Wednesday, June 6, 2018


Harshvendra Soin appointed as the Chief People Officer of Tech Mahindra – Effective July 1, 2018

Rakesh Soni, the current Chief People Officer to assume an advisory role in the organization

New Delhi, June 6th, 2018: Tech Mahindra Ltd. a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting and business reengineering services and solutions, announced the appointment of Harshvendra Soin as Chief People Officer effective July 1, 2018. Harshvendra Soin will take over from the current Chief People Officer; Rakesh Soni, who will assume an advisory role in the organization.

Harshvendra Soin has been associated with Tech Mahindra since 2012. He brings with him a rich experience of more than 24 years in the industry. Prior to his current role, he was heading the Canada Enterprise Business as Senior Vice President and Country Head at Tech Mahindra (Canada). He was also the Global Leadership Acquisition & Development, and Head - Business HR for APAC & IMEA (Telecom & Enterprise) for Tech Mahindra.

Prior to joining Tech Mahindra, Harshvendra was the Chief People Officer at Fortis Healthcare Limited, looking after all areas of Human Resources. He also worked with Aditya Birla Retail Limited as a Chief People Officer before Fortis. Harshvendra has also worked towards creating innovative HR Processes and Policies in Bharti Enterprises where he was Senior Vice President – People Excellence before moving as the Head – HR for Bharti Retail Ltd. He has also worked with the Oberoi Group and Punwire Limited

He has been a recipient of many prestigious awards including HR Leadership Award – Asia Pacific HRM Congress, Ascent - Most Powerful HR Professionals of India Award – World HRD Congress. Other awards include Talent Magnet Award - Conscious Business Leader Award 2016 by LinkedIn.

About Tech Mahindra: 
Tech Mahindra represents the connected world, offering innovative and customer-centric information technology services and solutions, enabling Enterprises, Associates and the Society to Rise™. We are a USD 4.8 billion company with 112,900+ professionals across 90 countries, helping over 910 global customers including Fortune 500 companies. Our innovation platforms and reusable assets connect across a number of technologies to deliver tangible business value to our stakeholders. Tech Mahindra is also amongst the Fab 50 companies in Asia as per the Forbes 2016 List.

The Mahindra Group is a USD 20.7 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world’s largest tractor company, by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness, aerospace, commercial vehicles, components, defense, logistics, real estate, renewable energy, speedboats and steel, amongst other businesses. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 2,40,000 people across 100 countries.

Minister WCD Maneka, highlighting the achievements


Minister WCD ,Maneka Gandhi addresses Press conference highlighting Achievements in the past 4 year.
Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has said that her Ministry has taken several initiatives to protect women from rising crimes against them.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi about the achievements of her Ministry in the last four years, Mrs Gandhi said, helpline number 181 to help women in distress is now available in almost every state. She said, for the first time, the government is providing coordinated support to women facing problems in their marriage to Non Resident Indians.
De_bEvLWAAAyUf5 (1).jpg
Mrs Gandhi said, her ministry is working towards effective implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace ( Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013. She informed that provision of a panic button in cell phones is being worked out and work is in progress in this direction.
Need for making anti-rape laws gender neutral, Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has urged all States and Union Territories to include male child victims of sexual abuse in their victim. Air India sexual harassment case: Complete probe this month, orders WCD Minister Maneka Gandh.
We have found that the weakest part of crime detection is by use of forensic tools, said the Union Minister while announcing a plan to strengthen the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL).
The Minister said, rape kits are being provided in every police station for immediate check-up of victims and results are sent to laboratories.

IFAD and Nepal invest US$68.1 million


IFAD and Nepal invest US$68.1 million to improve incomes and food and nutrition security for rural smallholders
Rome, 6 June 2018 – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Nepal have signed a financing agreement to significantly improve incomes and food and nutrition security for 35,000 rural farming households in 10 districts in State 6.
The agreement for the Agriculture Sector Development Programme was signed by correspondence by Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD, and,Shreekrishna Nepal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Nepal.
The total cost of the new programme is US$68.1 million, including a $38.2 million loan and a $1.8 million grant from IFAD. The project will be cofinanced by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation ($3 million), the Government of Nepal ($11.5 million) and others. It will be implemented over six years. 
In Nepal, two thirds of the labour force is engaged in agricultural production, but the majority are unskilled and lack knowledge of updated cultivation practices. Food insecurity remains a key concern in the country, with rates of stunting and wasting being the highest in the programme area.
“The programme will target smallholder producers and landless rural people interested in engaging in targeted value chain activities,” said Lakshmi Moola, IFAD Country Programme Manager.
“We aim to improve incomes and food security by supporting producers in developing high-value agricultural products that correspond to market needs and can generate a profit. The programme will also invest in market infrastructure and producers’ access to markets,” she added.
Technical training and financial services will be provided and women and disadvantaged households will be specifically targeted.
The programme will be implemented in Dailekh, Dolpa, Humla, Jajarkot, Jumla, Kalikot, Mugu, Rukum (Western), Salyan, and Surrket districts in State 6, located in the mid-western area of Nepal. 
Since 1978, IFAD has financed 17 rural development programmes and projects in Nepal, investing $301.8 million or $609.8 million when co-financing is included. These projects and programmes have benefitted almost 824,000 rural households. 
Susan Beccio
Communications Division
Tel: +39 06 5459 2479

