DUBAI TOURISM, INDIA OFFICE KEEN ON BOOSTING CORPORATE TRAVEL
27092013
Conducts high profile familiarization visit as part of its B2B marketing initiatives
Mumbai, September 27th, 2013: With the intention of boosting business travel and promoting Dubai as a leading international MICE destination in India, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), India office has undertaken several initiatives to tap the burgeoning MICE market in India. From participating at leading MICE events such as OptiMICE and IBTM (Incentives, Business, Travel & Meetings) Expo India, to promoting leading exhibitions and business events through its newsletters and advertorials to most recently organising a corporate familiarisation visit to Dubai, the tourism office is strengthening its efforts to enhance corporate travel to the emirate.
Mumbai, September 27th, 2013: With the intention of boosting business travel and promoting Dubai as a leading international MICE destination in India, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), India office has undertaken several initiatives to tap the burgeoning MICE market in India. From participating at leading MICE events such as OptiMICE and IBTM (Incentives, Business, Travel & Meetings) Expo India, to promoting leading exhibitions and business events through its newsletters and advertorials to most recently organising a corporate familiarisation visit to Dubai, the tourism office is strengthening its efforts to enhance corporate travel to the emirate.
The corporate familiarisation trip organised by DTCM India was in conjunction with Indigo Airlines, Starwood group of hotels and Discovery Travels for 9 corporate representatives from some of India’s leading multi-national companies from the 7th – 9th of September 2013. The itinerary highlighted Dubai’s tourism product offerings for business travellers with visits to attractions such as iFly Dubai, Ski Dubai and a dhow cruise experience.
Commenting on their latest marketing initiative, Carl Vaz, Director – DTCM India said, “Dubai ensures MICE travellers have an unforgettable experience as it offers the perfect blend of world-class convention centres and exciting attractions of a tourist destination. Familiarisation trips are an effective way of enhancing the understanding of a destination to unique and diverse market segments in addition to building relationships with key influencers in the industry and increasing their knowledge of and affection for the emirate. Our corporate FAM visit focused on showcasing the destination to influencers in leading companies and we hope to organize similar trips in the future.”
Mr. Vaz further added: “India represents the top source market for inward visitor traffic into Dubai with the first six months of 2013 attracting 463,175 Indian guests, representing a growth of 15.8% increase over the corresponding period last year. Going forward for this year and the next, we intend working closely with several trade members to bring in not only the numbers but more high yielding incentive and groups to Dubai. There are a plethora of exhibitions that are held at Dubai World Trade Centre which receive a large level of Indian participation as exhibitors and visitors. Our aim will be to showcase and thus promote these exhibitions and events conducted in Dubai so that the overall number of corporate travellers from India significantly increases.”
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Categories : Politics, Tourism, Trade, Uncategorized
Nearly 350 people confirmed dead in Pakistan Quake
27092013
Pakistan local authorities say at least 350 people have been confirmed dead and 500 others injured in a powerful earthquake which shook southern Pakistan on Tuesday.
The magnitude 7.7 quake caused extensive damage to mountainous regions in the southwestern province of Baluchistan.
Rescue operations are under way by troops and medical teams that the government dispatched.
The Red Crescent Society says the number of victims may rise further since rescuers are still unable to reach some affected areas due to roads becoming cut off and other damage.
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Categories : Politics, Uncategorized
G-4 Foreign Ministers pass resolution on need for UNSC reforms
27092013
External Affairs Ministers of G-4 nations namely Brazil, Germany, Japan and India stressed the need for UN Security Council reforms to make it more representative, efficient and transparent and thus to enable it to deal with international challenges more efficiently. The Ministers stressed the need to intensify efforts to translate the existing agreement into concrete outcomes by 2015. The Ministers passed a resolution to this effect yesterday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The International Community has been stressing upon the necessity of expansion of United Nations Security Council. It is being felt that the contributions made by countries towards the maintenance of international peace and security need to be fully recognized and there should be increased representation of developing countries in order to better reflect today’s geo-political realities.
India has since long been asking for the permanent membership of security council to enable it to assume more responsibilities in international affairs. The prominent developed nations of the world have also supported India’s claim. India is likely to flag this issue again at the UN General Assembly when Prime Minister will address its 68th session tomorrow.
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Categories : Politics, Uncategorized, world News
U-21 Johor Cup Hockey: India enter finals
27092013
India have entered the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup, Under-21 hockey tournament by virtue of points. India will now face hosts Malaysia in the final match. India defeated Korea 6-1 in their fourth round-robin match yesterday at Johor Bahru in Malaysia. The win leaves India unbeaten in the tournament so far and they are on top of the table with 12 points from four games.
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Categories : sports, Uncategorized, world News
President Pranab Mukherjee raises queries on lawmakers ordinance
27092013
Posted on September 27, 2013 by sagarmedia
Government tonight faced questions from President Pranab Mukherjee over the need for an ordinance on convicted lawmakers when he called three ministers seeking the rationale behind it while opposition parties stepped up their attack on the issue.
Mukherjee, to whom the ordinance cleared by the Union Cabinet on Tuesday was referred, called Home Minister and Leader of the House in Lok Sabha Sushilkumar Shinde, Law Minister Kapil Sibal and later Parliamentary Affairs minister Kamal Nath.The ordinance seeks to negate the Supreme Court judgement striking down a provision in the electoral law that protected MPs and MLAs convicted for serious crimes from immediate disqualification.
The President is said to be not in a hurry to give his assent to the ordinance and reportedly wants the government to explain the need for an ordinance on an issue that has come under attack from mainstream opposition parties and civil society.
Mukherjee may take legal opinion from experts before he take a decision on whether to give assent.
Under the Constitution, the satisfaction of the President must be as to existence of circumstances which render it necessary for him to promulgate an ordinance.
