IFFI nominates Nine movies for this year’s

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has nominated nine movies for this year’s International Council for Film, Television and Audio-visual Communication (ICFT) UNESCO Gandhi Medal. Out of nine films, five are from India.

The Indian films competing for the prestigious ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal are Kshitij – A Horizon, Manusangada, Poorna, Railway Children and Take-Off. The foreign films in the fray are Amok from Poland, Khibula – a co-production of Germany, France and Georgia, The Last Painting from Taiwan and Women of The Weeping River – a joint production of the US and UK.

All 9 films are being screened at the ongoing IFFI in Panaji, Goa. The ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Award will be given to a film that best reflects Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of peace, tolerance and non-violence. The Award will be announced at the closing ceremony of IFFI on Tuesday.

Implement Clinical Establishment Act

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

Centre has asked the States to implement Clinical Establishment Act to take effective action against hospitals indulging in fraudulent and unethical practices. Citing the recent incident of overcharging from a patient by Fortis hospital in Gurugram, Health Ministry asked the States to issue warnings and take action against hospitals including private ones which indulge in malpractices.

In a letter to State Chief Secretaries, Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan drew their attention towards the widespread adverse coverage of alleged malpractices including exorbitant charges and deficiency in services by various clinical establishments in the recent past.

She said, such incidents have an extremely deleterious impact on the faith of the general public in the healthcare system and there is a need to ensure that such things do not occur and quality healthcare be provided at a fair and affordable price.

The Health Secretary has suggested calling for a meeting of all important hospitals including private ones, and conveying them that strict action will be taken against any of them found indulging in such malpractices.

Schedule of Winter session of Parliament

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

Winter session of Parliament will be held From 15th of next month to 5th January. Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar announced this after the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi today.

Mr Kumar said parliament session and assembly elections date should not overlap. He said, earlier also many times Parliament session has been scheduled, considering assembly elections in the state.

The Minister said, Government requests and seeks cooperation from all parties, including the opposition, for the smooth functioning of both Houses to make the session fruitful. Mr Kumar said, this session will have 14 working days and 25th and 26th December will be Christmas holidays.

National Law Day Celebrations

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

INVITATION

Dear Sir/Madam,

Event	NITI Aayog CEO, Shri Amitabh Kant and Chairman Law Commission, Justice B. S. Chauhan  to hold a Press Conference one the National Law Day Celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan on 25-26 November 2017.
Date	24th November, 2017
Time	03:00 p.m.
Venue	Rom No.-122  NITI Aayog

6 Days Lokgatha Utsav

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

You are cordially invited to cover the following event:

EVENT	:	Shri Manoj Tiwari, Member of Parliament and Eminent Folk Singer to announce 6 Days Lokgatha Utsav- A festival of cultural heritage of India on the birth centenary of Rashtrarishi Nana Ji Deshmukh. Shri Sachidanad Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA will also remain present.
DATE	:	24th November, 2017
TIME	:	01:00 PM
VENUE	:	Matighar Lawns, IGNCA, C.V. Mess, Janpath, New Delhi

30.76 Lakh Houses Sanctioned So Far Under PMAY (U) 

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

30.76 Lakh Houses Sanctioned So Far Under PMAY (U)

15.65 Lakh Houses at Various Stages of Construction

4.13   Lakh Houses Constructed Since Mission Launch

Hardeep Singh Puri Inaugurates National Workshop on Accelerating Implementation of Urban Missions

