CII Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility:
“Shared Value Creation: India Inc contributing to Development”
6th Dec 2017, India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
I am pleased to inform that Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organizing a Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility 2017 with the theme, “Shared Value Creation: India Inc contributing to Development” on, Wednesday 6thDec 2017 at India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road.
It is imperative that Business and community are interdependent and the integrity of this relationship is managed through mutually understanding, shared responsibility & ethical behavior considering “Corporate Social Responsibility” as a driver for social change. CSR is about also businesses having a positive impact. The environment, the community, customers, employees and investors are all stakeholders in this process. How a company approaches CSR is normally dependent upon the investment it is willing to make in specific initiatives.
The 7th Edition of CII CSR Conference 2017 circumscribes around following key aspects:
1. Key challenges in CSR.
2. Power of technology for mobilization and awareness.
3. Developing SMART Villages.
4. Creating a socially responsible young India.
We expect participation from Industry, Policy makers and Civil Society Organizations.
I am writing to cordially invite you to join this conference and also deputing few concern officers from your organization. Please send your nomination in attached reply form.
I look forward to your kind confirmation
Regards,
With best regards,
Karunesh Rai
=================================================================
Confederation of Indian Industry
Confederation of Indian Industry
CMA Tower
A-2E, Mazzanine Floor, Sector 24
Noida (U.P.) 201301 (INDIA)
T: +91-120-6515973 (D) / 4345972-74
T: +91-120-6515973 (D) / 4345972-74
M: 91- 7428941773
F: +91-120-4345973
F: +91-120-4345973
E: karunesh.rai@cii.in | W: www.cii.in
US-India Clean Air Joint Ventures, Cut 50% Of GHG Emissions
November26, 2017 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
Ivanka Trump is leading US Business delegation to India – I offered to improve American Steel Tube Plant at BST in 1974, TRF Coal Handling Plant at BTPS in 1975, Travelled in cabin of Diesel Loco made in USA in 1973 at age 18, was responsible for procurement of Thermal Power stores – including scores of US Firms in 1975, worked in Central Stores responsible for Security at AMERICAN Store in 1976 [CPWD Delhi serving 50% of India] which was Logistic Hub for supplies to China during World War. Earlier was inspired by Bobby Fischer and Edison in school days. Since 1977 I was member of American Center and British Council had access to all American technologies of Interest, was filing Patents in 1978 – reading Patent gadgets mainly dominated US Companies.
Also Trained in Renewable Energy Technologies – USAID-IREDA-IIT Course in 1990.
PATENTS are Critical for Commercial Success – Fast Grant of Patent and Banks and State Support is must.
TESLA founded in 2003 has produced about 100,000 Cars in last 12 months. TESLA plants manufacturing Li-Ion Batteries or Solar Cells may be least competitive COULD have been built in India. Cars for Mass Market could be built in India.
US-INDIA Tech Partnership Is ESSENTIAL to Speed Up Commercialization of Green Energy Technologies.
Important Clipping from my earlier posts >>>>
200 GW Multipurpose Hydro Power India, 200 GW in Brahamputra Bend.
There is 200 GW of Hydro Power Potential in Himalayas from J&K to Arunachal and 200 GW in Brahmputra Bend. Supaul district home town of the Minister is IMPACTED by floods every year – 40% UP & Bihar are Impacted by FLOODS originating in Nepal. In Brahamputra and Ganga Basin India is lower ripariantherefore entitled to SEEK FLOOD Protection & Build Storage Dams – through Indian Resources & Multinational Funding and sharing obvious benefits of (1) Flood Protection to 30 million hectare or 4 Bihars in area, NE & Bangladesh besides Nepal itself (2) 800 BU/1600 BU Power Generation, (3) 250 BCM Water Storage/Controlled Releases, (4) Reduce Tube-well Energy Use (5) Blue Pure Drinking Water Free From Contamination, (6) Recreation (7) Food Security, (8) Climate Stability (9) Avoid GHG Emissions, Fossil Fuels Mining & Use(10) Provide Cheap or Practically FREE Energy for 200-500 yrs worth $Trillions.