He can send the ordinance back to the government for re-consideration and shall act in accordance with the advice tendered by the government after such re-consideration.
There was no official word from the government on the discussions the ministers had with the President.
But the government is believed to have conveyed the need for urgency because there could not be a vacuum in law.
There was a Bill in Parliament on the issue and since it could not be passed during the monsoon session, the government had to come out with this ordinance urgently, sources in the government said.
The ministers meetings with the President came after a high-level BJP delegation led by L K Advani met the President and urged him to refer the ordinance back to the government for re-consideration as it is “unconstitutional and immoral”.
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‘Improving Telecom Services in the North Eastern States:
27092013| TRAI Releases Recommendations on ‘Improving Telecom Services in the North Eastern States: An Investment Plan’ |
| The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today issued its recommendations on “Improving Telecom Services in the North Eastern States: An Investment Plan”. On 22nd April, 2013, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) requested Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to carry out a gap analysis and prepare an investment plan for providing quality telecom services in the North Eastern States. The intention was to formulate a comprehensive telecom plan for revamping and augmentation of telecom services in North Eastern Region.The North Eastern Region (NER) comprises the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The region is characterized by extremely tough terrain with relatively poor infrastructure, such as rail, roads, electricity and telecom. Attempts have been made in the past to increase telecom connectivity and teledensity in the region. However, the results so far have not been very encouraging. As on May, 2013, of the eight States in the NER, teledensity in five States is below the national average wireless teledensity of 70%. Similarly, in four States, namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram, the percentage of villages not having mobile coverage ranges from 55.9% to 24.3%. This is very high when compared with most other States where the percentage of uncovered villages is less than 10%.
To assess the present status of telecom infrastructure and the gaps in the NER, detailed consultation was held with various stakeholders, namely, Universal Service Obligation Fund Administrator (USOFA), Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) operating in the NER, Public Sector Undertakings entrusted with laying optical fibre cable in the NER viz. BSNL, Railtel and PGCIL. As the State Governments are vitally important stakeholders in this exercise, four teams of senior officers of TRAI met the Chief Ministers and top-level State Government officers of some the NER States to understand their perspective and concerns about the telecom infrastructure in their States.
The Authority’s recommendations are grounded in three main constituents:
(a) The Gap Analysis;
(b) The State-wise suggested telecom plans;
(c) The estimation of investment required for implementation of the suggested overall plan. The gap in telecom infrastructure essentially falls under four categories. These are:
(a) The desired bandwidth and existing transmission bandwidth at the State Capital and District Head Quarters;
(b) The minimum required infrastructure and existing infrastructure to support basic 2G mobile coverage;
(c) The desired infrastructure to have ‘state-of-the-art’ connectivity for data and the existing infrastructure, and
(d) The desired connectivity and existing connectivity across National Highways passing through the States.
The gap analysis for telecom infrastructure and services in the NER has been done in terms of the above four categories and, accordingly, the investment required has been worked out. In these recommendations:
• Keeping in view the future bandwidth required for broadband in the NER, the core network has been strengthened to provide connectivity with redundancy/diversity between all State capitals and State capitals and the District Headquarters.
• Investment has been estimated for providing 2G mobile coverage in towns and villages having population of more than 250 persons;
• As the penetration of 3G services is very poor in NER, initially it has been planned to provide 3G services in all urban areas in the NER;
• In addition, the Authority has also recommended investment requirement for providing seamless connectivity along all National Highways in the NER.
The overall investment required for implementing the envisaged plan in the NER States has been estimated to be approximately Rs.2918 crores. The recommendations also contain certain policy and supporting action that would be necessary for successful implementation of this programme. Some of these are:
(i) Discount of 2% of AGR of license fee to TSPs who cover at least 80% of the habitations with a population of 250;
(ii) Providing subsidy from USO Fund for bandwidth charges through satellite connectivity; (iii) Subsidy for installation of solar power units at telecom towers;
(iv) PGCIL and BSNL to lease their dark fibre to other TSPs and also to reduce their bandwidth leasing charges in the NER to make them comparable to those charged in other parts of the country;
(v) The TSPs in the NER to enter into inter and intra circle roaming agreements amongst themselves within a period of six months for all the BTS along the National Highways passing through NER States;
(vi) State Governments to ensure –
(a) Availability of commercial power for BTSs on priority;
(b) Provide land and Government buildings for erection of BTS;
(c) Rescind the levy of taxes/charges on the use of diesel generators (DGs) by TSPs;
(d) To allow pulling of Optical Fibre Cable on transmission towers/poles of state electricity boards;
(e) To facilitate availability of sufficient diesel supply to the TSPs particularly during bandhs/strikes;
(f) Whenever the BTSs are running on DG sets they are able to run round-the-clock so that the people get uninterrupted telecom connectivity;
(g) Set up a single-window clearance system for all telecom related clearances/NOCs like pollution/noise control certificate, environment clearance, site acquisitions, commercial power supply etc.
The recommendations have been placed on TRAI’s website http://www.trai.gov.in
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Reddy Gives Away CSIR Awards
27092013
S. Jaipal Reddy Gives Away CSIR Awards to Different Categories for Year 2012 & 2013 71st Foundation Day of CSIR Celebrated.
Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Vice President, CSIR, Shri S. Jaipal Reddy today, on the occasion of CSIR’s 71st Foundation Day, gave away different category of CSIR Awards for year 2012 & 2013 here in New Delhi. These awards include The CSIR Young Scientist Award 2013, G.N.Ramchandran Gold Medal for Excellence in Biological Sciences & Technology , CSIR Technology Award 2013 and CSIR Innovation Awards for 2012.
The The CSIR Young Scientist Award 2013 was given in the areas of Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Engineering Sciences and Physical Sciences (including instrumentation).
