Shilpotsav 2014 begins
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Shilpostav 2014, the annual fair of artisans from across the country, belonging to the weaker sections of the society, began at Dilli Haat in New Delhi today. Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Sudhir Bhargava inaugurated the ten days long festival which will continue till 10th of this month.
Speaking on the occasion the Secretary said that for progress of any section of society they should be financially independent. The Ministry of SJE is working towards empowering marginalized and disadvantaged artisans and in continuance of this Shilpostav 2014 has been organized.
The Secretary further added that there are 160 stalls where in artisans assisted by the Apex corporations i.e. National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC), National Scheduled Caste Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation (NHFDC), National Safai Karamchari Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC) and National Trust will display and sell their products. The National Organizations under the Ministry is also showcasing their schemes and facilities.
The range of products in this fair includes – silk sarees, durries, readymade garments, terracotta product, jute products, dress material, kashmiri shawls/stoles, leather, cane & bamboo products, hand embroidery, bead products, pearls, imitation jewellery, lakh products, decorative candles, wood carving, block printing, wooden toys, tie & dye, wood, marble artifacts, handloom etc.
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Categories : Business, CSR, culture, Education, Environment
LT Gen BK Chopra Takes Over As DGAFMS
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Lt Gen BK Chopra, Senior Colonel Commandant of Army Medical Corps assumed the appointment of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services here today.Lt Gen Chopra is a graduate of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College Kanpur and did his post-graduation in Surgery and Orthopaedics. He was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps in 1977 and has held various regimental, clinical and staff appointments during last 37 years in the armed forces. The General Officer has been appointed as President’s Honorary Surgeon by the President of India.
The General Officer has taken over the reins of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services from Air Marshal D P Joshi, who superannuated on 31 Oct 2014.
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Radha Mohan Singh stresses need of taking Indian Agriculture to newer heights
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Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture has stressed the need to tap all talent and resources to take Indian Agriculture to newer heights. He has said that Indian scientists have great potential and they can take the agriculture to a new horizon. Delivering the key note address at 41st Foundation Day celebrations of Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) here today, ShriRadha Mohan Singh complimented ASRB for its valuable contributions in selecting quality human resource for agricultural research and development. He highlighted various achievements and records of agricultural production in India emphasizing this had become possible only due to strong commitment of agricultural scientists and farmers who worked synergistically at farms and fields. He expressed satisfaction over the transparent process of recruitment that has earned credibility for the ASRB and urged to completely digitize the entire procedure to ensure further transparency.
Agriculture Minister stressed upon various new initiatives being taken by the government to push up Indian agriculture further to new heights including over all development of villages to bring prosperity. Shri Singh said steps are being taken to strengthen infrastructure of the KVKs spread across the country including significant increase in their numbers. Citing various examples, he expressed happiness over adoption of scientific and technological interventions at grass root level.
Agricultural Minister released inaugural issue of the ASRB News (Hindi and English) and ASRB Profile (bilingual).
Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR complimented ASRB for its achievements and glorious journey of four decades in bringing excellence to agricultural research system. He highlighted some of the key steps to ensure speedy recruitment of agricultural scientists maintaining high quality and transparency.
Dr. J.S. Samra, CEO, National Rainfed Area Authority, Government of India recalled the conditions in which ASRB was constituted and expressed his satisfaction over the performance of ASRB in view of its mandate and objectives. He made suggestions to further improve the services of ASRB for over all development of agricultural research in the country.
Earlier, Dr. Gurbachan Singh, Chairman, ASRB welcomed the Chief Guest and dignitaries and highlighted some of the significant achievements including new initiatives. Transformation from pen and paper examination to Computer based test for ARS-Preliminary and NET is one of the recent pioneer steps taken by the ASRB to upgrade and advance talent search, he added.
In the technical session, Prof. RaghavendraGadagkar, President, INSA delivered the Foundation Day Lecture on, ‘War & Peace: Conflict & Cooperation in an Insect Society’. He underlined the infinite potential and critical linkage of scientific endeavors to national development. Prof. Gadagkar elaborated upon social behavior and structure of some of the insects based on his own research experiences in a lucid and interesting manner.
Senior officials and scientists of ICAR, Directors of ICAR Institutes, officials and staff of ASRB and research students participated in the event.
Dr. V.N. Sharda and Dr. S.K. Bandyopadhyay, Members, ASRB proposed vote of thanks in inaugural and technical sessions respectively.
