.6
|
Petroleum Refinery Products
|
28.04
|
2.4
|
-2.7
|
Coal
|
10.33
|
15.3
|
0.6
|
Fertilizer
|
2.63
|
-0.7
|
0.2
|
Electricity
|
19.85
|
10.3
|
6.5
|
Cement
|
5.37
|
-1.3
|
-2.0
|
Steel
|
17.92
|
3.0
|
9.2
|
Overall
|
100
|
4.9
|
2.6
|
Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from the office of the economic advisor to the Govt. of India
In cumulative terms, core infrastructure industries registered a growth of 3% during April-August 2017-18 as against 5.4% during the corresponding period of the previous year.
Table 2: Sector wise trend in production (% growth)
Sector
|
Weight
|
April to August 2018
|
April to August 2017
|
Crude Oil
|
8.98
|
-0.3
|
-3.1
|
Natural Gas
|
6.88
|
4.8
|
-3.9
|
Petroleum Refinery Products
|
28.04
|
1.0
|
7.4
|
Coal
|
10.33
|
-0.2
|
2.3
|
Fertilizer
|
2.63
|
-1.1
|
1.7
|
Electricity
|
19.85
|
6.5
|
6.8
|
Cement
|
5.37
|
-3.3
|
4.3
|
Steel
|
17.92
|
6.0
|
8.7
|
Overall
|
100
|
3.0
|
5.4
|
Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from the office of the economic advisor to the Govt. of India
Trend in growth of steel, cement, electricity, coal and overall (%)
UN Environment and IRRI join hands
UN Environment and IRRI join hands to drive climate-smart sustainable rice
4 October 2017, Bangkok: UN Environment and the International Rice Research Institute today announced a new agreement to reinforce their long-standing collaboration to promote innovative environment-friendly technologies for rice production in developing countries.
A Memorandum of Understanding was today signed by the two institutions to strengthen collaborative initiatives focusing on climate-smart sustainable best practices in rice production, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of rice farmers in developing countries.
Collaboration began in 2008 when the two institutions established the Sustainable Rice Platform as a multi-stakeholder initiative, bringing together governments, private sector actors, research and grass-roots organization to address the many challenges facing the rice sector. The alliance was officially launched in 2011 and now counts 80 institutional members around the world, linking together research, production, policymaking, trade and consumption to enhance sustainability throughout rice value chains.
Rice is critical to rural economies and global food security, but rice farmers worldwide are increasingly suffering from the combined impacts of climate change, declining yields and loss in soil fertility. Droughts, floods, increasing temperatures and rising sea levels are all taking their toll, affecting livelihoods, and impacting on biodiversity and health.
Speaking at the opening of the First Global Sustainable Rice Conference and Exhibition held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Dr Matthew K Morell, IRRI’s Director General, commented: “We are proud to strengthen our broad-ranging partnership with UN Environment through this Memorandum of Understanding, to work together on our shared goals. Given the many challenges the global rice sector faces as we look ahead over the next 25 years, major transformation will be needed in order to meet the needs of a fast-growing global population in a sustainable way.
“The International Rice Research Institute and other research institutions have developed a wide range of sustainable technologies that will help reduce use of water, chemicals and energy in rice, and protect the crop from pests, disease and the impacts of climate change. Together, through our collaboration under the Sustainable Rice Platform, we aim to help 1 million small farmers over the next 5 years to adopt climate-smart sustainable best practices.”
Under the agreement, the two institutions will work to enhance sustainable rice-based production and food systems through awareness raising, capacity development, knowledge exchange, and evidence-based analyses for policy support, as well as adoption of the new Sustainable Rice Platform Standard on Sustainable Rice Cultivation.
“We need to increase the adoption of climate-smart sustainable technologies to small-scale rice farmers around the world, and this partnership, as well as working with the private sector, will help in that job,” said Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment. “This work goes beyond just putting food on plates. It’s about boosting sustainable production, and therefore giving farmers and consumers a better deal. It’s about delivering on our global goals, and taking concrete climate action.”
Rice is grown by some 144 million small rice farmers and feeds 3.5 billion people around the world including 800 million living on below US$1.50 per day. However, by 2050 the world will face a shortfall in rice supplies. While projections point to a 25% increase in global rice consumption over the next 25 years, yields in key rice producing countries may fall by up to 20% due to climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, salinity, temperature rise, droughts and floods. Rice also accounts for 9-11% of global emissions of methane- a potent greenhouse gas.
About UN Environment
UN Environment is the leading organization within the United Nations system in the field of environment and has as a major area of focus of its global mandate, the conservation, protection, enhancement and support of nature and natural resources, including biological diversity. UN Environment hosts the Secretariat of the Sustainable Rice Platform, a multi-stakeholder initiative with 80 institutional members, co-convened by UN Environment and the International Rice Research Institute to promote resource efficiency and sustainability in the global rice sector, through an alliance that links research, production, policy, trade and consumption.