The Biological Sciences Award for 2013 was given to D. Arun Kumar Trivedi of CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute,Lucknow for his outstanding contribution towards identification of novel targets of E3 ubiquitin ligases that regulate tumorigenesis.
The Chemical Sciences Award 2013 was given to Dr. Santoshkumar D Bhat and Dr. Yatendra Singh Choudhary.
Dr. Santoshkumar D Bhat is from CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi and has been awarded for his innovative contribution to the design and development of Polymer electrolyte membrane in fuel cell applications.
Dr. Yatendra Singh Choudhary is from CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneshwar and has been awarded for developing novel functional nanostructured materials for solar-fuel Generation and bio-implant scaffolds.
The Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences Award 2013 was given to Dr. Maheshwar Ojha of CSIR-National Geophysical Institute, Hyderabad for his significant contribution in exploring gas hydratesusing novel inversion and numrrical tools.
The Engineering Sciences Award 2013 was given to Dr. Parveen Saini of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi for his significant contribution related to the development of conducting polymer based EMI shielding materials, antistatic coatings and anticorrosive paints as well as fundamental contribution in the area of conjugated polymers and polymer nanocomposites.
The Physical Sciences Awards (including instrumentation) 2013 was given to Dr. Sanjay Kumar Srivastava of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi for development of simple processes for large area fabrication of silicon nanowires and nano-scale textured silicpn with very low surface reflectivity towards realisation of efficient solar cells.
Each award consists of a citation,a cash prize of Rs.50,000/-(Fifty Thousand) only and a plaque. CSIR Young Scientist Awards are also entitled to a research grant of Rs.05 Lakhs per annum for a period of five years and an honorarium of Rs.75oo-00/ per month till the age of 45 years. Till 2012, 157 scientists including (21 women scientists) have received the CSIR Young Scientist Award and out of these 16 scientists have been conferred with the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science & Technology for the yeat 2013.
The G.N.Ramchandran Gold Medal for Excellence in Biological Sciences & Technology 2013 was given to Prof. Raghavan Varadarajan of Indian Institute of Bangaluru in Biological Sciences and Technology. Prof. Varadarajan has used both computational and experimental methods to obtain a deeper understanding of the relation between protein fold and stability. He has done exemplary work on the design of proteins to carry out specific functions, especially on the design of immunogens that could be eventually used in an AIDs vaccine.
This Award was instituted in 2004 in the fond memory of Prof. G.N Ramchandran, a pioneer of Protein chemistry and the founding father of structural biology in India, for recognizing excellence in the interdisciplinary subject/field of Biological Science & Teechnology. Till 2012, nine scientists have been bestowed with this prestigious award: Prof. M.Vijayan (2004), Prof. P.Balaram (2005), Prof. T.P. Singh (2006), Prof. C. Ramakrishnan (2007), Prof. M.R.N. Murthy (2008), Prof. R.V. Hosur (2009). Dr. Dinakar M. Salunke (2010), Prof. Jayant B. Udgaonkar (2011) and Prof. Dula Panda (2012).
The CSIR Technolgy Awards 2013 were given in the category of: Life Sciences (to CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat); Physical Sciences including Engineering (to CSIR-Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar); Innovation (to CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur); and Business Development & Technology Marketing (to CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune).
CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat has won the award for developing herbal drug for management of arthritis. The herbal formulation developed is non-toxic, non-invasive and is for topical application. It helps in managing the arthritic problem effectively. CSIR recognises the significant contribution of Prof. Samir Bhattacharya of Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan.
CSIR-Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI), Bhavnagar has won the award for developing technology for production of synthetic hydrotalcite using effluent streams from organic pigment industry. The technology is focused at achieving significant value addition to waste which was causing environmental hazard. The technology was licensed to M/s Heubach Colour Pvt. Ltd., Ankaleshwar. The company has installed 1000 TPA plant to manufacture synthetic hydrotalcite. This is the first plant to produce SHT in India and the first of its kind in the world to produce SHT using effluent streams from organic pigment industry and salt industry.
CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI), Durgapur has won the award for developing portable magnifying instrument useful for colposcopy. The innovation involves development of a portable optical instrument for early diagnosis of cervical cancer especially affordable to the poor patients residing in remote villages. CSIR recognizes the contribution of Late Dr. Gour Chandra Chatterjee, Gynaecologist of Sree Sree Mohanananda Cancer Hospital, Durgapur.
CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune for significantly enhancing the business and marketing of its knowledgebase. CSIR-NCL played a vital role in the quest of the country towards scientific and technological leadership and providing scientific solutions to the industries and adopted several new strategies and developed business models for smooth flow of technologies to industry.
Given annually, CSIR Technology Awards were instituted in 1990 with a view to foster and encourage in-house multidisciplinary team efforts and external interaction for technology development, transfer, marketing and commercialization. Each of the given award carries a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh. Besides, a plaque and a citation are also given to the awardees.
Given annually, CSIR Technology Awards were instituted in 1990 with a view to foster and encourage in-house multidisciplinary team efforts and external interaction for technology development, transfer, marketing and commercialization. Each of the given award carries a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh. Besides, a plaque and a citation are also given to the awardees.
In the category of CSIR Innovation Awards for the year 2012 no first prize was given.
In this category the Second prize (Rs. 50,000/-) was given to Ms. Srishti Jain, Sh. Vatsal Sharma and Shri Yash Bansal of class 12th from DLF Public School Ghaziabad for their Title:ADIA-COOL (Air Conditioner).
This Innovation utilizes the idea of cooling the air adiabatically by continuous expansion and accordingly has devised a model of air conditioner that does not use CFCs. The devised air conditioners are eco friendly and cost effective.