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Categories : Agri, Business, CSR, culture, Education, Energy, Environment, health
125th Birth Anniversary of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today chaired a meeting of the National Committee for Commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the entire set of activities would be conducted in such a way that the common man became a part of the celebrations. The Prime Minister said this opportunity must be used to increase awareness about “Chacha Nehru” among the younger generation, and seek inspiration from his life and work. He called upon the committee members to work towards a clear delineation of the events and programmes.
The Prime Minister highlighted the proposed “Bal Swachhta Mission” to be organized in schools across the country between 14th and 19th November and proposal to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Shri Nehru as “Year of Bal Swachhta.” He also said “promotion of scientific temper among children” would be a prominent objective of the celebrations. The Prime Minister invited suggestions on these and any other related subjects.
Various members welcomed and appreciated the objectives mentioned by the Prime Minister. They expressed a range of views and gave constructive suggestions on the agenda. The Prime Minister said the suggestions would be reviewed by the Executive Committee chaired by Shri Rajnath Singh. The Executive Committee will work out the action plan for the entire year.
Commemorative coins on Pt. Nehru will be released as part of the celebrations.
Union Ministers Shri Rajnath Singh, Shri Arun Jaitley, Smt. Smriti Irani, Shri Shripad Naik and Shri Prakash Javdekar were among those who attended the meeting.
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Three Pronged Strategy to Realize the Goal of Clean India
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Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has called for a three-pronged strategy to relialize the goal of Clean India which should include sustained campaign – continue the chain of nine; focus more on behaviroual change – encourage voluntary public participation; and to recognize ULBs, NGOs and Private Sector contributing significantly to the success of the Mission.
The Miniser reviewed implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission in national capital today with the Chief Secretary of Delhi, senior officials of Government of India, Delhi Government, MCDs, DDA, Delhi Police, DTC, DMRC and other agencies.
The Minister strongly felt that every socially conscious citizen and public representative should be persuaded to make nine people to take up the task of campaigning for Swachh Bharat and each one of them should pass on to nine others to keep the campaign going. Shri Naidu said “we should rope in not only social but also spiritual and religious leaders for this campaign. Respectable persons from the society also have to be brought in to spread the core message of this campaign.”
Shri Naidu said that MCDs and DDA should meet twice a week to sort out the issues which are hindering the solid waste management in the capital. He said local bodies should be involved to get feedback on regular basis. The Minister said all hospitals should be fumigated periodically at least once a fortnight. Orders for mandatory recycling of waste by government bodies should be issued. He directed that list of agencies responsible for O&M of public and community toilets should be made public. Shri Naidu said all street food vendors should compulsorily be made to have a waste basket or bucket.
The Minister said all officers should get together once a week for taking up Clean India Mission. He said all Municipal Corporations should prepare action plans for the construction of toilets/Dhalaos in slums/JJ colonies. The Minister directed that Dhalaos should be cleaned regularly and details of private agencies involved in the task should be in public domain. He said that identification of locations for processing solid waste should be done by all municipal corporations in consulation with the DDA within next 15 days. The Minister also asked Municipal Corporations to hold meetings and take the support of Traders’ Associations for installation of dust bins in market areas. He also directed that night shelters should be inspected regularly for ensuring cleanliness. The Minister was of the view that third party agencies should inspect DDA parks, DDA plots and municipal parks for cleanliness. He also directed that Delhi Metro and DTC buses should carry the logo and message of Swachh Bharat Mission.
The Minister suggested that all police stations should prepare action plans for cleanliness of police stations and their residential areas. Shri Naidu stressed on the need for extensive use of social media for community involvement in Swachh Bharat Mission. He said involvement of children and youth through NCC and NSS should also be ensured.
The Urban Development Minister reiterated that the Government will focus on infrastructure creation, construction of toilets, both individual and community, setting up of new treatment plants for solid and sewerage waste, distribution of enough dust bins etc. He also stressed that awareness about the Mission should be spread through educational institutions, restaturants, hotels, hospitals, railway stations, bus stands, public offices and places by prominently displaying the logo of Swachh Bharat and the quotes of Mahatma Gandhi and the Prime Minister in their premises.
