Troubled galaxy destroyed Dreams, Chapter 289
Palash Biswas
"Chandrayaan's first sensor failed much earlier"
Email this storyRIL using power cos to fight its gas battle: RNRL
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Clinton's dish wish! How about a Hillary platter?Hindu - 3 hours ago Gurgaon (IANS) She is a leader in her own right and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would "very much" like a dish in her own name at Delhi's most ... US will not limit India's economic progress: Hillary Economic Times I consider India a global power: Hillary Clinton Times of India Clinton to visit Delhi University amid tight securityHindu - 36 minutes ago New Delhi (IANS): Before beginning her meeting with top officials on the last leg of her India visit on Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will ... Taj Palace turns into fortress for Hillary visit Times of India Hillary gets security equal to heads of state IBNLive.com Tight security in place in Delhi for Clinton visit Press Trust of India Hillary calls for inclusive educationHindu - - 20 hours ago — PHOTOS: VIVEK BENDRE, PTI COMMON CONCERN: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with Bollywood star Aamir Khan at Teach India and Teach for India ... Hillary, Aamir attend Teach India event Times of India Hillary Clinton and Aamir Khan in a TIMES NOW Exclusive India Infoline.com Clinton meets women artisans in MumbaiTimes of India - Jul 18, 2009 MUMBAI: "Impressed" as she is with Indian women, visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday renewed her association with the artisans of the ... For Hillary, SEWA is now about technological empowerment Economic Times A kurta for Clinton, a corset for Chelsea Daily News & Analysis Clinton praises green building, compares it with Taj MahalGaea Times - 5 hours ago GURGAON - An eco-friendly building near the Indian capital Sunday got a big thumbs-up from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who equated it with ... US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Says ITC Green Centre is a ... PR Newswire (press release) Swiss minister to meet Clinton ahead of UBS deadlineReuters - - 8 hours ago ZURICH (Reuters) - The Swiss foreign minister is due to meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on July 31, just days before a deadline ... Climate negotiator on Clinton team has Congress worriedTimes of India - - Jul 17, 2009 NEW DELHI: With Hillary Clinton landing in India along with key climate negotiator Todd Stern, disquiet has seeped into the Congress about how the ... India and Climate Change Wall Street Journal First day on job, US envoy Tim Roemer meets MenonTimes of India - Jul 17, 2009 ... met foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon on Friday ahead of Hillary Clinton's five-day visit to India even as the US secretary of state denied having ... US Ambassador-designate meets FS Press Trust of India USINPAC welcomes Roemer's appointment as Ambassador to India Business Standard Police detained activist, fearing protest against ClintonDaily News & Analysis - - 20 hours ago Mithiborwala claimed the police picked him up as they suspected he might protest US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton's visit to Mumbai. ... Hillary visit: handful of people detained for 'questioning' Indian Express Farmers' suicides of great concern, says Clinton SINDH TODAY Clinton urged to meet Kashmiri Pandits in DelhiBusiness Standard - Jul 18, 2009 PTI / Washington July 18, 2009, 14:01 IST A US-based body of Kashmiri Pandits has appealed to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to meet the community ... Panun Kashmir launches membership drive Press Trust of India |
Obama admn should demonstrate its vision for Indo-US relations
Army chief to visit US next weekTimes of India - Jul 16, 2009 "His discussions will dwell upon the Indo-US defence cooperation, including joint exercises and exchanges. Discussions on contemporary strategic issues such ... Book Review: Approaches to Kashmir dispute —by Khaled AhmedDaily Times - 17 hours ago (p.163) Stability in the Indo-Pakistan relationship is required by India as it pursues its economic and strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. ... Hillary Clinton on to new Indo-US partnershipPR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung) - 4 hours ago "Broadly speaking, what we're going to do is continue the successful cooperation we've had on things like defense cooperation, counterterrorism, trade, ... Indo-US nuke deal 'not off-track', says USPress Trust of India - - Jul 15, 2009 Assistant US Secretary of State Robert Blake said that both the sides hoped to sign the end-use monitoring agreement in defence field under which the US ... :. Decomposed Indo-Pak Composite DialogueKashmir Watch - - Jul 16, 2009 India continues to bully Pakistan under Indo-US nuclearism rules. It started with Manmohan Singh telling Zardari upfront that India expected Pakistan not to ... Nuclear energy tops Indo-France agenda Economic Times UZI diplomacy: Israel/India know no peace Pakistan Daily A few planes for IndiaUTVi - - Jul 18, 2009 But such is the secretive systems of defence and the jargon-filled layers that most likely none of us would ever know that this giant purchase is being made ... Q+A-India-US ties past, present and futureReuters India - - Jun 25, 2009 New Delhi and Washington are enjoying some of their sweetest ever relations -- thanks in part to the earlier George Bush administration and Indian Prime ... Love us like George did Hindustan Times Hillary Calls for Ties 'Upgrade' at USIBC Summit San Leandro India West Illegal arresting of social activists before Hillary's arrival in ...TwoCircles.net - - Jul 18, 2009 Hillary Clinton who arrived Mumbai at 10:15 pm on Friday aims at building on Indo-US ties and possibly signing key defense and nuclear power deals. FICCI pushes for FTA with US sans agricultureHindu - Jun 28, 2009 "In the spirit of the new India-US relationship we must also consider the bigger picture of moving from a technology denial regime to a technology ... |
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A booming industry. even in a recession ... one global industry is still drawing plenty of high-end trades and profits: weapons." ... used this huge stockpile to crush the US-backed Unita rebels during Angola's devastating civil war. ...
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Bipartisan senators ask for more timemsnbc.com - - Jul 17, 2009 The recess is a perfect time for the senators to discuss with their constituents. Don't forget, Congress works for us, no matter how much Obama tries to ... The New "R" Word: ResetHedgeCo.net - 12 hours ago Inevitably, the media has worn us all thin with their never-ending string of bad news. Yes, we are stuck in the thick of a very painful recession. ... Jobless Singaporeans thumb noses at menial workMalaysia Star - - Jul 17, 2009 Is the recession for real?" Despite the recession and a large loss of jobs, Ng, who runs The Whisky Store, was having anything but an easy time when she ... Rocky Mountain Instrument files Chapter 11; cites 2007 raid, recessionBizjournals.com - - Jul 13, 2009 The company and its laser subsidiary makes a variety of photonics products for industry and defense use, including optics that defense giant Lockheed Martin ... How defence spending can benefit the economyLivemint - Jul 15, 2009 While the purpose of the policy and, therefore, the aim of the weapon's suppliers would be to try and indigenize the equipment, three distinct benefits will ... Alan Kohler Full Marx for ChinaBusiness Spectator - Jul 16, 2009 China's economy grew by a stunning 7.9 per cent in the June quarter; America is mired in recession, with GDP running at an annual rate of minus 0.4 per cent ... World consumer confidence follows US downBloggingStocks - - Jul 15, 2009 So, yet again, we're told to dig in for a long recession. But, nobody should be surprised. Early optimism amounted to nothing more than trying to will a ... Yesterday in parliamentguardian.co.uk - Jul 17, 2009 Gordon Brown pledged to make the UK a "leading nation" in the effort to tackle the spread of nuclear weapons. He announced a £20m "centre of excellence" to ... MediaWATCH: 'No Nuke Talks' for PhuketPhuketwan - Jul 15, 2009 ''The recession has grabbed hold of the airline industry, and survival is still the name of the game,'' said Aviation Week & Space Technology ... |
No US pressure for Indo-Pak talks: Hillary Clinton
Mumbai: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday made it clear that Washington won't pressurise India to resume dialogue with Pakistan.
"The US is very supportive of all efforts in the fight against terrorism. At the same time, we are not going to in any way pressurise to restart (Indo-Pak) dialogue as it is for these two sovereign governments to decide," she told reporters here.
On the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan, she said "this is an issue to be addressed and it is for India to decide what is best for its people."
"We have made it clear that US respects India's decision," she said.
The US Secretary of State said her government is committed to the fight against terrorism.
"We expect everyone with whom we have relations to take strong action to prevent terrorism from taking roots on their soil," she said, without naming Pakistan.
US for 'new, promising relations' with India
The US is ready for "new and even more promising relations" with India, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday.
Speaking to journalists at the start of a five-day trip to India, Clinton said the Barack Obama administration was determined to cement bilateral ties further.
"We are entering a new and even more promising relations with India. We are looking ... to broaden and deepen our relationship," she said.
She said the strength of the India-US partnership "ultimately rests on the deep and enduring ties between the Indian and the American people".
Clinton said the problems of the 21st century demand a new mindset and a willingness to create partnership with governments but also beyond governments.
She said she had just ended "an exciting meeting with Indian business leaders".
Clinton, who arrived here Friday night, began the first full day of her visit by meeting the staff of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, which were among the landmarks ravaged by terrorists from Pakistan in November last year.
Clinton is staying at the Taj hotel, close to the Arabian Sea, as a mark of solidarity with those who were killed or wounded in that attack.
She said she was deeply touched to meet the staff of both the hotels and "to pay respect to the large number attacked.
"This hotel in this city suffered grievously and endured painful losses because of the extremists and violence visited on it.
"The great men and women who worked in this hotel and elsewhere in the city... (facing) senseless violence and helped save lives ? they deserve our gratitude."
She underlined that the American people stood in solidarity with the people of India when the November terror attack unfolded on TV screens.
And referring to Friday's terror bombings in Jakarta, Clinton said it was a "painful reminder (that terrorism) is global, it is ruthless, it is nihilistic, and it must be stopped".
Clinton will fly Sunday to New Delhi where she said she will meet government leaders for discussions on the issues including economic growth, climate change, education, health care, non-proliferation and counter-terrorism.
IANS
Hillary meets India Inc leaders, discusses meltdown
Hillary Clinton arrives in India to deepen ties: Pics
Clinton should urge India to sign NPT: NYT
New York: Ahead of her talks with the Indian leadership, a leading American newspaper has said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should urge India to drop its opposition to NPT and consider opening regional arms talks with Pakistan and China.
In an editorial, the New York Times said Clinton should assure New Delhi that Washington will keep pressing Pakistan to prosecute Mumbai attack suspects and shut down the LeT "once and for all"
"It is time for India to take more responsibility internationally and to do more to revive the world trade talks it helped torpedo last year and as a major contributor to global warming to join the developed countries in cutting greenhouse gas emissions," it said.
It said India "needs to do a lot more to constrain its arms race with Pakistan and global proliferation.