The Third prize (Rs. 30,000/-) was given to Ms. R.G. Janani of Class 7th from Kendriya Vidyalaya No.2, Kalapakkam, Tamilnadu for her title Universal Kitchen Machine. This innovation relates to motorized portable, user friendly, economic, a multi utilitarian kitchen machine for utencils cleaning with extended kitchen applications like mixing, churning, battering, scraping. This devise will protect workers hands from roughness, wet sores, nail infection and will reduce drudgery of cleaning utensils. This device is cost effective and will replace the bulky, high energy consuming and expensive dish washer.
The Fourth prize (Rs. 20,000/-) was given to Mr. Rohan Ch. Das of Class 9th from Little Flower’s School, Nalbari, Asam for his title –Conversion of Energy by Applying Playway Method in Schools. This innovation employs the optimisation of mechanical energy of swings and cycle in the school and converting it to electrical energy which can be used to run fans and for charging the rechargeable batteries of mobiles, digital cameras, remote control and torch lights. This innovation is effective in remote villages where still no electrification is done.
The Fifth Prize (Rs.10,000/-) was given to four young buds. They are:
1. Pritam Chhetri of Class 12th from Birpara High School, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal for his tiltle-A Safety System for Gas. This innovation provides the design of a safety system for the detection of unexpected domestic gas leakage which works on the basis of Pascal’s Theory. The device consists of Volt Cell, piston, motor, speaker, lead key & lock, copper and aluminium plate, small iron rod and aluminiumu pipe which further consists of movable aluminium ball, connected with gas regulator which becomes active only after the lock is open. The leakage of gas can be detected and prevents blast of the gas cylinder.
2. Nishant Rajesh Dugad of Class 8th from LVH Academy, Nasik, Maharashtra for his title- Magic Irrigation- to save Electricity, Manual Power and Energy. This innovation relates to a device for irrigation that can save electricity, manual power and energy. In this innovation, a hand pump attached with a see-saw is kept in the tub filled with water. When the see-saw goes down on one side, the pump half dipped in water creates air pressure in the hand pump that brings the water into the pipe which can be used for watering the plants. There is also a ball valve near water tank which is used when plants do not need water.
3. Mr. Anjaney Kumar and Mr. Abhishek Anand of Class 11th from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Saharsa, Bihar for their Title-Magnetic Goggles for Handicapped. This innovation provides a magnetic spectacle useful for both arm amputated person for reading and turning the page of a book. This spectacle comprises of simple attachable and detachable magnets at the side of the frame which will be attracted towards the iron foil pasted on the edge of the book.
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Quake of M6.6 – NEAR THE COAST OF SOUTHERN PERU
27092013| Magnitude | 6.6 |
| Date-Time |
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| Location | 15.859S 74.551W |
| Depth | 39 km |
| Distances |
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| Location Uncertainty | Horizontal: 0.0 km; Vertical 3.8 km |
| Parameters | Nph = 128; Dmin = 494.6 km; Rmss = 0.82 seconds; Gp = 39° Version = 1 |
| Event ID | us b000jzma |
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Categories : Education, Environment, Uncategorized
Quake of M6.1 – OFFSHORE CHIAPAS, MEXICO
27092013| Magnitude | 6.1 |
| Date-Time |
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| Location | 14.479N 93.332W |
| Depth | 10 km |
| Distances |
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| Location Uncertainty | Horizontal: 0.0 km; Vertical 4.9 km |
| Parameters | Nph = 77; Dmin = 237.2 km; Rmss = 1.33 seconds; Gp = 134° Version = |
| Event ID | us b000k036 |
For updates, maps, and technical information, see: Event Page or USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
National Earthquake Information Center
U.S. Geological Survey
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/neic/
National Earthquake Information Center
U.S. Geological Survey
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/neic/
This email was sent to Nksagar_1@yahoo.com
You requested mail for events between -90.0/90.0 latitude and 180.0/-180.0 longitude (Default World)
for M6.0 between 08:00 and 20:00 and M6.5 other times.
for M6.0 between 08:00 and 20:00 and M6.5 other times.
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Role of budget private schools
27092013 | |||||||||
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CSE assesses air quality and mobility
27092013
CSE assesses air quality and mobility initiatives in Indian cities
Harish Salve releases book based on the assessment
New Delhi, September 26, 2013
- 78 per cent of cities in India have particulate pollution levels that exceed the standards. Only two cities – both from Kerala – meet the clean air benchmark of the CPCB for PM10.
- Bus transport ridership is declining. In Delhi, it has dropped from 60 per cent in 2000 to 41 per cent now.
- Large numbers of people walk and cycle in Indian cities. Delhi has the highest number of cycle trips and Mumbai the highest number of walk trips. Small cities like Gangtok have taken progressive steps, while metros like Kolkata are trying to ban cycles on their roads.
- Every year, Delhi needs an area the size of 310 football fields for parking its vehicles. Chennai needs space equivalent to 100 such fields, Chandigarh 58 and Bhubaneswar 30.
- India needs over Rs 3,00,000 crore to refurbish and renovate its transport network. Governments are expected to foot half the bill, but can they?
These factoids are from Good News Bad News: Clearing the air in Indian cities – a book which was released here today by Harish Salve, senior advocate of Supreme Court of India and the Amicus Curiae on environmental cases. The book has been published by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
Put together by CSE’s air pollution and sustainable urbanisation experts, the book provides a bird’s eye assessment of the cities of India and how they fare on parameters such as air quality, public transport, walkability, parking policies and fiscal initiatives.
“Air pollution has become the fifth largest killer, and the seventh biggest illness burden in India as per the Global Burden of Disease report, released in 2013. Data from the new cancer registry, released by the Indian Council of Medical Research in 2013, gives chilling evidence of the high incidence of lung cancer in cities. Rapid motorisation, the face of growth today, is also hurtling cities towards energy guzzling and heat trapping gases. This book comes at a critical moment in the ‘life-cycle’ of Indian cities – it helps us understand how cities are moving ahead or stalling their progress, and what could be a possible roadmap for progress,” said Sunita Narain, director general, CSE.
