24th National Photo Contest & Exhibition organized by Photo Division
Theme of the Contest:
Sustainable Energy for All
24th National Photo Contest was organised by the Photo Division, a Media Unit of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on the theme Sustainable Energy for All on 22 August 2013 at All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society complex. A prize distribution ceremony was orgainsed to give away the prizes to the winners in the various categories. A Photo exhibition was also inaugurated on this occasion.
Winners of the Photo Contest include
Winners of Colour Section
• Chinmoy Bhattacharjee of Kolkata won 1st Prize
• Santosh Kumar Jana of Midnapur (E) won 2nd Prize
• Rishabh Mittal of Indore bagged first won 3rd Prize
Commendation Awards in Colour Section
• Seshadri Moitra from Udaipur
• Cretan Soni from Dhar
• Shib Narayan Acharya from Jammu
• Piyush Rangnekar from Indore
• Banwari R. Rajput from Ahmedabad
• Prachi Tiwari from Indore
• Somnath Mukhopadhyay from Birbhum
• Devendra Sharma and Puranjit Gangopadhyay from Kolkata
• Prasanta Biswas from Kolkata
The jury of the photo contest included Bhupesh C. Little of EFIAP from Lucknow, Sunil Malhotra, an eminent news photo journalist from New Delhi, Hemendra A. Shah, an eminent photographer from Ahmedabad, Govind Bhattacharjee, Director General, CAG & a noted photographer and Debatosh Sengupta, Director, Photo Division. The jury met on 1-2 June 2013 to screen all the entries and selected three prize winning entries and ten for commendation prizes in colour section as well as two commendation prizes in Black & White section. Apart from this the Jury also selected 77 photographs (7 Black & White and 70 colour) for exhibition keeping in view the theme of the contest “SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL”.
A total number of 439 photographs were received from 105 entrants from 13 States and UT’s.
The first prize carries cash of. 25000 Rupees, second prize 20000 Rupees and third prize 15,000 Rupees and commendation award 5000 Rupees along with a plaque and citation.
24th National Photo Contest was organised by the Photo Division, a Media Unit of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on the theme Sustainable Energy for All on 22 August 2013 at All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society complex. A prize distribution ceremony was orgainsed to give away the prizes to the winners in the various categories. A Photo exhibition was also inaugurated on this occasion.
Winners of the Photo Contest include
Winners of Colour Section
• Chinmoy Bhattacharjee of Kolkata won 1st Prize
• Santosh Kumar Jana of Midnapur (E) won 2nd Prize
• Rishabh Mittal of Indore bagged first won 3rd Prize
Commendation Awards in Colour Section
• Seshadri Moitra from Udaipur
• Cretan Soni from Dhar
• Shib Narayan Acharya from Jammu
• Piyush Rangnekar from Indore
• Banwari R. Rajput from Ahmedabad
• Prachi Tiwari from Indore
• Somnath Mukhopadhyay from Birbhum
• Devendra Sharma and Puranjit Gangopadhyay from Kolkata
• Prasanta Biswas from Kolkata
The jury of the photo contest included Bhupesh C. Little of EFIAP from Lucknow, Sunil Malhotra, an eminent news photo journalist from New Delhi, Hemendra A. Shah, an eminent photographer from Ahmedabad, Govind Bhattacharjee, Director General, CAG & a noted photographer and Debatosh Sengupta, Director, Photo Division. The jury met on 1-2 June 2013 to screen all the entries and selected three prize winning entries and ten for commendation prizes in colour section as well as two commendation prizes in Black & White section. Apart from this the Jury also selected 77 photographs (7 Black & White and 70 colour) for exhibition keeping in view the theme of the contest “SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL”.
A total number of 439 photographs were received from 105 entrants from 13 States and UT’s.
The first prize carries cash of. 25000 Rupees, second prize 20000 Rupees and third prize 15,000 Rupees and commendation award 5000 Rupees along with a plaque and citation.
Hamid Ansari released Book entitled Ghalib & His Times
Ghalib & His Times by
Ghalib Institute
Book entitled Ghalib & His Times was released by the Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari on 23 August 2013 at a function organised in New Delhi. The book has been brought out by the Ghalib Institute.
The book portrays history through photographs and is a very valuable book for all to know the contemporary history.
About Ghalib Institute
Ghalib Institute was established in the year 1969 at New Delhi. Since establishment, the institute has endeavored to acquire and preserve illustrations about Ghalib’s life and times and his eminent contemporaries.
Book entitled Ghalib & His Times was released by the Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari on 23 August 2013 at a function organised in New Delhi. The book has been brought out by the Ghalib Institute.
The book portrays history through photographs and is a very valuable book for all to know the contemporary history.
About Ghalib Institute
Ghalib Institute was established in the year 1969 at New Delhi. Since establishment, the institute has endeavored to acquire and preserve illustrations about Ghalib’s life and times and his eminent contemporaries.
World Bank Assisted National AIDS Control Support Project Launched
The World
Bank assisted National AIDS Control Support Project was launched by the
Department of AIDS Control, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in
New Delhi on 24 August 2013. Over 99.5 percent of India’s population is free
from HIV now. Accordingly the focus of the programme has been on prevention of
spread of HIV, while ensuring access to treatment and care for all HIV infected
persons. The cost of the project is 2550 crore rupees.