Source: PTI
Hillary heaps praise on Aamir for his education campaign
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Aamir Khan today came in for special praise from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for his acting pursuits and also his involvement with education campaigns.
"It is a great delight to be here with Aamir Khan, who is not only a Bollywood icon but also the great advocate for education," Clinton said during a special interactive session with the students of Xavier College here in which Khan was also present.
New Delhi, July 19 (PTI) Allaying fears about the reported anti-outsourcing stance of the Barack Obama administration, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday said that America does not want a return to protectionism.
"What President Obama has said (is) that we do not want a return to protectionism when Congress passed the provision in our stimulus bill," Ms. Clinton, who is on a visit to India, told private news channel NDTV 24x7 in an interview.
The US government has imposed certain restrictions on companies receiving bailout funds from hiring foreign workers.
"... So he (Obama) has really tried to speak against protectionism and to make sure our administration does not in any way give credence to it," she said.
Regarding outsourcing, Ms. Clinton said that it is a concern for many businesses in the US but should not be affecting the trade flow between the two countries.
"Outsourcing is a concern for many communities and businesses in my country.
"So how we handle that is something that we are very focused on doing ... that it does not disrupt the great flow of trade and services that go between our two countries," she asserted.
Also see
Reprocessing talks with U.S. to begin next weekDismantle terror outfits, Hillary tells Pakistan'We want India to move towards greener energies'Hillary calls for inclusive educationAvoiding One Pitfall in U.S.-India Relations: Michael Krepon & Samuel Black (PDF)Also see:
Images: Hillary Clinton visits IndiaNo pressure was put on India: Hillaryhttp://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200907192083.htm
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I endorse the Press statement condemning illegal arrest of Feroze and Jagtape! It is rather shocking that democratic right to protest against India Illuminati, Blind nationalism and resultant Arms race, Defence Dealing, Anti Nature Anti People Strategi Realliance in US Israel lead, CIA and Mossad activities anti Asia, Anti India, Anti Humanity, Indo Us Nuclear deal and systematic planned CARNAGE Mumbai and ETHNIC Cleansing of masses all over the divide Geopolitics, False recession and Revenue subversion, Economic Killing , is being Answered thus by the Washington slave Government of India Incorporation under TRIIBLIS zionist Post Modern Manusmriti and apartheid Galaxy order!
Palash
gostokanan, sodepur, kolkata-700110 phone:033-25659551,919903717833
From: Sukla Sen <sukla.sen@gmail.com>
To: Free Binayak Sen <free-binayaksen@googlegroups.com>; citizen-mumbai <citizen-mumbai@googlegroups.com>; peace-mumbai <peace-mumbai@googlegroups.com>; INSAANIYATBOMBAY <INSAANIYATBOMBAY@yahoogroups.com>; humanrightsactivist <humanrightsactivist@yahoogroups.com>; issueonline <issuesonline_worldwide@yahoogroups.com>; india-unity@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 18 July, 2009 23:47:15
Subject: [issuesonline_worldwide] Re: [people'smediainitiative] we condemn 'illegal' arrest of Feroze
And final instalment of endorsement:
Kabi Cubby Sherman, media and women's rights activist
Kamayani Mahabal is a lawyer and human rights activist
Sukla
On Sat, Jul 18, 2009 at 11:33 PM, Sukla Sen <sukla.sen@gmail.com> wrote:
> Still further endorsements.
>
> Vrijendra, college teacher and human rights activist
> Manasi Pingle, film-maker and human rights activist
>
> Sukla
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 18, 2009 at 10:54 PM, Sukla Sen <sukla.sen@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Further endorsement from:
>> Neera Adarkar, architect / town-planner, housing and human rights activist
>> Sudhir Badami, civil engineer / town/transport system planner, housing
>> rights and social activist
>>
>> Sukla
>>
>> On Sat, Jul 18, 2009 at 10:46 PM, Sukla Sen <sukla.sen@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> From: Jatin Desai <desaijatin@yahoo.co.uk>
>>> Date: Sat, Jul 18, 2009 at 6:48 PM
>>> Subject: [people'smediainitiative] we condemn 'illegal' arrest of Feroze
>>>
>>>
>>> The following statement has been endorsed also by:
>>>
>>> Anand Patwardhan, film-maker
>>> Ruchi Shroff, human rights activist
>>>
>>>
>>> Sukla
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Press Statement*
>>> * We condemn 'illegal' arrest of Feroze*
>>>
>>> We, the undersigned, note with a sense of shock and horror that last
>>> evening, at around 9 00 PM, prominent human rights and social activist from
>>> Mumbai, Mr Feroze Mithiborwala, was picked up by three police people from
>>> his residence at Marol and taken to the MIDC, Andheri(E) police station. He
>>> has been kept under detention overnight. No reason whatever has been
>>> indicated for this official "kidnap".
>>> It appears that he is picked up to prevent him from holding any protest
>>> demonstration against the visiting US Secretary of State, Ms. Hillary
>>> Clinton.
>>>
>>> One does not have to agree with Mr. Mithiborwala on his political
>>> position to denounce this grossly undemocratic act on the part of the Mumbai
>>> Police. The right to dissent, and dissent in public, is what sets a a
>>> 電emocracy" apart from an authoritarian regime.
>>> And we never tire of claiming, and not too unjustifiably, that India is
>>> the "largest democracy" in the world.
>>>
>>> It is precisely in that context, the action of the Mumbai Police is
>>> extremely unfortunate and utterly condemnable.
>>>
>>> We demand that the state Home Minister immediately take note and act
>>> against the erring officials.
>>>
>>> He should also issue a note of apology as the buck presumably stops at
>>> his door.
>>>
>>> Feroze and Kishore Jagtap were released today around 5.45 pm without any
>>> charge.
>>>
>>>
>>> 1. Mihir Desai Lawyer
>>> 2. Yusuf Muchala Lawyer
>>> 3. Sukla Sen Ekta
>>> 4. Jatin Desai Peoples' Media Initiative
>>> 5. Yogesh Kamdar Peoples' Union for Civil Liberties
>>> 6. Seema Mustafa Journalist
>>> 7. Dolphy Dsouza Bombay Catholic Sabha
>>> 8. Nandita Shah Akshara
>>> 9. Sanober Keshwaar Human Rights activist
>>> 10. Lena Ganesh Social Activist
>>> 11. Jaya Velankar Writer
>>> 12. Daniel Mazgaonkar Sarvodaya Activist
>>> 13. Kamayani Mahabal Shetty Social Activist
>>> 14. K L Bajaj CPM
>>> 15. Soheb Lokhandwala MPJ
>>> 16. Bhagwan Keshbhat YUVA
>>> 17. Sushovan Dhar Social Activist
>>> 18. Suvrat Raju
| US drives hard arms bargain | ||
| K.P. NAYAR | ||
Washington, July 18: The Obama administration is linking the implementation of the nuclear deal to an end-use monitoring agreement for military supplies from America in a determined effort to arm-twist India into signing the controversial defence pact on Monday. Philip J. Crowley, an assistant secretary of state who was specially designated by the administration to brief foreign correspondents here yesterday shortly before Hillary Clinton landed in Mumbai, said the end-use monitoring agreement "is part of the fulfilment of an important initiative that India and the US have signed in the area of nuclear co-operation". Crowley added: "I am sure that this will be (a) substantial area of discussion (between Clinton and the Indians) and the various leaders will reflect on the progress that is made in terms of both fulfilling the initiative and its various components." Crowley's forthright assertion — that the defence agreement is a "component" of the nuclear deal — even as Indian and US officials are burning the midnight oil in New Delhi to ensure that there are no glitches in the American secretary of state's highly choreographed trip to India is revealing on two counts. One, this is the first time that any US official, either from the Bush era or an incumbent in the Obama team, has indicated that there was any understanding — such as buying American defence equipment — which facilitated the nuclear deal. The US will not sell advanced military equipment unless India signs the end-use monitoring agreement that will allow Washington to inspect such equipment long after it has been bought. Second, Crowley's "hope" that "various (Indian) leaders will reflect on the progress that is made in terms of both fulfilling the (nuclear) initiative and its various components" is tantamount to a threat that progress on the nuclear deal will only go hand in hand with progress on other unpublicised understandings such as defence purchases from the US. Crowley also left the onus of showing progress on these counts on India. "I will allow the officials in India to indicate that we have reached an agreement" on end-use monitoring. It is clear from the assistant secretary's statement that Clinton will expect New Delhi not to renege on what Washington sees as prior Indian commitments that allowed the passage of the nuclear deal here. According to high-level sources in New Delhi, opinion has hardened among more sections of the political leadership against chipping away at the operational freedom of the defence forces by agreeing to future US inspections of military hardware bought by India. As a result, top Indian officials who are continuing to discuss the end-use monitoring agreement with the Americans are now proposing that instead of signing the pact, Clinton and external affairs minister S.M. Krishna should merely announce that agreement has been reached on the issue between negotiators on both sides. In the light of strong reservations among senior members of the cabinet on the agreement, the Prime Minister's Office is now understood to have taken the view that the agreement should be formally approved by the cabinet committee on security, although such a step is not mandatory. Similar stand-alone agreements that enabled India to buy the US naval ship Trenton and Boeing planes for VVIP transport did not go to the committee, although those agreements are identical to the one that the US wants to be signed on Monday. US officials here are insisting that they have bent over backwards to accommodate Indian concerns on end-use inspections. They said that in a significant departure from the standard US text, the Obama administration had encouraged India to choose the venues for American inspections, even agreeing to checks in third countries. US official hopeful, Page 4 |
The U.S. soldier captured by the Taliban is a 23-year-old Army paratrooper from Idaho, Pentagon officials said Sunday.
Private 1st Class Bowe Bergdahl was shown pleading for his life on a video released by his captors Saturday night.
"Please, please bring us home so that we can be back where we belong and not over here, wasting our time and our lives," said a terrified Bergdahl, who is shown with his head shaved, eating and wearing local garb.
"To my fellow Americans who have loved ones over here, who know what it's like to miss them, you have the power to make our government bring them home," he said.
Military officials said Bergdahl, who went missing from a small combat outpost in southeastern Afghanistan on June 30, is a paratrooper with the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in Fort Richardson, Alaska.