Shri Naidu advised that the officers at every level should take note of complaints and feedback from the media, particularly the social media, relating to lack of sanitation, act upon them and take remedial measures as quickly as possible. He suggested that private sector should also be roped in Swachh Bhrat Mission as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Shri Naidu felt that the most important aspect for the campaign should be to create Swachh Manasikata (Clean Mindset). Awareness among the people should be created that the country is theirs and that they have to do their bit by developing a sense of belongingness and responsibility and by keeping their surroundings clean. He said that the campaign will be successful only if it is converted into a Jan Aandolan (public movement). The idea of imposing fines on people who litter their surroundings leading to sanitation problems, can be thought of at a later stage.
Shri Naidu highlighted the need to have an assessment of implementation of the Mission at regular intervals for which a ward-wise, city-wise, state-wise, and a nation-wide index should be prepared and updated regularly.
The Minister said that a proposal is under government’s consideration to recognize performing Urban Local Bodies (ULB) in respect of sanitation and to institute a state level award to encourage their sustained performance and to motivate other ULBs.
The Urban Development Minister appreciated the efforts of the different agencies in implementing the Mission and urged them to keep the campaign going on in full vigour to achieve the goal of Swachh Bharat by 2019.
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PM to Secretaries of Union Government: “We are one team.
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Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today called upon Secretaries of the Union Government to work together and decisively to build upon the momentum and positive atmosphere generated in the first five months of the new Government.
Interacting informally with Secretaries over high tea at his residence, the Prime Minister said “We are one team. Let us bring openness in Governance, come closer and work together.”
“Good things are starting to happen,” the Prime Minister said, as he encouraged Secretaries to come up with new ideas and proposals for the forthcoming Union Budget. He asked all Government departments to pre-pone budget related processes by three months, so that the moment a new financial year begins on April 1st, work could begin as per the provisions of the new Budget in real-time. He also called for shifting Government emphasis from output to outcome.
Referring to the Swachhta Abhiyaan, the Prime Minister said that based on feedback he was receiving on social media, attitudes of people were beginning to change, and the entire mission was already becoming people-driven. The Prime Minister said cleanliness is not about resources but about attitudes.
The Prime Minister suggested that all Secretaries visit the place of their first posting for a couple of days, as this would provide them several new insights on policy-making.
Shri Narendra Modi called upon the senior Government officers to study the ideas and suggestions being received on the MyGov platform. He said individuals giving good suggestions need to be identified, and teams can be built in this fashion.
He assured them that there would be no political interference and asked Secretaries to work fearlessly in the interest of the nation. He expressed appreciation for the involvement in various subjects that the Secretaries had exhibited in the course of conversation, and said this augured well for the country.
Secretaries expressed their views on a range of issues in a free and frank manner. They spoke of the initiatives they had taken over the last five months, and gave suggestions on what could be done in the near future, and beyond. They said they had got a new direction to work for the nation under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
This was the second such interaction that the Prime Minister had with Secretaries, the first being on June 4th this year. More than 80 Secretary-level officers were present at the interaction. Union Ministers Shri Rajnath Singh, Shri Arun Jaitley and Shri Venkaiah Naidu were also present, along with the National Security Advisor, Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary and Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
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IGL not to revise the retail price of CNG and domestic PNG
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NARENDRA KUMAR, MANAGING DIRECTOR, INDRAPRASTHA GAS LIMITED (IGL)
“In-spite of revision in domestic gas prices announced by the government with effect from 1st November 2014, IGL has decided not to revise the retail price of CNG and domestic PNG in the interest of its consumers in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad.”
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2nd Day of NAPM Biennial Convention-2nd December at Jantar Mantar, Delhi
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NAPM ready for wide ranging struggles including Control Over Natural Resources and Community Rights, Strengthening Secular Forces for communal Harmony, Electoral Reforms etc. and to present a vision of alternative development cherished and evolved over twenty years of people’s struggles.
“United Action is the need of the hour” say senior activists Aruna Roy, Medha Patkar, Yogendra Yadav and Anil Sadgopalan
People’s movement will come together on 2nd December at Jantar Mantar, Delhi to challenge the neo-liberal communal onslaught and to fight dilution of hard won legislation like MNREGA, Land Acquisition Act, Forest Right Act and Environmental Rules.
Second day of the 10th NAPM biennial convention started with articulation of people’s movement demand on fifteen thematic subjects including Control Over Natural Resources and Community Rights, Strengthening Secular Forces for communal Harmony, Electoral Reforms, Farmers and Workers in Agrarian Economy, Atrocities on Dalit and Adivasi communities and their Struggle for Dignified life, Social Entitlements and Social Security for All, Rights of unorganised sector workers, Energy Crisis and others. Resolutions were taken to present alternative development policy which rejects the policy pursued by neo-liberal and communal forces of the country. People’s movement categorically rejected the dilution of pro-people acts like MNREGA, Land Acquisition, Forest Right, Labour Laws etc. and vowed to go to people to launch a struggle against this onslaught.