National
AIDS Control Support Project has been launched to help and accelerate the
country’s AIDS prevention programme by targeting high risk groups (Female Sex
Workers - FSW, Men who have Sex with Men - MSM, Injecting Drug Users – IDU),
and vulnerable population (Migrants and Truckers) who are at high risk of
getting HIV infection in New Delhi today. The World Bank is supporting this
project with an interest-free loan of 1275 crore rupees. The formulation of
NACSP was a consultative process where in Civil Society Organizations,
community groups, donor partners and international organizations contributed.
The groups met in June-July, 2011 where in all the strategies were chalked out.
NACSP
will contribute to three of the five strategies of the National AIDS Control
Programme IV: (i) the prevention component, (ii) the behaviour change
component, and (iii) the institutional strengthening component. The two other
components, namely, the provision of care, treatment and support to people
living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and strategic information management systems
(SIMS), including disease surveillance, will be supported by the national
budget, with technical and financial support from other donors.
The main
support of the Project will be provided for the scaling up of HIV prevention
interventions, with a focus on the high impact and cost-effective targeted
interventions for population groups at high risk, and part of Information
Education and Communication (IEC) including behavior change and demand
generation. The Project will also support further strengthening of its project
management including human resource support and technical support for TIs. By
scaling up targeted interventions and prevention services, it is estimated that
the project will cover about 90 percent of the high risk groups and avert about
3 million new infections by 2017.
The
project will also support the Department of AIDS Control in undertaking
prevention programmes as well as expand communication and advocacy programmes
that promote safe behaviour and discourage stigma and discrimination against
people living with HIV and AIDS. Of the total project cost of 510 million US
dollars, 255 million US dollars will be financed by the World Bank through a
credit from the International Development Association (IDA).
Amitabh Bachchan joined UN Campaign The World Needs More
Bollywood
actor and UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)
Goodwill Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan on 23 August 2013 joined the UN and its
humanitarian partners to promote The World Needs More global campaign. The
campaign seeks to turn words into real assistance for communities affected by
humanitarian crises. It was launched on 19 August 2013.
Besides
Amitabh Bachchan, international celebrities who have supported the campaign,
includes Beyonce, Kid President, Susan Sarandon, Jennifer Lopez, LL Cool J,
Geena Davis, Trey Songz and Christina Applegate.
The World
Needs More campaign was produced in collaboration with Leo Burnett New York. It
allows brands and the public to sponsor a word (such as Education, Inclusion,
Strength, Empowerment or Dialogue) they believe the world could use more of.
Gucci, Intel, Western Union, Barclays Bank, and Crescent Enterprises have
already sponsored words.
Amitabh
Bachchan was appointed a Goodwill ambassador of UNICEF April 2005. Since 2002
he has supported UNICEF’s efforts in collaboration with partners to boost
immunizations against polio especially in India.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards 2013 announced by the Government
The
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on 22 August 2013 announced the National
Sports Awards-2013 for the following sportspersons/coaches/organizations after
approving the same as recommended by the Selection Committees.
A.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award:
|
Sl. No.
|
Name
|
Discipline
|
|
1.
|
Mr.
Ronjon Sodhi
|
Shooting
|
B.
Arjuna Awards:
|
Sl. No.
|
Name
|
Discipline
|
|
1.
|
Ms.
Chekrovolu Swuro
|
Archery
|
|
2.
|
Mr.
Ranjith Maheshwari
|
Athletics
|
|
3.
|
Ms.
P.V. Sindhu
|
Badminton
|
|
4.
|
Ms.
Kavita Chahal
|
Boxing
|
|
5.
|
Mr.
Rupesh Shah
|
Billiards
& Snooker
|
|
6.
|
Mr.
Virat Kohli
|
Cricket
|
|
7.
|
Mr.
Abhijeet Gupta
|
Chess
|
|
8.
|
Mr.
Gagan Jeet Bhullar
|
Golf
|
|
9.
|
Ms.
Saba Anjum
|
Hockey
|
|
10.
|
Ms.
Rajkumari Rathore
|
Shooting
|
|
11.
|
Ms.
Joshna Chinnappa
|
Squash
|
|
12.
|
Ms.
Mouma Das
|
Table
Tennis
|
|
13.
|
Ms.
Neha Rathi
|
Wrestling
|
|
14.
|
Mr.
Dharmender Dalal
|
Wrestling
|
|
15.
|
Mr.
Amit Kumar Saroha
|
Athletics
(Para)
|
C.
Dronacharya Awards for 2013:
|
Sl.No.
|
Name
|
Discipline
|
|
1.
|
Ms.
Poornima Mahato
|
Archery
|
|
2.
|
Mr.
Mahavir Singh
|
Boxing
|
|
3.
|
Mr.
Narinder Singh Saini
|
Hockey
|
|
4.
|
Mr.
K.P. Thomas
|
Athletics*
|
|
5.
|
Mr. Raj
Singh
|
Wrestling*
|
* Lifetime contribution in coaching
D. Dhyan Chand Awards :
|
Sl.No.
|
Name
|
Discipline
|
|
1.
|
Ms.
