Releases...........pt2

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Environment and Forests  

Government propose to set up a venture capital fund to promote green technologies

New Delhi: August 14, 2009

 

The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change envisages encouragement of private sector initiatives for development of innovative technologies for adaptation and mitigation through venture capital funds. The Mission also envisages a Climate Science Research Fund to support research.

 

The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change envisages networking academic and scientific research institutions including creation of integrated National Knowledge Network. The Mission document is currently under preparation. The Union Government is also in a process to identified key knowledge institutions that become centres of excellence in climate change related research.

 

kp/dk/kol/15:34 hrs. 

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Defence  

Ashoka Chakra to Major Mohit Sharma and Major D Sreeram Kumar

FOUR KIRTI CHAKRA ALSO AWARDED

New Delhi: August 14, 2009

 

The President has awarded Ashoka Chakra to Major Mohit Sharma (posthumous) and Major D Sreeram Kumar on the eve of Independence Day. Four Kirti Chakra have also been awarded to Major Amit Oscar Fernandes, Major Deepak Tewari, Naik Rishikesh Gurjar and Paratrooper Shabir Ahmad Malik (posthumous).

 

IC 59066N MAJOR MOHIT SHARMA (POSTHUMOUS)

1ST BATTALION THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT (SPECIAL FORCES)

IC 59066N Maj Mohit Sharma was commissioned into First Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) on December 30, 1999. During his initial probation period, he got injured and was posted back to his parent unit on medical grounds where he served for three years. Thereafter was posted to 38 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion and due to his exemplary services in combating terrorism during OP RAKSHAK he was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. After serving in the unit for 21 months he again volunteered for probation with the First Battalion The Parachute Regt (Special Forces) and displaying unparalleled motivation he successfully cleared probation. He was awarded with Sena Medal (gallantry) for his daring covert operation in 2005.

On 21 Mar 2009 while tracking an infiltrating terrorist group he and his men came under heavy volume of fire. Unmindful of his safety he rescued two of his comrades to cover under overwhelming effective fire, killed two terrorists and in the process sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Grievously wounded sensing grave danger to his commandos he charged on the terrorists and killed two more at close range. The brave officer succumbed to his injuries and made the supreme sacrifice in the finest traditions of the paltan and the country.

 

SS-40576A MAJOR D SREERAM KUMAR

39 ASSAM RIFLES

SS-40576A Major D Sreeram Kumar was born on 11 Jan 1981 at Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. He passed his matric and intermediate exam from Sainik School Amaravati Nagar, Tamil Nadu in 1996 and 1998 respectively. He was commissioned into 90 Medium Regiment (Artillery) on 20 Mar 2004 and was promoted to the Rank of Major on 24 Aug 2008.

Major D Sreeram Kumar is presently serving with 39 Assam Rifles since Mar 2007 in Arunachal Pradesh (OP ORCHID) and from 07 Dec 2007 in Manipur (OP HIFAZAT). With his consummate leadership and ingenuity he has created an effective and vibrant intelligence network, delivering hard blows to the activities of the terrorists and making it extremely difficult for them to operate in the battalion area of responsibility.

Due to his efforts there has been a palpable decrease in insurgency activities in the unit area of responsibility which has bought succor to the people and ensured their safety. The officer has personally participated in number of operations, leading from the front and has eliminated 12 terrorists, apprehended 23 terrorists and recovered 12 weapons since induction of the Battalion in Manipur (OP HIFAZAT) in Dec 2007. Largely due to his efforts and earnestness the unit in 2008, has achieved numerous operational successes in Manipur (OP HIFAZAT).

 

IC-59630X MAJOR AMIT OSCAR FERNANDES

SEVENTH BATTALION THE MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY

IC-59630X Major Amit Oscar Fernandes was commissioned into the 7TH MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY on 13 May 2000. The officer is presently posted with the battalion which is deployed in Counter Insurgency Operational Area in Jammu and Kashmir since 07 Sep 2006.      

He has served with 27 RASHTRIYA RIFLE (MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY) from 23 Aug 2002 to 18 Aug 2002 deployed in Counter Insurgency Operational in Jammu and Kashmir and thereafter with Commando Wing, Junior Leader Wing, The Infantry School, Belgaum as a Instructor from 19 Sep 2004 to 06 Sep 2006.

