Tuesday 31 January 2012

TOKYO DAILY!!!.

TOKYO DAILY!!!.
 
AIRASIA X TO FLY SEVEN TIMES A WEEK FROM KUALA LUMPUR TO TOKYO
 
Long Haul, Low Cost Carrier to offer guests RM199 one way, all inclusive fares from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo (Haneda) to commemorate additional frequency.
 
Sepang, January 30 2012 – AirAsia X, the Malaysian based long haul, low fare affiliate of AirAsia will increase its flight frequency to Tokyo (Haneda), Japan from its current three flights to six flights weekly effective from 23 March, 2012.
 
From 22 June, 2012, AirAsia X will operate daily flights from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Kuala Lumpur to the Japanese capital.
 
In addition, AirAsia X currently flies four times weekly to Osaka (Kansai). 
 
The increase in frequency is part of the airline’s realignment plan announced recently which will focus on increasing services to its core markets in Australasia, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. The increase in flight frequencies to Tokyo (Haneda) follows AirAsia X’s recent announcement of its Australian route to Sydney, which will see AirAsia X commencing services from Kuala Lumpur from April 1, 2012.
 
To-date, AirAsia X has flown over 100,000 passengers to Tokyo (Haneda) with an average passenger load factor of  75% . The airline incurred a drop in passenger traffic from March to June 2011 due to the Tohoku tragedy. However, the demand for the route has rebounded back to normal with healthy two-way traffic consistently above 80%.
 
 
Commenting on the added frequency, AirAsia X Chief Executive Officer, Azran Osman-Rani said “The increase in flights to and from Tokyo is in response to the growing demand for the sector, which continues to see steady increase in passenger traffic and yields from the time AirAsia X first began flying into the Japanese city on December 9, 2010.”
 
“With our wide network and strong brand affinity in Japan, we remain focused to grow our existing core markets and are geared up to capitalise on the continuous increase in demand for air travel to and from Japan. We will also leverage on our affiliate airline, AirAsia to provide a feeder network for intra-ASEAN travel as the world shifts its focus towards Asia and the emerging markets across ASEAN.”
 
To commemorate the additional flight frequencies to Japan, AirAsia X is offering guests a promotional all in fare from as low as RM199 one way on Economy to Tokyo (Haneda) from Kuala Lumpur. Those looking to fly with extra comfort to Japan, AirAsia X Premium fly flatbed seats are also on offer from as low as RM999 all in one way from Kuala Lumpur to the city.  
 
Guests from Japan may experience AirAsia X’s fly thru flights which offers seamless onward flight connections from Kuala Lumpur to popular South East Asian destinations such as Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket) and Indonesia (Medan, Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya).
 
Similarly, AirAsia X’s South East Asian guests may also enjoy our fly thru flights to Tokyo with our promotional fares from as low as THB4490 all-in, one way from Thailand, IDR969,000 all-in, one way from Indonesia and SGD139 all-in, one way from Singapore.
 
All low fare deals for this promotion are only available for the added flight frequencies to Tokyo and up for grabs exclusively on www.airasia.com from 27 January– 13 February 2012 for the travel period from 23 March to 27 October 2012.
 
For continuous updates on our latest promotions, contests and cool activities throughout the region, be a fan of AirAsia’s Facebook page (facebook.com/AirAsia) and follow AirAsia’s Twitter at twitter.com/AirAsia.
 
 
 
                                    
FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR ADDED FLIGHT FREQUENCIES FOR KUALA LUMPUR - TOKYO
 
 
Flight No
Destination
Flight Departure/Arrival
Day
Remarks
D7 522
Kuala Lumpur - Haneda
14:30 /22:30
2 4 7
Current flights
D7 523
Haneda- Kuala Lumpur
23:45/06:10 (+1day)
2 4 7
D7 522
Kuala Lumpur - Haneda
14:45/23:00
1 3
New Flights
 
*promotional fares are only applicable to the flights in this section
D7 523
Haneda- Kuala Lumpur
23:55/06:20 (+1day)
1 3
D7 524
Kuala Lumpur - Haneda
15:30/23:30
6
D7 525
Haneda- Kuala Lumpur
01:30/07:55
7
D7 524
Kuala Lumpur - Haneda
15:30/23:30
5 6
D7 525
Haneda- Kuala Lumpur
01:30/07:55
6 7
 