Mary D’souza Sequeira
|
Athletics
|
|
2.
|
Mr.
Syed Ali
|
Hockey
|
|
3.
|
Mr.
Anil Mann
|
Wrestling
|
|
4.
|
Mr.
Girraj Singh
|
Para
Sports (Athletics)
|
E. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar
|
Sl. No.
|
Category
|
Entity recommended for Rashtriya Khel Protsahan
Puruskar, 2013
|
|
1.
|
Community
Sports Identification and Nurturing of Budding Young Talent
|
Dr.
U.K. Mishra, Founder and President, National Sports Academy, Allahabad
|
|
2.
|
Financial
Support for Sports Excellence
|
Services
Sports Control Board
|
|
3.
|
Establishment
and Management of Sports Academies of Excellence
|
Pullela
Gopichand Academy of Badminton, Hyderabad
|
|
4.
|
Employment
of Sportspersons and sports welfare measures.
|
Petroleum
Sports Promotion Board
|
The
nominations received for various categories of awards were considered by the
select panels of eminent sportspersons and sports administrators of impeccable
integrity. The Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna
Awards was headed by Shri Michael Ferreira and other members of the Committee
from the sports fraternity were Shri Limba Ram, Shri V. Devarajan, Shri Zafar
Iqbal, Ms. Vandana Rao, Ms. Anjali M. Bhagwat, Ms. Indu Puri, Shri Shakti
Singh, Shri Ravi Shastri, Shri Kripa Shankar Patel and Shri Surinder
Khanna..Similarly, the Committees for other awards too comprised of men and
women of eminence in the field of sports. The different Committees made their
recommendations after duly considering all the nominations.
National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. This not being an Olympic year, the Government has decided not to increase the number of awards so that the stature of the awards is maintained. While doing so, the Government is conscious that there were other individuals of outstanding sporting achievements who have a claim on these awards.
The Government has looked into the various news reports and grievances of different sportspersons. It has also consulted the Chairpersons of the Committees. A separate enquiry has also been conducted by Secretary, Sports. After due consideration, the Government has decided to accept the recommendations of the Committees. The Government wishes them all the best and hopes that they too will be part of the pantheon of winners in the coming years.
Apart from a medal and a citation, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a cash prize of 7.5 lakh rupees. Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, citations and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each. Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will be given Trophies.
The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 31 August 2013.
National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. This not being an Olympic year, the Government has decided not to increase the number of awards so that the stature of the awards is maintained. While doing so, the Government is conscious that there were other individuals of outstanding sporting achievements who have a claim on these awards.
The Government has looked into the various news reports and grievances of different sportspersons. It has also consulted the Chairpersons of the Committees. A separate enquiry has also been conducted by Secretary, Sports. After due consideration, the Government has decided to accept the recommendations of the Committees. The Government wishes them all the best and hopes that they too will be part of the pantheon of winners in the coming years.
Apart from a medal and a citation, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a cash prize of 7.5 lakh rupees. Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, citations and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each. Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will be given Trophies.
The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 31 August 2013.
Nishi Vasudeva Selected As the First Woman to Head the Oil Company, HPCL
Nishi Vasudeva on 22 August 2013 became the first woman to
be selected as the head of the Navratna public sector unit (PSU), Hindustan
Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL). She became the head of the state-owned oil company
HPCL. At present, she is the Director, Marketing, HPCL and will take over as
the chairman and managing director of the company. She will replace Subir Roy
Choudhury, who will retire on 28 February 2014.
However, the recommendation of her name as the head of Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd will be given to Oil Ministry now. After the consent of the Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily, her name will be clearance by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Central Bureau of India (CBI). Thereafter, her candidature will be forwarded to Cabinet Committee on Appointments (ACC).
Life Sketch of Nishi Vasudeva
• Nishi Vasudeva was selected after interview of seven shortlisted candidates, which also included PK Joshi, Director (HR), HPCL.
• In the year 2007, she also became the first woman to reach the Board of Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd.
• She is an alumnus of IIM-Kolkata.
• She started off with her career in the oil industry with the Engineers India Ltd. Her experience stretches along 36 long years in different streams such as information system, planning and information, corporate as well as marketing.
• Earlier, she also served as the executive director of LPG at HPCL.
• She was also the chairperson of Bhagyanagar Gas Ltd.
However, the recommendation of her name as the head of Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd will be given to Oil Ministry now. After the consent of the Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily, her name will be clearance by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Central Bureau of India (CBI). Thereafter, her candidature will be forwarded to Cabinet Committee on Appointments (ACC).
Life Sketch of Nishi Vasudeva
• Nishi Vasudeva was selected after interview of seven shortlisted candidates, which also included PK Joshi, Director (HR), HPCL.
• In the year 2007, she also became the first woman to reach the Board of Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd.
• She is an alumnus of IIM-Kolkata.
• She started off with her career in the oil industry with the Engineers India Ltd. Her experience stretches along 36 long years in different streams such as information system, planning and information, corporate as well as marketing.
• Earlier, she also served as the executive director of LPG at HPCL.