In 2015, the launch of the SRP Standard for Sustainable Rice Cultivation- the world’s first voluntary sustainability standard for rice triggered commitments by a number of major private sector food industry actors to achieve 100% sustainable sourcing within their global corporate supply chains by 2020.
About the International Rice Research Institute
The International Rice Research Institute is a nonprofit, autonomous, nonpolitical, international organization established in 1960 under international treaty, with a mission to reduce poverty and hunger through rice science, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers and ensure environmental sustainability through collaborative research, partnerships and strengthening of national agricultural research and extension system
Hardeep S. Puri’s Urban Housing Focus – Smart but Confused
October04, 2017 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
Hardeep Singh Puri, speaks well but he is entrusted with most difficult department ‘Urban Affairs’ and he is least trained for this job. Cities and Towns in India have problems of Power, Water, Food Supply-Distribution, Transport, Education, Healthcare, Housing, Jobs, Industry, Law & Order, Traffic Jams, Business & Trade, Pollution, Sewage Treatment & Discharge and Garbage Generation & Disposal.Each town has its own Unique Character & dimension.
Worked for 10 years and trained in public works in 1976 – I understand fully all the Challenges, Obstructions, Investments, Skills & Financial Resources needed.
Though Urban Development is a state subject each state should come up with its own strategy and program – Central Government had needlessly Taken Over the state programs and then assigned ‘Single Programs for All States to Implement.’
A reputed Builder may need $2000b to build 20 million homes by 2030, another approach could provide 20m homes at $200b only by 2022 – yet another program could do it for $50b by 2019.
Like Gadkari, Prabhu & Goyal who ‘Plundered Public Resources in Unviable Projects’ – Hardeep S. Puri has embarked on giving yet another dimension & direction to the plunder.
Affordable homes in poorer regions can be built in days – made of locally available materials like Flyash Bricks for walls and Fiberglass Roof for Rs.1 lakh or $1500.
Rural Housing has big advantage – Land is practically free,Solar Power too could be free for 25-40 years, Water is Free– a tube-well could deliver say 800 Cubic Meter of water for over 1000 new homes, Broadband now is almost free, Locally produced Fresh Foods & Milk & Meats cost a fifth – Waste is returned to Soils for minimum Micro Nutrient Loss, No Land Fill & Garbage Trucks required. No Long distance HT Power Lines required. Waste water releases of Mini Sewage Treatment plant used for irrigation.
India’s Farm GDP Could Exceed $2,000b
US Food GDP is $2000b – Iowa State in USA largely produce Crops for Animal Feed – Milk, Meats, Eggs etc and process most of the Farm Produce. 60% Processed Foods to be consumed in rural India itself – 60% Less Transportation & Packing of Foods.
Biggest advantage is Most Foods can be produced Locally When it is RIPE & Most Nutritious and Best Tasting. i.e. Freshly grounded Flour, Vegetable Oil, Milk Fresh from Cows, Eggs consumed within hours of laying.
THIS IS 20M HOMES, 200M JOBS, $2000b RURAL GDP PROGRAM.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, ND -110016, India. Ph: 091- 8826415770, 9871056471, 9718280435
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power, Transportation,
Smart Cities, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects
Nature Art Project & Exhibition
The Nature Connect Project, an initiative by Sonalika ITL Group is a 3-day interactive Nature Art Project & Exhibition being hosted at the Hungarian International Cultural Centre (HICC), New Delhi from 27th – 29th September. The festival has been conceived and developed by not-for-profit foundation Arts4All, and is curated by renowned artist Somu Desai.
The Sonalika ITL Group has pledged to empower and create value for society by uplifting women, children, elderly people, and taking care of the environment. The organisation firmly believes in the idea of a sustainable future for the planet. Taking this belief forward, Sonalika ITL collaborated with Arts4all to fund a project and exhibition which aims to bring about a wider awareness on environmental and social issues among local communities through contemporary art practices, such as nature art, public art, photography, sculpture, painting, and digital media. The exhibition also provides a platform to urge for peaceful coexistence and harmony with nature. Nature Connect is one of the many efforts by Sonalika ITL and Arts4all to showcase relevant environmental and Projects including Global Nomadic Art project ,Growing Gurgaon and the Western Ghat Eco Walk project conceived by Arun Kumar H.G was recreated as part of Nature Connect.
Eight artists from across the country have created eco-friendly, site-specific sculpture installations to initiate dialogue on the balance between nature, and the human need for development. Artists Abhinav Yagnik, Anoop Panciker, Bala Gopalan, Devika Swaroop, Puja Bahri, Rahul Modak, Shubhangi Tyagi & Harinder, and Somu Desai highlight the importance of the coexistence between the environment and humanity through their work. ‘Your Nature Your Art’ was an interactive live project by artists Ohida & Adil.
Digital media and photographic installations are the other mediums through which the imbalance between nature, and the relentless growth and consumption, has been brought to the forefront.
Snaps shots Sagar Media Inc
Justice for Gauri on October 5th.
PRESS INVITE
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All India coordinated mobilizations for Justice for Gauri on October 5th.