ON Teach India tour of India, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sounded optimistic on Sunday that the United States and India can bridge their differences on reducing greenhouse gases! While, US war Economy shows no sign of RECOVERY! Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner should press banks for more information on how they use the more than $200 billion the government has pumped into US financial institutions, according to a new oversight ...Only DEFENCE pacts with India may bail out US ECONOMY under DEEP! Nevertheless,the rest of the country may be stuck in a nasty recession, but on US Wall Street, where it all began, business is booming. Mind you, FREEsenSEX in India just replictae US and european markets and it never relates to either Indian Politics or ECONOMY!
The sixth "Harry Potter" movie worked its charm at North American theaters, selling an estimated $159.7 million worth of tickets during its first five days of release, distributor Warner Bros.
Pope Benedict XVI preached and greeted well-wishers Sunday, three days after breaking his wrist in a fall. The pope celebrates mass with his broken wrist in plaster.
Environment, Global Warming and Climate Change have never been on US agenda and neither INDO US strategic Realliance has to do anything with it! It is jsut the CONSTRUCTION of a BEDROOM to do other things in Luxury out of SIGHT, VERY VERY PRIVATE as it had been with President CLINTON and the beautiful girl forgotten, Monica Lewinsky!
What a SUBVERSION! Hillary Clinton landed in Mumbai and met India Inc heads just because of her concern for limate and global warming! She does involves herself with TEAC India movement led by Bollywood Star Amir Khan known for his REVENGE Film GAJANI!
Mainstream Hindutva media, which tried very hard to see Madam Clinton in the Oval House instead of the Black man with Muslim Middle Man, does add every bit to showcase Hillary Welfare Image sidelining and Diluting the Zionist Agenda of mass Destruction!
I asked you PUZZLE and challenged to dare! Why did Madam Clinton landed in Mumabai instead of the National capital indulged in Parliamentary SOP Opera!
Alas! No one responded!
But late in the night I got the message from Mumbai that our friends Feroze and Jagtape were arrested so that any possible DEMONSTRATION against the US Secretary of State might be preempted!
Immediately I rang up Feroze! No response!
While I was returning Home from my work place around TWO AM, Feroze rang back and informed that tehy were released! Meanwhile our friends, social and human right activists, mass movements, Intellectuals, professionals, journalists and writers issued statements to protest the Draconian Move! The Morning papers missed the item! In fact, the Mumbai people were in dark! I called on some friends in Mumbai in the morning and they felt shocked as they had not the news! Major Burves , a common friend of Feroze, Jagtape and me, was in a meeting attended by a few Mumbaikars! They had not an Idea!
This is it!
The focus is on ENVIRONMENT and Zionist Global Manusmriti Apartheid Triiblis Order of ILLUMINATI does everything to kill the Nature and the Nature associated Indigenous, Aboriginal and minority communities!
Madam Clinton landed in India to bail out US War Economy! Indian Incorporation Goverment works from Mumbai and the Political Economy is managed from the Commercial capital, hence she reached there to link Indo US Nuke deal with ARMS bargain!
What a Monica Lewinsky ELEMENT Inserted in Diplomacy!
Indo Pak relations no more remains a BILITERAL Sovereign issue limited in the Indian Geopolitics. Rather, it is the most SENSITIVE issue of US Foreign affairs to COLONISE whole of ASIA!
Madam Clinton, the Darling of hindutva as well as Zionism has arrived to acomplish the task with First Lady experience of Monica Lewinsky subversion experience in her purse!
Meanwhile, a civilian helicopter crash that killed 16 people at a NATO base in southern Afghanistan pushed up the death toll on Sunday in the US and allied effort to break the Taliban, adding to pressure on Washington and London.
White House Budget Director Peter Orszag said Congress was likely to approve a plan to overhaul the country's health-care system before its August recess, but added that lawmakers should amend the legislation to help ...
Indonesian Police say the bombings of two hotels in Jakarta on Friday was the work of Jemaah Islamiyah, a terrorist group with al-Qaida ties.
Ousted President Manuel Zelaya and the country's interim leaders resume talks in Costa Rica today amid Zelaya's fresh vows to return with or without a deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a reported US request that a building project in Jerusalem be halted. The project involves building 20 apartments in the mainly Arab East Jerusalem area, which was captured by Israel in 1967.
When Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the moon, it was a first for the Soviet Union - the first time the US had beaten the USSR in the space race.
Spacewalkers and robotic arm operators attached the final piece of the International Space Station's Japanese Kibo laboratory - an exposed platform for science experiments.
Himalayan glaciers are going through a phase of retreat, with some glaciers in specific basins having shrunk by up to an alarming 38%
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday said that strategic partnership is required between India and US on issues like
Addressing a joint press conference, Hillary Clinton said that she expects Pakistan to take strong action against terrorism.
After winning over Mumbai with her charm, Clinton arrived in New Delhi on Sunday afternoon for talks with Indian government leaders to launch what she called a third phase in the India-US strategic partnership, IANS said.
IANS reported that she was received at the airport by India's Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar and Gayatri Kumar, joint secretary in charge of the Americas in the external affairs ministry.
A slew of agreements, including pacts on an end-use monitoring agreement that will spur high-end arms sales between them and another pact on space launches, are expected to be signed on Monday. India is also likely to announce two sites for US nuclear reactors during Clinton's visit.
Praising India's rich knowledge in agriculture, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday said India is a key player in helping the US achieve global food security and end hunger.
"President Obama and I had a signature issue - food security and ending hunger. India is well placed to help us (achieve it)," Clinton said at the National Agricultural Science Centre that is part of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) here.
"The problem of chronic hunger and malnutrition is a huge issue. (Currently) one billion people are hungry in the world. It can undermine peace and instability can follow. We believe that world has the resources to feed all people.
"I am delighted to be in this prestigious institute and partner India in agriculture. India's experience in agriculture is unsurpassable. With only three percent of the land area, it feeds 17 percent of (global) people. India's leadership is crucial," she added
She said the US administration is happy to partner India in agriculture.
"Agriculture is a pillar of our five pillar discussion (with India). We want to expand our partnership to produce better seeds, grains, farm technology. There is no limit to new explorations in agriculture with India. I am committed to this effort," Ms. Clinton said while alluding to the US role in spurring a green revolution in India in the 1960s that was marked by the introduction of high-yield seed varieties leading to enhanced farm productivity.
She said bio-energy, bio-security, bio-diversity are key areas. The effort is to "end hunger". She also said that India can play a great role in food processing industry.
Ms. Clinton was received at the institute by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. Enhanced cooperation in agriculture will be one of the areas of discussions between Clinton and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Monday.
Soon after her arrival, Clinton headed to Gurgaon to visit ITC Green Centre Building that showcases environment-friendly practices in India.
The political business will start with Clinton's call on the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the evening.
Before political talks on Monday, Clinton goes to Delhi University - a trip aimed at giving the US' chief diplomat an insight into the thinking of young India. Over 90,000 Indian students study in the US.
Clinton will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday afternoon and discuss with him a host of bilateral, regional and global issues.
After winning over Mumbai with her charm, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in New Delhi on Sunday afternoon for talks
She was received at the airport by India's Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar and Gayatri Kumar, joint secretary in charge of the Americas in the external affairs ministry.
A slew of agreements, including pacts on an end-use monitoring agreement that will spur high-end arms sales between them and another pact on space launches, are expected to be signed on Monday. India is also likely to announce two sites for US nuclear reactors during Clinton's visit.
Soon after her arrival, Clinton headed to Gurgaon to visit ITC Green Centre Building that showcases environment-friendly practices in India. She will speak here about climate change - an important issue that will also figure in her discussions with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna Monday.
From Gurgaon, she goes to visit the National Agriculture Science Centre in Delhi where she will speak about cooperation between India and the US in the field of agriculture.
The political business will start with Clinton's call on the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chair and Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the evening.
Before political talks Monday, Clinton goes to Delhi University - a trip aimed at giving the US' chief diplomat an insight into the thinking of young India. Over 90,000 Indian students study in the US.
Clinton will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday afternoon and discuss with him a host of bilateral, regional and global issues.
Clinton will hold delegation-level talks with Krishna that will focus on building multi-pronged strategic dialogue between the two countries that will pave the way for starting phase III in strategic partnership between them.
Besides civil nuclear cooperation, the two sides are expected to discuss economic and defence ties and invigorating cooperation in fields of clean energy, agriculture, science and education.
The Mumbai attacks and its aftermath, the situation in Afghanistan-Pakistan (Af-Pak) region and India's likely role in it will also figure in the discussions.
The overall process of shrinking is leading glaciers to fragment and, therefore, paradoxically enough, the total number of glaciers in the Himalayas is increasing. These were some of the conclusions ISRO scientists drew up during a presentation at a meeting, organised by the ministry of environment, of all institutions and experts in glaciology.
The ministry has decided to support ISRO and the department of science and technology to undertake long-term and extensive glacial surveys across the eastern and western Himalayas. Environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh told TOI, "We will institutionalize scientific studies of not only glaciers but also studies on terrestrial hydrology and agriculture as well as measurement of green house gases along with the department of science and technology and ISRO."
Scientists at the meeting recorded there is no evidence yet to claim the rate of retreat of glaciers, ranging from a few cms to couple of metres a year, has accelerated in the recent past. Scientists from the Geological Survey of India noted that the rate of recession of the Gangotri glacier has actually reduced in recent years.
The scientific community also observed that the process of retreat and advance of the glaciers was a natural process and that at present there was no evidence to prove that the current glacial recession phase is a consequence of climate change.
But scientists did express concern about the health of the glaciers pointing to the evidence of debris accumulation at the snouts in some glaciers. At present, the worst impact is seen in the Suru basin, with glaciers recorded a 38% shrinkage between 1969 and 2004. The Chandra, Bhaga, Parbati and Warwan basins are the other four recording the worst recessionary trends over the same period.
The meeting also noted that currently most of the automated weather stations are located in Jammu and Kashmir and serve the Army. These should be extended to Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in order to record data across the Himalayas.
Meltdown makes Indian firms smarter: Study
A dramatic meltdown after boom years globally has made Indian firms smarter in employee engagement and talent management, which will
"Indian companies across sectors are trying to make the best of tough times and preparing for growth opportunities when the economy picks up. Unlike in the West where firing is the norm, our study shows Indian firms are focussing on talent management and cost cutting," Deloitte director P. Thiruvengadam told media.
A cross-industry dipstick survey on employee engagement in recessionary times by Deloitte's human capital advisory services found Indian firms were in a wait-and-watch mode without retrenching, but trying to balance both employee and operational costs.
Of the 130 firms approached for the survey, 65 participated, including 22 multinationals.