Blast in iron mine in China


China, twenty-three workers were rescued today from an iron mine in northeast Liaoning province, hours after they were trapped by a powerful explosion.
Authorities said, the explosion in the iron ore mine in Sishanling village, Benxi city killed 11 people and injured nine others who were above ground. It destroyed the hoisting system in the mine, trapping 25 miners underground.
The blast took place yesterday when miners were dropping explosives down the 1,000-metre-deep mine shaft. State-run Xinhua news agency reports that search is underway for the two others still remain missing.

RBI hikes repo rate to 6.25%


RBI hikes Repo Rate for the 1st time in over 4 years by 25 bps to 6.25%
Reserve Bank of India hikes Repo Rate by 25 bps to 6.25%. Reverse Repo rate at 6.50%. The central bank announced its bimonthly monetary policy on Wednesday amid expanding economic growth and the recent increase in crude oil prices.
The RBI projects inflation for 2018-19 at 4.8- 4.9% in first half and 4.7% in the second half of the year, projection for GDP is 7.5-7.6 in first half and 7.3-7.4 in the second half.
The meeting of the monetary policy committee headed by RBI Governor Urjit Patel, began in Mumbai on Monday. The committee will meet today as well, before the policy will be announced. This is the first time the six-member committee is meeting for three days instead of the usual two, due to certain administrative exigencies.
All six members of the MPC including RBI Governor Urjit Patel voted for the 0.25 per cent rate hike.

Fashion designer Kate Spade found dead


Designer Kate Spade, one of the biggest names in American fashion, was found dead today in New York after committing suicide, police said. She was 55. Celebrity website TMZ said the designer — especially known for her sleek handbags — hanged herself in her Park Avenue apartment.
De8T0DAXkAATWwN.jpg
A police spokeswoman confirmed Spade committed suicide but told AFP the exact circumstances of her death were not yet clear.
Tributes to Spade poured in — from celebrities, the fashion world and everyday women who admired her quintessential American style.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America said it was “devastated” at the news.
Spade — a Missouri native who first worked as a journalist, launched her eponymous fashion label in 1993 with her husband Andy and the help of outside investors.

Media Invitations: 3×3 Pro Basketball League

Hi,
Greetings! 
3×3 Pro Basketball League
Cordially invites you
To announce the Kick-off of the Inaugural Season of the first ever FIBA 3×3 recognised Pro Basketball League
&
The fixtures along with players
In presence of
  • Indian basketball superstars
o   Palpreet Singh Brar – the second NBA player from India
  • International top FIBA 3×3 Basketball Players
o   Inderbir Gill – USA#2
o   Bikramjit Gill – Canada#4
  • 3X3BL Management
o   Rohit Bakshi, 3BL League Commissioner
o   Sudhir Vashist – Chief of Marketing & Business Development
o   Vivek Krishna – Entertainment Director
  • Eminent personalities
o   Member of the India Parliament for North East Delhi – Shri Manoj Tiwari
Venue: Hotel the Royal Plaza, Connaught Place
Date: June 6th, 2018 (Tomorrow)
Time: 11:00 am
RSVP: Laxmi Sharma | laxmi.sharma@mslgroup.com | +91 9654515243
            Deeksha Chowdry | deeksha.chowdry@mslgroup.com | +91 9654154505


Putin: Lifting Russia sanctions benefit all

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Western sanctions against Russia haven’t worked and both Moscow and the West would benefit from lifting them. Putin, speaking on a visit to Austria today, said the restrictions are “harmful for everyone – those who initiated them and those who are targeted by them.”
The United States, the European Union and other Western allies introduced a slew of sanctions against Moscow over its 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and for its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Coupled with a drop in oil prices, the sanctions contributed to Russia’s two-year recession.
The Russian economy has rebounded, however, and Putin emphasized that lifting the sanctions would answer common interests. He said both Russia and the EU would benefit from resuming full-scale cooperation.