In Delhi, this mobilization will take the form of a March for Democracy
DATE: October 5th
TIME: 1 pm
PLACE: Mandi House to Jantar Mantar.
Contact: Bittu (8179542651) Poonam (9811136242)
We request all people to join this rally in the largest possible numbers. In several parts of India there will also be programs for Justice for Gauri on the same day. In Maharashtra there will be a large protest in Mumbai on 5th October as well as actions in Nagpur; in Madhya Pradesh there wil be actions in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and other districts. in Orissa, programs will be held in Bhubaneshwar, Bethampur,Puri, Baleswar and Phulabani districts. In Tamil Nadu there will be a hall meeting in Chennai on October 5th, Kerala there will be multiple rallies on October 5 and 6th, in Telangana a large joint event is taking place in Hyderabad and another is taking place in Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh. In Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and West Bengal there have been many mass public meetings and the series of public protests has not abated since the day of Gauri’s assassination. We request all people to join these actions in the largest possible numbers.
The assassination of Gauri Lankesh, two years after a similar horror was perpetrated on scholar M.M.Kalaburgi in Karnataka, follows the same eerie pattern as the murder of rationalists Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar in Maharashtra. These killings are inseparable from the chain of killings of Dalits and Muslims in the name of ‘cow protection’, ‘religion’ etc. There have been many threats to journalists and activists who have been countering communalism, and this has continued even after her death, with the killing of Santanu Bhowmick and as seen from the way eminent Bahujan academic Kancha Iliah was grieviously threatened and even physically attacked.
Meanwhile the silence of the Prime Minister on the justification and celebration of Gauri’s assassination by people who are in various ways linked to the ruling dispensation is unacceptable in a civilized society.
In Maharashtra there will be a large protest in Mumbai on 5th October as well as actions in Nagpur; in Madhya Pradesh there wil be actions in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and other districts. in Orissa, programs will be held in Bhubaneshwar, Bethampur,Puri, Baleswar and Phulabani districts. In Tamil Nadu there will be a hall meeting in Chennai on October 5th, Kerala there will be multiple rallies on October 5 and 6th, in Telangana a large joint event is taking place in Hyderabad and another is taking place in Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh. In Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and West Bengal there have been many mass public meetings and the series of public protests has not abated since the day of Gauri’s assassination. We request all people to join these actions in the largest possible numbers.
Being a founder member of Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike (The Communal Harmony Forum, Karnataka), Gauri Lankesh was actively involved in the resistance against reactionary forces along with other progressive sections of Karnataka who had responded pro-actively and consistently to counter the growth of such trend in the society. Yet the above assassinations and other developments clearly demonstrate that whatever has been done is just not sufficient to counter their terror. But after the killing of Gauri Lankesh a stronger reaction has come from various sections of society with whom she had pledged her solidarity, including artists (including ‘mainstream’ cinema), journalists, ex-civil service officers, legal fraternity including former judges, academicians, religious heads (especially the Viraktha Basava tradition Swamijis of Karnataka), LGBT community etc and more. Youth and students formed the major chunk of the different mobilisations against this killing. So, NOW is the time to respond. We appeal to every individual and collective, all those who think and feel for the future of humanity as a whole, to come forward and support the voice of unity for a harmonious and vibrant society.
We:
Demand that the police investigation primarily focuses on the most probable killers and the real political actors behind them as is the normal procedure. The most probable killers here are obviously only those who were Gauri’s main adversaries, the most retrogressive forces which had threatened to kill Gauri and which have justified and celebrated her killing. We demand that the state government in Karnataka expedites action in this direction by all means.
We insist above all that it is the utmost responsibility of the offices that are supposed to safeguard the constitutional values to discharge their duty impartially. But unfortunately the present dispensation in the centre is unashamedly upholding and supporting the forces which are destroying communal harmony and democratic values that are entrenched in our society. Hence it is all the more necessary that ‘we the people of India’ apply moral and political pressure on the prevailing regime, such that an unbiased enquiry is conducted not only to arrest the criminals behind the acts but also the extra constitutional forces behind them.
Teesta Setalvad (Journalist, Activist, Educationist, Forum against the assassination of Gauri Lankesh)
Jignesh Mevani (Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch, Forum against the assassination of Gauri Lankesh)
Kavita Krishnan (AIPWA, Forum against the assassination of Gauri Lankesh)
Annie Raja, NFIW
Shabnam Hashmi, Anti-communal activist
Mariam Dhawale, AIDWA
Poonam, Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan (PMS)
Ovais Sultan Khan, Anhad
Rajni Tilak, Rashtriya Dalit Mahila Andolan
Bittu, Karnataka Janashakti, WSS
Anand Patwardhan (Film maker, Forum against the assassination of Gauri Lankesh)
Irfan engineer (Anti communal activist, Forum against the assassination of Gauri Lankesh)
Narayana Rao, Telangana (Civil Liberties Committee, Forum against the assassination of Gauri Lankesh)
K. Neela (AIDWA, Forum against the assassination of Gauri Lankesh)
Vasu (Karnataka Janashakti, Forum against the assassination of Gauri Lankesh