"Companies are focussing on their ability to attract, develop and retain top talent to remain viable and competitive in the short and long terms. Though campus offers have trickled down, selective hiring is taking place. Employees are being involved in cost management, quality and client servicing," Thiruvengadam said quoting the findings.
Of the participant firms, 44 percent represented TMT (technology, media and telecom), 27 percent manufacturing, seven percent FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), five percent pharma and 27 percent others.
The study found companies implementing metrics to determine return on investment on human resources. Investment in proprietary knowledge and technological upgrade is continuing, albeit slower than during the boom times.
"Lower attrition has turned out to be a boon, as firms are able to retain talent by setting higher performance benchmarks, with stringent measures and quarterly monitoring. By recruiting consultants and freelancers, firms are able to save on employee benefit costs," Thiruvengadam said.
The eight-week survey said companies were substituting lucrative bonus and international travel with opportunities for advancement and flexible working hours to retain employees. "Smart firms have turned inward, consolidating operations, rationalising requirements and optimising resources to ride the slowdown," Thiruvengadam said.
The survey also found companies were not cutting back on training programmes but only reducing training costs. The focus is on empowering employees with multi-skills to handle different tasks and building a strong leadership pipeline.
"We are certainly watching and expecting that there will be justice and those who launched the horrific attacks in Mumbai will meet their day of reckoning," she said at an interaction with press.
Clinton, who will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and hold talks with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Monday, said she realises that the 'syndicate' of terrorism in Pakistan is 'troubling' India, besides the US.
"I have also sent messages very directly to the Pakistani people that this (fight against terrorism) is in the interest of Pakistan, the future stability and security of Pakistan," said the Secretary of State, who is on a five-day visit to India.
She said the US had "seen an evolving commitment, not only by Pakistani Government but also Pakistani people and a recognition that terrorism within a country is a threat to that country".
Govt may discuss MOIL disinvestment plan tomorrow
New Delhi (PTI): Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh may discuss on Monday plans on divesting the government's stake in Manganese Ore (India) Ltd at the performance review meeting of public sector companies.
"The work on listing of MOIL has been going on for long now. Now the finance ministry has asked us to expedite the disinvestment process in the company. The (steel) minister is likely to take a call on disinvestment in MOIL in tomorrow's meeting," a senior steel ministry official said.
The minister will also review the performance of ICVL, a SPV formed by five leading PSUs like Coal India, SAIL to acquire mining property abroad, he said.
The finance ministry has asked the steel ministry to work on divesting stake in MOIL, NMDC and KIOCL, he said. On the ailing KIOCL, the ministry could go slow till it is acquired by NMDC, he added.
Explaining further, the official said the government may divest a minimum of 8.3 per cent stake in already listed iron ore miner National Mineral Development Corporation, which will fetch the government over Rs 10,000 crore.
In Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd (KIOCL), which is also listed, the government may divest about 9 per cent stake and in Manganese Ore India Ltd (MOIL) about 10 per cent stake may be sold.
The disinvestment in KIOCL and MOIL may fetch the government together about Rs 1,000 crore.
For listed entities, the government may consider follow-on public issue, he added.NRI\PIO universities may come up in SEZs
Mumbai (PTI): Government may allow the new NRI\PIO universities, the bids for which were invited recently, to come up in Special Economic Zones.
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs which has invited Expression Of Interest (EOI) from academic institutions for setting up four universities for children of Non Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) has indicated in the guidelines issued as part of EOI that these universities may be set up in the Special Economic Zones.
"If the NRI\PIO universities are to be set up in the Special Economic Zone, the provisions under the SEZ Act would be adhered to", the guidelines said.
The EOI have been invited for setting up four universities in cities other than Bangalore as one NRI university for that city has already been sanctioned.
The EOI has said preference would given for those institutions which are already in possession of at leat 100 acres of land.
As per the guidelines, 50 per cent of the seats in these universities would be reserved for children of NRIs and PIOs and they will need to pay their fees in foreign currency while remaining 50 per cent would be given to resident Indians.India must look for oil assets overseas: CII
New Delhi (IANS): As the oil price is below $100 per barrel in the international market right now, India should look at entering long-term crude oil contracts and acquiring oil assets overseas, suggests the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
With the price of oil hovering around $70 a barrel, CII feels there still exists a window of opportunity for India to acquire international oil acreage and to secure long term oil supply deals to secure the country's energy future at an affordable price.
"The accelerated demand for energy makes it imperative for India to garner assured and continuous supply of energy at reasonable prices through internal efforts and acquiring international acreages," CII said in a statement.
As per CII estimates, the demand for oil would be 328 million tonnes oil equivalent (Mtoe) by 2030, an increase of 3.8 percent year-on-year.
"Estimates suggest that by 2020, only about 25 percent of the total demand will be met internally," CII said.
In this backdrop CII has emphasised that industry, both public and private sectors, should collaborate to secure oil equity overseas. The government on its part must facilitate and encourage such partnerships and aggressively pursue the strategy of acquiring overseas oil and gas assets.
"Ensuring India's energy security requires active participation from Indian industry, both the public and private sectors, with support from the government to secure fuel supply at predictable and affordable prices," said Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of CII.Liquidity likely to be comfortable, says CMIE
Mumbai (PTI): Liquidity is likely to be in the comfort zone despite a 46 per cent hike in Government borrowing this fiscal, an economic think-tank said in its latest report.
The Government has announced a higher market borrowing amounting to Rs 4.5-lakh-crore in the recent Budget.
"Liquidity levels are expected to remain comfortable even in the coming months inspite of the sharp increase in Government borrowing," Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) said in its report on the state of the Indian economy.
According to CMIE, surplus resources currently with banks together with the funds expected to be mobilised by them during 2009-10 would be more than adequate to fund both, the higher Government borrowing as well as the credit demand from the private sector.
"There is already abundant liquidity in the banking system which is reflected in the Rs 1.6-lakh-crore parked by banks at the reverse repo window of the RBI," CMIE said.
The amount is earning the banks a measly interest of 3.25 per cent, it said.
"Banks are expected to mobilise deposit funds to the tune of Rs 7.7-lakh-crore during 2009-10," CMIE said.Top-10 cos add over Rs 1.42 lakh cr; RIL regains Rs 3 trn mrk
Mumbai (PTI): The country's top-10 firms added Rs 1,42,000 crore to their market capitalisation last week with country's most valued firm, Reliance Industries crossing Rs 3 trillion mark after two weeks.
The country's most-valued firm, Reliance Industries Ltd, added Rs 24,395 crore to its market valuation taking its total market cap to Rs 3,04,292 crore. Shares of RIL surged nearly 9 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to end the trade at Rs 1,933.40 on Friday.
RIL had a market valuation of Rs 2,79,897 crore last week.
The coveted club, which comprises of 4 private sector and 6 public companies, added Rs 1,42,320 crore to their market valuation to Rs 16,04,896 crore for week ended July 17.
The total market-cap of the elite club stood at Rs 14,31,433.42 crore in the previous week ended July 11.
State run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) together added Rs 21,567 crore to their market cap.
At the end of the week total market valuation of ONGC stood at Rs 2,22,763 crore and NTPC's at Rs 1,69,114 crore.
Private sector telecom services provider Bharti Airtel added Rs 8,562 crore to its market cap taking its total valuation to Rs 1,57,071 crore at the end of Friday.Private power firms concerned at RNRL getting gas at lower rates
New Delhi (PTI): After fertiliser firms, private power companies have voiced concerns over gas supplies from Reliance Industries' KG-D6 fields being impacted if the fuel is diverted to an Anil Ambani Group firm at lower rates.
GMR Group, Torrent Power and GVK Industries have written separately to Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and Power Secretary HS Brahma, stating that the move would give unfair price advantage to ADAG and kill competition in the power sector.
The Bombay High Court had last month directed Mukesh Ambani-run RIL to sell 28 million standard cubic metres of gas per day (almost the same volume currently produced from KG-D6) to Anil Ambani-run RNRL at USD 2.34 per mmBtu, which is 44 per cent lower than the rate set by the government.
Subsequent to this order, RNRL moved the Supreme Court, seeking to restrain RIL from selling gas to any other company other than itself.
"The price indicated in the order would benefit specific power generators (like those of Anil Ambani Group) and thereby making power generated by others non-competitive," Torrent Power said, adding "such an environment would discourage further investment by multiple players in the power sector".
GVK Vice-Chairman GV Sanjay Reddy said, "(The judgment) is in favour of one particular group which has been given inexplicable advantage to load the electricity market against all competition."Ports can award PPP projects without ministry's nod
New Delhi (PTI): Port authorities can now award contracts to winning bidders without the prior approval of the Shipping Ministry, a move which would expedite public-private- partnership projects worth Rs 23,000 crore to be awarded this fiscal.
The Ministry has written to all port trusts authorising them to sign concession agreements for the PPP projects. They can take such decisions at their board level. However, the Ministry must be informed of all the works awarded.
"Ports have been sending proposals to the Ministry before signing the concession agreements with the selected bidders quoting the highest revenue share.
"It has been decided that henceforth the ports need not send the proposal for prior approval of the Ministry before signing the Concession Agreement," a Shipping Ministry communique to all the ports said.
The move comes at a time when five major PPP port projects worth more than Rs 2,700 crore are to be awarded in the next few weeks.
The process for awarding another 23 projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore has to be completed by December 2009.
Maytas Infra in a position to execute projects: Khurshid
New Delhi (PTI): Asserting that Hyderabad-based Maytas Infra is in a position to execute projects, Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today said the government's intention is to see that the company is back on its feet.
The minister in an interview to a private news channel said that Maytas Infra is "in a position to execute such projects" and added the government wants "the company to get back on its feet".
"We will ... see that their (Maytas Infra) projects don't need to be cancelled," he said.
On the company looking for a strategic partner, Mr. Khurshid said the matter would have to be decided by its directors.
"They might want to find a strategic partner but that's a decision that directors have to take ... They also now have to learn from Satyam to see if there are further steps they need to take ... the directors have to decide," he said.
According to him, the government did not help Satyam in finding a strategic investor.
"The government did not help Satyam to get a strategic partner... we can't help in their (Maytas Infra) getting a strategic partner," Mr. Khurshid said.
Maytas Infra is promoted by the kin of Satyam founder B Ramalinga Raju.
Mr. Khurshid also pointed out that the government would take steps to see that the projects awarded to Maytas are not cancelled.