***END***
                  
About AirAsia and AirAsia X
AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with over 165 routes covering destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe. Within 10 years of operations, AirAsia has carried over 140 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to 108. The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia. This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its low-fare long-haul affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, India, Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Iran, Korea, Japan, and New Zealand. AirAsia is the regional carrier with the largest destination network and highest flight frequencies. AirAsia was named the 2011 World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for three consecutive years.
AirAsia X Communications Team:

Monday 30 January 2012

Shortage of funds delays Food Bill : Pawar


Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday said that it may be difficult to implement the proposed Food Security Bill without adequate funds to boost agricultural output.

Expressing concern over poor budget allocation for the farm sector, Mr. Pawar said, the total budgeted provision for the entire Agriculture Ministry is 20,000 crore rupees and the subsidy as of today is 65,000 crore rupees, which might go to one lakh crore rupees in the current year.

Speaking to a private TV channel in New Delhi , the Agriculture Minister said that unless and until we increase production, we will not be comfortable to implement the Food Security Bill.

The Bill, which aims to provide legal right over cheap foodgrains to 63.5 per cent of the country's population, has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee.

Sunday 29 January 2012

बसंत पंचमी पर सरस्वती पूजन: विहिप

धर्म की रक्षार्थ वीर हकीकत राय का बलिदान सदा याद रहेगा: विहिप (बसंत पंचमी पर सरस्वती पूजन कर वीर हकीकत राय को याद किया गया) नई दिल्ली जनवरी 29, 2011। वीर हकीकत राय का धर्म के लिए किया गया बलिदान सदा याद किया जाएगा। मात्र 14 वर्ष के इस वीर बालक ने हंसते- हंसते अपने प्राण दे दिए किन्तु धर्म परिवर्तन या अपने आस्था केन्द्रों का अपमान सहन नहीं किया। सरस्वती पूजन के एक कार्यक्रम में बोलते हुए विश्व हिन्दू परिषद दिल्ली के मीडिया प्रमुख श्री विनोद बंसल ने यह भी कहा कि बसंत पंचमी के शुभ अवसर पर हमें आज ज्ञान, विज्ञान और कला की देवी मां सरस्वती की उपासना कर देश व धर्म की रक्षा हेतु वीर हकीकत राय के दिखाए रास्ते पर चलने का संकल्प लेना चाहिए। दक्षिणी दिल्ली के संत नगर मैन रोड पर श्री सरस्वती पूजा समिति-संत नगर द्वारा आयोजित वार्षिक सरस्वती पूजन पांडाल में दिन भर लोगों का तांता लगा रहा। इस अवसर पर छोटे छोटे बच्चों द्वारा अनेक गीत-संगीत के कार्यक्रम प्रस्तुत किये तथा भजन संध्या कर मां सरस्वती का अह्वान किया गया। नन्ही बच्ची कु दिव्या सतीजा(5), विदुषी व बालक छितिज तथा सक्षम की मनमोहक प्रस्तुति ने सबका मन मोह लिया। कार्यक्रम में संत नगर रेजीडेण्ट वैलफ़ेयर एसोसिएशन के प्रधान सरदार जोधका सिंह, समिति के प्रधान श्री जनार्धन तिवारी, मंत्री श्री त्रिभुवन भगत व कोषाध्यक्ष श्री राम प्रभोद राय, श्रीमती चाया तिवारी तथा विहिप के श्री अरुन होरा सहित अनेक गणमान्य लोगों ने भाग लिया।

India, Bangladesh to jointly run thermal power plant

India, Bangladesh to jointly set up thermal power plant
India and Bangladesh will sign an agreement today to set up a 1,320 megawatt coal based power project jointly at Khulna in Bangladesh.

A five-member high-level delegation of senior officials of the National Thermal Power Corporation led by Union Power Secretary P. Uma Shankar arrived in Dhaka yesterday to sign the agreement with Bangladesh Power Development Board.

Saturday 28 January 2012

Paes-Stepanek win Australian Open men's doubles title

Paes-Stepanek duo outplay Bryan brothers to lift Australian  Open

Leander Paes on Saturday created history by becoming the first Indian to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open men's doubles title with Radek Stepanek, taming the dangerous top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan in straight sets, in Melbourne.