On 16 Nov 2008, an input received at 1650 hrs indicated likely presence of terrorists in general area Beli Baihk, District-Baramulla. A well planned search and destroy operation was directed towards general area Beli Baihk at 1700 hrs. Terrorists moving towards Lachhipura was spotted by the search party under Major Amit Oscar Fernandes at 2045 hrs only at extremely close range due to poor visibility and good cover. The contact with terrorists was established and intense fire fight ensured. In the fire fight two terrorists were killed. The third terrorists closed in and fired on Maj Amit Oscar Fernandes. The officer caught the barrel of terrorists weapon and deflected the fire away from himself and his party. The terrorist bit his thumb to release the weapon. Maj Amit Oscar Fernandes overpowered the terrorist, snatched his weapon and shot him dead. Major Fernandes by his raw courage, extreme determination and timely action saved the lives of his comrades while eliminating three hard core terrorists.

 

IC-61379L MAJOR DEEPAK TEWARI

Corps of EME

IC-61379L Major Deepak Tewari was commissioned into Corps of EME on 08 Dec 2001. He completed his attachment period with 8 Bihar from 08 Dec 2001 to 07 Dec 2002 and was then posted to 7002 EME Battalion from 08 Dec 2002 to 03 Jun 2005. Major Deepak Tewari was posted to 14 Rashtriya Rifles (Garhwal Rifle) on 29 Jun 2008 after completion of his Engineering Degree at MCEME Secunderabad.

On 27 November 2008, he received specific information from the Brigade HQ, regarding presence of five terrorists in one of the houses of Shokbaba. He rapidly moved in pitch dark night, thus surprising the terrorists with the speed of movement. At 0015 hrs while closing in on to the target, the officer heard the militants coming out of the house towards them. On seeing troops, terrorists opened heavy volume of fire. The officer, despite the barrage of fire, displaying nerves of steel and quick reflexes retaliated and chased four terrorists who jumped behind a rock, lobbed a grenade and resumed firing at the officer. In the face of terrorist fire, displaying dogged determination, the officer moved forward with lightning speed, leap frogging behind boulders, encircled the terrorists and in a daring act of bravery, single handedly eliminated three terrorists in extremely close range gun battle of approximately three meters and critically injuring the fourth. The brave officer then provided personal leadership to the team which resulted in elimination of five hardcore Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists.

 

9113063K PARATROOPER SHABIR AHMAD MALIK (POSTHUMOUS)

1ST PARA SPECIAL FORCES

No. 9113063K Paratrooper Shabir Ahmad Malik joined the army on 15 Mar 2007 in J&K Light Infantry. An alumnus of the prestigious Sainik School Manasbal, he was a fierce patriot since childhood and thus volunteered for Special Forces. Out of two hundred odd probationers he got selected to become part of the elite First Para (SF) on 15 Mar 2008.

As a young paratrooper, he proved to be a very motivated and hardworking soul. Always ready to volunteer for any task not considering the risks involved. He volunteered as a scout to lead his troops in operations.

On 21 Mar 2009, his troop was tracking an infiltrating column of terrorists when leading as a scout he observed suspicious movement and alerted his commando buddy. An overwhelming volume of fire from three directions by the terrorists resulted in the injury of his buddy. Undaunted the young paratrooper crawled under overwhelming effective fire and rescued his comrade to cover and further charging on the terrorists killed two at close quarters in hand to hand combat. During this act of bravery he sustained severe gunshot wounds but refusing to be evacuated he kept motivating and directing his troop mates. The brave paratrooper finally succumbed to his injuries but not before he had eliminated two hardcore terrorists and helped in successful evacuation of his buddy. This act of valour and selfless sacrifice has made him a youth icon in Kashmir valley.

 

2994546Y NAIK RISHIKESH GURJAR

10 RASHTRIYA RIFLES (RAJPUT)

2994546Y Naik Rishikesh Gurjar 10 Rashtriya Rifles (Rajput) was born on July 10, 1978 at village Nisura, Dist Sawaimathopur, Rajasthan. He did his schooling in his village and studied upto class 8th. The individual got enrolled into the Rajput Regiment on October 28, 1995 and after successful completion of basic training from Rajput Regimental Centre, Fatehgarh, he joined 3 Rajput in mid-1997. During his service career, he has participated in Operation Vijay at Kargil from June 1999 to Sep 99 in operation in Operation Parakram / Rakshak at Bandipura (J&K) from December 2002 to August 2005 and in operation Rakshak at Doda from October 2007 till date.