The Andhra Pradesh government recently cancelled the more than Rs 12,000-crore Hyderabad Metro Project awarded to Maytas Infra after the company failed to tie up funds despite a three-month extension.
Last week, Maytas Infra had denied about any move to induct strategic partner and said that it had not made any requests to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for offloading its stake.
"No recommendation was made to the ministry or CLB for offloading Maytas' stake. It is not on our agenda at this point of time," K Ramalingam, the government-appointed Chairman of Maytas Infra, said adding that the financial health of the company was in good conditions and it has receivables of about Rs 780 crore.
The government took over the board of Satyam after its founder-Chairman B Ramalinga Raju admitted to financial fraud in the IT firm. In February, 2009, the government moved the CLB to take over the board of Maytas Infra, then headed by Teja Raju, the son of IT firm's top official, alleging mismanagement in the affairs of the company.
Acting on it, the CLB had appointed four nominees on its board.NALCO increases security in mines due to naxalite threats
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Concerned after the April 12 naxal attack on NALCO's bauxite mines in Orissa's Koraput district, the aluminium giant has strengthened security in its Panchapatmali Hill mines.
Security arrangements have also been augmented at most vulnerable points like magazine house, where explosives are stored for mining operations, company sources said.
The deployment of CISF personnel has been increased from 89 to 197 jawans in the bauxite mines.
Special emphasis has been given to fortification of magazine area by providing multi-layer protection system, such as, chain link, barbed wire, power fencing and brick walls around the magazine house, they said.
The CISF jawans have been provided with rest sheds equipped with modern facilities near the magazine house, a senior company official said.
NALCO has also drastically reduced the storage of explosives at the magazine house. As per the latest measure, the stock of explosives is kept to the barest minimum of about 4-5 days consumption.
The PSU is also exploring the possibility of introducing 'blast free' mining methods, where there is no use of explosives.Ashok Leyland, Nissan JV to rework manufacturing plans
Mumbai (PTI): In view of the current economic downturn and the reduction in demand for M&HCVs, the Hinduja Group-controlled Ashok Leyland has redrawn its capacity enhancement programmes to be in line with market outlook.
The company will ensure that future expansion is well aligned to market demands, the company said in its annual report here.
"In view of the global slowdown, Ashok Leyland and its joint venture partner, Nissan Motor Co of Japan, are reworking the manufacturing plans including the option of phased implementation of the project," Ashok Leyland's Chairman, R J Shahaney, said in the annual report.
The company had signed an agreement with Nissan in 2008 to form three joint venture companies for the light commercial vehicles (LCV) business in India for technology development, vehicle manufacturing and powertrain manufacturing.
Fiscal and other incentives from the Tamil Nadu Government for the project have been secured, although allotment of land for the project is awaited, Shahaney said.
The Indian LCV market has witnessed a tremendous growth in the recent past. During the last financial year, LCVs contributed to more than half of total CV volumes.Centre to sell 10 pc in SJVNL; Himachal gives NoC
New Delhi (PTI): The government is understood to have finalised divesting 10 per cent stake in hydro power PSU Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam in the current fiscal and is hoping to raise over Rs 1,200 crore.
"The public offering to offload government's 10 per cent shareholding may happen by the end of this fiscal. The state government (Himachal Pradesh) has already given No Objection Certificate (NoC) for the disinvestment," SJVNL Chairman and Managing Director H K Sharma told PTI in an interview.
The company would offer 31 crore shares of Rs 10 face value each and is hoping to fetch over Rs 1,200 crore from the capital market. SJVNL is the second power PSU in which the government is divesting its stake.
Currently, the government holds 75 per cent stake in SJVNL and the Himachal Pradesh government has the remaining 25 per cent.
The disinvestment is planned only for the government shares and the company is not going to raise any fresh equity.
The SJVNL's turnover for this fiscal is estimated to be Rs 1,500 crore and the net profit at Rs 900 crore.
The government is offloading five per cent stake of its holdings in NHPC and the company will raise 10 per cent fresh equity.'Industrial houses should chip in to improve social security'
New Delhi, July 19 (PTI) As India's social security network is yet to catch up with standards in most developed countries, the government today said industrial houses should chip in to improve the situation and hinted at making labour laws more moderate in return.
"We want to ask most industrial houses to help raise the social security network if not at par then at least halfway of the most modernised nations...our social security investment is less...Industry should come forward to help government in this regard," Minister of State for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat told PTI.
Hinting at making labour laws more moderate, Rawat said, "The social security network is more effective in countries where labour laws are moderate.
"Without an effective social security network, we cannot immediately go wholesale with the demands of industry," he added.
Rawat said the government had built a consensus on contentious issues between industries and trade unions.
"Seven to eight of our labour laws are in the process of amendment. Some of them are with the cabinet," he said but refrained from setting a time-frame for it.Selja seeks amendment to town planning for slum-free India
New Delhi (PTI): Seeking reservation of land for affordable housing and survey of all slums in cities across India, the Centre has asked all state governments and Union Territories to amend town planning and other related laws for this.
In a letter written to all chief ministers, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Kumari Selja has sought the amendment to town planning for reservation of land for affordable housing.
"You may kindly consider amending town planning, urban area development, municipal and other related laws to provide for reservation of land for affordable housing, basic amenities and informal sector activities of the poor," Ms. Selja stated in her letter.
Stressing the need for a complete database on existing slums, she has sought proper surveys of all slums in cities and towns within three months and develop an authentic database on the prevailing field conditions.
"The legal framework may also cover innovative land assembly techniques including land pooling, use of Floor Space Index as a resource, incentive zoning and other measures to promote affordable housing to the urban poor," the letter stated.
Referring to the Presidential address on June 4 in which the Rajiv Awas Yojana for the slum dwellers and the urban poor was prominently mentioned, Selja said her ministry was currently in the process of formulating the parameters of the scheme.Clinton's dish wish! How about a Hillary platter?
Gurgaon (IANS) She is a leader in her own right and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would "very much" like a dish in her own name at Delhi's most famous restaurant, which already has two platters dedicated to her husband and daughter.
A beaming Ms. Clinton, wearing a turquoise business suit, expressed a keen desire to have a dish named after her at the Maurya Sheraton hotel's Bukhara restaurant. "I hope so that they have my own dish. I would like it very much," she told NDTV in an interview here.
The five-star's menu has a 'Presidential Platter', named after Hillary Clinton's husband and former US president Bill Clinton, and a 'Chelsea Platter', named after their daughter.
The three had visited India and stayed at the hotel in 2000, when Mr. Bill Clinton was president. They had dined at the Bukhara, which is famous for its Indian dishes.
The Presidential Platter, costing Rs.4,700, comprises non-vegetarian food that Clinton ordered and the Chelsea Platter, priced at Rs.4,200, has vegetarian dishes that Chelsea had preferred.
The two dishes continue to be served till date and are a hit with guests.
India negotiating with Swiss authorities on secrecy clauses
New Delhi (PTI): India is negotiating with Switzerland and other countries to revise the secrecy clause in bilateral treaties like double taxation avoidance agreements to get information on matters like black money.
Official sources said unless secrecy clauses change, the government cannot do much about black money stashed in banks of Switzerland and other countries.
India is negotiating with Switzerland and other countries to change these secrecy clauses in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).
If these clauses change, appropriate Indian authorities could have information, which currently is exchanged only with tax authorities, they said.
The issue came to the fore during the Lok Sabha election when opposition parties demanded repatriation of black money stashed away in tax havens.
Sources said the government is negotiating with Mauritius to amend the DTAA to prevent companies routing investment through that country to India, to avoid paying taxes.
Various companies have been incorporated in Mauritius to take advantage of the Indo-Mauritius treaty, which is called treaty shopping.
According to the treaty, capital gains are to be assessed in accordance with the law of the state of residence of the entity.India reaping benefits of bank nationalisation: Mukherjee
Raiganj (WB) (PTI) Noting that India is reaping the fruits of nationalisation of banks, Union Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said the country's nationalised banks are staying healthy even during slowdown in global economy which has led closure of many private banks in Western countries.
The nationalised banks in the country are making healthy progress and making profits while many private banks in the Western countries have either closed down or declared bankruptcy, Mr. Mukherjee said here while distributing Kishan Credit Cards to farmers.
Forty years ago, on this day, Indira Gandhi took the great step of nationalising banks in the country and today the people of the country are reaping its benefit, the Union Finance Minister said.
Mr. Mukherjee said when the UPA government had announced the loan waiver for the farmers in 2008 the critics had said that it would make the nationalised banks sick.
"None of the nationalised banks had become sick after the Rs 60,000 crore loan waiver for farmers was announced by the UPA government in its budget in 2008," he said while distributing the Cards to the 5001 farmers of North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda districts at a function of United Bank of India (UBI).
UBI chairman and managing director S C Gupta was also present.
CBI begins probe into Ayodhya case missing files
Lucknow (PTI) Following directives from the Allahabad High Court, the CBI has started investigation into 23 missing files related to Ramjanmbhoomi-Babri mosque land dispute.
A CBI team led by Deputy Inspector General Zaki Ahmad on Saturday met senior officials of Uttar Pradesh government, including Home department officials, and held detailed discussion on the Ayodhya title suits case, official sources said here on Sunday.
The CBI team handed a letter to the Home Secretary, seeking information on 20 points including which officials were posted in the Home Department when the files had gone missing, who was in possession of the files at that time and what documents were contained in the files, the sources said.
Later, the team visited Hazratganj police station, where a case was lodged by the state government on July 9, and took a copy of the FIR.
On July 15, the High Court's Lucknow bench asked the CBI director to submit an interim progress report on the issue before the court on August 24 -- the next date of hearing.
The state government had recommended the CBI probe into the missing files on July 10.
Huge cache of explosives seized in Jharkhand
Giridih (Jharkhand) (PTI) Police on Sunday seized 1,964 kg of explosives, including gelatin sticks, allegedly meant to be supplied to Maoists from a road construction company here.
The police launched raids on camp number two of the company engaged in state highway construction near the GT road and seized the explosives, Superintendent of Police A V Minz said here.
Besides gelatins and other explosives, the police also seized 15,000-metre wire, he said.
The raiding police team was helped by a person named Firdosh, who was caught with a pistol by Ranchi police recently.
Firdosh has been supplying explosives bought from the company to a Naxalite group led by Kundan Pahan, who operates in Ranchi and Khunti districts. He has been getting the consignment from this company to supply to the Maoists for the last five years, the SP claimed.