The unseeded Indo-Czech pair played tremendously to win 7-6(1) 6-2 in the summit clash, which lasted one hour and 24 minutes.
Thrice Paes had reached the Australian open final but lost on all ocassions -- twice to Bryan brothers.
This title has eluded Paes since the late 90s when he along with estranged partner Mahesh Bhupathi dominated the doubles tennis and reached the number one spot as a team in 1999.
In their quest to complete their slam tally, Paes and Bhupathi had joined hands in 2011 after a gap 11 years but the title slipped out of their hands as they lost to Bryan brothers.
Paes and Bhupathi broke partnership again with the latter choosing Rohan Bopanna as partner on Tour for the 2012 season.
Paes began the season by winning the Chennai Open with Serbian Janko Tipsarevic.
This is the 13th Grand Slam title for Paes with seven men's doubles trophies and six mixed doubles titles and is India's most succesful doubles player in majors. Bhupathi has won 11 Grand Slam titles.
Paes won French Open thrice (1999, 2001, 2009) and Wimbledon (1999) and US Open (2006) once each.
Paes now has a chance to repeat the rare success of winning both men's doubles and mixed doubles titles in the same Grand Slam tournament as he is due to play the mixed doubles final on Sunday with Russian partner Elena Vesnina.
In 1999 Wimbledon, Paes had won both the titles. Men's doubles with Bhupathi and doubles with America's Lisa Raymond.
As expected, it was a keenly fought match. The opening set went with serve with Paes and Bob saving breakpoints on their serves in the fourth and fifth games respectively.
Stepanek attacked Bob's serve in the fifth game, unleashing tremendous returns and thrilling netplay and earned a breakpoint. But the American brothers saw off the threat comfortably.
Some of the Stepanek shots were so stunning that once Paes even bowed his head, acknowlegding the winner.
Eventually, the issue was stretched to tie-breaker and then Indo-Czech pair dominated the Bryan brothers right after earning break in the first point.
There was no stopping Paes and Stepanek after that first point and they comfortably took the lead, letting the rivals take just one point.
The Bryans lost steam in the second set with Paes and Stepanek dicating terms. Just once they faced anxious moment when Brayns earned a breakpoint in the seventh game but failed to convert.

Team India test temperament at low ebb

Australian team win  at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday against India as Oz claimed four remaining wickets in an hour to crush India to a 298-run defeat and humiliating 0-4 whitewash.
Why Team India test temperament is at low ebb is moot point.Senior players failed to show the defensive game of cricket,lacked maturity to stay at site and failed to deliver on fast tracks which needs quick reflexes.Practice and fitness is key mantra to which senior players needs to play more test games thus building their games and none of the senior players wants to have rest is matter of concern.Bench strength of team India needs to be tested with regular induction but the cartel makes the strategy  hard to bend.
 Sachin Tendulkar God of Cricket failed to present his 100th international century and is  without a century for 25 Test and one-day innings media reports his  last hundred was in the World Cup last March.
Team India big names famous for their batting standards in game of cricket are reduced to paper tigers in the test format of games and selectors needs to reinvent his team or he should too exit for the sake of the game.

Virender Sehwag: said to NDTV,"Haven't done good, will have to look at my performance."
cricketwallah Cricketwallah tweets

ICC Tweets ,Recall now Glen McGrath predicting a whitewash at the start of the series. Is he a clairvoyant or wot? India have lost 8 away Tests in a row. Between June 1959 and January 1968 India lost 17 successive Tests away from home.
Michael Clarke to NDTV: 'Senior Indian players need to perform to keep place in team'
 Sehwag: Haven't done good, will have to look at my performance.Sehwag: This is the time for fans to support us.On the strategy of team India Sehwag said  Problem was with execution & not planning.Rahul Dravid not to retire: Indian Team Manager calls Dravid retirement report a rumour.

 Srikant said in one of the seminar,We started the game of  1983 world cup  just to enjoy the foreign trip and were never serious about win but it was Skipper Kapil Dev who kept on pursuing that we can win the world cup.Srikant the selector needs to think that team India can retain the number one status is games administrators are serious on the subject and donot look for only spin of money.