Green Energy India Can AVOID 3.0 B.Tones of GHG Annually
September11, 2014 (C) Ravinder Singh ravinderinvent@gmail.com
India’s Energy Policy is loaded entirely in favor of Costliest and Most Polluting Coal based power. Even the latest Super Critical Thermal Plants are not effective mainly because such units are located in hot regions, high ambient air and circulating water temperature and shortage of water adds up to much lower thermal efficiency and in addition there are substantial Transmission & Distribution losses. Use of low quality coal releases around 200 million tones of Fly Ash at power stations, partly in air also.
Business As Usual situation may consume 2000 million tone of Coal every year producing over 800 million tones of Fly Ash at power stations including 160 million tones released in air by 2030.
Thus Indian power is Costliest and Most Polluting due to extensive use of thermal coal for power generation.
Green Energy Programs to Avoid 3.0 Billion Tones of CO2 by 2030 are: –
1.] India should be developing 200,000 MW of Multipurpose Hydro Power+, producing 800m Units of Electricity and avoiding 0.8 Billion Tones of CO2 every year and around 40 tones of Fly Ash emissions in air.
+ Additionally Prevent or Moderate Floods in 40 million hectares of flood affected land and supply 500 BCM of addition Clean Blue Water for Irrigation, Municipal other uses, reduce water pumping for irrigation etc.
2.] 100,000 MWe of Nuclear Power shall produce around 750 BU of green electricity avoiding 750 million tones of CO2.
3.] 200,000 MWp Solar Power with Tracking shall generate 450 BU of green electricity to be ready by 2020.
4.] Energy Efficiency 500 BU Annually by 2030 avoiding 500 million tones of CO2 every year.
5.] Wind, Biomass, Tidal, Bio-Fuels together shall produce 200 BU of electricity or 200m avoid Tones of CO2.
6.] Electric Transport like Railways, Electric Vehicles, Trams etc shall avoid 300m of CO2 in replacing petroleum.
All these programs are Commercially Viable and produce Cheaper Electricity than by polluting Coal Based power require just $2.5 Trillion investments including T&D. India shall Lead The World in Saving Planet Earth From Impact Of GHG on Climate Change.
Electro Mobility – $Trillion World Tech-Leadership Opportunity November25, 2017 (C)Ravinder Singh progressindia2015@gmail.com
Quest event on Electro Mobility was well organized but was mainly focused on Li-Ion Battery and Charger technologies – both are not the primary mobility technologies.
Electro Mobility for India is $Trillion World Leadership Opportunity
In 2011 at one IPR event I told RIL R&D head ‘Your Company Has So Much Cash that You Can Promote 100,000 Technologies and Could Become first $Trillion Company in the world.’
RIL engaged RA Mashelkar who Misled CSIR for many years, had $10b annual budget couldn’t develop a Single Commercial Technology – in last 6 years is largely a FRAUD.
Rahul Bajaj led Opposition to ‘India joining PCT’ is reduced to9% of 2-Wheelers Sold from 70% – 5% in Value, may be reduced to 1% if it doesn’t Switch to Electro Mobility.
RIL invested heavily on RJIO also – since acquiring 4G license in 2010 money has gone out of RIL Accounts so far – may not be profitable for many more years.
Siting through the event I recalled my ‘Electro Mobility Ideas’over last 45 years, since introduced to Steam, Diesel & Electric Locos, travelled in Locos during education tour – realized myMobility Ideas alone could be $Trillion Opportunity for India and exports.
Li-Ion Battery cost in wholesale has reduced to just $40/Kwh and weight reduced to 1kg/Kwh. Last time I purchased a Lead Acid Battery it cost $60/Kwh weigh 20 kg.