At a public meeting in the evening several renowned political and social activists namely Medha Patkar, Prof. Ajit Jha, Nikhil Wagle, Dr. Sunilam, Anil Chaudhary and Gautam Mody deliberated on “Role of People’s Movements in Political Transformation” and stressed on the need of creating an alternative transformative politics and gave a call to fight the communal and neo-liberal forces represented by Modi Government. Speakers also acknowledged the contribution of various people’s movement in changing India and stressed on the need to continue fighting as the people’s movement have been doing against all oppressive anti people policies.
A public meeting held on 31st evening on the topic of “Social Justice, Developmental Policy and Future of India”, Yogendra Yadav categorically stated that twenty years of work of NAPM has demolished the blind faith on western model of development which is based on more and more consumption and this has been its biggest contribution. He called for unity of progressive forces to defeat the forces taking the country on the course of destruction of ecology and to preserve the earth for generations to come. Veteran communist leader Vinoy Viswam said that the present government says that it is for development, but who is not ? Question is what kind of development and for whom? Social activists Dayamanyi Barla from Jharkhand, Pushpa Bhave, Srinivas Khandewal , Khaleel Deshmukh and Vilas Bhongade spoke on the occasion and Kamayani Swami, a trade union activist from Bihar moderated the session.
The 10th biennial convention of NAPM based on “Politics of development and Social Justice Today” was inaugurated by eminent social activists Aruna Roy, Anil Sadgopal and Medha Patkar and eminent communist leader and ex-minister Vinoy Viswam on 31st Oct, 2014, at the Dr. Narendra Dabholkar Hall, Rashtra Seva Dal campus, Pune. More than Six hundred activists representing social movements in fifteen states are attending the convention. Various political and organisational issues will be discussed at length in the convention. Convention started with garlanding the statue of Savitri Bai Phule and Mahatma Jotiba Phule at Phulewada, Pune by veteran activists.
Addressing the gathering in the inaugural session, National Advisor of NAPM, Medha Patkar discussed the role of NAPM in transformative politics and developments in last two decades and underlined the contribution of people’s movement in resisting the neo liberal onslaught on the right of community over natural resources. She recalled how people have fought against coke plant in Plachimada and Enron in Maharashtra.
Veteran educationist Anil Sadgopal delivered the keynote address and said that public land is being taken away on the name of education. Government Schools are being shut down in thousands so that private corporations can benefit.
Aruna Roy, eminent social activist known all over the world for her contribution to Right to Information Movement and MNREGA and member of advisory committee of NAPM chaired the inaugural session and said that people’s movement should connect with the youth of the country and bring them to the leadership of movement like NAPM. She also remarked that Youth is being fooled on the name of Jobs but where are the Jobs?
A compendium “NAPM @ 20 : Alliance in struggle and reconstruction” illustrating the various struggles of people’s movement all across the country was released by eminent tribal right activist B.D Sharma.
Eminent supporter and activists of people’s movement namely BD Sharma, Bhai Vaidya, Pushpa Bhave, Samar Bagchi, Bhau Bhuskute, Vikas Amte, Vinoy Viswam, Anna Hazare,(in Absentia) Justice Sacchar (in Absentia) were felicitated at the convention for their contribution towards strengthening social movements.
The session started with songs and cultural programmes by Charul, Vinay (Loknad, Gujarat), Shakar (Odisha) and children of Sal Sabeel Green School (kerela). Various exhibitions and stalls reflecting the constructive side of various people’s movements were at display at the venue.