Friday 27 January 2012

FILMS ON SPIRITUALITY & FAITH

THE FOUNDATION FOR UNIVERSAL RESPONSIBILITY
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
&
INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

present
FILMS ON
SPIRITUALITY & FAITH

a series
of monthly screenings
28th February 2012 6.30 PM
THE MODERN
MYSTIC - SRI M OF MADANAPALLE
DIRECTED
BY RAJA CHOUDHURY
72
MINS
28th March 2012 6.30 PM

THE
SALTMEN OF TIBET
DIRECTED
BY ULRIKE KOCH
109
MINS

3rd April 2012 6.30 PM
THAKUR
DIRECTED
BY RAJIV MEHROTRA
112
MINS
Venue: Auditorium, India International Centre
40 Max Mueller Road, New Delhi, India


We are happy to send the above three months film screening details to you and also I would like to request to add these in your events/programme listing if possible. Your consideration and supports for our programmes are highly appreciated.

India Art Fair2012

                                          

India Art Fair2012

                                           

“Vivekananda Memorial Programme for Museum Excellence”

Union Finance Minster Shri Pranab Mukherjee would be leaving for the two day official visit to Chicago, US on the early  morning of Saturday,28th January, 2012. During his visit, the Finance Minister’s first engagement on arrival would be to address the Chicago Council on Global Affairs where large number of business leaders of the Corporate World are likely to participate.
 Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee include unveiling of Swami Vivekananda Memorial Plaque at the Art Institute of Chicago, inauguration of exhibitions of Tagore Paintings at Art Institute of Chicago and signing of two agreements by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India with the (a)Art Institute of Chicago for the “Vivekananda Memorial Programme for Museum Excellence” and (b) with the University of Chicago for an endowment to establish “The Indian Ministry of Culture Vivekananda Chair.”  
During his visit, the Finance Minister’s first engagement on arrival would be to address the Chicago Council on Global Affairs where large number of business leaders of the Corporate World are likely to participate. These business leaders would mainly be from Fortune 500 companies as Chicago is Headquarter of 32 such companies including Boeing, Caterpillar, McDonalds, Kraft, Abbott Laboratories and Sara Lee among others. During his address, the Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee is likely to share his perception about the Indian and Global economy especially when the world economic situation is in a state of flux. On the other hand, India today occupies the leadership position in the world order across various fields and has enormous resources, technology and skills with a pre eminent position. The Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee is likely to envisage the shared goals and objectives with these business leaders and invite them to become an active partner in India growth story.                     

Lakshya II Pilotless Target Aircraft Proves IT Mettle

Lakshya II Pilotless Target Aircraft Proves IT Mettle. Flying at sea skimming height of about 15 meters at DRDO’s test range near Balasore, Lakshya-II the advanced version of DRDO’s Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) yesterday demonstrated its full capability. In a flight lasting over 30 minutes, it was made to dive down from an altitude of around 800 meters to just 12 m and maintained required altitude for the specified time before demonstrating auto climb-out.

The entire flight was pre-programed and was totally successful. It demonstrated various technologies and sub-systems including software correction to auto rudder scheme done to prevent loss of mission, engaging and flying in way point navigation mode while carrying 2 tow targets. During the flight one of the tow targets was released and the other was deployed while way point navigation was on.

This was the 10th flight of Lakshya-II PTA and this was the first time that the ultimate capability of the Lakshya-II, was demonstrated achieving all the user’s objectives. Lakshya-II has been designed and developed by the Bangalore based Aeronautical Development Establishment, a premier DRDO lab specializing in UAVs and flight control systems

Dr Manmohan Singh @PMOIndia New Delhi

Dr Manmohan Singh
First woman PM of Thailand, Ms.Yingluck Shinawatra will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations this year

Thursday 26 January 2012

India Art Fair 2012


International Kolkata Book Fair.

The Instituto Cervantes of New Delhi will take part at the the world's largest non-trade book fair, the International Kolkata Book Fair. We are located at the International Complex of the Fair from today, 25 January till the 6 February 2012.  The Kolkata Book Fair is the most awaited annual cultural event of the city. In this 36th edition the Focal Theme of this year’s Fair is Italy, which is celebrating the 150th year of their unification.  Moreover, it'll have an Active Guidance Council formed by noted writers and poets such as Mahasveta Debi, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Sanjib Chattopadhyay, Samares Mazumdar, Ranjan Bandyopadhyay, Joy Goswami, Suchitra Bhattacharya, noted educationist Sugato Basu, renowed painter Jogen Chowdhury, the famous singer Nachiket and the well-known drama personality Arpita Ghosh.