Both Li-Ion & Lead Acid Batteries Cost almost Same, Compete with each other and both can improve Performance & Reduce cost. In recent times Price of Lithium metal increased three fold while price of lead has reduced. Recycling of Lead Acid batteries is over 70% – Lithium yet to begin. For stationary ‘Energy Storage’ applications and short distance – Lead Acid batteries shall prevail for a long time.
Opposition from Power Generators & Distributers
Ø Off-grid Solar can charge cars and two wheelers practically free or less than Rs.1 Per kwh or Unit – NTPC & NDPL offered Electricity for Charging at Rs.5 & Rs.5:50/U. Charging stations in Rural-Urban areas may retail energy at Rs.8 to Rs.10/Unit.
Ø NTPC estimated only 7m Electric Vehicles to be on Road in India by 2030 & projected 15 BU demand, when it could be 50-100 times or over 80% Vehicles. Energy required for Electro-Mobility shall exceed 200 BU – mostly cheap SolarPV.
Ø NTPC was right in stating that charging Electric Vehicles at night would come from Coal Fired unit – but most vehicles except public transport operate for 0.5-2 hours a day would be plugged to charging stations in day time as well.
Switch to 100% Electric Railways is Switch to Coal Power
Ø Above valid for Railways – Switch to 100% Electrification to cost Rs.50,000 Cr on new Locos – 25,000 MW of new Connected Load, 10,000 MW of Peaking Power to
cost over Rs.1,00,000 Crores – Rs.1,50,000 Crores on Coal Power Switch.
Ø Diesel Locos can be ‘ENGAGED IN STARTING-EXTRA PULL’ than discarded.
Ø There are OPERATIONAL Improvements opportunities in Railways.
Ø India should promote 200,000 MW Multi-Purpose Hydro Power.
In Conclusion
ü Farmers May Put Up 1 MW SolarPV Generators – Charge Batteries FREE for Purchase of Fast Food – Rs.100 for 2-Wheelers and Rs.500 for Cars or Four Wheelers.
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
Organics & Millets 2018,
- Curtain Raiser, International Trade Fair, Organics & Millets 2018,Bengaluru Jan 19-21Karnataka Agriculture Minister address Curtain Raiser Organic & Millets 2018 awareness program to connect to farmers. Millet’s are rich in nutritional, environmental and need least agricultural inputs for its growth.Smart to grow,Smart to eat and Smart to live.Millet connect best for less input by farmers, Millet with rich nutritional vale best for individuals, safe sustainable, businessmen its versatile to be use and create many products,environmental friendly crop best for planet
India-Singapore Security Relations in an Evolving Asia
India-Singapore Security Relations in an Evolving Asia
The Singapore Minister for Defence, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, will speak at Brookings India on India-Singapore security relations in a dynamic regional and global environment on Tuesday, November 28, from 5.30pm till 7.00 pm.
Dr. Ng Eng Hen is a member of Singapore’s governing People’s Action Party (PAP) and has been the Minister for Defence since 2011. He previously served as the Minister for Manpower from 2004 to 2008 and Minister for Education from 2008 to 2011, as well as the Leader of the House in Parliament from 2011 to 2015.
This event will be on the record. However, all participants must register their attendance with Shruti Godbole at sgodbole@brookingsindia.org. Members of the media are requested to inform Nitika Mehta (nmehta@brookingsindia.org) of their intention to cover the event. All participants are requested to be in their seats before 6:00 pm.
M6.0 – New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea
Preliminary Earthquake Report
- 27 Nov 2017 07:11:12 UTC
- 27 Nov 2017 07:11:12 near epicenter
- 27 Nov 2017 11:11:12 standard time in your timezone
Location4.619S 153.210EDepth57 kmDistances
- 109.2 km (67.7 mi) ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
- 316.0 km (195.9 mi) NW of Arawa, Papua New Guinea
- 349.6 km (216.7 mi) SE of Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
- 356.0 km (220.7 mi) ENE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea
- 699.4 km (433.6 mi) NNE of Alotau, Papua New Guinea
Changing party system in Delhi
Dear colleagues,
The Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities (CSH) and the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) are delighted to invite you to their joint workshop on:
‘Changing party system in Delhi and the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party’
By Adnan Farooqui
On Tuesday, 28 November at 3:45 p.m.