Medha Patkar – Narmada Bachao Andolan and the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM); Prafulla Samantara – Lok Shakti Abhiyan, NAPM, Odisha; Dr. Sunilam, Aradhna Bhargava – Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, NAPM, MP; Gautam Bandopadhyay – Nadi Ghati Morcha, NAPM, Chhattisgarh; Suniti SR, Suhas Kolhekar, Prasad Bagwe – NAPM, Maharashtra; Gabriel Dietrich, Geetha Ramakrishnan – Unorganised Sector Workers Federation, NAPM, TN; C R Neelakandan – NAPM Kerala;Saraswati Kavula, P Chennaiah – NAPM Andhra Pradesh, B S Rawat – Jan Sangharsh Vahini, Rajendra Ravi, Sunita Rani – NAPM, Delhi; Arundhati Dhuru, Richa Singh - NAPM, UP; Sister Celia – Domestic Workers Union, NAPM, Karnataka; Sumit Wanjale – Ghar Bachao, Ghar Banao Andolan, NAPM, Mumbai; Manish Gupta – Jan Kalyan Upbhokta Samiti, NAPM, UP; Vimal Bhai – Matu Jan sangathan, NAPM, Uttarakhand; Vilas Bhongade – Gosikhurd Prakalpgrast Sangharsh Samiti, NAPM, Maharashtra; Ramashray Singh – Ghatwar Adivasi Mahasabha, Jharkhand; Anand Mazhgaonkar, Krishnakant -Paryavaran Suraksh Samiti, NAPM Gujarat; Kamayani Swami, Ashish Ranjan – Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan, NAPM Bihar; Mahendra Yadav – Kosi Navnirman Manch, NAPM Bihar
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PM shares “Mann Ki Baat” with citizens through AIR
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Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has said that recovery of black money from abroad is an article of faith, and a commitment for him. Sharing his thoughts with citizens on the programme “Mann Ki Baat” over All India Radio for the second time today, the Prime Minister said that though he was sure that countrymen trusted him on the matter of black money, still he wished to repeat his aim that whatever money had illegally gone abroad from India should return. He said it was natural in a democracy that there could be different views about how to approach this issue, but he wished to assure the people on the basis of the information currently with him, that the Government was on the right track.
The Prime Minister said no one could have imagined that the Swachhta Abhiyaan would become such a mass movement. He said good results are already visible. He said there are two aspects of this matter. The first is how the existing dirt can be removed. But the second, equally important aspect is how people are now enthused to say that henceforth, they will not do anything that spreads dirt. The Prime Minister said children too are now aware about cleanliness.
Shri Narendra Modi expressed satisfaction that people from all walks of life who come to meet him – these include Government officers, sports persons, cine-stars, businessmen, scientists etc – talk about taking responsibility for social issues. The Prime Minister said he sees this as a big change.
The Prime Minister praised the officers of the Ministry of Human Resource Development for coming up with two innovative schemes for specially-abled children. The first is: one thousand scholarships for specially-abled children to pursue technical education. The second is: a grant of one lakh rupees each to all Kendriya Vidyalayas and all Central Universities for creating appropriate infrastructure for the specially abled.
The Prime Minister also expressed happiness that sales of Khadi had more than doubled since his last radio address, when he had suggested to people to keep one khadi garment at home.
The Prime Minister referred to his visit and interaction with soldiers at Siachen on Diwali day. He said he went there because we could celebrate Diwali only because of them. He congratulated the armymen who had recently won the Cambrian Patrol event in Britain, where armies from 140 countries had participated.
The Prime Minister invited suggestions from people on how to tackle the menace of drug abuse among the younger generation. He said he would talk about this subject in his next radio address.
Shri Narendra Modi stated that an active citizen is the biggest strength of development. In order to enable people without access to internet to communicate with him, the Prime Minister has invited people to write to him at:
Mann Ki Baat
Akashvani
Sansad Marg
New Delhi
Akashvani
Sansad Marg
New Delhi
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SIGNING OF MOU BETWEEN MSME & ILO
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INVITATION
Dear Sir/Madam,
You are requested to kindly cover the following event as per the programme below:
Event: Signing of MoU between Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Director ILO Country office for India.
Date : 3rd Nov. 2014 (Monday)
Time: 4:30 pm
Venue: Room No. 169, First Floor, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi-110011
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MB Chronowing smartwatch
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Hewlett Packard with designer Michael Bastian to launch a smartwatch – MB Chronowing – that looks like a traditional wrist watch.
MB Chronowing smartwatch will be available exclusively via Gilt from November 7, at $349 for a silver-plated model.
A limited-edition variant of the MB Chronowing in black with sapphire glass and an alligator strap will be available for $649. Only 300 units of the limited-edition smartwatch variant will be available.
The smartwatch supports both the iPhone and Android devices for wireless pairing.
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1984 Sikh genocide memorial
21120141984 Sikh genocide memorial at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib
This memorial is dedicated to the memory of thousands of innocent Sikhs killed in the massacre and those who laid their lives trying to save them and coincided with completion of 30 years of massacre of thousands of innocent Sikhs in November 1984.
Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy CM and President of Shiromani Akali Dal Sukhbir Singh Badal, Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Harsimrat Kaur Badal and DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK formally started the construction in simple yet impressive function, in the August presence of Jathedar Shri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib Giani Mal Singh and Jathedar Takht Shri Patna Sahib Giani Iqbal Singh, Damdami Taksal Chief Harnam Singh Khalsa, former Akali Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode, Nihang Jathebandi Head Baba Balbir Singh and Kar Sewa Baba Bachan Singh. Various religious leaders too graced start of the construction and large number of Sikhs from Delhi and other parts of the country also converged at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib.
Parkash Singh Badal paid tributes to the innocent Sikhs killed in the genocide termed today’s event as historic but very painful. “The massacre of 1984 is wrongly called as riots, it was actually genocide when innocent Sikhs were mercilessly done to death in most gruesome manner,” said Badal adding that it was Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) which stood by the hapless Sikhs at that time.
“It is very sad that Congress party leaders who led mobs to massacre Sikhs were rewarded with plum post instead of being punished,” said Badal in his emotionally charged address. He welcomed Rs. 5 lakh compensation announced by the NDA government for genocide victims’ families and demanded rehabilitation of these families, a special investigation team led by a Supreme Court Judge to thoroughly probe the genocide and condemning of the genocide in parliament.
Praising DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK, as son of the panth, Badal said he belongs to a true panthic family and GK’s father Jathedar Santokh Singh was his contemporary who laid his life for the panthic cause.
Praising the efforts of SAD for building the memorial Jaitley said that BJP would always support SAD and BJP-SAD coalition is unbreakable. “There is no question of breaking alliance,” he reiterated.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said that there was no example of such a genocide perpetrated by the congress party led government. He called upon the Sikhs living across the globe to unite under the supremacy of Shri Akal Takht and contribute for building the memorial. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving compensation to the genocide victims’ families and demanded justice for the perpetrators.
He also called upon the Sikhs living in the world to bring their children to the memorial so that they could know that Sikhs were gruesomely killed by then government.
DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK in his address said that memorial in shape of a wall has been named ‘Wall of Tears’ and would have names of all innocent Sikhs massacred in 1984 genocide. Memorial is designed by Renu Khanna and associates would have ‘Waiting for Justice’ written over it. A laser light on the memorial would light up the sky would be visible for several kilometers, informed GK.
“The pilgrims visiting the memorial would condemn the congress party and would also pray for the peace to departed souls,” said Jathedar Shri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbhachan Singh. Former MP and minorities commission chairman Tarlochan Singh suggested union minister Harsimrat Kaur to locate documents from the government records related to late arrival of Army to control the massacre, reasons why Shri Darbar Sahib was mentioned as ‘enemy territory’ at time of operation bluestar and the Army officers who were given military honours after he operation. He also demanded that the army officer who were given honours at that time be directed to surrender the honours and medals.
Delhi unit President of BJP Satish Upadhay, MP Meenakshi Lekhi and Jaya Jaitley also took part in the function. School children paid floral tributes at the time of start of construction of memorial.
DSGMC general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, senior Akali leaders Avtar Singh Hit, Onkar Singh Thapar and Avtar Singh Bhogal, DSGMC Senior vice-president Ravinder Singh Khurana, vice-president Tanwant Singh and MLAs Harmeet Singh Kalka and Jatinder Singh Shanty and member of the DSGMC were also present on the occasion.
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Rotary announces US $ 4.9 million in grants to keep India Polio Free
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As cases in neighbouring Pakistan rise to record highs, Rotary and its partners work to keep India Polio Free. More cases detected in Pakistan its is imperative step of Rotary International to stepin.
New Delhi (27th October, 2014) – Rotary announces US $ 44.7 million in grants to fight against polio worldwide, including $4.9 million to keep the paralyzing disease from crossing India’s borders. The funds will be used by UNICEF and the world health organization (WHO) to support high quality immunization campaigns in India. UNICEF will receive USD 3.5 million out of the USD 4.9 million grants to India.
The funding commitment comes as India prepares to celebrate in January 2015 four years since its last case of polio. This tremendous achievement prompted WHO to declare both India and its entire southeast asia region polio free earlier this year, in March 2014. However, experts warn that India’s polio free status is fragile, particularly as polio cases in neighbouring Pakistan climb to record highs this year. Pakistan recently recorded its 200th case of polio, the highest case count in the country in more than a decade.