Wednesday 25 January 2012

"Health Effects of Wireless Communications"

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is arranging a lecture on "Health Effects of Wireless Communications" by Prof Kenneth Foster of University of Pennsylvania, USA to create awareness on the subject. You are cordially invited to cover the lecture as per the following schedule.

DATE                             :         January 25, 2012 (Wednesday)

TIME                    :         3.00 P.M.

         VENUE                            :       C-DOT Auditorium, Centre for Development of Telematics Campus, Mehrauli, New Delhi

Tuesday 24 January 2012

867 candidates in fray for first phase polls in UP


Uttar Pradesh, altogether 867 candidates are in the fray in 55 constituencies spread over 10 districts from Lucknow , Faizabad, Devipatan and Basti divisions for the first phase of Assembly elections with withdrawal of nominations ending. Polling will be held on February 8 in this phase.

AIR Lucknow correspondent reports that a total of 994 candidates had filed their nominations for the first phase, out of which papers of 61 were rejected during scrutiny and 66 candidates have withdrawn their nominations. Most of the major political parties including BSP, BJP, Congress and Samajwadi Party have fielded their nominees in all segments going for poll in first phase.

Scrutiny of the nomination papers filed for the second phase elections will be taking place today. A total of 1222 candidates have filed their nominations. Polling would be held on February 11 in 59 segments spread over 9 districts from Varanasi, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur and Basti divisions in this phase.

In the third phase of elections in 56 assembly segments a total of 58 candidates have filed their nominations so far where polling is scheduled on February 15. The last date for filing of nominations for phase three is January 28.

Poll authorities have lodged 70 FIRs while taking actions on more than 6 thousand complaints for violation of model code of conduct across the state. Surveillance teams and flying squads have recovered more than 5 lakhs rupees in Lucknow and Muzaffarnagar districts.

Communist Party of India ML has released its election manifesto. Party has appealed to the people not to vote for the corrupt leaders or political parties and teach the communal forces a lesson in the elections. The party is contesting 43 assembly seats.

The Samajwadi Party has replaced its four more candidates from Mathura , Khair, Baldev and Ghatampur constituencies. Rashtriya Lok Dal has announced four more candidates. Party has been announced 48 candidates for assembly elections so far.

Monday 23 January 2012

Nation remembers Netaji Bose on his birth anniversary

Nation remembers Netaji Bose on his birth anniversary
Nation pays homage to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 115th birth anniversary today. Netaji was born on this day in 1897 at Cuttack in Odisha. A number of functions are being organised to mark the occasion. In Odisha, the main function is being held at Netaji's birth place in Cuttack.

In West Bengal, the main function will be held near Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet colleagues will pay their respect to Netaji.

People from all walks of life are visiting the ancestral house of Netaji in South Kolkata since early morning. West Bengal government has declared the day as Desh Prem Diwas and the government offices will remain closed today.

India-Japan Business Cooperation Committee

37th Joint Meeting of India-Japan Business Cooperation Committee
Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi
 
 
Dear Sir / Madam,
 
I am pleased to inform you that a high-powered business delegation from Japan , led by Mr. N Ohashi, Chairman & Executive Director, Mitsui & Co. Ltd and Chairman , Japan -India Business Cooperation Committee (JIBCC), will be visiting India in January 2012. On this FICCI is organizing the 37th Joint Meeting of India-Japan Business Cooperation Committees on January 23rd, 2012 at 1330 hrs at Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi .
 
Day: Jan 23, 2012
Time: 13:30 pm Onwards
Venue: Federation House, New Delhi

Sunday 22 January 2012

Swamy's plea to prosecute HM put up for 4th Feb

Delhi court on Saturday reserved its order for 4th February on Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking prosecution of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in the 2G scam case.  