Presently as an NCO incharge of Ghatak Platoon of 10 Rashtriya Rifles, he has been part of various operations during, which include arrest of two overground workers with Rs. 1,90,000/-, one Terrorist of LeT 'Tanzeem' apprehended with Chinese Grenade and surrender of two terrorists of LeT 'Tanzeems'.

 

dm/samir /raj/dk/kol/15:35 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Defence  

List of JCO' granted honorary commission to on the occasion of Independence Day 2009

New Delhi: August 14, 2009

 

The list of Army's Junior Commissioned Officer on active list, who have been granted honorary commission by the President on the occasion of Independence day 2009 is attached to with the press release.

 

Veerendra/ rajendra/dk/kol/15:35 hrs. 

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Tourism  

Branding Incredible India in the days to come

New Delhi: August 14, 2009

 

Ministry of Tourism releases International Campaigns in the potential Markets to motivate travelers to visit India.

During the year 2009-2010, Ministry would be tactically and judiciously placing the Incredible India spots during the Oscar, Grammy and BAFTA Award Functions on E! Entertainment Channel, to catch the attention of the world population. Ministry in this endeavor, is also planning to release TV advertisements on Euro Sports during the Winter Olympics to be held in Vancouver. Apart from this, Incredible India spots will also be placed on major Pan European Channels during the renowned world events.

On CNN, Incredible India branding will primarily revolve around Talk Asia Programme to attract the ethnic Asian population.

Ministry of Tourism is also planning to release Incredible India advertisement in the print Media to coincide with World Economic Forum in Davos and G-20 Summit.

Ministry has proposed to do lot of branding in Conde Nast Traveller on the occasion of World Travel Mart (WTM) by supporting a special Integrated supplement of the publication.

Through Print Campaigns, branding will also be done in the in-flight magazines of the major international carriers. 'Incredible India Brand' will catch attention during 'Hollywood Bowl' an International Event, supported by the Ministry of Tourism, to be held in Los Angeles in the month of September, 09.

Incredible India Brand will further be strengthened during the Ministry's Road shows proposed to be held in Moscow and St. Petersburg in September, 09.

 

ad/db/dk/kol/15:36 hrs. 

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Tourism  

Important highlights of country-wise Foreign Tourist Arrivals during 2008.

New Delhi: August 14, 2009

 

Following are the important highlights of the country-wise Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during 2008. According to Ministry of Tourism, Government of India a total of 5.37 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals were estimated for 2008.

·          As far as the different regions of the world are concerned, maximum growth in 2008 over 2007 was observed for West Asia (20.9%) followed by Eastern Europe (18.5%), Central and South America (12.7%) and South East Asia (10.5%).  The growth rate in 2008 was lower than the all-India growth rate of 5.6% in the FTAs from North America (4.4%), East Asia (3.6%), Western Europe (2.9%) and Africa (2.7%).

·          The top ten countries for FTAs in India during 2008 were USA (827866), UK (787197), Bangladesh (540092), Sri Lanka (228548), Canada (223587), France (217816), Germany (209252), Japan (150732), Australia (148055) and Malaysia (119040). FTAs from these ten countries constituted about 64.34% of total FTAs in India during 2008.

·          The maximum growth rate in FTAs was observed for Oman (54.9%), followed by Myanmar (54.0%), UAE (44.0%), Afghanistan (43.4%), Nigeria (29.8%), Denmark (24.1%) and Brazil (21.8%). The share of these countries in total FTAs, however, is quite low.

·          Some of the countries in respect of which a decline in 2008 over 2007 in FTAs was observed are Pakistan (-25.1%), Finland and Kenya         (-10.1%), Mauritius (-8.5%) and South Africa (-6.2%).

·          FTAs from UK, which is the second most important source market for India, also observed a decline of 1.1% in 2008 over 2007, whereas the number one source market, USA, observed an increase of 3.6%.

·          The growth rate observed for some of the other important source markets for FTAs in India in 2008 over 2007 are Germany (13.6%), China (12.1%), Australia (8.9%), Singapore (8.0%), Canada (7.4%), France (6.3%), Malaysia (5.6%), Japan (3.6%), South Korea (-2.7%) and Italy (-4.6%). Thus, the growth in FTAs from most of the top source markets of the country has been higher than the average growth of FTAs (5.6%) in 2008 over 2007.

 

ad/db/dk/kol/15:36 hrs.