“Until polio is eradicated everywhere India remains at risk,” said Rotary’s National Polio Plus Chair for India Deepak Kapur. “Indians have worked hard to rid our country of this dreaded disease. However, the hard work must continue until polio is eradicated everywhere or we risk seeing it reenter our borders.”
“The grant from Rotary will provide critical funds to implement communication and mobilization activities to keep polio out of India. The UNICEF managed social mobilization network in India has been emulated around the world as a gold standard. UNICEF remains a committed partner in the polio eradication effort and our social mobilization network will continue to be active and harness this great momentum and leverage it for broader health initiatives for improving the lives of children,”said Louis georges arsenault, UNICEF India representative. “India’s experience of eradicting polio proves that the obstacles which stand in the way of our ambitious goals for children can be overcome.”
Polio is set to become the second human disease ever to be eliminated from the world (Small Pox is the first). To date, Rotary has helped 193 countries stop the transmission of polio through the mass immunization of the children. Rotary’s new funding commitment, targets countries where children remain at risk of contracting this incurable but totally vaccine preventable disease.
There are only three countries in the world where the wild poliovirus has never been stopped. Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, virus from these countries can travel and lead to outbreaks in other parts of the world. In fact, last year the majority of the world’s polio cases stemmed from outbreaks in the countries that had previously been polio free.
Rotary provides grant funding to polio eradication initiative partners UNICEF and the World Health Organization, which work with the governments and rotary club members of polio affected countries to plan and carry out immunization activities. Mass immunizations of the children via the oral polio vaccine must continue until global eradiction is achieved.
Approximately $18.5 million will go to the three remaining polio economic countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria and the Pakistan. An endemic country is one where the wild poliovirus has never been stopped. Another $9.5 million is marked for the previously polio free countries currently reporting cases “imported” from the endemic countries: Cameroon, Ethiopia & Somalia. $10.4 million will go the polio free countries that remain at risk of reinfection; Democratic republic of congo, India, Niger, South Sudan, and Sudan.
The remaining $6.3 million will go towards polio eradication research.
To date, Rotary has contributed more than $1.3 billion to fight polio. Through 2018, the bill & Melinda gates foundation will match two to one every dollar rotary commits to polio eradication (upto $35 million a year). As of 2013, there were only 416 confirmed polio cases in the world, down from about 350,000 a year when the initiative launched in 1988.
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of the volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and the international levels from helping families in need in their own communities to working towards a polio free world. In 1988, Rotary was joined by the WHO, UNICEF and the CDC to launch the global polio eradication initiative. Visit rotary.org & endpolio.org for more about rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.
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Categories : Business, CSR, culture, Education, health
SOS Children’s villages of India celebrates its 50 years of presence in India.
2112014- Proudly announces settlement of 4500 children in Indian Society
- Over 94% settled SOS youth enjoy above average psychosocial profile as per Human Development Society Report
New Delhi, October 31st, 2014
SOS children’s villages of India (SOS), a global NGO working actively in providing secure and loving homes for orphaned and abandoned children, celebrates its insightful, challenging and contributing journey of 50 years in India. On this occasion, SOS unveiled its “Youth Settlement” report which was further celebrated with scintillating performances by children and mother in a gala event. SOS has set new standards and examples for society by introducing its unique “Family Care Model”. The result is reflective through its 4500 children who are settled in society either through marriage or career.
The report focuses on evaluating psychosocial profile of the settled youth who belonged to SOS. The research is a compilation of responses from 566 youth from Bawana, Bhimtal, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Cochin, Faridabad, Greenfields, Guwahati, Kolkata, Shilong, Trichur, Varanasi & Vishakapatnam which was conducted by Human Development Society an independent non-profit research company.
Below are some of the key findings of the report:
- 94% of the settled youth enjoy above average psychosocial profile. This is synonymous with above average mental health, social life, coping skills and professional life.
- No one scored very low to be categorized as ‘below average’
- Only 6% occupied average positions. This is further reinforces the better psychosocial profile of settled youth.
- Female settled youth enjoy slightly better psychosocial life than males.
Vaddi Madhurai, SOS Youth (Settled) from Andhra Pradesh Village said,” I was brought to the village in 1997 along with my brother. With the guidance and care of my SOS mother, today I am working as a nurse with Apollo Hospital in Delhi. I learnt the art of caring for others at SOS village.”