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State(I/C) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has informed that since launch of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) (U) on 25th June 2015, the Government has sanctioned a total of 30.76 lakhs houses across all verticals. Currently, 15.65 lakh houses have been grounded and are at various stages of construction and about 4.13 lakh houses have been constructed since the launch of the mission. Inaugurating the National workshop on Accelerating Implementation of Urban Missions: PMAY(Urban) and Swachh Bharat mission(Urban) here today, the Minister stated that the Urban India is undergoing a transition in terms of physical forms, demographic profile and socio-economic diversity. The important role of cities in national economic process and their global linkages demand more attention for their development, than being hitherto given. Cities are expected to perform efficiently in keeping with emerging demands for employment, commerce, trade, industry and other services.  The Housing sector is the engine of economic growth that enables and feeds into the aforementioned. It is a vital sector of the economy creating jobs and generating taxes and wages that positively influence the quality of life. The government has embarked on an ambitious plan to empower Indian citizens by 2022 that marks the 75 years of independent India, he added. Sh Durga Shankar Mishra, Secretary (HUA) and officials from several states and industry associations are attending the conference.

Addressing the day long workshop, the Minister observed that the local demand for housing is pegged at around 12 million and informed that the government has endeavored a number of measures like infrastructure status to affordable housing, direct tax benefits under Section 80-IBA of the Income Tax Act, relaxation in FDI and ECB proposals, reduction in holding period for long-term capital gain benefits and standardized usage of carpet area definition. Emphasis on reforms like stamp duty exemption and single window clearance, have been actively pursued by the Ministry.

Highlighting the progress made under PMAY (U), the Minister informed that it has made noteworthy progress over the past missions.   A closer analysis of the PMAY (U) verticals will reflect that most of the projects under the BLC and AHP verticals of the Mission have shown considerable progress. “Today’s seminar is very focused.  We have all gathered to deliberate on the bottlenecks and roadblocks that impend the progress of States/UTs with respect to the implementation of the In-situ Slum Rehabilitation (ISSR) and Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) verticals. The ISSR vertical has had a few challenges in its implementation due to land related issues, financing models, selection of private developer, beneficiary participation and policy concerns of the States/UTs.  It is pivotal for the States/UTs to adopt a slum free approach and comprehensively develop their cities with focus on slum redevelopment taking complete advantage of the ISSR vertical” he added.  Sh Puri called on the states to ensure better outreach for Credit-linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) and focus on convergence between the banking institutions, private sector and beneficiaries. While the AHP vertical has shown considerable progress, to further promote the AHP vertical issues such as financing models, encumbrance free land, private sector participation etc. need more focus to cater to the housing demand emerging from the EWS segment with no land ownership.

The Beneficiary-led Construction (BLC) vertical has witnessed wider implementation. The States/UTs have actively pursued this vertical which caters to individual households having own land and policy enablement has ensured to protect the interest of those households with no own land through the AHP and CLSS components.  It is crucial that we as stakeholders introspect collectively, and emerge with a robust implementation strategy to fast track achievement especially with respect to ISSR, AHP and CLSS verticals.

Dwelling on the Initiatives taken in the direction of addressing the housing demand, the Minister informed that in order to create an enabled environment this Ministry has recently launched the 8 PPP models for affordable housing along with the housing technology challenge to bring in the state of art innovations into the housing sector. The Public Private Partnership Models for Affordable Housing has been initiated in order to address some of the identified challenges and give fillip to the Mission’s objectives. It is envisaged that a sizeable and sustainable response through strategic PPP models will allow a self-propelled market to address the challenge of land availability and its high cost. The private sector participation will also enhance access to financing and capital markets, as well as reduce costs through gains in construction, operations and time-bound delivery of houses.

The Minister urged the States and UTs to actively participate, contribute and present an action-oriented approach particularly for the progress of ISSR and AHP.   The private sector, the State Government and Parastatal bodies should join hands to fast track the Mission’s objective by coming forward to invest their resources and energy in public housing.

Celebrating the launch of The Last Battle of Saraighat

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

Penguin India has a event .

Celebrating the launch of The Last Battle of Saraighat

Fri Nov 24 2017 at 05:00 pm Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi, India Join Event

The book by Rajat Sethi and Shubhrastha will be launched in the august presence of Krishna Gopal, Ram Madhav, N.Biren Singh, Pema Khandu, and Himanta Biswa Sarma, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Shekhar Gupta. Please join us for high tea at 5 pm.