• She was also the chairperson of Bhagyanagar Gas Ltd.
Union Government to Set up a Committee to Study Backlog in Vacancies of Reserved Category
The Union Government on 21 August 2013 decided to set up a
committee to analyse the reasons behind the huge backlog in vacancies under
reserved categories.
A 20-member committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, will suggest steps to enhance the employability of reserved category candidates.
The committee members are from various Central Government Ministries, including Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Railways, and the Union Public Service Commission and the Railway Recruitment Board. The committee will submit its report within three months.
An analysis of data and consultation with various Ministries indicated that lack of finishing skills or interview skills, less availability of professionally qualified persons, less identification of posts for persons with disabilities, dearth of professionally qualified persons, especially in hearing-impaired category of disability, were some of the reasons for less number of SCs, STs, OBCs and persons with disabilities in the Government sector.
A 20-member committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, will suggest steps to enhance the employability of reserved category candidates.
The committee members are from various Central Government Ministries, including Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Railways, and the Union Public Service Commission and the Railway Recruitment Board. The committee will submit its report within three months.
An analysis of data and consultation with various Ministries indicated that lack of finishing skills or interview skills, less availability of professionally qualified persons, less identification of posts for persons with disabilities, dearth of professionally qualified persons, especially in hearing-impaired category of disability, were some of the reasons for less number of SCs, STs, OBCs and persons with disabilities in the Government sector.
Rajasthan Government Laid Foundation Stone for World's Largest Solar Park
State Government of Rajasthan on 21 August 2013 laid the
foundation stone for world's biggest solar park at Bhadla of Jodhpur District
of Rajasthan.
The solar park with generation capacity of 3000 MW would be commissioned in phased manner. In its first phase the solar park will generate 1000 MW.
Solar Park would be established in 10 thousand hectare land and Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide 3000 crore rupees loan for development of transmission lines of this solar park.
The technical assistance for the solar park will be provided by Clinton Foundation as per the agreement between State government of Rajasthan and Clinton foundation in 2010. Three more solar parks will come in Jaisalemer, Barmer and Bikner Districts with the help of Clinton Foundation.
Key features of solar park
1.10000 hectares of land identified for the park.
2.3000 MW capacity of solar power plants to be set up.
3.Manufacturing zones, research and development and training centers zone and other amenities zones are proposed.
4.58 cusec water reserved from Indira Gandhi canal.
5.Construction of 400 KV GSS under progress.
6.Work for setting up of 7 solar power projects of 75 MW has started.
7.Construction of road from Nure ki Bhurj to Bhandla has started.
Rajasthan currently has 660 MW of solar power generation capacity and 2700 MW of wind power. The other solar park in the country is based in Gujarat with a current capaity of 214 MW and is expected to generate 500 MW by 2014.
Steps taken by Rajasthan in the field of solar power
1.Solar Power Policy issued in April, 2011
2.Provision of land allotment at concessional rates of 10 percent of the DLC rates.
3.91 projects of 609 MW capacity already established in the state.
4.Work in progress for commissioning of 37 projects of 684 MW capacity.
5.5900 solar pump sets already commissioned in the State
6.63000 households lightened up in last 4.5 years through solar domestic lighting system.
7.Jaipur, Ajmer and Jodhpur are to be developed as solar cities under Roof-top Power Generation Scheme.
8.First 50 MW capacity solar thermal plant in India setup at Nokh, in Jaisalmer District of Rajasthan.
About Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was launched on 11 January 2010 by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The Mission has set the ambitious target of deploying 20000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022 is aimed at reducing the cost of solar power generation in the country through (i) long term policy; (ii) large scale deployment goals; (iii) aggressive R&D; and (iv) domestic production of critical raw materials, components and products, as a result to achieve grid tariff parity by 2022.
Mission will create an enabling policy framework to achieve this objective and make India a global leader in solar energy.
The solar park with generation capacity of 3000 MW would be commissioned in phased manner. In its first phase the solar park will generate 1000 MW.
Solar Park would be established in 10 thousand hectare land and Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide 3000 crore rupees loan for development of transmission lines of this solar park.
The technical assistance for the solar park will be provided by Clinton Foundation as per the agreement between State government of Rajasthan and Clinton foundation in 2010. Three more solar parks will come in Jaisalemer, Barmer and Bikner Districts with the help of Clinton Foundation.
Key features of solar park
1.10000 hectares of land identified for the park.
2.3000 MW capacity of solar power plants to be set up.
3.Manufacturing zones, research and development and training centers zone and other amenities zones are proposed.
4.58 cusec water reserved from Indira Gandhi canal.
5.Construction of 400 KV GSS under progress.
6.Work for setting up of 7 solar power projects of 75 MW has started.
7.Construction of road from Nure ki Bhurj to Bhandla has started.
Rajasthan currently has 660 MW of solar power generation capacity and 2700 MW of wind power. The other solar park in the country is based in Gujarat with a current capaity of 214 MW and is expected to generate 500 MW by 2014.
Steps taken by Rajasthan in the field of solar power
1.Solar Power Policy issued in April, 2011
2.Provision of land allotment at concessional rates of 10 percent of the DLC rates.
3.91 projects of 609 MW capacity already established in the state.