The company's storekeeper was taken into custody, Mr. Minz said, adding that an FIR would be lodged against the company.
The company has been given license to procure only 450 kg explosives, the SP said and added that as per the guidelines, the company should have kept the explosives at Madedih village in Dhanbad district and not in Giridih.
The store-keeper showed a bill of purchase of 1,250 kg explosives on July 14, 2009, which is also three times the amount the company was allowed to procure, he said.
BJP's SC front meet ends, lukewarm response from top brass
New Delhi (PTI) The two-day BJP Schedule Caste Front national executive meet, which ended here on Sunday, saw a lukewarm response from the organisation's top brass with President Rajnath Singh keeping away and others choosing to speak on general issues instead of focusing on Dalits.
Mr. Singh, who was to deliver the concluding address, preferred to attend programmes in his constituency Ghaziabad.
Senior party leader L K Advani, who gave the inaugural address on Saturday, preferred to speak primarily on the BJP's dismal performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls and had nothing significant to say about Dalits.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jailtey too did not speak much on Dalit issues in his address on Saturday.
It was left to other leaders to discuss the issues.
"The practice of human scavenging has still not been removed. Even when we were in power for six years we could not do anything," BJP leader Kailash Meghwal said in his address.
He also lamented that RSS representatives were not present in the two-day meet. Mr. Meghwal felt that apprising RSS functionaries of Dalit issues would have helped their cause.
Secretary (Organisation) Ramlal, however, made some practical suggestions in the meet. Using the Right to Information Act to ask state governments about four steps taken by them for Dalit welfare was one of them. He said the BJP does not believe in using Dalits as mere votebanks.
Shopian case: blood samples of policemen taken
Srinagar (PTI) Blood samples of four policemen arrested for alleged destruction, dissipation and suppression of evidence in the rape and murder of two women in south Kashmir's Shopian town have been collected.
Official sources said the samples were taken from the then Shopian Police Superintendent Javed Iqbal, Deputy Superintendent of police Rohit Baskotra, Station House Officer Shafeeq Ahmad and Sub-inspector Qazi Abdul Karim well past 9 pm on Saturday night.
The blood samples of the policemen, currently under police custody, were taken on the directions of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court which earlier this week had ordered the arrest, preparation of DNA profiles and narco-analysis of the four suspended police officers and their production before the Registrar judicial for collection of their blood samples so that their DNA profiles are prepared.
The counsel for the arrested police officials, however, alleged the blood samples were taken "under duress".
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http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003hdline.htm
| Mom Hillary steals star Aamir's stage - Clinton shares tips on teaching | ||
| SAMYABRATA RAY GOSWAMI | ||
Mumbai, July 18: Mother first, power lady later. Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state, Senator, top-bracket lawyer and a former First Lady, today offered a glimpse of her role as a parent to daughter Chelsea, now 29, who did her graduation from Stanford University. Speaking at an interaction on education with actor Aamir Khan, Hillary pointed to a recent Harvard University study that showed how children of educated parents who communicate constantly with their kids are likely to be better educated. "I remember we took Chelsea to museums, libraries, read to her and discussed things with her constantly. It reflected on her enormously — she had a much better vocabulary and communication skills than many in her age group," the proud mother said. Hillary then revealed to the audience at the 140-year-old St Xavier's College auditorium how she, a graduate of Yale Law School, got around to teaching science. "I remember, when Chelsea was in the first grade, her teacher told a few mothers how she felt out of depth teaching science subjects. Though I was not a science student, I felt I was up to the challenge. I got together with another parent who was a scientist and started teaching science to the class," said Hillary, as Aamir watched on. Hillary had said earlier in the day that she was excited about her interaction with Aamir. "I know he would be the main attraction there, not me," she said with a smile. But it was she who stole the frame, act and show. "Too much competition is putting a huge burden on school-going children. I would like teachers, parents and society to focus more on caring than competition," said Aamir, looking askance at Hillary. Hillary nodded. "That's a very good point Aamir, I agree. But competition is part of the human genome. We are what we are today because of our competitiveness. We could certainly do with more caring in the world today. The focus of education should be inclusiveness," she told him. This time Aamir nodded. The two discussed education and child rights for over an hour before an audience that was largely made up of NGOs working for child rights and education, and students and professors of St Xavier's college. A few chairs in the auditorium, however, went unoccupied despite the celebrity guests. Those present, though, saw Hillary more in her avatar as mother and wife though flashes of the secretary of state did come through when she spoke of the Obama administration's view that the American system of education was still far from being "fully inclusive". "I am here to see how the US and India can work for the common cause of education, which is the great equaliser and gateway to opportunities," she said. "We as a society need to give that much importance to the weaker sections of society who we have bypassed back home." For an example, she spoke of her husband, former President Bill Clinton. "Bill was the first in his family to get a college education. He was lucky that his parents understood the value of education and supported him. But what about the millions of others in our country and the rest of the world who do not get an access to education — mainly because they are either from poor backgrounds or their families are unable to support or guide them. We have to put systems in place for such children and this applies as much to us as to you," she said. |
| India Inc feasts on charm | ||
| PIYA SINGH | ||
Mumbai, July 18: The much-awaited visit of US secretary of state Hillary Clinton got off to an early start in the commercial capital over breakfast with the doyens of India Inc. The chefs at the Taj Mahal Palace & Towers had prepared several delicacies for the power pow wow. The dishes remained untouched because there was too much food for thought. "Nobody ate breakfast. We were riveted by this charismatic lady in strawberry pink and simply couldn't do anything else but listen to her," said Swati Piramal, director of Piramal Healthcare and one of the women CEOs invited to the closed-door meeting. Piramal described the US secretary of state as a wonderful and knowledgeable leader who was very comfortable with diverse subjects like health, education, micro-finance and renewable energy. Clinton, who was seated at the head table with two of India's most influential business leaders — Ratan Naval Tata, chairman of the Tata group, and Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd — chose to steer clear of what was widely expected from her: a discussion on defence and the nuclear agreement. Neither did she delve into the economic downturn at length. Instead, in a session titled Corporate Social Responsibility that lasted a little over an hour, Clinton interacted with CEOs of Indian companies about what India Inc was doing on the ground to improve the well-being of the disadvantaged. "Several of us talked about what our organisations were doing in the field of CSR. Mr Tata, in his usual understated style, said the Tata group spent $93 million on CSR," said one of those present. "Mr Ambani stressed how India could leapfrog with the assistance of technology. He also shared with us how Reliance was instrumental in empowering the farmer through the retail revolution," another invitee said. Clinton was suitably impressed. "She came out of the meeting electrified after she heard tales about how all these Indian corporates were contributing to the bottom of the pyramid," Piramal said. Clinton keenly discussed the impact of climate change on the world economy, the development of green technology and how it was a subject of great importance to the Barack Obama administration. In response to an observation from one of those present that the West was responsible for some of the problems that the world was facing today, Clinton apparently said: "I hope you don't make the same mistake." It was evident that Clinton was very keen to interact, during this trip to Mumbai, with women CEOs who were contributing to the social sector, said a person who attended the meeting. She was especially interested in issues like women's education and health. A brief from her office had specifically enquired about the possibility of meeting women CEOs who had a strong social sector background, said a person who was involved in the arrangements for her visit. Among those present were ICICI Bank MD Chanda Kochhar, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy's wife Sudha, SBI chairman .P. Bhatt, Jamshyd Godrej of Godrej & Boyce and Indian Hotels vice-chairman R.K. Krishna Kumar. |
| Reciprocal signals from Pak | |||
| NASIR JAFFRY IN ISLAMABAD AND OUR DELHI BUREAU | |||
July 18: A Pakistani anti-terrorist court today started "pre-trial" proceedings of the five accused in the Mumbai attacks case, a move being seen as part of the probable guarantees Pakistan had given to India in the run-up to the joint statement that kicked up dust in Parliament yesterday. "Judge Baqir Ali Rana adjourned the hearing until July 25 after the state filed an application, requesting in-camera proceedings in the case," Shahbaz Rajput, defence counsel for one of the accused, Hamad Ameen Sadiq, told The Telegraph. Rajput said he and other three lawyers, Khwaja Sultan, Sardar Tariq and Malik Rafiq representing the other four accused, have sought copies of the documents about the case after the state formally appointed them as defence counsel for the five suspects who were taken into custody by early this year for interrogation. The accused included Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, a top Lashkar-e-Toiba operative and the alleged mastermind of the attacks and other four facilitators, Sadiq, Mazhar Iqbal, Abdul Wajid and Shahid Jamil. Sadiq facilitated the funds and hideouts for the Mumbai terror attacks, while Iqbal was the handler, according to Pakistani investigators. Wajid offered computer expertise and Jamil trained crew members of Al-Hussaini, the vessel that took the attackers towards Mumbai. "I have also filed an application in the court asking to provide us details of the evidence so that we can prepare ourselves for defence," Rajput said. The case will be heard in camera at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. Pakistani law enforcement agencies are chasing at least 13 more accused who have been declared proclaimed offenders for their alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks. Pakistani officials expressed dismay at media reports that Islamabad had acknowledged the role of the Lashkar in a dossier handed over to deputy high commissioner Manpreet Vohra last week. "It is unfair to cast such insinuations at a time Pakistan has begun the trial of the five accused on the basis of evidence sought from India and collected by its own investigators," a foreign ministry official said. A PTI report said Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today blamed India for "interference" in Balochistan and "other areas". Gilani told journalists that the joint statement signed by him and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "underlines our concerns over India's interference in Balochistan and other areas of Pakistan". Sources in Delhi, however, said Islamabad's swift decision on the trial was probably part of the assurances given to the Indian side on the sidelines of the NAM summit in Egypt. The trial may go some way in strengthening Singh's hands when he faces the Opposition in Parliament on Monday. The BJP walked out of the Lok Sabha on Friday, alleging that de-linking terror and the composite dialogue process meant a "sellout". Official sources in Delhi, keen to project the joint statement at Egypt's Sharm-al-Sheikh as a positive step in the direction of normalising ties, indicated that more "visible steps" were expected from Pakistan in the days to come. "Following the dossier they have presented to India, we have been assured that follow-up action will be taken," the sources said. "The resumption of the trial is one among them." | |||
 |
| Moon footprints on Earth | ||
| G.S. MUDUR | ||