Corporate results galvanize with GST and Monsoons care

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

Naresh Kumar Sagar

Admin · Just now

The companies such as Maruti Suzuki, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Auto, and Hindustan Unilever reported upbeat earnings growth for the July-September period,consumption boomed due to pan out supply after the roll out of a nation-wide Goods and Services Tax.The outlook seems positive for companies that cater to rural demand, say analysts this attributes to a healthy monsoon, incomes in rural, agricultural areas are expected to rise.

Gross non-performing assets of 36 banks have increased from Rs 2.94 lakh crore in March 2015 to Rs 8.38 lakh crore by September 2017, says a Care Ratings report.

FDP for renewed talks

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

Germany’s pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) on Wednesday said they would not rule out renewed talks on a three-way coalition government. Now both FDP and SPD are bidding for Merkel  hand.

Spiegel reports,German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier now faces the task of facilitating the formation of a government, preferably without having to resort to new elections. The Christian Democrats will have to decide whether Merkel will continue to lead them while the SPD has to reflect on whether they are willing to enter another alliance with the CDU and CSU and, if so, at what price. Would Merkel or Martin Schulz have to give way to make another such alliance happen?

They set a condition for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the Greens to offer a “completely new package” of proposals, Reuters said. “If it really was possible to build a modern republic in the coming years, then we are the last ones who would refuse to talk,” FDP Secretary General Nicola Beer told ntv television. She added, however, that she “can’t imagine that this will work.”

Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) faced pressure on Wednesday to consider offering coalition talks to Merkel’s conservatives. SPD leader Martin Schulz, whose party had governed in coalition under Merkel since 2013, earlier said the party would go into opposition.

Hariri postpones resignation

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Wednesday that he is putting his resignation on hold after President Michel Aoun asked him to reconsider it pending consultations.

Hariri said he discussed his resignation with the president, who asked him “to wait before submitting it and allow for more consultations.”

Hariri said so to reporters after a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Palace with Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. He also extended his appreciation for the president’s affection.

“I thank Aoun for the affection he had shown towards me, and also I express appreciation to all the Lebanese throughout the past period,” he added.

US Navy aircraft eleven on board crashes

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

Eight warships today joined a US aircraft carrier and scores of helicopters and planes to search for three American sailors who went missing after their plane crashed in the Philippine Sea.

US 7th Fleet commander says a search operation is underway involving the USS Ronald Reagan.

Eight of the missing have been found, they have been transferred to the USS Ronald Reagan and are said to be in good condition. A search is continuing for the three missing people.Latest reports said,

The C-2A “Greyhound” aircraft with 11 people on board went down on Wednesday afternoon around 930 kilometres southeast of Okinawa.

The US Navy said in a statement that eight sailors were rescued shortly after the accident and taken for medical evaluation to USS Reagan, an aircraft carrier that was in the Philippine Sea for an exercise with Japanese forces.

The plane was on a routine transport flight, carrying passengers and cargo from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in southern Japan to the USS Ronald Reagan.

The Reagan is leading the joint effort by the US and Japanese navies to find the missing sailors.

Putin offers assistance in tracking missing Argentinian submarine

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

President Vladimir Putin has offered assistance in tracking the missing ARA San Juan submarine in a phone call with his Argentinian counterpart Mauricio Macri, the Kremlin has said. “It’s was agreed that the ministries of the two countries will maintain contacts on the issue,” it said. Putin expressed words of encouragement to Macri over the Argentinian submarine, which has been missing since November 15 with 44 sailors on board.

Bruce Riedel,irk over the release of Hafiz Saeed

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

Top American counter-terrorism and South Asian experts have expressed outrage over the release of 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

Expressing his outrage over the release, Bruce Riedel, a top US expert on security, South Asia, and counter-terrorism told PTI that It is time to rescind Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally.