The presentation analyses the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the context of systemic changes in the nature of political competition in Delhi.This is done against the back drop of Delhi’s unique constitutional position, party system in the state, reasons behind the emergence of AAP and subsequent reversals in its political fortunes.
The analysis is done through the detailed study of post-poll electoral surveys and the election results in 2013, 2014, and 2015 elections. The attempt here is also to look at the nomination procedure and campaign strategy adopted by APP gleaned through the extensive interviews of the political actors involved.
Adnan Farooqi is Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. His academic interests are focused on electoral systems, party systems, and political parties.
The analysis is done through the detailed study of post-poll electoral surveys and the election results in 2013, 2014, and 2015 elections. The attempt here is also to look at the nomination procedure and campaign strategy adopted by APP gleaned through the extensive interviews of the political actors involved.
Adnan Farooqi is Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. His academic interests are focused on electoral systems, party systems, and political parties.
This is the ninety-fourth in a series of Urban Workshops planned by the Centre de Sciences Humaines (CSH), New Delhi and Centre for Policy Research (CPR). These workshops seek to provoke public discussion on issues relating to the development of the city and try to address all its facets including its administration, culture, economy, society and politics. For further information, please contact: Olivier Telle of CSH at telle.olivier@gmail.com, Partha Mukhopadhyayat partha@cprindia.org or Marie-Hélène Zerah at marie-helene.zerah@ird.fr
Free entry, no registration required.
Free entry, no registration required.
(Videos of our previous workshops available here)
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow,
Regards,
Communication department,
Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities
CSH
Mount Agung in Bali erupts
Updated Sunday :
Mount Agung volcano in Bali, the resort island of Indonesia, continued powerful eruptions on Sunday with a column of ash spread by up to four km high, forcing authorities to ban flight in the territory, an official of disaster agency said.
The volcano erupted three times on Sunday morning with the latest eruption spewing the highest height of ash, four km, at 06:20 a.m. local time, spokesman of national disaster management agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.
The previous two eruptions on Sunday spread ash by up to 3,000 meters and 2,000 meters high, he added.
The volcanic ash spreads to the east and southeast of the crater, heading to nearby Lombok, a tourism resort in Flores island, the spokesman said.
Planes were banned from flying above the territory as the center of volcanology and geological hazard mitigation (PVMBG) has risen volcano observatory notice for aviation to the highest level, said the official.
Indonesia, Mount Agung in Bali erupted for the second time on Saturday spewing grey volcanic ash as high as 1,500 metres from the crater, disrupting international flights.
The National Disaster Migitation Agency, in a statement, said, there has not been any increase in tremors and volcanic activities since the eruption.
The agency has called for calm among the local community, from which around 25,000 people have been evacuated from the slopes of Agung to hundreds of refuge shelters.
Mount Agung erupted for the first time in 54 years last Tuesday. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency says the 3014-meter volcano erupted again at around 5:30 PM on Saturday. The agency says the eruption was minor, and a plume of ash rose up to a height of about 1,500 meters.
Government officials say they are not changing the volcano’s alert level from 3, the second highest.
16 international flights were cancelled on Saturday, affecting the country’s tourism industry. They include flights operated by an Australian airliner. Australians top the list of visitors to the island.
Chinese premier leaves for Hungary
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang left Beijing on Sunday morning for an official visit to Hungary and the sixth meeting of heads of government of China-Central and Eastern European Countries in Budapest.
Li made the statement in an article published on the newspaper The Hungarian Times before attending the sixth meeting of heads of government of China and the CEEC on Nov. 26-29 in Budapest and paying an official visit to Hungary.
The premier recalled that the first China-CEEC economic and trade forum was held in Budapest in 2011 and, a year later, the 17 countries established a new trans-regional cooperation platform, called the 16+1 cooperation.