State of Indian cities
Smaller cities of India are experiencing a more rapid shift to personal vehicles, as they have not invested adequately in public transport. If two-wheelers are added to cars, the rate of personal motorisation in Indian cities has already exceeded that of the Western cities. Said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director-research and advocacy, CSE: “Sprawls and flyovers are now increasing distances, while one-way streets, subways and foot overbridges are pushing people, hawkers and street activities out. On isolated roads, safety of people is compromised to protect the car. At the same time, road design to increase the speed of cars is adding to the accident risk.”
Taxes, fuel pricing and parking charges do not include the cost of damage cars impose on the society. On the contrary, the mass carriers like buses are made to pay more taxes for carrying more people as the government treats it as a commercial business, and not a matter of public good to be supported.
Added Roychowdhury: “We need measures to change urban design to make cities safe, more walkable, and public transport friendly.”
The CSE assessment has reviewed practices across the world, and finds that cities worldwide have started to take action to reverse the trend in travel choices. In Amsterdam and Copenhagen, the share of bicycle ridership has increased to 38 and 35 per cent, respectively, by displacing cars. New York is reclaiming space from cars to make pedestrian and public space safer, and it has one of the best public transport ridership among the US cities.
The most dramatic turnaround comes from the cities of China — Shanghai, and Beijing have put a cap on the number of cars that can be sold in a year. Says Roychowdhury: “The experience in Beijing indicates the challenge of latent demand for cars; if allowed, it can bring the city to a standstill. Beijing now allows 240,000 new cars to be sold in a year, as opposed to 800,000 in 2010. But the actual demand is for 1,515,449 cars.”
Adds Roychowdhury: “These trends set us on a search for evidence of action, and change in Indian cities. What are cities doing to turn the tide?” As the book points out — India has begun to reflect the rethink. The National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) has set the principle that cities should plan for people, not vehicles.
The assessment finds that the “action in mega and big metros is more layered, diverse and extensive. This is partly because of the attention they have, investments they have drawn, and strident and aggressive public opinion and media pressure. Initiatives in smaller cities are often singular or limited in scope but with strong potential.”
About Delhi
- Real time monitoring: Delhi has the largest capacity for continuous monitoring and reporting of tiny particles of less than 10 micron seize (PM10) and less than 2.5 micron size (PM2.5), nitrogen oxide, sulphir dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, ammonia and air toxics including benzene, xylene and toluene. It also reports data on toxics like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), benzene, lead and nickel as well.
- Transparency in data reporting: Delhi has taken the lead to create a common platform to report data generated by multiple agencies including Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) from six monitoring stations. This provides real time data, 24 hour average status, historical data for previous seven days and so on. This is presented along with meteorological data including wind speed and direction, ambient temperature, humidity and solar radiation.
- Builds bus ridership, arrests the slide: Among the mega cities, Delhi has demonstrated that with all its reforms in place, it has been able to achieve the maximum increase in bus ridership since 2009; as much as 25 per cent, reversing the trend of falling bus riderships.
- Street design guidelines: Delhi has initiated steps to make a street accessible and safe, with space for various road users. The street design incorporates vending zones, three-wheeler stops, road furniture and pedestrian-oriented lighting, and is well integrated with other environmental elements including tree shade, water permeability etc. Crafted by the UTTIPEC, this is expected to be the basis of approval of future road projects in Delhi. If implemented with rigor and stringency, this can transform access network in the city. This can also improve safety in a city that is notorious for the highest incidence of road accidents in the country.
- Autorickshaws and taxis: Delhi takes the lead by reversing the policy of capping the numbers of autorickhshaws — Delhi government has, with the consent of the Supreme Court, has reversed the cap along with several reforms to make this service more organised. These vehicles have been put on GPS tracking system for enforcing proper metering and fare, safety, etc. The drivers are being issued smart cards for proper enforcement.
- Protecting green spaces from parking: Delhi is developing a comprehensive parking policy as a restraint measure and also as part of transit oriented development guidelines. A noteworthy step that Delhi has taken is in barring parking structure in green areas and neighbourhood parks.
Says Narain: “These are the ideas of change – however small and however insignificant they may seem today. They are the harbingers of a different tomorrow. The challenge now is to learn from these experiences and to upscale the practices so that once again, we can have the great leapfrog – move from cars to no cars. Move from pollution to no pollution.”
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Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour 2013
27092013
Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour 2013 – Leg11
Neha stuns Vani to win the eleventh leg
New Delhi, September 26: Kolkata golfer Neha Tripathi today stunned overnight leader and Delhi golfer Vani Kapoor to win the 11th leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tournament 2013. The INR 5,00,000 event concluded today at the historic Delhi Golf Club. Neha who came from behind to earn the winner’s cheque carded the days best round of four under 68. Delhi golfer Vani Kapoor finished as the runner’s up while her fellow city golfer Ankita Tiwana finished third in the tournament.
Neha today played a great round to card the days best score of four under 68 with five birdies on the 1st, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th holes and a single bogey on the 6th hole. She finished with a winning score of 218 (72,78,68) after 54 holes. Delhi’s Vani Kapoor who finished as the runner’s up in the tournament had a tough day today carding two birdies on the 5th and 18th holes and three bogeys on the 13th, 15th and 16th holes. Vani finished with a total of 219 (73,73,73) after the final round.