Alyssa Ayres, a former State Department official and currently with the Council on Foreign Relations told PTI after Lahore High Court ordered Saeed be set free that in a word, the release is an outrage.

She said Saeed is a UN-sanctioned individual terrorist who leads a UN-sanctioned terrorist organisation and alleged that Pakistan does not see fit to follow through on its obligations to uphold UN Security Council terrorist designations.

Ayres said Pakistan cannot credibly claim to be fighting terrorism while failing its most basic security obligation to UNSC designations.

AVIAREPS EXPANDS CHINA OFFICE NETWORK WITH OPENING IN WUHAN

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

AVIAREPS Greater China office network expanded to 8   

Total international office network expanded to 65 offices across 47 countries   

Mumbai, India (23 November 2017) – AVIAREPS,the global leader and expert in developing and shaping outbound tourism, aviation and hospitality demand and spend, has expanded its China market presence by opening an office in Wuhan, Central China. With this office opening AVIAREPS’presence in Greater China is now extended to 8 offices, and provides AVIAREPS’ clientele with a permanent base in Central China from which to implement specialised destination and hospitality marketing, public relations and sales (GSA) representation, to target the region’s massive population of 220 million consumers. With the addition of Wuhan, the total AVIAREPS international office network now numbers 65, across 47 countries and 6 continents.

Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province, and its largest city with a population of 11 million (China’s 9th largest city). The city, through its Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH), is also a major aviation hub for Air China, China Eastern and China Southern, in addition to another 30 airlines operating domestic and international flights out of the airport. Connected to 45 international destinations, WUH was the 4th airport to be selected by the Chinese Central Government to become an international gateway after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Today, with a GDP of US$161 billion, Hubei Province is the 8th richest in China, with the economy growing by 9.7%, much higher than the average growth rate of 6.9% for China as a whole. In addition to Wuhan, 14 other nearby cities with populations ranging from one to seven million, will also be the target of the AVIAREPS Wuhan team’s sales, PR and marketing activities. These include the cities of: Huanggang, 7 million; Jingzhou, 6 million; Xiangyang, 6 million; Xiaogan, 5.5 million; Yichang, 4.5 million; Enshi Tujia, 3.5 million; Shiyan, 3.5 million; Jingmen, 3 million; Xianning, 3 million; Huangshi, 3 million; Suizhou, 2.5 million; Tianmen, 2 million; Xiantao, 1.5 million; and Qianjing, 1 million.

Over the past 5 years the population of Wuhan has grown 23%, driven by a shift away from heavy industries, such as steel production, and towards innovation-driven industries such as hi-tech. Wuhan also claims one of the world’s largest student populations at over 1 million, resulting in an increasingly highly educated consumer base that is driving massive demand for modern services, including long-haul outbound travel.

Says Edgar Lacker, Chief Executive Officer, AVIAREPS: “Now with a total of 8 offices in greater China, AVIAREPS firmly cements its market position in the Far-East as the leading international organisation to provide destination, aviation, retail and hospitality brands with the expertise, passion and know-how to grow their business. The massive size, spend and demand of consumers within China necessitates that any brand wanting to enter the Chinese market and truly engage at the grassroots level, requires a support team of specialists with local expertise and networks. With AVIAREPS now firmly established in Wuhan, we open a world of new business opportunities in Central China to our clients.”

The AVIAREPS Wuhan office opens already representing such brands as Visit California and Sands Group Macao.

For further information on how AVIAREPS can assist your organisation to expand its commercial footprint in Wuhan China, contact AVIAREPS at:www.aviareps.com

-End-

About

Founded in Germany in 1994 with an extensive office network that spans all six inhabited continents with 65 self-owned offices across 47 countries, the AVIAREPS Group is the world’s leading airline and tourism representation company with over 100 airlines and more than 150 tourism, hospitality, retail and trade promotion clients in its portfolio. In addition to providing well established passenger General Sales Agent (GSA) services and tourism marketing representation, clients are also offered expertise and services in digital marketing, public relations, advertising, IT solutions, consulting, financial services, airport marketing, and trade & retail promotion.