Over the five years, the 16+1 cooperation has been growing and the mechanism improving, bringing about remarkable progress to cooperation in all fields, Li said.
A trade hub established by a Chinese enterprise in Hungary has been acting as a “matchmaker” between Chinese and European businesses, and is poised to further facilitate bilateral trade cooperation as the Belt and Road Initiative continues to unfold, the company’s CEO has said.
The hub, formally known as the Central European Trade and Logistics Cooperation Zone, currently comprises an exhibition center in Budapest, and two logistic parks respectively in the Csepel Port in Hungary and the Bremen Port in Germany, Wu Jiang told Xinhua in a recent interview.
The Chinese businessman, with over 20 years of experience in commerce and logistics in Hungary, said his motive to start the trade service company was to help Chinese enterprises find competent local partners in their exploration for new markets in Europe.
“I have noticed that many Chinese enterprises, often unfamiliar with local languages and laws, spent most of their energy dealing with accountants, lawyers and government agencies when they came here, with only limited time spent on expanding actual business. They could stay for only a year or two, without achieving much breakthrough in business and had to call off their endeavor,” said Wu.
He compared his exhibition center in Budapest as a bridge linking Chinese enterprises with local partners.
Activities at the center, such as exhibitions and bushiness presentations, allow the two sides to find suitable partners in a more efficient way, he said.
Meanwhile, the logistics park in the Csepel Port provides services such as cargo distribution, customs clearance and warehousing, among others, according to Wu.
In the past, the goods used to flow southeastward from the base ports of northwestern Europe such as Hamburg, Bremen and Rotterdam, he noted. With the Chinese Railway Express cargo trains and China-Europe land-sea express coming into operation, the trend is that the goods go from the southeast to the northwest, Wu added.
The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has brought tangible benefits for businesses in Hungary, noted Wu. “The logistics volume in the park and the whole country has grown very rapidly this year. Our truck fleet is running at its maximum capacity and we have to rent trucks to cope with the trade flow,” he said.
PV Sindhu runner-up in Hong Kong Open title clash
Indian shuttler PV Sindhu has lost the title clash of Hong Kong Open Superseries tournament at Kowloon. She lost the final 18-21, 18-21 against Chinese Taipei Tai Tzu Ying.
Sindhu walked away with silver after finishing her campaign as the runner up.
On Saturday, in the semi-finals, while Sindhu had defeated Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand, Tai beat South Korea’s Sung Ji-hyun.
On Saturday, in the semi-finals, while Sindhu had defeated Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand, Tai beat South Korea’s Sung Ji-hyun.
Two crew members left the ARA ‘San Juan’ before disappearing
Two crew members left the ARA ‘San Juan’ days before the Argentine Navy’s submarine disappeared off the radar in the South Atlantic, spokesman Enrique Balbi said Saturday as cited by media. “45 people boarded the submarine in Mar-del-Plata, but one left in Ushuaia for personal reasons, because of his mother’s illness,” Balbi said, adding that another sailor was replaced after leaving in Ushuaia. A total of 44 crew members have been missing since November 15, as the search operation continues.
First Rabi Ray Memorial Lecture
RABI RAY MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
Invites you to the
First Rabi Ray Memorial Lecture
by
Medha Patkar
Adviser, National Alliance of People’s Movements
on
People’s Movements and the Constitutional Vision
Chair
Prof. Muchkund Dubey
President, Council for Social Development
Sunday, 26 November 2017 at 6.00 p.m.
India International Centre, C. D. Deshmukh Auditorium
40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi
Commemorating the birthday of socialist leader, former Speaker, Lok Sabha
and great crusader for the rights of the marginalised
Tea: 5.15 p.m.
(Please be seated by 5.45 p.m.)
Sarada Charan Mohanty Prafulla Samantara Manoranjan Mohanty Suhas Borker Debaprasad Ray
President Adviser Working President Convener Secretary
Rabi Ray Memorial Committee, Lohia Academy, Bhubaneswar 751005
RSVP:lohiaacabbsr@gmail.com
Nobel literature academy shaken by #MeToo sex scandal wave
The Swedish Academy, which awards the Nobel Literature Prize, has been rattled by a sex scandal as several members, their wives and daughters accused an influential person with close ties to the prestigious institution of assault.