"Put up for orders on February 4," Special CBI judge O P Saini said after Swamy concluded his arguments in support of his allegations against Chidambaram.
During the arguments, Swamy said the evidence he had brought on court's record prima facie show that Chidambaram is equally culpable as former Telecom Minister A Raja, who is facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
"A Raja and P Chidambaram had committed the offence together. Prima facie Chidambaram had conspired and colluded with Raja to commit offence of criminal misconduct," he said.
He told the court that the evidence which he had bought before it was sufficient to show that Chidambaram, as the then finance minister, has prima facie committed offences under Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws.
"It is clear that at this stage all I need to do is to show that evidence brought on record is sufficient to show that Chidambaram, at present not an accused in the case, has prima facie committed offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws," Swamy contended.
Referring to the court's order of 22nd October on framing of charges in the case, Swamy said that offloading of shares by Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless to foreign-based Etisalat and Telenor respectively was only a "trick".
"I can lean on the pillars that the court has provided by its order on framing of charges. The share dilution was only a trick because it permitted licences to be transferred," Swamy said.
He also contended that being the then finance minister, Chidambaram, along with Raja, was empowered by October 2003 cabinet decision to discuss on and finalise spectrum prices.
"Since he (Chidambaram) had colluded, conspired and consented with Raja, he did not call for a cabinet meeting although the officers (of Ministry of Finance) had kept Chidambaram apprised of the whole thing," Swamy argued.
On 7th January, Swamy had completed recording of his statement and had deposed that Chidambaram was also "guilty of breach of trust of national security" as he had not disclosed that Etisalat and Telenor, to which Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless had diluted their shares, were blacklisted.
Swamy had told the court that the certified documents showed that Chidambaram was in "connivance" and "collusion" with Raja on fixing the price of spectrum licence and permitting two companies Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless, which received the licences, in dilution of shares even before roll out of their services.
Swamy had placed on record certified copies of the minutes of a meeting on January 30, 2008 between Chidambaram and Raja and also the minutes of another meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the two ministers.
Besides these, he submitted a certified copy of a January 15, 2008 letter written to the Prime Minister by Chidambaram, a December 21, 2010 communication to him from the Prime Minister's office and the controversial March 25, 2011 Office Memo of the Finance Ministry to PMO.

Saturday 21 January 2012

INDOLOGY IN HUNGARYJanuary 23, 2012

INDOLOGY IN HUNGARYJanuary 23, 2012

Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre
cordially invites you to an

INDOLOGY IN HUNGARY
An open house discussion
(in Hindi and English)

with
Dr. MᲩa N駹esi
Head of Department of Indo-European
Studies, ELTE University, Budapest

on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm
at 1/A Janpath, New Delhi 110 011
(Near Hotel Claridges)

REPUBLIC DAY 2012 - FLY PAST- AN IAF APPEAL

REPUBLIC DAY 2012 - FLY PAST- AN IAF APPEAL
In view of the flypast at heights varying from 60 to 500 metres and the associated flight safety concerns posed by birds, the IAF appeals to all citizens of Delhi and its neighbourhood to keep their areas clean and avoid throwing eatables, garbage, dead animals or carcasses in the open in all the days leading upto 26 January.

Responsible citizens are also requested to alert the nearest Air Force Unit or Police Station and report instances of carcasses found in the open. The vulnerable areas that come in the route include Palam, Najafgarh drains, Tihar Jail, War Cemetery and areas adjoin Rashtrapati Bhavan.


IAF Tableau showcases the men from our special forces and special operations capabilities of the Indian Air Force. We have the C-130J Super Hercules the World’s most advanced and tactical aircraft. The Aircraft has already demonstrated its responsiveness during the recent Sikkim earthquake where it undertook relief operations within three hours. Also on the tableau is the latest acquisition in the IAF-Mi-17 V5 Helicopter. This multipurpose Helicopter is intended for airlift of Special Forces to combat area , both by day and night. These two platforms will cater to the need of joint operation with Army Commandos, Marine Commandos, IAF’s Garuds and NSG Commandos.    
RD MARCHING CONTINGENT
            The IAF Marching contingent comprises of 4 officers and 144 Airmen. The Contingent will commanded by Flt Lt Sneha Shekhawat and will be followed by 3 supernumerary officers. The Air Force contingent will marches abreast in 12 by 12 formation.
IAF BAND
            The IAF Band consists of 72 musicians and three drum majors.  The Band will be led by Sergeant M Thakur , Drum Major. The Band will will play the tune ‘Air Battle’ especially selected for the occasion in front of the Dias.