Ankita Tiwana from Delhi finished third with a total score of 223 (77,73,73) after 54 holes. Her round consisted of six bogeys on the 1st, 2nd, 9th, 11th, 12th and 13th holes and five birdies on the 4th, 5th, 8th, 15th and 18th holes. Hero MotoCorp sponsored Bengaluru golfer Sharmila Nicollet finished fourth with a total score of 224 (77,72,75) after the final round. Rookie Shweta Galande finished with a total score of 234 (84,75,75) after 54 holes.
The Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour 2013 now moves to Golden Greens Golf & Resorts in Gurgaon for the 12th leg.
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Categories : sports
TMI joins hands with Confederation of NGO’S of Rural India
27092013
TMI joins hands with Confederation of NGO’S of Rural India to bring employment
New Delhi, September26, 2013: In a novel venture to address the issue of unemployability in rural India , TMI Group has announced their partnership with CNRI (Confederation of NGO’s of Rural India) to be a part of the movement that is touching the lives of the unemployed youth in India. NIRMAAN is a joint-initiative to provide jobs to the youth in rural India through counseling, coaching and training. TMI Group is an active member in the Skills Development Sub-committee of CII, AP and the Southern Region and has tied up with CNRI to provide the training and employment opportunities to rural youth.
NIRMAAN was inaugurated by Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Member-Planning Commission, Government of India & Member, National Advisory Council, and Government of India.
“Many formal studies & reports have been prepared to assess the growth and employment potential in India’ formal private sector, less attention has been given to the conditions and strategies to promote rapid expansion and job creation in the rural and informal sectors. It’s time now to focus on strategies to increase employment opportunities in India’s informal sector, with emphasis on providing skilled training. The most effective strategy for employment generation in the rural areas will be to create opportunities to accelerate this natural process of employment generation,” said Mr. LV Saptharishi, Co-Chairman, Confederation of NGO’s of Rural India.
“Several reports argue that the rural India suffers from a severe shortage of employable skills at all levels and that intensive development of vocational skills will act as a powerful stimulus for employment and self-employment generation” Mr Saptharishri added.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr T Muralidharan, Chairman of the TMI Group said, “While the number of employment opportunities is rising more or less as required to keep pace with the growth of the workforce, the type and quality of these opportunities does not match the expectations of many educated job seekers, which reflects inadequacies both in the type of employment generated and type of education being imparted to youth. Ironically, despite the surging number of graduates, many firms report difficulty in recruiting educated persons with the required work capabilities to meet the growth in demand for business process outsourcing, automotive component production and many other fields.”
“To facilitate this, TMI e2E, a part of TMI and a NSDC funded Organization has set up a wide network of Youth Employability Services (YES) Centers across the country. These YES Centers aim to help young Graduates from urban and semi-urban areas by identifying the RIGHT jobs for them and making them “job ready” through counseling, coaching and training”. They empower candidates with the “Power of Five” (the Job Information Zone, Job Readiness Zone, Counseling Zone, Interview Zone and Training Zone). We have successfully trained and placed 8536 candidates so far up to April 30th 2013”, added Mr Muralidharan.
Headquartered in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, it is all set to inaugurate it’s YES Centre in Noida on 1st October 2013. There are plans are to have a presence in 20 cities in the next two years.
Speaking on the occasion, LV Saptharishi, further added, “We are delighted and honored to be a part of this venture, both TMI Group and we have come together to provide a helping hand to the rural youths who are struggling each day for a better source of employment. We strongly believe that even after 66 years of Independence, the potentiality of rural India in terms of employment is still untapped. Through NIRMAAN our objective is to create a platform for the young generation to make an effort of honest livelihood”.
Like price hike and inflation unemployment is also an area of concern. In rural areas, the unemployment rate for both male and female is almost at the same level, 2%. But, in, urban areas, women are more unemployed than men. The rate is 5% for women and 2% for men. This is a crucial scenario that needs to be addressed. NIRMAAN is an endeavor by TMI Group & CNRI to make an unemployment free India.
About TMI e2e Academy
TMI e2E Academy is a training and placement firm for fresh graduates, diploma holders and MBA’s with 0-2 years of work-ex. TMI e2E Academy is hiring for corporate employers across various industries like Banking, Retails, Telecom, Pharma, Agri-inputs, IT/ITes, Hospitality and covering job roles in sales, customer support and Bank Office Operations. TMI e2E Academy is an NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) Partner Company and will be the largest company is the Graduate Employability space with a target of training and placing 5.2 lakhs graduates in the next 10 years pan-India.
About TMI Group
TMI Group is a 20 year old HR Services company. With 1800 employees and 7 offices in India and 2 in Dubai and Oman, TMI group has grown to become one of the top 5 search and selection companies pan India. We work with some of the largest and most respected business houses in the country and have made offers to more than 15,000 freshers in a single year. We have three companies within this group. T.M. Inputs and Services Pvt. Ltd. (www.tminetwork.com), CNK Management Ltd. (www.cnkonline.com) and TMI e2E Academy Pvt. Ltd. (www.tmie2eacademy.com)
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Categories : Business, Education, culture, CSR
Refocusing Environmental Education
27092013
Worldwatch Institute examines the need for immediate changes in environmental studies and science to better prepare students for turbulent times ahead
Washington, D.C.—Over the past decade, more college students than ever have completed environmentally oriented courses or graduated with degrees in environmental studies and science (ESS). While many hail this environmental renaissance in U.S. higher education as an important step toward sustainability, others see it as a missed opportunity. In the Worldwatch Institute’s (www.worldwatch.org) State of the World 2013: Is Sustainability Still Possible?,contributing author Michael Maniates argues in his chapter “Teaching for Turbulence” that ESS students are being molded for a world that no longer exists, and calls for a refocusing of educational efforts.