The #MeToo wave exposing sexual misconduct which began in Hollywood has shaken artistic, media and political circles in Sweden, one of the most gender equal countries in the world, as thousands of women have spoken up and campaigned against harassment.
Sweden´s prestigious literary scene was drawn into the fray on Tuesday when newspaper of reference Dagens Nyheter published the testimony of 18 women claiming to have been assaulted or raped by one of the most influential figures in Stockholm´s cultural scene.
The accused man´s name has not been published in the media due to Swedish laws on the presumption of innocence. But his identity is generally known by the public as he is a high-profile person in cultural circles and his name has appeared in online chat forums discussing the issue.
The man did not respond to AFP´s request for a comment, though he told Dagens Nyheter he was innocent.
Married to a writer with “close links to the Swedish Academy”, the man runs a cultural club showcasing exhibitions, readings and performances by both the cultural elite and hopefuls — including Nobel literature laureates — and dubbed by some as “the Academy´s living room”.The club was partly funded by the Academy.
The alleged sexual assaults occurred between 1996 and 2017, some of them in the club´s premises, according to Dagens Nyheter.
Several women spoke openly, allowing the newspaper to reveal their identities, and their stories were corroborated by eyewitnesses, the paper said.
One of them claims to have been raped in an apartment in a posh Stockholm neighbourhood.
“Everyone knows and everyone has always known,” that he was attacking young women, she says.
The women said they remained silent out of fear of jeopardising their careers because of the man´s connections and close relations with leading publishers, producers, directors and composers.
After a “crisis meeting” on Thursday evening, the Swedish Academy announced that it was cutting all ties with the accused, whom it had funded and allowed to manage an apartment it owns in an upscale Paris neighbourhood.
The Academy said in a statement that during the meeting, “it emerged that members of the Academy, daughters of Academy members, wives of Academy members and staff of the Academy have experienced unwanted intimacy or inappropriate behaviour” by the man.
The prominent institution said it would launch an internal inquiry to find out if the man “has had any direct or indirect influence on the Academy´s prizes, scholarships, and fundings of any kind”.
Culture Minister Alice Bah Kuhnke said she regretted honouring him with the 2015 Order of The Polar Star, awarded to members of the Swedish royal family and foreigners for services to Sweden.
PEMRA bans News channels,Facebook, Twitter and Instagram not accessible in Pakistan
News channels and social media remained suspended in Pakistan on Sunday after being shut down by the government a day earlier.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday and ordered to take all news channels off air. Prior to this decision, PEMRA had directed news channels to ensure the security of their staff while the situation persisted; in light of which, Geo News as per its tradition of responsible reporting was and continues to abide by the rules.
Earlier, PEMRA had barred media from live coverage of Islamabad operation under Media Code of Conduct 2015.
In a press release, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) strongly condemned the unilateral closure of news channels by the government. The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) expressed concern over the sudden closure of television channels and their transmission
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are also not accessible in Pakistan, while YouTube can only be accessed via the mobile application. Access has also been blocked to the live stream pages of major news channels in Pakistan.
Protesters renewed violence early Sunday morning as they resorted to arson and pelted stones at police, a day after authorities commenced an operation to clear Faizabad Interchange of the sit-in that had paralysed the federal capital for weeks.
The protesters began pelting stones at policemen and set fire to five motorcycles and a car belonging to the police near I-8 sector earlier today, police said.
On Saturday, a protester was killed while over 250 people including 90 policemen and FC personnel, as protests took a violent turn in the capital. Around 8,000 security officials took part in the operation aimed at dispersing the protesters with the help of tear gas and water cannons.