New Delhi, July 18: One night, 40 years ago, a 12-year-old boy in Peru watched on a black and white television screen grainy, yet riveting, images of a man planting the first human footprints on another world. Minutes after he had watched the images of Neil Armstrong walk on the moon, Pedro Medelius, a native of Lima, told his parents that when he grew up, he would like to be a scientist at Nasa. Medelius today recalled the incident and his parents' words — "well, you'll have to work very hard to get there". "They did not appear convinced, but they were supportive," he said in an interview to The Telegraph. He studied electrical engineering in Peru and in the University of Florida, and joined the Nasa Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral in 1991 where he joined a team of engineers working on the electronics of the Space Shuttle. On Monday, the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing, Medelius will be at work, but expects a ceremony. There will also be a celebration at home — his daughter, Marie, who was born on the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing — turns 15 this Monday. The Apollo missions have thrown up myriad technology spinoffs — from ready-to-eat, freeze-dried foods to athletic shoes, from water purification systems to special insulating materials used in homes and industries. But in addition to spawning such tangible, quantifiable technology offshoots, the first human stroll on the moon also appears to have inspired a generation of youngsters to pursue careers in science and engineering. "The excitement that human space flight generates is as important as technology spinoffs," Medelius, who has received a prestigious Nasa Silver Snoopy Award for service to the Space Shuttle astronauts, said over phone. "Kids need to get excited about science — in the long run, this benefits all of society," said Medelius who was commended in October 1996 for "highly imaginative engineering" that helped improve space shuttle safety and reduced operating costs. An online survey of about 800 scientists worldwide who have published research papers in the journal Nature over the past three years has revealed that half of them had been drawn to science by the Apollo missions. High school students who watched the Apollo missions veered not just towards astronomy or planetary sciences but even towards life sciences and — like Medelius in Peru — engineering. "I am sure (the landing) played an important role in driving me into electronic space business that I manage today at Texas Instruments," said semiconductor expert James Salzmann, inscribing his thoughts on a special webpage containing recollections of the Apollo 11 landing created by Space Foundation, a US-based, non-profit organisation. The Nature survey results published on Friday show that 90 per cent of the scientists believe human spaceflight has prompted technological innovations. The Apollo missions have produced spinoffs that have made their way into everyday life -- lightweight water purifiers based on silver ions, and a super-durable athletic shoe where the foam was dumped in favour of a fatigue-resistant mechanical system. The challenge of packing enough nutritious food into the cramped living quarters of the Apollo spacecraft spurred the development of freeze-dried foods that preserve the nutritional value and taste but are lightweight and have a long shelf life. Two Indian laboratories -- the Central Food and Technology Research Institute and the Defence Food Research Laboratory -- independently developed this technology during the 1980s for subcontinental dishes -- dal to biryanis to chicken chettinad. |
Humor: Another Republican sex scandalCrosscut - - 2 hours ago During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Clifford charged that Bill Clinton had "dishonored the Presidency." Asked if he had now dishonored his own office, ... Rape Doc can be nailed by a 'Lewinsky'Mid-Day - - Jul 8, 2009 In November 1997, Monica Lewinsky told her confidant and supposed friend Linda Tripp that she had in her possession a blue Gap dress that still bore the ... Mourning 'Uncle Walter'Boston Globe - - 12 hours ago ... when the Clintons made their first joint public appearance in the aftermath of the president's confession about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. ... Video: Obama Remembers Walter Cronkite  The Associated Press Flags, Palin, LewinskyAtlantic Online - Jul 2, 2009 Do you really not get why the Republican Base could be livid at Monica Lewinsky using the flag for a prop at one photo shoot and yet not be distressed even ... The Flag And Palin Atlantic Online Bush's key men face grilling on torture and death squadsguardian.co.uk - 1 hour ago ... to ensure that Holder eventually appoints a special prosecutor, similar to Kenneth Starr, who investigated Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. ... Frank Ricci: The Left's Newest TargetRight Side News - - Jul 18, 2009 The Left meted out the same treatment to Kathleen Willey and Monica Lewinsky, the two women who came perilously close to destroying the Clinton White House. ... The people who benefit from scandalsPolitico - - Jul 11, 2009 Tripps's taped phone calls with Monica Lewinsky were the centerpiece of the case against President Clinton. ... BLOG OF THE WEEK: by Intelligent Searcher -- WHO ADVISES THE PRIME ...Democrat Newspaper - Jul 17, 2009 ... like the Monica Lewinsky statement (he wants to be Monica Lewinsky to Barack Obama); like the stupid smear statements against Eugene Hamilton; ... Clinton wasn't impeached because of LewinskyDayton Daily News - Jul 1, 2009 Every left-wing pundit constantly and wrongly refers to the impeachment of Clinton as if he was impeached for his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. ... That was him, this is me Arkansas Times Clinton must chuckle at hypocrisy of it all The Tennessean Letters for July 2, 2009 Reno News & Review Surviving a political sex scandalCNN International - - Jul 14, 2009 Take former President Clinton, who lied under oath about his relations with intern Monica Lewinsky but was acquitted of perjury and obstruction of justice ... |
Moon landing still fascinates 40 years after `one small step'
Washington: Forty years ago, millions gathered around grainy black and white television images as the first man set foot on the moon in what remains for many the pinnacle of manned spaceflight.
That moon landing July 20, 1969, was the first of just six times that any human being has visited the Earth's nearest celestial neighbour, and it has been more than 30 years since any person has been there.
In the decades since Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first touched the surface of the moon in the Eagle lander, the moment has become one of the iconic images of the 20th century.
At the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, many of the visitors old enough to remember that day tell their children and grandchildren about where they were when man first set foot on the moon as they point at the Columbia spacecraft that carried the astronauts there.
But even as the memories remain clear to many and thousands view the artefacts, an entire generation has grown up without seeing humans on the moon.
Curator Allan Needell notes that visitors respond differently to the collection depending on how old they are.
"It's always interesting to watch the older grandfathers and the fathers walking around with their kids, and basically telling their experiences," he said in an interview. "For the younger kids this is not much different really than than the Spirit of St Louis (the plane flown non-stop from New York to Paris by Charles Lindbergh) or the Wright flier. It's this historical object that they studied in seventh grade or ninth grade."
The Apollo 11 landing was the culmination of a decades-long space race between the US and the Soviet Union, which launched the first satellite and put the first man in space. Both nations pitted their Cold War drive for superiority in the battle for technological prominence. US president John F. Kennedy in 1961 responded by proclaiming the US desire to put a man on the moon within the decade.
But the accomplishment was far from certain -- a fire during a test of Apollo 1 killed three astronauts and set back the programme. Then, even as Armstrong steered his craft in for landing on the moon, things could have gone horribly wrong.
In fact, president Richard Nixon had prepared a speech to deliver in case the astronauts did not return.
As Armstrong steered the Eagle in for landing, he noticed the craft drifting and had to correct its landing site to avoid a rough patch of ground. A computer glitch also caused concern on the ground.
But the world breathed a sigh of relief as Armstrong radioed back: "Tranquility base here. The Eagle has landed."
"Fortunately, there were no really harrowing parts of the flight," Armstrong said in a 2001 interview with historians. "The most difficult part from my perspective, and the one that gave me the most pause, was the final descent to landing."
"Walking around on the surface, you know, on a 10 scale, was one, and I thought that the lunar descent on a 10 scale was probably a 13."
Just hours later Armstrong stepped out of the craft onto the lunar surface, reciting the famous words, "That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind."
He was followed by Aldrin, and together they focussed on testing gravity, photographing the surface and collecting rock samples. They also left behind a US flag, messages from world leaders and other artefacts.
Meanwhile, fellow crew member Michael Collins orbited the moon in the Columbia module that served as a command centre and would bring them all back to Earth. After spending the night on the surface in the Eagle, the astronauts lifted off for a rendezvous with the Columbia and their return trip.
The Eagle itself remained on the lunar surface. A similar lunar lander that was never used in space is on display in Washington and was recently restored with the replacement of degraded foil coverings.
There is a small, but vocal, group of sceptics and conspiracy theorists who have continued to insist that the moon landing never happened and was simply filmed on Earth - a point debunked by historians, astronauts and curators who hold lectures on the myths.
But even those who accept the historical record wonder why no one has returned to the moon since the 1970s. That could soon change, as NASA is working to develop the next-generation moon craft with a goal of returning astronauts to the surface by 2020.
Scientists cite the desire for continued exploration and inspiration that could come from such efforts, including using the moon as a base for eventually heading to Mars. As they move forward, they also look back for lessons from Apollo, both technological and symbolic.
For as Armstrong said decades later: "The important achievement of Apollo was a demonstration that humanity is not forever chained to this planet, and our visions go rather further than that, and our opportunities are unlimited."
Source: DPA
India won't accept any legally binding emission reductions: Jairam Ramesh
Gurgaon: Refusing to be pushed by the US on putting a cap on emissions, India on Sunday said it would not accept any "legally binding" reductions but assured that its carbon footprint would never exceed that of developed nations.
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh asserted that New Delhi was "simply not in a position" to accept any legally binding emission reductions and made it clear that India was not running away from responsibilities on the issue.
The minister's comments came at a joint press conference with US secretary of State Hillary Clinton after she toured the ITC Green Building here which showcases environment-friendly practices in India.
The US wants India to agree to limit its carbon emissions ahead of the signing of a new UN climate treaty in Copenhagen in December.
Giving a suggestion in this regard, Clinton pointed out that India's green house gas pollution was projected to grow by about 50 per cent between now and 2030 and the country was vulnerable to climate change.
However, she said that the US does not and will not do anything that would limit India's economic progress.
Ramesh underlined India's stand that its GHG emissions would never exceed those of the developed nations. He said India was firmly anchored in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Bali Action Plan.
"You can take a look at the track record of India. Once we have adopted an international obligation, we have never reneged on an international obligation," Ramesh said.
Source: PTI
Pranab rules out division of West Bengal
Raiganj: Union Finance Minister and WBPCC President Pranab Mukheree today ruled out any further division of West Bengal.
"There is no question of any further division of Bengal, " Mukherjee told reporters when asked about the indefinite bandh in the Darjeeling Hills by the GJM demanding creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.
The minister said no problem could be solved by force and hoped that the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) would call off its indefinite bandh in the Darjeeling Hills.
"The Centre has called for a tripartite talks with the GJM and the West Bengal government to discuss the demands made by the GJM on August 24, he said.
"I hope that the GJM would participate in the talks to sort out the problems," Mukherjee added.
Source: PTI
Mamata Banerjee flags off ladies special train in West Bengal
Kolkata: Railways minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday flagged off the first ladies special EMU train and 19 augmented 12-coach EMU services in Howrah division in West Bengal, in line with the commitment she made during her 2009-10 budget speech.