4.Work in progress for commissioning of 37 projects of 684 MW capacity.
5.5900 solar pump sets already commissioned in the State
6.63000 households lightened up in last 4.5 years through solar domestic lighting system.
7.Jaipur, Ajmer and Jodhpur are to be developed as solar cities under Roof-top Power Generation Scheme.
8.First 50 MW capacity solar thermal plant in India setup at Nokh, in Jaisalmer District of Rajasthan.
About Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was launched on 11 January 2010 by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The Mission has set the ambitious target of deploying 20000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022 is aimed at reducing the cost of solar power generation in the country through (i) long term policy; (ii) large scale deployment goals; (iii) aggressive R&D; and (iv) domestic production of critical raw materials, components and products, as a result to achieve grid tariff parity by 2022.
Mission will create an enabling policy framework to achieve this objective and make India a global leader in solar energy.
INT-India and Iraq singed MoUs during the visit of Nouri al-Maliki to India
Nouri al-Maliki, the Prime Minister of Republic of Iraq was
on a state visit to India from 22 to 25 August 2013. During his visit and stay
in India, he met with the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh and President
of Indian Union, Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari and
several other dignitaries.
This was the first visit of Maliki to India. During his visit, he was accompanied by a high-level delegation that comprised ministers, senior officials and business leaders. Prime Minister Maliki was accorded a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 23 August.
The Prime Ministers of both the nations exchanged views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and reached a broad consensus. The discussions enabled better understanding and appreciation of each other’s concerns and perspectives and helped in forging closer understanding at the highest political level.
During the state visit of al Maliki to India, several MoUs were inked between the two nations. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed include:
1. MoU in the field of Energy between the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Oil of the Republic of Iraq. – The MoU was signed between, Veerappa Moily, the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Abdul Kareem Luaibi Bahedh, Minister of Oil of Iraq. The MoU envisages cooperation in the areas of upstream and downstream oil & gas activities and related infrastructure. The areas includes are:
• Conclusion of contract of Exploration Block-8 awarded to ONGC Videsh Limited
• Offer of data of Middle Furat group of Fields for due diligence
• Natural Gas
• Petroleum Refineries
• Training
2. MoU between the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq on Foreign Office Consultations. – The MoU was signed between, Ashok K. Kantha, Secretary (East), MEA and Nazar Al-Khairullah, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. The signed MoU It enables high ranking officials from Foreign Ministries of both countries to discuss periodically bilateral and international relations of mutual interest.
3. MoU between the Foreign Service Institutes of MEA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. – The MoU was signed between, Nengcha Lhouvum, Dean, Foreign Service Institute and Nazar Al-Khairullah, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. This MoU It enables exchange of information regarding structure and content of training programmes for diplomats.
4. MOU between the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Iraq on Bilateral Cooperation in Water Resources Development and management. – The MoU was signed between Alok Rawat, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resource Development and Ahmad Tahsin Ahmad Berwari, Ambassador of Iraq to India. The MOU envisages cooperation at the national, regional and international levels in the field of water resources management and development by collaboration and sharing of expertise in the following areas:
• Project hydrology, practicing hydrology and hydrological modeling, applications of remote sensing & GIS in hydrology and water resources, integrated water resources development and management, flood and drought management, irrigation and drainage surface and groundwater management and development minor irrigation, modernisation/renovation of old irrigation schemes, hydrometeorology, watershed, lakes and wetlands development dam safety and surveillance, reservoir regulation, training and capacity building ,micro irrigation, any other field related to water resources management and irrigation as may be agreed upon between the parties.
Apart from this, during his visit, the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, while addressing the gathering of Indian industrialists in Mumbai on 24 August 2013 called upon the Indian industries to invest in Iraq. He said that there existed huge investment opportunities in Iraq in the sector like energy, IT, refineries, fertilisers, infrastructure, health and education.
Nouri al-Maliki also ensured that his government would speed up the visa procedures for investments and opening up of the branches of Indian Banks in Iraq and will provide all possible help to Indian industries willing to set up their projects in Iraq.
This was the first visit of Maliki to India. During his visit, he was accompanied by a high-level delegation that comprised ministers, senior officials and business leaders. Prime Minister Maliki was accorded a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 23 August.
The Prime Ministers of both the nations exchanged views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and reached a broad consensus. The discussions enabled better understanding and appreciation of each other’s concerns and perspectives and helped in forging closer understanding at the highest political level.
During the state visit of al Maliki to India, several MoUs were inked between the two nations. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed include:
1. MoU in the field of Energy between the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Oil of the Republic of Iraq. – The MoU was signed between, Veerappa Moily, the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Abdul Kareem Luaibi Bahedh, Minister of Oil of Iraq. The MoU envisages cooperation in the areas of upstream and downstream oil & gas activities and related infrastructure. The areas includes are:
• Conclusion of contract of Exploration Block-8 awarded to ONGC Videsh Limited
• Offer of data of Middle Furat group of Fields for due diligence
• Natural Gas
• Petroleum Refineries
• Training
2. MoU between the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq on Foreign Office Consultations. – The MoU was signed between, Ashok K. Kantha, Secretary (East), MEA and Nazar Al-Khairullah, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. The signed MoU It enables high ranking officials from Foreign Ministries of both countries to discuss periodically bilateral and international relations of mutual interest.