“At just that moment when we need students capable of guiding a raft through violent, Class 5 rapids,” says Maniates, “we are training them to excel in placid waters.” Maniates, a professor of social sciences and environmental studies at Yale-NUS College in Singapore, observes that: “[T]he college student of today will graduate into a world singularly defined by turbulence. Now is the time to explore how current ESS programs undermine student capacity to navigate a turbulent world—-and to entertain new curricular features that foster nimbleness and wisdom in times of crisis.”
Because of their interdisciplinary and problem-solving focus, ESS programs raise vexing curricular questions: What is the appropriate mix of breadth and depth? How does one prevent multidisciplinary illiteracy? What exactly should ESS students know, and why? Maniates illuminates how these questions rightly preoccupy the ESS community, but at the cost of asking tougher questions about some inadvertent yet pernicious consequences of an ESS education.
One such consequence is the absurd faith in crisis that ESS students consistently demonstrate. By virtue of their education, students too often conclude that crisis—-with extreme, powerful, and potentially devastating consequences—-is the best driver of needed social change, providing an opportunity to redirect society down a sustainable path. Maniates points to an Allegheny College study that establishes, across 15 U.S. universities, the depth of students’ faith in crisis and lack of faith in our collective capacity to move toward a world that works. Yet crisis is rarely a friend of progressive political change, he argues.
“The risk here is not that students see crisis on the horizon, for crisis is surely coming,” Maniates notes. “The danger instead is that ESS graduates increasingly view crisis as a benevolent force that will rally the public and enhance the power of environmental problem-solvers like themselves.” Moreover, while waiting for a crisis to come, ESS graduates disproportionately focus on innocuous strategies of green consumption that trivialize looming environmental challenges, while assuming that most people are unwilling to entertain major steps toward sustainability. All of this is aided and abetted by the existing curriculum.
But perhaps the most damning deficiency in contemporary ESS programs, says Maniates, is the lack of systematic inquiry into the drivers of social change. Too often students are forced to concoct their own theories of political and social change drawn from a smorgasbord of disconnected classes. These theories are often wrong, or wrongly applied. Why, asks Maniates, would a field like ESS, which studies how change occurs in natural systems, shy away from asking the same questions, rigorously and methodically, about social systems? Drawing on interviews and existing scholarship, he points to factors such as the natural-science origins of ESS, the field’s ecumenical scholarly inclinations, and the fear among some faculty of being accused of training environmental activists, rather than scientists and data analysts.
In “Teaching for Turbulence,” Maniates—-a scholar of ESS programs and an award-winning professor in the field for almost three decades—-argues that we can, and must, do better. He writes that the optimism that students bring into the classroom in their first year should be cultivated, not squashed, and that their desire to make change in the world should be sharpened through analyses of theories of social change rather than disempowered by participation in local environmental projects with little prospect for scaling up. Maniates offers a vision of undergraduate environmental education that speaks to the best of the human spirit, and urges educators to reexamine how their curricula can better help students effect change in an increasingly turbulent world.
To this end, Maniates offers five directives for stronger ESS programs:
- Embrace founding passions: ESS programs are eclectic and varied, and reflect the passions of their architects, participating instructors, and the college or university within which they sit. Programs needn’t respond to the challenges of an increasingly turbulent world in the same way.
- Think critically and imaginatively about change and transition: In their own way, ESS programs must engage students in thinking long and hard about human nature, the nature of crisis, and shifting pressure points for change. Most ESS students hunger for this work and are poorly served by the incoherent patchwork of explanation and theorizing they receive. The best ESS programs ideally leave students focused on how sustainability initiatives might bring the noble and compassionate qualities of human beings to the surface, without involving a catastrophe or tragedy.
- Stay true to the core tools of ESS: The focus on feedback, thresholds, and dynamic change that runs through natural-science ESS coursework must also infuse discussions of social and political change. It is no longer acceptable for ESS professors to hope that other departments or students’ own experiences will provide ample coverage of how change happens in human systems.
- Understand the severe limits of logic and facts in an increasingly turbulent world:Students must be exposed to contentious environments and participate in classes that foster strategic thinking for promotion of action in times of political angst. Courses in conflict resolution and mediation, issue framing, social-movement theory and human behavior must play a greater role in the curriculum.
- Acclimate to uncertainty and change: Ultimately, the best ESS programs will make students comfortable with turbulence in the same way that river rafters feel at ease jostling through whitewater rapids. Too much of today’s ESS education trains students to perform in predictable, small-scale environments. This education is a good start, perhaps, but it is not nearly enough.
Worldwatch’s State of the World 2013, released in April 2013, addresses how “sustainability” should be measured, how we can attain it, and how we can prepare if we fall short. For more information, visit www.sustainabilitypossible.org.
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Categories : culture, Education, Energy, Environment, world News
Saffolalife study reveals that 71%^ Delhites
27092013
Saffolalife study reveals that 71%^ Delhites are at high cardiovascular disease risk
· More than 70%^^ of Urban Indians are at CVD risk
· Young India (30 – 44 years) particularly at high risk of developing CVD
· Delhi crowned as the capital for obesity and high risk cholesterol
Delhi, September 26, 2013: The Saffolalife Study 2013*, India’s largest study on risk factors precipitating heart disease, found that more than 70% of 1.86 lakh^^ urban Indian respondents are at cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. When the study was conducted among 23,313^ Delhi respondents over a period of three years, it was revealed that 71% of participants from Delhi had a high risk of CVD. The study revealed that 54% of respondents in Delhi were obese and 6% reported to have high risk cholesterol levels.
Supporting the Saffolalife study, Dr. H. K. Chopra, Senior Cardiologist, Moolchand Hospital, said, “Sedentary lifestyle, stressful work conditions and compromised diet are leading factors in precipitating heart disease risk. This has affected the heart health of the young work force in the 30–44 age group.”