She further added “Today there are more than 31 million orphans in India, I hope they also get the support of the organizations such as SOS and other organizations also learn from SOS and their working model”.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Siddhartha Kaul, International President of SOS children’s villages said, “The concept of SOS children’s villages of India is unique and is built on strong foundation of family culture. We are proud to reach this milestone in India with a strong support from our donors, mother’s and various authorities in India. Globally our concept has been appreciated and has shown outstanding results which we hope can help the society in many ways.”
Mr S. Sandilya, President of the board, SOS children’s village of India, said “SOS children’s village in India has grown immensely over 50 years from the first SOS children’s village at Faridabad to 32 SOS children’s villages today. We are grateful to Dr. Hermann Gmeiner, the founder of the whole concept of children’s villages, who was instrumental in bringing SOSCV to India.
The day’s festivities witnessed the participation of about 100-150 people including the children, mothers and the employees. The winner of National Cultural Competition also participated in the gala event.
Mr. Rakesh Jinsi, Secretary General, SOS children’s villages of India, said,“We are delighted and proud on this occasion of the completion of 50 years in India. SOS mothers has been playing a key role in providing children with the sense of belonging and stability of a family life. The SOS mother has demonstrated responsible personal conduct, a family values and self reliance to the children. This has been exemplified by the children who have grown up to make a name for themselves in the fields ranging from aviation, healthcare, education etc.”
SOS is the brainchild of Dr.Herman Gmeiner, an Austrian, who pioneered the concept of bringing up orphans not just in a regular orphanage, but giving them the security & quality care of a home, the love and care of a “Mother” and a framework of sibling relationships providing them emotional security for lifetime. SOS children’s village has successfully settled 4500 children completely through marriage or career. At present more than 6500 children are growing in SOS children’s villages which runs across 22 states at 32 SOS children villages.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief guest, Palash Roy Chowdhury, country Manager (India), Pratt & whitney and Chair, UTC India CSR counsil said. “It has been a great experience to be associated with SOS children’s villages of India. The unique concept of SOS brings satisfaction and showcases the impact of the contribution made to the society.”
Recently SOS children’s villages of India was accredited with CRISIL rating of VO-2A indicating SOS’s “strong delivery capability and high financial profiencey”. With this, SOS becomes the first NGO to undergo evaluation process especially designed for voluntary organizations’ by CRISIL. CRISIL is a credible rating agency which provides an objective and independent third-party opinion. SOS has also been awarded an Accreditation Certificate for “Desirable Norms”, the highest form of rating by credibility alliance for a period of five years from 28th May, 2014 to 28th of May 2019.
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Categories : CSR, culture
French-Iranian artist’s first solo exhibition
2112014
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L’indécise, 2014, Oil on canvas 81cm x 100cm
Abbas Kowsari, Ashura 10th Day, 75x105cm
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Categories : Business, CSR, culture
“Deciphering Modi Government’s Reforms Agenda”
2112014
“Deciphering Modi Government’s Reforms Agenda” and “The Roadmap to Growth and Corporate Profitability”.
BW|BUSINESSWORLD LARGEST PSU’s AND BW500 FELICITATION CEREMONY.
Agenda:
4 pm – Registration
5 pm – 6 pm PANEL 1: Deciphering Modi Government’s Reforms Agenda
What should one make of what the Narendra Modi government has done since it came to power? Taking cues from the Budget, the Make-In-India initiative, the foreign visits and the labour reforms, is there a trend emerging?
- Mr. Jyoti Sagar, Managing Partner, JSA
- Mr. Kishore Jayaraman, President, Rolls Royce
- Mr. Richard Rekhy, CEO, KPMG India
- Mr. Arun Sawhney ,CEO & MD, Ranbaxy Laboratories
6 pm – 7 pm PANEL 2: The Roadmap to Growth and Corporate Profitability
The stock market is plateauing, the inflation is mellowing and the sentiment is high, but where’s the growth? How long does India need to wait for a spike in economic growth?
- Mr. Zubin Irani, President, United Technologies
- Mr. Harsh Chitale, CEO, HCL Infosystems
- Ms. Preeti Das, CEO, Birlasoft India
- Mr. Chris White, President and group CEO, Varun Beverages
7 pm – 7:15 pm – Keynote address by the chief guest
7:15 pm -7:30pm – Keynote address by the guest of honour
7:30 pm onwards – Award ceremony
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