3. MoU between the Foreign Service Institutes of MEA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. – The MoU was signed between, Nengcha Lhouvum, Dean, Foreign Service Institute and Nazar Al-Khairullah, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. This MoU It enables exchange of information regarding structure and content of training programmes for diplomats.
4. MOU between the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Iraq on Bilateral Cooperation in Water Resources Development and management. – The MoU was signed between Alok Rawat, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resource Development and Ahmad Tahsin Ahmad Berwari, Ambassador of Iraq to India. The MOU envisages cooperation at the national, regional and international levels in the field of water resources management and development by collaboration and sharing of expertise in the following areas:
• Project hydrology, practicing hydrology and hydrological modeling, applications of remote sensing & GIS in hydrology and water resources, integrated water resources development and management, flood and drought management, irrigation and drainage surface and groundwater management and development minor irrigation, modernisation/renovation of old irrigation schemes, hydrometeorology, watershed, lakes and wetlands development dam safety and surveillance, reservoir regulation, training and capacity building ,micro irrigation, any other field related to water resources management and irrigation as may be agreed upon between the parties.
Apart from this, during his visit, the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, while addressing the gathering of Indian industrialists in Mumbai on 24 August 2013 called upon the Indian industries to invest in Iraq. He said that there existed huge investment opportunities in Iraq in the sector like energy, IT, refineries, fertilisers, infrastructure, health and education.
Nouri al-Maliki also ensured that his government would speed up the visa procedures for investments and opening up of the branches of Indian Banks in Iraq and will provide all possible help to Indian industries willing to set up their projects in Iraq.
Why pay a higher price if RIL says cost of gas is $2.74/mbtu?
In a
disclosure that puts a question mark over the massive hike proposed in the
price of gas from April 2014, the Petroleum Ministry has told the Standing
Committee on Finance that the cost of production of gas in the KG D6 block,
including levies, works out to $2.74 mbtu based on the financial statement of
Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for the year 2011-12.
The
Petroleum Ministry gave this information while replying to a question by the
Standing Committee on Finance on the cost. The Committee also wanted to know if
the company had submitted any documentation in this regard to the Ministry. In
its reply dated August 2, 2013, the Petroleum Ministry stated: “RIL has not
submitted the document to the Ministry about cost of production in the block
KG-DWN-98/3. The cost of production for RIL in KG-D6 block in 2011-12 was $2.48
mbtu excluding levies and $2.74 mbtu including levies. Figures are computed
from financial statements of 2011-12 based on projected levels of production.”
Stating that the latest reply of the Petroleum Ministry had raised several
questions including that of connivance at government level to benefit a
corporate house, CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta, who had persistently raised the issue,
demanded that the government should come clear on the issue of gas pricing. “I
request you to re-visit the question of pricing of natural gas to be given to
RIL and clear the air of suspicion that the government had only acted to
benefit the corporate giant undermining national interest,” he wrote in a
letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In his letter, Mr. Dasgupta demanded
that Dr. Singh explain how, when the cost of production stood at $2.74 mbtu,
the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved an international pricing
mechanism from April 2014 under the Rangarajan formula.
RBI announced auction of two 48-days Government of India Cash Management Bills
The Reserve Bank of India on 23 August 2013
announced the auction of two 48-days Government of India Cash Management Bills.
As per the notification issued by the Reserve Bank of India, the auctions will
be conducted using Multiple Price Auction method.
The Reserve Bank has also cleared that the
competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on
the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber). Result of the
auctions will be announced on the same day.
The Cash Management Bills will have the generic character of Treasury Bills and their sale will be subject to the terms and conditions specified in the General Notification No. F.2 (12)-W&M/97 dated 31 March 1998 issued by Government of India and as amended from time to time.
The Cash Management Bills will have the generic character of Treasury Bills and their sale will be subject to the terms and conditions specified in the General Notification No. F.2 (12)-W&M/97 dated 31 March 1998 issued by Government of India and as amended from time to time.
Details of the Cash Management Bills (CMBs) are
given below:
|
|
Auction
Date
|
Settlement/Issue
Date
|
Date of
Maturity
|
Notified
Amount
|
|
1
|
26
August 2013
|
27August
2013
|
14
October 2013
|
11000
crore
|
|
2
|
27
August 2013
|
28
August 2013
|
15
October 2013
|
11000
crore
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
22000
crore
|
Cash Management Bills (CMBs)
The Government of India, in consultation with the RBI, took a decision of issuing Cash Management Bills (as a short-term instrument). The CMBs allow the Central Bank to meet the temporary cash flow mismatches of the Government of India. CMBs in India is a non-standard, discounted instruments that is issued for maturities less of less than 91 days and are regarded as the generic character of Treasury Bills.
CMB is a flexible instrument for a Central Bank as it is issued at times of requirement. It allows the Central Bank to have lower cash balances and issue fewer long-term notes. CMBs tend to pay higher yields than bills with fixed maturities, but their shorter maturities lead to lower overall interest expense.