DMA,  “World Environment Day”


PRESS INVITATION
To all the Chief/Health Reporter
Press/Media
world_environment_day.jpg
We are pleased to inform you that Delhi Medical Association is observing “World Environment Day” on 5th June every year. This year Delhi Medical Association is celebrating World Environment Day on Wednesday, the 6th June 2018.
On this occasion, DMA is organizing a seminar on Ill Effects of Pollutions on Wednesday, 6th June 2018 at  2.30pm preceded by lunch at DMA House. Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Science and Technology Govt. of India will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Besides, that DMA is launching Save Environment Green Good Deeds Campaign along with therelease of the poster depicting green good deeds to save the environment.
You are requested to kindly depute your reporter and photographer to cover the event on 6th June 2018 at  2.00pm and oblige.
Copy of the invitation card is enclosed herewith for your ready reference
Regards,
Dr. Ashwani Goyal            Dr. Harish Gupta                        Dr. G.S. Grewal        
President,                          Chairman, Prog                 Hony. State Secretary, DMA
M: 9811113647                   M:9810219482                                    M: 9811078010
DR.G.S.GREWAL
HONY. STATE SECRETARY
DELHI MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
M:9811078010


Austria’s Kurz to Putin

Russia is crucial in bringing peace to Syria and Ukraine, Austrian leader Sebastian Kurz told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, adding he hopes Moscow helps secure peace in Donbass, paving the way to lifting EU sanctions.
5b16d251dda4c875488b459d.jpg
“Russia, as a superpower, has an important role in Syria and eastern Ukraine, and Russia has great responsibility,” Chancellor Kurz said after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vienna on Tuesday. “We hope that Russia will contribute to people finally living to see what they wanted to see for a long time – peace.”

We have the highest hopes for progress in eastern Ukraine so that with gradual implementation of the Minsk agreements to step by step lift sanctions”against Russia, the chancellor said.
“This is the scenario that we want to achieve for our continent.”
After the talks, Putin told journalists that Austria has expressed readiness to join the humanitarian efforts in Syria.
“If Europe wants the flow of migrants from Syria and nearby countries to decrease, it’s necessary to help the people to return to their homes; to help them to put life back on track in their country,” the Russian president said.
Russian Air Force was first dispatched to Syria back in September 2015 on the request of country’s president, Bashar Assad. The successful bombing campaign against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and other jihadist groups, backing the advances of government forces, and the establishment of de-escalation zone have led to most of the Syrian territory being liberated from terrorists.
Ukraine, on the other hand, Moscow does not consider itself part of the conflict. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied Western claims that it has been supporting the rebels in Donetsk and Lugansk regions with arms, money and manpower in their fight against Kiev. Despite not being a party to the war, Russia has been actively working to achieve peace in Donbass, brokering the Minsk-2 peace deal with France and Germany in February 2015, which led to a sharp decrease in violence in the conflict zone.

Farmers Right to Set Minimum Selling Price – Corrupt NGOs  

June06, 2018 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
India is let down by ‘Three Generations of Jakhars’ who always worked in Self Interest – Balram Jakhar was Crying when his Kinnows were sold for Rs.25 per kg when Director of Punjab Agriculture from his smaller Kinnow Farm nearby was realizing just Rs.8 Per Kg.
A Street Vendor owning a 4 Wheel Rusty cart buys fruits and vegetables at say Rs.20 per kg in the morning and by evening sells about 100 kgs of fruits and Vegetables at Rs.40 per kg and makesRs.2,000/- daily income. This translates to Rs.7,30,000 Tax Free Annual Income. In cases where Four Brothers are in Business – a joint Family Earns Rs.29,20,000 Tax Free income. Capital Investment required is just say Rs.10,000 or Rs.20,000 only.
But a Family of 4 Brothers Producing Sugarcane are Not Paid for 2-3 Years from day of Sowing and Investment of Rs.10,00,000 Plus Rs.10 Cr Cost of Land Yield No Profit or Net Income. If we Consider Moneylenders Cost it is Negative.
This year TOP – Tomato, Onion & Potato Farmers were paid just Rs.1 per kg. Garlic farmers paid Rs.2 per kg this year joins TOP – its now TOPG.
Jakhars had let down India – a Street Vendor is Free to FIX his Selling Price –  

Why can’t 600m Farmers Coops ‘FIX MINIMUM SELLING PRICE’ for their produce?