BIRDS POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO AIRCRAFT FLYING AT LOW LEVELS. EATABLES THROWN OUT IN THE OPEN ATTRACT BIRDS, TO ENSURE A SAFE FLY PAST, THE INDIAN AIR FORCE REQUESTS THE CITIZENS OF DELHI, AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD NOT TO THROW EATABLES AND GARBAGE IN THE OPEN. ALSO, IF THEY FIND ANY CARCASS OUT IN THE OPEN THEY ARE REQUESTED TO REPORT TO THE NEAREST AIR FORCE UNIT / POLICE STATION TO ARRANGE FOR ITS DISPOSAL.
Posted 2 minutes ago by

Pakistan's parliamentary committee is reviewing Pak-US relations

State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland has said Pakistan's parliamentary committee is reviewing Pak-US relations and that the US wanted to provide Pakistan an appropriate time for better dialogue, Geo News reported.

Replying to a question during regular press briefing, Victoria Nuland said the US wanted to provide Pakistan an appropriate time to resolve its internal issues, adding that its parliamentary committee is reviewing relations with the US.

She said US diplomats are in contact with Pakistan. The civil assistance to Pakistan would continue, she added.

Pakistan is involved in its internal matters at present, Nuland said.

Friday 20 January 2012

Pankaj Pachauri appointed as Communications Advisor in PMO

Pankaj Pachauri appointed as Communications Advisor in PMO:
 
The Prime Minister is pleased to announce the appointment with immediate effect of Shri Pankaj Pachauri as Communications Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office. 

Shri Pachauri, who will report to the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will advise on communicating the Governments programmes, policies and achievements to the media and the public at large, particularly using the electronic, print and new and social media.

Thursday 19 January 2012

ABHAAS (PrOLOGUE) Feature film,

Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre
cordially invites you to the

special screening of

ABHAAS (PrOLOGUE)

Feature film, directed by Bijaya Jena (1996), colour, duration:  105 minutes


on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 6:00 pm


at 1/ A Janpath (Near Hotel Claridges)


New Delhi 110011

Kalmadi gets bail:

Kalmadi gets bail: Delhi High Court grants bail to CWG OC chairman Kalmadi.

Behind bars for nearly nine months, former CWG Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi was on Thursday granted bail by the Delhi High Court in a 2010 Games-related graft case.
The court also granted bail to OC former director general and co-accused V K Verma.While granting them bail, Justice Mukta Gupta directed them to furnish before the trial court a bail bond of Rs 5 lakh each and two sureties of the like amount.
Justice Gupta said, “There is no allegation that the petitioners are likely to flee from justice and will not be available for the trial.”
The court directed them not to leave the country without prior permission of the trial court.
Kalmadi was arrested by the CBI on 25th April, 2011 while Verma was arrested on 23rd February, 2011 in the Timing, Scoring and Result system scam.
While allowing their plea for bail which cited Supreme Court’s judgement in 2G spectrum case wherein it was held that “bail is rule and jail is exception”, Justice Gupta said, “There is no allegation of money trail to the petitioners. There is also no evidence that the petitioner is threatening witnesses or interfering with evidence during investigation or trial.”
Kalmadi had moved the High Court in January, seeking bail citing the Supreme Court’s judgement in 2G spectrum case and said it has been held that “bail is rule and jail is exception”.
Kalmadi said only a charge sheet has been filed against him and there was remote possibility of commencement of the trial in the near future.
The CBI had, however, opposed the bail pleas of Kalmadi and Verma and referred to the trial court’s 4th January order submitting that it has been decided that the case would be heard on a day-to-day basis soon after scrutiny of documents.
It had also said that there was nothing new in the “bail-is-rule-and-jail-an-exception” remark of the apex court while granting bail in the 2G case.
Kalmadi, Verma and nine others have been accused of allegedly awarding a contract to a Swiss firm to install a Timing-Scoring-Result (TSR) system for the Games at an exorbitant rate, causing a loss of over Rs 90 crore to the state exchequer.
The CBI had in its charge sheet filed in May 2011 described Kalmadi as main accused in the case.
Besides Kalmadi and Verma, others who are accused in the TSR scam include OC former Secretary General Lalit Bhanot, OC Director General (Procurement) Surjit Lal, Joint Director General (Sports) A S V Prasad, Treasurer M Jayachandran, Managing Director A K Reddy of Hyderabad-based AKR Constructions and promoters A K Madan and P D Arya of a Faridabad-based firm Gem International.
Two companies AKR Constructions and Swiss Timing are also accused in the case.
The Special CBI court had on 23rd May, 2011 given a go-ahead for their prosecution under various provisions of the IPC dealing with criminal conspiracy, forging documents and using fake documents as genuine and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The contract was illegally awarded to Swiss Timing which further sub-contracted it to Gem International.
Gem International then sub-let the TSR work to AKR Constructions.