 NUMERO UNO AND THE RUN OF LIFE

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

​   NUMERO UNO AND THE RUN OF LIFE

New Delhi, November 22, 2017: In an event at the capital, came together Real People, Real Stories and the Real Denim Numero Uno, at the denim brand’s exclusive CP store. This was the T-Shirt unveiling session, where Numero Uno, the apparel partners of the Super Sikh Run 2017 brought together the Super Heroes of the Super Squad for the Half Marathon to be held on December 10 at New Delhi and officially revealed their special run t-shirt along with the run t-shirts of other participants.

One of the most promising Indian brands christened in 1987 under the aegis of Hi Fashion Clothing Co., the high-powered brand recently launched their footwear and athleisure collection – latest additions to a range of cult apparels and accessories. The maverick brand which has deservingly earned the loyalty of millions to its Real Denim for the three decades now has associated with the Super Sikh Run 2017 as exclusive apparel partners and is the presenter of the coveted Super Sikh Run jerseys.

The second edition of Super Sikh Run – a marathon organized for all participants beyond the feeble barriers of caste, creed, religion, sex, race and the challenges thrown by life, is a run for humanity. The half marathon to be held on December 10 from New Delhi’s Rakab Ganj Gurudwara, will be led by the Super Squad – group of extraordinary men and women who have paid back life in its very same coins. Such Major DP Singh – an ex-army man who lost almost half of his body to a mortar explosion during combat at the LOC and now India’s First Blade Runner. Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, who is a former Indian athlete who won a gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games in decathlon. He participated in the 1960 and 1964 Olympics in 110 hurdles, high jump and decathlon, Capt. Shalini Singh – Mrs. India Queen of Substance 2017 and Ms. Jinnie Gogoi Chugh – Gold medalist at Commonwealth powerlifting Championship 2017 and one of India’s Top 5 women fitness professionals. In its initiative, Numero Uno brings to all suchreal stories of real heroes along with many more.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Narinder Singh Dhingra, CMD, NUCL said, “We embrace the ideology of nature where every individual has its identity. Being a partner to this good initiative, we feel pleasured to be able to bring such stories of courage to one and all. Life is much larger than we perceive yet simpler. Our products are a reflection of the ideology of life”.

Numero Uno is a brand rooted to nature and the anchored to the finest of science. Their technologies and processes are intended to offer back more to nature and society than received. Waterless washing of denims, finest fabrics, water treatment plants at production facility and major employment opportunities to the local communities are some of their ingrained practices. According to sources, Numero Uno will soon take wings in the international market. For the latest from their stables, kindly visit their nearest store.

Thanks for joining the Obama Foundation

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

From: Obama Foundation on Thu, 23 Nov 2017 07:53:15 Add to address bookTo: You & 1 other | See Details

We’re glad you’ve joined this ongoing project to shape, together, what it means to be a good citizen in the 21st century.

That’s why we want to hear from you — and your family, friends, and colleagues — about what matters to you. You can help us rally more voices by asking your community to join us. Forward this email to your friends and ask them to join this community with this link: https://go.obama.org/page/s/join-future-global-leaders

This will be your Foundation just as much as it is ours, and your ideas can influence how we move forward.

—The Obama Foundation

Cancellation of the Press Conference

ON NOVEMBER 23, 2017 BY NARESH SAGARLEAVE A COMMENTEDIT

Due to unavoidable circumstances the Press Conference with the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka will not be held as scheduled on 24th November 2017 (Friday) at 09.30 am at the Taj Palace Hotel.

While we deeply regret the inconvenience, we wish to extend our sincere thanks for the tremendous support that you have extended to us in this case, as you have extended in all previous occasions.

We look forward to seeing you in our future events.  If you have any questions regarding this cancellation notice, please email: mcslhcnd@gmail.com

Media Division

Sri Lanka High Commission

New Delhi