Releases........pt1

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Prime Minister's Office  

PM's statement on the eve of his departure to Thailand for the 7th India-ASEAN and 4th East Asia Summit

New Delhi: October 23, 2009

 

Following is the text of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh's statement prior to his departure for Thailand for the Summit of 7th India-ASEAN and 4th East Asia Summit:

 

"I am leaving for Thailand today to attend the 7th India-ASEAN Summit and the 4th East Asia Summit that will be held on 24-25 October.

 

India's enhanced engagement with the ASEAN is at the heart of our 'Look East' Policy. The conclusion of the India-ASEAN Trade-in-Goods Agreement in August 2009 is a major first step in our objective of creating an India-ASEAN Regional Trade and Investment Area. India-ASEAN trade has grown at a healthy rate and stood at about US Dollars 48 billion in 2008. The India-ASEAN Summit is an occasion to review the progress in our relations with ASEAN countries. I will inform ASEAN leaders about the several initiatives that India has taken to qualitatively enhance our partnership in diverse areas of our cooperation.

 

In pursuance of the theme of the ASEAN Summit of "Enhancing Connectivity, Empowering Peoples", I will discuss with the ASEAN leaders new initiatives to accelerate the process of our engagement in areas such as greater economic integration, people-to-people contacts, agriculture, human resource development, education, science and technology and information and communications technology.

 

I will also attend the 4th East Asia Summit on October 25. The East Asia Summit will review cooperation in five key areas - energy, education, finance, avian influenza and national disaster mitigation. The Summit will provide an opportunity to discuss regional and international issues of common interest, and future direction for community building and cooperation. Asia's response to the global economic slowdown, food security, energy security and climate change will be important issues of discussion.

 

I am hopeful that the ASEAN and other countries of the East Asia Summit process will endorse the proposal for the establishment of the Nalanda University in Bihar as an international institution of excellence in education with a continental focus.

 

On the sidelines of the Summit, I will have bilateral meetings including with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Premier of the State Council of People's Republic of China, the President of Indonesia, the Prime Minister of Japan, the Prime Minister of Singapore, the Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Vietnam.

 

I consider India's participation in the India-ASEAN and the East Asia Summits a vital element of India's vision of an Asian economic community that is based on an open and inclusive regional architecture."

 

akt/sh/vk/dk/kol/12:57 hrs. 

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting  

Entries invited for Bharatendu Harishchandra Awards

New Delhi: October 23, 2009

 

Publications Division, Ministry of I&B has invited entries under Bharatendu Harishchandra Award scheme for the year 2007 and 2008 respectively. Awards will be given for the published books/manuscripts written in Hindi on any of the following subjects during the period from 1st January, 2007 to 31st December, 2007 (for the year 2007) and 1st January, 2008 to 31st December, 2008 (for the year 2008) respectively. The last date for receipt of entry in the Publications Division is 20th November, 2009.

(a)          Journalism and Mass Communication:

The award is given to encourage original and creative writing in Hindi on the subjects related to various disciplines of Mass Communication i.e. Journalism, Publicity, Advertisement, Radio, Television, Film, Printing, Publications etc. In this category the First Prize is of Rs. 35,000/-, Second Prize is of Rs.25,000/-, Third Prize Rs. 20,000/- and  five Consolation Prizes of  Rs.5,000/- (each) and citation for the year 2007 and 2008 respectively.

(b)          National Integration:

Award is given for books on topics relating to National Integration. First Prize is of Rs. 15,000/- and Second Prize Rs. 10,000/- and citation for the year 2007 and 2008 respectively.

(c)           Women's Issue:

Award is given to women writers for books on current issues concerning status of women in society. In this category First Prize is of Rs. 15,000/- and Second Prize Rs. 10,000/- and citation for the year 2007 and 2008 respectively.

(d)          Children's Literature:

The award is given for books written for children.  In this category First Prize is of Rs. 15,000/- and Second Prize Rs. 10,000/- and citation for the year 2007 and 2008 respectively. 

The award is open to all Indian authors. Published books and typed manuscripts will be accepted. Books/Manuscripts written during the period from 1st Janurary,2007 to 31st December, 2007 (for the year 2007) and 1st January, 2008 to 31st December, 2008 (for the year 2008) will be considered. Four  Evaluation committees will be appointed for deciding the awards. The award scheme would be organized by the Add. Director General (Incharge),

Publications Division on behalf of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. If a book/manuscript is written by more than one writer, the prize money will be divided among  the writers equally. In case of a book/manuscript written by more than one writer, each writer should fill separate entry forms. Books/Manuscripts on poetry, drama, novel, short story, biography  are not included in this award. This however doesn't apply to the books and manuscripts in children's  literature category. The number of pages of the books sent under this scheme should not be less than 80 and that of manuscripts should not be less than 120. This however doesn't apply to books/ manuscripts sent for children's literature category. If an author is given this award in a particular year, his/her name will not be considered in the successive three years.

The entries should be sent to Assistant Director (OL), Room No. 342 Publications Division, Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi –110003 (Phone 24362977) in the prescribed proforma duly filled in along with six copies of the book/manuscript, one unstamped envelop of 10x22 cms. size and brief life sketch (in not more than 100 words) on or before 20th November, 2009 and a passport size colored photograph may also be attached. If less than six copies of the book/manuscript are received, the entry will be rejected. The request for rules, regulations and entry forms must be accompanied with an unstamped self-addressed envelope of 10x22 cms. size or could be downloaded from website www.publicationsdivision.nic.in. All correspondence in this regard should be addressed to Assistant Director (OL), Room No. 342, Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003. E-mail address vermabanshi@yahoo.in.

 

sbs/rs/dk/kol/12:57 hrs.