In comparison to the other 12 cities, Delhi NCR was the leading city when it came to consumption of fried foods and preserved/processed foods. 49% Delhiites indulged in fried food at least two times a week and 45% of the participants from Delhi indulged in processed/preserved food at least 2 times a week. Moreover, 68% of them were guilty of consuming two or less servings of fibre rich whole grains in their diet. Analyzing the physical activity of Delhi participants revealed that 63% of them exercised thrice a week or less.
The study also noted that 43% of Delhites had low levels of heart protective HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol. 10% of them reported feeling drained four times or more in a week.
Young Productive Work force (30-44 years) is the worst hit
The Saffolalife study* is being conducted from the past three years across 12 cities and covering more than 1.86 lakhs people across 30-100 age group. The study revealed a shocking large difference between the heart age** and the chronological age beginning at 30 years with a noticeable peak observed in the 40’s. This meant that Young India’s heart is aging much faster. Due to the presence of maximum systemic and lifestyle risk factors, respondents in the 30–44 age groups showed to be at heightened CVD risk. To understand the trend/changes we have analyzed the data for the year 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and the combined data for all the three years here.
Some key findings:
– The trend study has observed that for nearly all parameters that count as risk factors for CVD, the younger age group is sharing the same levels of CVD risk as the older age group.
– 73% of males in the age group of 30-34 and 76% in 35-39 age group are at CVD risk and 85% of males in the age group of 40 – 44 years are at risk.
– Around 60% of females in their 30’s and 40’s are shown to be at high risk.
– Among the people with CVD risks, 66% of women showed a higher risk of CVD due to the presence of low HDL levels as compared to 50% men.
– Among the people with CVD risks, 73% of the women exercise 3 times a week or less as compared to 63% males.
– High risk cholesterol levels, skewed BMIs, low levels of cardio-protective HDL cholesterol and high blood pressure are some of the factors contributing to increased CVD risk amongst India’s productive workforce (Age group: 30– 44).
– An alarming peak is observed post 35 in females having heart age greater than actual age.
– Among the people who felt drained more than 4 times in a week 51% belong to the age group of 30-44 years.
Lifestyle factors have also contributed to increase in CVD risk that includes increase in consumption of fried and processed foods. Among the people who consume processed foods 61% belong to the 30-44 age group while. Among the people who consume fried foods 63% belong to the 30-44 age group.
Supporting the findings, Ms. Charu Dua, Chief Dietician, Pushpanjali Crosslay Hospital, Delhi, stated, “Diet has undergone major changes depending on convenience. Preference for processed and preserved foods and fried foods has gone up noticeably. High dependence on the same and a menu devoid of vegetables, fruits and whole grains will only make people more vulnerable to CVD.”
Comparative Findings
1. BMI – 54% of Delhi and Chandigarh respondents were obese. Hyderabad and Chennai follow closely with 52% and 51% respondents respectively.
2. Total Cholesterol – 6% of Delhi and Chandigarh respondents were found having high total cholesterol levels whereas Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune were reported to have 5% respondents each with high total cholesterol levels (241 – 400mg/dl).
3. HDL levels – Ahmedabad with 54% respondents having low levels of HDL cholesterol is the leading city followed by 51% from Mumbai and Hyderabad and 48% from Bangalore.
4. Diabetes – Chennai is the diabetes capital with 18% Chennaites suffering from the condition. Hyderabad closely followed with 17%, Kolkata with 15% and Bangalore with 15%. Mumbai, Pune and Chandigarh have the least proportion of participants with diabetes when compared to other metros at 12%.
5. Preserved/processed food consumption - Delhi NCR has the highest intake of preserved/processed foods per week with 45% consuming the same followed by 44% from Mumbai and 43% from Bangalore at least twice a week.
6. Fried food consumption – Delhi NCR emerged as the fried food capital with 49% of the respondents admitting to enjoy fried foods at least 2 times in a week, Chandigarh follows with 45% of respondents consuming fried foods at least twice a week. Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata reported 42%, 38% and 40% respectively.
7. Vegetable/Salad Consumption – 58% respondents from Ahmedabad consume the least servings of vegetable and salads followed by 56% respondents from Hyderabad, 54% from Chennai and 50% from Mumbai.
8. Fruit consumption – 47% of respondents from Ahmedabad consume least variety of fruits in a day. This was followed by 38% from Hyderabad and 37% from Kolkata.
9. Whole grain consumption – Chennai leads the pack with 78% of the participants consuming least variety of whole grains in the diet. Ahmedabad (77%), Hyderabad (76%) and Kolkata (74%) closely follow.
10.Physical activity – Ahmedabad with 70% of respondents lags behind in being physically active with respondents exercising thrice a week or less. Other cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai follow with 68%, 66% and 65% respectively. Pune and Bangalore respondents seem to be the most physically active compared to other metros with 41% and 39% exercising at least 4 times in a week.
11.Feeling drained – 11% respondents in Kolkata feel drained more frequently in a week followed by 10% in Chandigarh, Delhi NCR and Mumbai.
** The heart age of participants was calculated, based on their response in a specially created questionnaire taking into account their health, food habits, lifestyle and physical activity among various other factors.
About Saffolalife Study: Saffolalife™ is a not-for-profit initiative started by Marico around 14 years ago. The objective of the study is to spread awareness of the risk of heart ailments in India, and hence bring down the deaths caused due to Cardio-vascular diseases. Every year, the Saffolalife Study, one of the largest with a sample size of over a lakh Indians analyses and offers a deeper understanding into the reasons behind the ailing heart health of Indians. Saffolalife™ has within its fold various initiatives which include the Healing Hearts Program, World Heart Day, Dial a Dietician, Ask an Expert, Heart Age Finder and the Saffolalife™ Study. In the past it has carried out over 88,000 free cholesterol tests across the country.
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