Shamim Khan lift second IndianOil SERVO Masters Golf title
Shamim Khan weathers the storm, beats young Veer Ahlawat in playoff to lift second IndianOil SERVO Masters Golf title
Shamim narrows gap with Order of Merit leader Udayan Mane
Digboi, Assam, November 25, 2017: The experienced Shamim Khan weathered the storm called Veer Ahlawat to register his second win at the IndianOil SERVO Masters Golf on Saturday.
The 39-year-old Shamim came through in a playoff against the 21-year-old Veer after both the Delhi-based professionals ended the regulation 72 holes with identical scores of nine-under-279 at the tranquil Digboi Golf Links. It was Khan’s third title of the season and his 15th overall.
Khan took home the winner’s cheque of Rs. 6 lakh from the Rs. 40 lakh event and continued in second place on the PGTI Order of Merit. However, with Shamim’s season earnings moving to Rs. 35,58,250, he has now narrowed the gap between himself and the money list leader Udayan Mane to just Rs. 1 lakh.
Shamim Khan (72-66-71-70), the overnight joint leader, looked in control when he sank his second birdie of the day, a 35-footer on the fifth, which gave him a two-shot lead. But there was a twist when Veer Ahlawat (71-70-69-69), who was overnight tied third and one off the lead, produced birdies on the sixth, seventh and ninth while Shamim dropped a bogey on the eighth.
After nine holes, Veer, playing one group ahead of the leaders, drew level with Shamim to emerge as a top contender. Ahlawat, playing only his second season as a professional, finally took the sole lead when he drove the 12th green to set up a birdie. Veer, who plays at the DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon, dropped a shot on the 13th but regained his outright lead with a brilliant chip-putt birdie on the 15th.
Ahlawat then missed a few chances to seal his maiden title, notably an up and down for par on the 18th. The match went into a playoff as Khan made pars on his last 10 holes which included a crucial five feet conversion on the 18th.
Veer hit the green while Shamim was in the bunker after two shots each during the playoff on the par-4 18th. Khan managed to turn the tables with a gem of a bunker shot that set up a tap-in for par. The six-foot-three-inch tall Ahlawat, on the other hand, three-putted from 20 feet for a bogey that gave Shamim his 13th PGTI title.
Shamim, who previously won in Digboi in 2014, said, “My putting wasn’t great for the second consecutive day and when I missed a two-footer for par on the eighth, I knew I was in trouble.
“However, I hung in there with pars all the way till the end. I was quite happy to take it into the playoff after having trailed Veer on the back-nine. In a playoff situation, experience always counts. That’s what saw me through at the end. I felt Veer tried a bit too hard during the playoff.
“The birdies were hard to come by on the last two days but my chipping average was excellent. I landed all my chips within a short distance of the pins. The win puts me in a good position to once again contend for the Order of Merit crown,” added Khan, the 2012 PGTI Order of Merit champion.
Veer Ahlawat, who came close to causing a major upset on Saturday, jumped 14 spots to 16thposition in the Order of Merit as a result of his career-best runner-up finish.
Ahlawat said, “The four birdies on the first 12 holes really got my confidence going. I checked the leaderboard on the 15th and that’s when I realized that I was very close to victory.
“I knew Shamim will not be easy to beat but I was quite confident as I was hitting and putting really well. I just couldn’t end it well. I didn’t feel much pressure but I think I got a little excited.
“But I’m quite happy with this performance as it is my best finish as a professional. I feel I’m now coming into my own after an ordinary rookie season on the PGTI last year. Every aspect of my game is better this year.”
Manu Gandas of Gurgaon, another 21-year-old, fired a final round of 71 to take third place at seven-under-281.
Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah struck a 67, the best score of the last round, to end up in tied fourth at five-under-283 along with Noida’s Rahul Bajaj (71).
Bengaluru’s M Dharma, the joint leader from round three, slipped to tied 10th at two-under-286 after a fourth round of 77.
Digboi’s Dulal Kalowar (76-74-76-77), the only local player to make the cut, shot a 77 on Saturday to end the week in tied 47th at 15-over-303.
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