The Government of India, in consultation with the RBI, took a decision of issuing Cash Management Bills (as a short-term instrument). The CMBs allow the Central Bank to meet the temporary cash flow mismatches of the Government of India. CMBs in India is a non-standard, discounted instruments that is issued for maturities less of less than 91 days and are regarded as the generic character of Treasury Bills.
CMB is a flexible instrument for a Central Bank as it is issued at times of requirement. It allows the Central Bank to have lower cash balances and issue fewer long-term notes. CMBs tend to pay higher yields than bills with fixed maturities, but their shorter maturities lead to lower overall interest expense.
Taukelina Finikaso, the Foreign Minister of Tuvalu visited India
Taukelina Finikaso, the Foreign Minister of Tuvalu was on an
official visit to India from 21 to 25 August 2013. This was the first visit of
Finikaso to India after taking charge as the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Trade, Tourism, Environment, and Labour, Govt. of Tuvalu.
During his visit, Finikaso discussed issues of mutual interest related to bilateral, regional and international importance with Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs of India. He also inaugurated the newly constituted Honorary Consulate of Tuvalu, which will provide both the countries, an opportunity to expand the bilateral relations of mutual benefits.
Background of India-Tuvalu Relations
India and Tuvalu share cordial relations at international/bilateral level. Tuvalu has supported India’s candidature at international forum, whereas, India has provided project assistance under its Grant- in Aid Scheme for Pacific Island countries in areas such as health, water management, development projects and training as well as humanitarian assistance in times of need to Tuvalu.
During his visit, Finikaso discussed issues of mutual interest related to bilateral, regional and international importance with Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs of India. He also inaugurated the newly constituted Honorary Consulate of Tuvalu, which will provide both the countries, an opportunity to expand the bilateral relations of mutual benefits.
Background of India-Tuvalu Relations
India and Tuvalu share cordial relations at international/bilateral level. Tuvalu has supported India’s candidature at international forum, whereas, India has provided project assistance under its Grant- in Aid Scheme for Pacific Island countries in areas such as health, water management, development projects and training as well as humanitarian assistance in times of need to Tuvalu.
Initiative to provide Free Generic Medicines in Government Hospitals Approved
The Union Government of India on 24 August 2013 approved the
initiative for free supply of essential medicines to the patients availing
treatments under 12th five year plan. Under this initiative, rational use of
medicines would be promoted by reducing the consumption of inessential
medicines.
The initiative is aimed towards making affordable health care available to the people and to reduce the out of pocket expenses on medicines. 16000 crore rupees has been provided as an outlay of the initiative.
The scheme is based on the Tamil Nadu model, where free medicines are procured in bulk directly from the manufacturers and are supplied through an IT enabled management system to the public
The initiative is aimed towards making affordable health care available to the people and to reduce the out of pocket expenses on medicines. 16000 crore rupees has been provided as an outlay of the initiative.
The scheme is based on the Tamil Nadu model, where free medicines are procured in bulk directly from the manufacturers and are supplied through an IT enabled management system to the public
Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson inaugurated National Media Centre at New Delhi
National Media Center was inaugurated at New Delhi by the
Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh and Chairperson of UPA, Sonia Gandhi on
24 August 2013.
Following are the facts regarding the National Media Centre
• The National Media Centre (NMC) was initially conceptualized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India in 1989 to facilitate greater interaction between the Government and the media with a state-of-the-art equipped media centre. The National Media Centre has been planned on the model of media centres in some of the capitals of the world such as Washington and Tokyo. It will have offices of the PIB as well as special facilities for the media to enable the Government to interact closely with the media.
• The National Media Centre located at 7-E, Raisina Road is in the centre of the city with proximity to Rashtrapati Bhawan, Government offices, Vigyan Bhavan and Parliament House - the news hub of Government activities. The location will cut distance and travel time between events for dignitaries and the media personnel.
• The National Media Centre has a Press Conference Hall for 283 media persons, a briefing room for about 60 persons, 24 Work stations for the media, a library, media lounge and cafeteria. The press conference hall and media lounge are wi-fi enabled.
• The project is aimed at further improving the dissemination of information about Government’s policies and programmes. The effort is to meet the requirements of the international and Indian media for their professional and communication needs within the overall Government of India framework of information dissemination. The facilities provided will dovetail with current technological advancement in visual and print media.
Major Highlights
• World Class Media Center
• Ground + 4 Floors + 2 basements
• Press Conference Hall with seating capacity for 283 persons.
• Media Lounge - Work area facilities for media personnel
• Committee Room with video conferencing facilities
• Library
• Cafeteria
• IT and AV Infrastructure in NMC
Facilities provided:
• Optic fibre internet backbone with redundancy
• Mini Data Centre for application development and hosting
• Webcast, including live webcast
• Video feed to TV channels outside the building
• Network with redundancy and expandability to 500 nodes
• IT facilities to media persons in work area/Lounge
• Internet Telephony
• AV Video Wall
The NMC has been constructed by the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) over a period of three years with a total covered area of 13867 sqm. The plot size is 7787.46 sqm (1.95 acres).