Bogus Farm Leader ‘Krishan Bir Choudhary’ mislead Western UP Farmers –
KBC never Tells that UP Farmers also Produce 30 million tones of Milk, 50 million tones of Wheat & Rice – can make 2 million tones of Milk Cake or Burfi that retails for Rs.300/- to Rs.500/- per kg.
Why can’t Farmers own 1000 TPD Sugar Mills within 5 km radius that assures Cash Payment or Sugar For Sugarcane Delivered?
Why can’t Farmers produce ETHANOL Directly from Sugarcane?
In 2008 India imported 128.15 million metric tons of crude, constituting 75% of its total petroleum consumption for that year. By 2025 it will be importing 90% of its petroleum (UNESCAP 2009). In an effort to increase its energy security and independence, the Government of India in October of 2007 set a 20% ethanol blend target for gasoline fuel to be met by 2017. In India, the vast majority of ethanol is produced from sugarcane molasses, a byproduct of sugar. In the future it may also be produced directly from sugarcane juice.

Ethanol Policy 2007 was Sabotaged by Sugar Mills and RIL in 11 Years. India spent $2000b in these years on Import of Energy.

Why can’t FARMERS OWN SUGAR BUFFER STOCKS and Paid in ‘Sugar’ for Sugarcane Delivered – Farmer Delivering 10 T of Sugarcane – Returning with 1 T of Sugar?  
Why not invest in 100-500 KW Solar Farms, SME Food Processing?  
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, ND -110016, India. Ph: 091- 8826415770, 9871056471, 9650421857
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power, Transportation,
Smart Cities, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects

DATA SHARING WITH 60 COMPANIES BY FACEBOOK IS VULNERABLE

05th  June, 2018
DATA SHARING WITH 60 COMPANIES BY FACEBOOK IS VULNERABLE
CAIT URGE RAVISHANKAR PRASAD TO TAKE PREVENTIVE STEPS
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has expressed deep shock over the reported news of Facebook giving access to several cell phone manufacturers and other device makers of its data on users & their friends including their personal information and for such an access Facebook has entered into agreements with such companies. So far it has reached data sharing partnership with about 60 device makers.
In a communication sent today to Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for IT &. Technology, the CAIT has urged him to take immediate cognisance of the news and take immediate steps to deal with this crucial issue of cyber security.
The news appeared in a prominent news Paper today sending alarming bells to data security which may not only breach privacy of the users but may also pose threat to economy & security of the Country since data of Indian citizens using Facebook must have also been compromised since agreements seems to of global level.
CAIT National President Mr B C Bhartia & Secretary General Mr Praveen Khandelwal while raising serious objections on the matter said that from the point of view of businesses, sharing of such a data may result into consolidation of business into few hands as data analytical could easily give information about the nature, preferences, capacity & capability , trends, purchase or sale bahaviour of person or persons or trade groups etc. It may also lead to leakage of confidential information about particular business or businesses. Based on such analyses of data the Companies will attack trade or businesses in a most strategical and organised manner to control the markets.
Both Mr. Bhartia & Mr. Khandelwal said that usage of smartphones have become ubiquitous, and are forcing us to re-imagine the contours of privacy and data protection.We carry our phones everywhere we go, we use them for accessing critical services including banking and payments, we use them to store personal and sensitive data, to access our social networks and emails, and many “apps” are connected to servers and facilities that consumers and governments, often have no line of sight to.
Unsurprisingly, reports of phone hacks, theft of personally identifiable information and user-tracking, misguidance of consumers and evasion of law, by stakeholders within the digital ecosystem, has become an everyday phenomenon. The Indian smartphone user is particularly vulnerable.
CAIT has decided to sought authoritative information about such partnerships from Facebook itself and based on such information, it will pursue the matter with the Govt.

PM addresses opening session of 49th Governors’ Conference

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the opening session of the 49th Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The Prime Minister spoke at length about how Governors could leverage their experience in different walks of life, so that people derive maximum benefit of various central development schemes and initiatives. He said the institution of Governor has a pivotal role to play within the federal structure and Constitutional framework of our country.
He said Governors of States with significant tribal population can help in ensuring that the tribal communities benefit from Government initiatives in fields such as education, sports and financial inclusion. He said the tribal communities had played a key role in the freedom struggle, and this should be recognised and recorded for posterity through avenues such as digital museums.
The Prime Minister noted that Governors are also Chancellors of Universities. He said that International Yoga Day on June 21st can be utilized as an opportunity to generate greater awareness about Yoga among the youth. Similarly, he emphasized that Universities can also become the focal point of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Prime Minister mentioned some key themes of development such as the National Nutrition Mission, electrification of villages and development parameters in aspirational districts. He suggested that Governors could also visit a few recently electrified villages to witness  first-hand the benefits of electrification.
He said that during the recent Gram Swaraj Abhiyan from 14th April, seven key schemes of the Government were implemented fully in over 16000 villages. He said that these villages have been freed from seven problems through Jan Bhagidaari. He said Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is now being extended to 65000 more villages, with a target date of 15th August.
The Prime Minister suggested that planning for the 50th Governors’ Conference next year should begin immediately. This effort should focus on making this annual event even more productive.

Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act (IRWA), 1986

WCD proposes amendments to widen the scope of Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act (IRWA), 1986
Reformulated bill proposes new Centralised Authority under the aegis of National Commission of Women (NCW)
Based on the observations made by Parliamentary Standing Committee and recommendation made by the National Commission for Women on the basis of consultation with civil society groups and likeminded individuals, WCD has proposed amendments in IRWA keeping in mind the recent technological advancement in the field of communications such as social media platforms, over the top services etc.
The reformulated Bill proposes following amendments in the parent Act:
  • Amendment in definition of term advertisement to include digital form or electronic form or hoardings, or through SMS, MMS etc
  • Amendment in definition of distribution to include publication, license or uploading using computer resource, or communication device or in
  • Insertion of a new definition to define the term publish
  • Amendment in section 4 to include that No person shall publish or distribute or cause to be published or cause to be distributed by any means any material which contains indecent representation of women in any form:
  • Penalty similar to that provided under the Information Technology Act, 2000
  • Creation of a Centralised Authority under the aegis of National Commission of Women (NCW). This Authority will be headed by Member Secretary, NCW, having representatives from Advertising Standards Council of India, Press Council of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one member having experience of working on women issues.
  • This Centralised Authority will be authorized to receive complaints or grievances regarding any programme or advertisement broadcasted or publication and investigate/ examine all matters relating to the indecent representation of women.
The Government of India has enacted the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act (IRWA), 1986 to prohibit indecent representation of women through advertisements, publications, writings, paintings, figures or in any other manner. Since the enactment of the Act, technological revolution has resulted in the development of new forms of communication, such as internet, multi-media messaging, cable television, over-the-top (OTT) services and applications e.g. Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, Chat On, Snapchat, Instagram etc.
Keeping in mind these technological advancements, it has been decided to widen the scope of the law so as to cover such forms of media on one hand and to strengthen the existing safeguards to prevent indecent representation of women through any media form on the other. Hence, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2012 was introduced in Rajya Sabha December, 2012 which referred the Bill to Department related Parliament Standing Committee for consideration.

Hi Naresh, Plastic waste


Hi Naresh,
Plastic waste equivalent to the weight of roughly a billion elephants is poisoning our planet! It includes every plastic spoon, straw, packet of chips, and PET bottle you and I have used and thrown away.
This Environment Day, the world is finally addressing the need to reduce our plastic production. Cleaning up and recycling is no more a sustainable solution to this uncontrollable crisis – hence we are urging the retailers, corporations, restaurants, and businesses to reduce their single-use plastic footprint urgently!
Besides taming our own consumption behavior to minimise the contribution of our choices to the world’s plastic woes, the retailers and manufacturers need to be held accountable for pumping out tonnes of plastic waste 24×7 – urge them to adopt sustainable alternatives!
There’s also a surprise in here for you – today we launched an updated version of our website. So please browse through the site, take action and share your web-experience!
Let’s break away from the chains of single-use plastic. There are five trillion pieces of plastic in our oceans – enough to circle the Earth over 400 times[1]. We can only imagine the magnitude of this growing problem – and today, we must do our part.
Towards a plastic-free future,
Nayan and the entire
Greenpeace India team

Show some love: thanks for sharing and caring.

Local fans train with Rahul Dev in Bishkek for “Torbaaz”

Actor Rahul Dev is currently busy shooting his next Torbaaz in Krgyzstan. An insider reveals that Rahul has totally got into the skin of the character & is very excited playing the antagonist in this Sanjay Dutt starrer film as his character is very different from the others that he’s essayed in numerous Hindi & South Indian films. The unit is reportedly shooting in tough locations & unpredictable weather conditions but despite a hectic shooting schedule, Rahul Dev, known to be a fitness freak never misses his workouts at the local gym in Bishkek, where his local fans make a beeline to train with their favourite actor.
Apart from Sanjay Dutt with whom Rahul Dev has worked in the past, the actor has also hit off very well with the film’s producer & co-actor Rahul Mittra as both are from Delhi & have similar backgrounds, Rahul Dev being a cop’s son & Rahul Mittra being a bureaucrat’ s son and are often spotted chatting between shots.
Directed by Girish Malik & presented by Raju Chadha, the film has been a lot in news for being shot on a massive scale across spectacular locations & also stars Nargis Fakhri.

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