Rushdie not be allowed to enter the country

Vice Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband, Abul Qasim Nomani demanded that as Rushdie had not yet apologised, he should not be allowed to enter the country. “Indian government should cancel his visa as Rushdie had hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims in the past,” he demanded. Congress’ newly elected Working Committee member Rasheed Masood argued that the literally festival should be called off.

 Samajwadi Party leader Ahmad Hassan came in support of the demand for a ban on his India visit. Salman Rushdie’s India visit, leaders of major political parties like Congress, Samajwadi Party, RLD including the minority cell in the BJP’s Rajasthan unit have asked the state government not to allow him to land in Jaipur. It was a rare view of political unanimity among the ever-fighting rivals that nearly all of them decided to go soft on self-professed ideologies – secularists batting for the religious fanatics and the hardliners seen ideologically diluted on political harshness.

 Rushdie was initially scheduled to participate in a discussion on ‘Midnight’s Child’ with Hari Kunzru on the opening day of the Literature Festival and then to take part in a debate on 'Inglish, Amlish, Hinglish: The chutnification of English' the next day.

Thousands attend Sopa Rinpoche's funeral; Protests reported

Thousands attend Sopa Rinpoche's funeral; Protests reportedJanuary 17, 2012



DHARAMSHALA, January 17: Thousands of Tibetans from around the Golok region of eastern Tibet attended the funeral of Sonam Wangyal Sopa Rinpoche on Sunday morning.

Sopa Rinpoche, a respected spiritual figure in his early forties passed away on the spot after drinking and spraying kerosene all over his body before lighting himself up on January 8.

According to the Beijing based award winning Tibetan writer, Woeser, Tibetans in Amdo Golok and in the neighbouring regions of Qinghai, Gansu, and Sichuan were in deep mourning at the passing away of Rinpoche.

Writing on her blog, Woeser said thousands of Tibetans participated in the funeral ceremony of Sopa Rinpoche in Darlag (in Chinese, Dari) county of Golok.

Elsewhere in Golok, hundreds of Tibetans took out a daylong peaceful demonstration following Sopa Rinpoche's funeral ceremony.

Citing contacts within the region, an exile Tibetan, Khenpo Ogyen Rigzin told US based radio service VOA that over a hundred Tibetans carryong photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Gyalwang Karmapa in Amdo Golok Pema district carried protests from around 9:30 am to 5 pm.

“The demonstration was carried out in solidarity with Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives since the 2008 mass uprisings in Tibet,” Kehnpo Rigzin said.

“The demonstrators were raising slogans for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom in Tibet,” Khenpo Rigzin said while adding that he also heard people wailing and crying through a phone conversation he had with a local Tibetan while the demonstration was being carried out.

“The demonstrators were also carrying banners urging Tibetans to rise up in solidarity with all those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet,” Khenpo Rigzin said.

Chinese security personnel had apparently let the demonstration go on while taking pictures and videos of the demonstrators.

Sopa Rinpoche set himself ablaze in front of the police station of Darlag County in Golog after shouting slogans calling for Tibet's freedom and the long life of Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

In leaflets that Sopa Rinpoche distributed just before his fatal self-immolation, he stated his fiery sacrifice was not for his “personal glory but for Tibet and the happiness of Tibetans."

"The Tibetans should not lose their determination. The day of happiness will come for sure. For the Dalai Lama to live long, the Tibetans should not lose track of their path," Sopa Rinpoche said in his last statement.

In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.