Following are the facts regarding the National Media Centre
• The National Media Centre (NMC) was initially conceptualized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India in 1989 to facilitate greater interaction between the Government and the media with a state-of-the-art equipped media centre. The National Media Centre has been planned on the model of media centres in some of the capitals of the world such as Washington and Tokyo. It will have offices of the PIB as well as special facilities for the media to enable the Government to interact closely with the media.
• The National Media Centre located at 7-E, Raisina Road is in the centre of the city with proximity to Rashtrapati Bhawan, Government offices, Vigyan Bhavan and Parliament House - the news hub of Government activities. The location will cut distance and travel time between events for dignitaries and the media personnel.
• The National Media Centre has a Press Conference Hall for 283 media persons, a briefing room for about 60 persons, 24 Work stations for the media, a library, media lounge and cafeteria. The press conference hall and media lounge are wi-fi enabled.
• The project is aimed at further improving the dissemination of information about Government’s policies and programmes. The effort is to meet the requirements of the international and Indian media for their professional and communication needs within the overall Government of India framework of information dissemination. The facilities provided will dovetail with current technological advancement in visual and print media.
Major Highlights
• World Class Media Center
• Ground + 4 Floors + 2 basements
• Press Conference Hall with seating capacity for 283 persons.
• Media Lounge - Work area facilities for media personnel
• Committee Room with video conferencing facilities
• Library
• Cafeteria
• IT and AV Infrastructure in NMC
Facilities provided:
• Optic fibre internet backbone with redundancy
• Mini Data Centre for application development and hosting
• Webcast, including live webcast
• Video feed to TV channels outside the building
• Network with redundancy and expandability to 500 nodes
• IT facilities to media persons in work area/Lounge
• Internet Telephony
• AV Video Wall
The NMC has been constructed by the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) over a period of three years with a total covered area of 13867 sqm. The plot size is 7787.46 sqm (1.95 acres).
Vettel wins Belgian GP, extends overall lead
Sebastian
Vettel overtook Lewis Hamilton on the first lap and comfortably held on to win
the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday and extend his overall championship lead.
It was
Vettel’s fifth win of the season, second from three GPs, and 31st of his
outstanding career.
Fernando
Alonso drove brilliantly from ninth on the grid to take second place ahead of
Hamilton and move back into second overall in the title race.
Speculation
heading into Spa was of Hamilton emerging as the biggest threat to Vettel’s bid
for a fourth straight title, but within one minute Vettel dismissed that talk
with a slick passing move inside Hamilton’s left. The German was never troubled
after that.
Vettel
started from second on the grid after Hamilton secured his fourth straight pole
position.
Vettel,
who finished 16.8 seconds ahead of Alonso and nearly 30 clear of Hamilton,
pumped his right fist and then wagged his finger aloft reminding everyone who
really is No. 1 and admonish those who had doubted him.
Mercedes
driver Nico Rosberg finished fourth ahead of Vettel’s Red Bull teammate Mark
Webber.
Vettel
has not secured a pole since winning the Canadian GP in June. But it made
little difference. Within one minute he was in front as the much-anticipated
rain around the Ardennes forest stayed away.
Although
Hamilton made a good start and held his line at the first turn into La Source
turn, Vettel moved into the slipstream of his Mercedes and surged past him down
the Kemmel straight.
Alonso,
meanwhile, looked like he was on a mission as he carved through the field,
zooming past last year’s Spa winner Jenson Button and Rosberg to move into
third.
After
earning a one-race ban for reckless driving at last year’s Spa GP, where his
dangerous driving sent three drivers off the track at the first turn, Frenchman
Romain Grosjean made a noticeably conservative start and seemed desperate to
avoid even the slightest contact.
Shortly
after, Sergio Perez was given a drive through penalty for forcing Grosjean
wide.
“He
pushed me completely off the track,” said Grosjean, who is trying to repair his
reputation after several dangerous driving incidents last season.
Kimi
Raikkonen, second overall heading into the race, had to abandon on lap 26 with
smoke coming from his front right brake, finishing the Finn’s remarkably
consistent run of scoring points in 27 consecutive races.
Shortly
after, Paul di Resta and Pastor Maldonado crashed into each other.
The nose
of Maldonado’s Williams nudged into di Resta’s Force India, sending it spinning
off the track. Maldonado continued after minor repairs and was given a
ten-second stop and go penalty.
Di Resta,
the British driver who had high hopes after qualifying in an impressive fifth
place, looked disconsolate as he trudged off, his helmet in his hand and his
race over.
Alonso
pitted for the second time shortly after, and Vettel made his second tire
change a couple of minutes later.
Before
the race, protesters from the environmental group Greenpeace staged a brief demonstration
against race sponsor Shell’s plans to drill in the Arctic.
Two
paragliders flew over the circuit, trailing a banner, and others then climbed
onto the grandstand roof and unfurled a 20—meter long banner that read “ARCTIC
OIL? SHELL NO!”
“I was a
fan of Grand Prix racing when I was growing up, but I am not a fan of what
Shell is doing in the Arctic,” Greenpeace international executive director Kumi
Naidoo said. “Right now we are in the race of our lives against Shell, a
company that sees the melting of the Arctic as a business opportunity, rather
than a warning.”
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