"This special ladies local train would ply between Howrah and Bandel station twice daily during the peak hours. It will help the women passengers of the Howrah division to travel comfortably during the office hours," Banerjee said during the flagging off ceremony.
The minister said the railways will soon inaugurate a station near Mandarmoni, a coastal tourism spot in the state, with a target to connect all major tourist destinations through rail.
"If we can focus on developing infrastructure, it will not only help tourism to flourish but it will create a huge employment opportunity for our future generations."
Banerjee said that there would also be a third line between Panskura and Kharagpur, two important stations in the South Eastern Railway (SER).
"There will be at least 120 special trains available during the coming pujas so that people of the state could easily travel during the festive season," she said.
Source: PTI
Compromise may hold the key to Ambanis' gas dispute: Analysts
New Delhi : The solution to the protracted gas supply dispute between the two Ambani brothers that has reached the Supreme Court may come through a compromise, some analysts said, fearing that the row could well impact the stock prices of group companies of both.
"The issue (gas dispute) is vexed, therefore, and may eventually require a compromise. Pricing holds the key ...," global research firm CLSA said in a research note.
Anil Ambani group firm RNRL and Mukesh Ambani-led RIL have filed cross-petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court order and the matter will come up for hearing tomorrow.
While RNRL wants immediate implementation of the order to get the gas at USD 2.3 per mmBtu, a price 44 per cent lower than the one fixed by the government, RIL says it cannot supply the industry fuel without the consent of the government.
Incidentally, the global spot price of the gas is hovering at around USD 3 per mmBtu though the long-term contract price is ruling higher at USD 8 per mmBtu.
The shares of Reliance Industries have gained over 10 per cent this week to settle at Rs 1,933 on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Friday, while the Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Natural Resources Ltd (RNRL) stock gained 22 per cent to Rs 82.65 in the week.
Delhi-based Purpleline Investment Advisors CEO PK Agarwal said, "A compromise on the price of the gas is really important for the two parties to arrive at as it will (prevent) the situation (from) getting more complex, which the government may find it difficult to tide over."
However, about the impact on share prices, investors may have already discounted the results of the dispute, and therefore market sentiment may remain unaffected, he added.
The CLSA report further added that a compromise may also be the best way forward as it will lift the uncertainty for Reliance Industries and also provide added clarity on the Dadri (7,480 MW) and Shahapur (2,800 MW) power plants which are key to Reliance Energy (Reliance Power's) overall growth path.
Another analyst from a leading brokerage firm said, "If the dispute turns more complex and impacts the share prices of the two group companies, it may be possible that the two brothers may find ways to reach a compromise."
Regarding the gas dispute, another global research group Macquarie recently said that future contracts need to be closely co-ordinated between buyers, sellers and the government; otherwise "misalignments such as the current one may dissuade future exploration and exploitation of India's mammoth upstream potential".
Source: PTI
Budget says aviation PSUs must find another Rs 12,000 cr
New Delhi: The government has increased the target of internal and extra budgetary resources (money from loans or through reinvestment of profits) which will be raised by public sector undertakings under the Ministry of Civil Aviation by over 63.5 per cent, from Rs 7,320 crore in the revised estimates of 2008-09 to Rs 11,974.8 crore in 2009-10.
The money will be used mostly to fund the aircraft acquisition programme of the financially ailing National Aviation Company of India Ltd (Nacil), which runs the Air India brand, and also the Airports Authority of India (AAI) which is undertaking the expansion of airports in Kolkata and Chennai, among others.
As a result, the outlay of the ministry has gone up substantially from Rs 7,490.6 crore in the revised estimates of 2008-9 to Rs 12,164.8 crore in 2009-10, a jump of over 62 per cent.
The government, in its Budget documents, says the plan allocation of the ministry has been raised to meet the expenditure due to enhanced competitiveness of Indian carriers for international operations, cost of a media campaign and for capacity-building to enhance effective management and control in aviation.
Nacil is making an investment of over Rs 40,000 crore to buy over 118 aircraft and is in dire need of loans to fund its acquisition of new planes.
The Air India management has been looking for a bailout package to get the corporation out of the woods, which includes a combination of expanding its equity capital base (Rs 140 crore) and also to raise loans from the market.
In the Budget documents, the IEBR target sanctioned for Nacil has nearly doubled from Rs 4,136.9 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 8,165.6 crore in 2009-10. The documents say Nacil will seek external commercial borrowing or suppliers credit of Rs 7,530 crore this year, up from Rs 3,708 crore last year.
The airline had proposed to borrow/suppliers credit of about Rs 8,300 crore last year but managed to borrow less than half, at Rs 3,708 crore. It has already acquired 48 aircraft and is expected to take delivery of around 30 more this year, for which payment has to be made.
However, the government has made no allocation for any budgetary support for the airline, which means there is no provision for infusion of fresh equity in AI.
The IEBR for AAI has also been increased substantially by over 22.5 per cent, from Rs 2,567.2 crore in the revised estimates of 2008-09 to Rs 3,145.8 crore in 2009-10. The money will be used to fund AAI's ambitious airport expansion projects in Kolkata with an investment of Rs 1,942 crore and in Chennai with an investment of Rs 1,808 crore.
The government had decided — due to opposition from the Left — not to privatise the two airports as they had done in Delhi and Mumbai.
Source: Business Standard
Indian IT industry bucks global recession to sustain growth
"Export firms did better in recession-hit developed markets than those whose business is limited to the Indian market," Dataquest editor Prasanto K. Roy said.
Though the business of top 20 firms led by Indian IT bellwethers TCS, Infosys and Wipro, and multinationals such as HP and IBM, grew by an average 19 percent, seven of these posted single-digit revenue growth.
"Overall, the top 20 Indian software and hardware firms reported a combined revenue of Rs.183,621 crore (Rs.1.84 trillion/$39.52 billion) in 2009, compared to Rs.149,250 crore (Rs.1.49 trillion/$32.12 billion) in 2008," Roy said, citing findings of a survey.
Among the seven, four are multinational subsidiaries - Microsoft India, which grew a mere one percent year-on-year to Rs.32.98 billion (Rs.3,298 crore); HP India up two percent to Rs.157.63 billion (Rs.15,763 crore), Oracle three percent to Rs.59.62 billion (Rs.5,962 crore) and Cisco by four percent to Rs.60.84 billion (Rs.6,084 crore).
"One of the reasons for export-driven firms maintaining the growth is because of increasing IT outsourcing in a downturn to keep costs flexible. In the domestic market too, global firms such as IBM and Wipro fared very well," Roy averred.
Among the top 20 firms, eight firms grew fastest despite slowdown and negative sentiment in the market.
These include Mphasis, with revenues increasing 69 percent to Rs.31.73 billion (Rs.3,173 crore); HCL Infosystems, up 60 percent to Rs.80.89 billion (Rs.8,089 crore) and Cognizant Technologies, up 49 percent to Rs.94.10 billion (Rs.9,410 crore).
The IT bellwethers also posted healthy growth rates. TCS was up 22 percent to Rs.25,895 crore; Infosys, up 31 percent to Rs.20,392 crore, and Wipro up 41 percent to Rs.23,882 crore.
Multinationals such as SAP India grew 33 percent to Rs.4,320 crore, Dell India by 32 percent to Rs.4,266 crore, IBM India by 19 percent to Rs.12,048 crore and Accenture by 16 percent to Rs.4,400 crore.
With a decline of 18 percent in its growth, hardware firm Lenovo failed to make it to the top 20 club. Korean major Samsung also saw growth falling 40 percent to Rs,1,200 crore from Rs.2,014 crore.
Export revenues do not include that of business process outsourcing (BPO) services.
Scam-tainted Satyam Computer Services has been left out of the top 20, as its financial performance came under cloud following the Rs.78-billion (Rs.7,800-crore) accounting fraud by founder-chairman B. Ramalinga Raju.
The Dataquest survey findings are lower than the projections made by the IT industry's representative body -- National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) -- for 2009-10.
With the industry's annual growth rate dipping to 16-17 percent from about 30 percent in 2004-2008, the aggregate revenues was estimated to be $60 billion, including export revenue of $47 billion.
In view of the prevailing uncertainty, Nasscom has taken a two-year view to factor in the volatile environment and estimated that the IT industry would grow at 15 percent to achieve export revenue of $60-62 billion by 2010-11.
Let Air India fade away like HMT, IDPL
| Air India lost Rs 5,000 crore last year, and is surviving on huge government handouts. Opposition politicians are critical, but reject any cut in But Air India staff, labour aristocrats paid several times the average Indian wage, are unshakable. Instead, civil aviation minister Praful Patel proposes to hive off surplus staff to some new corporations. Problem: the new corporations, with the same faulty staff and culture, may suffer the same fate as Air India. Patel says, rightly, that airlines across the world have been hammered by the recession. Jet and Kingfisher have big reputations, but are also in the red. When the recession struck last year, Jet proposed cutting its staff by 1,900, and Kingfisher too. But politicians, trade unions and the media created a ruckus. Jet and Kingfisher were not allowed to slim down like airlines across the world: instead they were allowed to pile up unpaid fuel bills. The recession is estimated to have cost 1.5 million jobs, the Left says 15 million, in labour-intensive industries like textiles. Our labour laws protect unionised workers from retrenchment, but low-paid casual workers have been laid off. Politicians murmur sympathy for the millions of casual workers laid off, but their outrage is reserved for any sacking of the labour aristocracy, such as the staff of Air India or Jet. Patel is being criticized for various reasons, some legitimate and others not. Air India has never been viewed by politicians as a commercial venture. Rather, it has been a vehicle for serving VIPs and satisfying political pressures to fly to certain destinations, whether commercial or not. Plane purchases have been dogged by allegations of kickbacks. Naturally, Air India managers are not focused on efficiency or profitability. This is one reason why the merger of Indian Airlines and Air India has failed. In 2004, Air India increased orders for new planes from 24 to 68. It had sales of Rs 7,000 crore but placed orders for aircraft worth Rs 35,000 crore at a time of increasing competition. Instead of selling surplus planes and canceling orders, Patel insists that new planes are needed to replace old ones. Phooey, say critics, who smell something rotten in the purchase deals. Patel has been lambasted for signing bilateral deals with several countries to expand international flights. This, say critics, has enabled foreign airlines to greatly improve their market share at the expense of Air India.
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