Release of ADR';s report on analysis Candidates contesting 2015 Delhi Assembly Polls

28 01 2015

Press Conference Invitation

​​

There shall be a Press Conference as follows:

Topic: Release of ADR';s report on analysis of Criminal, Financial and other background details of Candidates contesting 2015 Delhi Assembly Polls

Venue: Press Club of India, 1 Raisina Road, New Delhi

Date: 

​30th January

, 2015,

​Fri​

day

Time: 3 PM

Speakers: 

​1​

. Prof. Jagdeep Chhokar (Founder Member – ADR)

​2​

. Maj. Gen. Anil Verma (Retd.), Head, AD

​R​

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Categories : Media, Opinion, Politics

Czech Minister of Trade and Commerce visit to India

28 01 2015

Invitation and Press Release for the Press Confrence- Czech Minister of Trade and Commerce visit to India

From: “Czech Embassy – Culture & PR” <czechembassydelhi.culturepr@gmail.com> Wed, 28 Jan ’15 9:56a

Dear Sir/Madam,

On the occasion of the visit of the Czech Minister of Trade and Industry H.E Mr. Jan Mládek the Embassy of the Czech Republic has the honor to invite you for a Press Conference at the premises of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Delhi on January 28, 2015, between 7:30 to 8:00 pm.

Attending representatives of Indian media are also invited to stay for the following official reception. The Minister of Trade and Commerce of the Czech Republic will be visiting India and Nepal between January 28 to January 30, 2015, together with representatives of Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic and prominent Czech business. 

 

Please find attached Invitation for the Press Conference and kindly confirm your to Mr. Vikas Sharma, Culture and Press Relations Officer of the Embassy of the Czech Republic, no.: +91 8130893803, email: czechembassydelhi.culturepr@gmail.com    Kindly find the attached Invitation and Press Release.

Wishing you all the best and hope to see you all at the Embassy of the Czech Republic for the Press conference of H.E Mr. Jan Mládek, Minister of Trade and Industry of the Czech Republic.

 

Regards

Katerina Kuncova Second Secretary

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Categories : Media

Modi’s 4th Aborted Takeoff Indian Economy

28 01 2015

Modi’s 4th Aborted Takeoff Indian Economy – $500b Luggage
January27, 2015 (C) Ravinder Singh ravinderinvent@gmail.com
The problem of Modi in Ninth month of Prime Minister his term im
office is that he didn’t learn from Aborted attempts of Manmohan Singh
to Lift Off INDIAN ECONOMY for 120 months.  Obama see future of India
in 16 years old Vishal but Modi see nothing beyond Tata, Ambani,
Adani, Ruia etc.
Investment commitment during Obama visit was limited to just $4b or
less than $2 per capita after deducting for Administrative Cost to
India and as given in the annexed joint statement meant little to
India. Had Indian Banks $500b to Invest – We Could Have Concluded
$100b Worth Projects – Railways, Nuclear/Hydro/Solar Power, R&D
Project, Defense Projects, Water, Computer & Telecom Manufacturing
etc.
Every time Dr. Manmohan Singh flew out to any G-20 nation he carried
with him ‘50% of Debt Burden of India in Corporate India – $500b’ –
Modi too didn’t abandon the tradition. They invested $500b in foreign
Countries. Have not Created any IPR, Very Few Jobs, Made Little Tax
Contribution and Pay Nothing as Dividend.
India’s biggest DEBTOR who owes people of India $40 billion is first
in the queue as well and the rest in the Queue makes up 50% of the
debt owned by Indian Companies on Board Modi Flight. [Narayan Murthy
is the only one free of debt.]
S.No.    Country    Adults in thousands    2000 Total Wealth $b    2014 Total
Wealth $b    Wealth Per Adult $    Median Wealth $
1    India    775,767    1,163    3,604    4,645    1,006
2.     Japan    104,307    19,316    23,172    222,150    112,998
3.    Australia    16,719    1,432    7,202    430,777    225,337
4.    UK    48,381    7,184    14,157    292,621    130,590
5.    USA    240,648    42,941    83,708    347,845    53,352
World     4,699,383    117,052    263,242    56,016    3,641
India Created Just 1% of World’s Wealth For 17% Population.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India. Ph; 091- 9718280435, 9650421857

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Categories : Business

Just watch

28 01 2015

   Clippers ride Crawford’s shooting to 102-98 win over Nuggets

LOS ANGELES: Jamal Crawford never stews over statistics. As a prolific scorer, he knows he’s usually one shot away from triggering an offensive outburst.

So it was easy for him to shrug off his 20-of-62 shooting in five previous games and let things fly. Crawford scored 21 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Clippers held off the struggling Denver Nuggets 102-98 Monday night for their fifth straight victory

Crawford scored Los Angeles’ final five points and had a key save that led to a basket in the closing seconds, when the Clippers completed their biggest comeback of the season after trailing by 16 earlier in the game.
During timeouts, Crawford kept telling his teammates they were going to win
The usually soft-spoken Crawford said, “I always have belief.”
Ty Lawson led the Nuggets with 19 points and 11 assists. Arron Afflalo scored 18, Wilson Chandler had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Jusuf Nurkic grabbed 10 rebounds in Denver’s seventh straight loss.

Matt Barnes added 18 points for Los Angeles, and Blake Griffin had 14 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Chris Paul scored 15 points.

Griffin and Paul credited Crawford and the rest of the Clippers’ bench for bringing them all the way back.

The Clippers trailed by 10 early in the fourth before Crawford found his shooting touch. He hit a tying 3-pointer, and then followed with another basket that made it 94-92 with 2:30 remaining.

Glen Davis exhorted the crowd, shouting “Let’s go” at fans and waving his arms.

Afflalo tied it again before Barnes’ go-ahead basket. Paul’s pass was on its way out of bounds before Crawford saved it and passed to Barnes as Crawford was running out of bounds on the baseline. Barnes converted for a 96-94 lead.

Crawford converted three free throws to make it 99-94.

Chandler’s floater and two free throws by Darrell Arthur drew the Nuggets to 99-98.

Crawford made two trips to the line in the final 5 seconds, going 3 of 4 to seal the victory.

                                           Prince helps Celtics edge Jazz 99-90

 SALT LAKE CITY: For one night at least, Tayshaun Prince brought back memories of his successful run with Detroit at the start of his career.

Prince scored 19 points, and the Boston Celtics held off the Utah Jazz for a 99-90 victory on Monday.

Tyler Zeller had 14 points and seven rebounds for Boston, which grabbed control with a big second quarter. Jared Sullinger had 12 points and nine rebounds, and Avery Bradley also scored 12.

The 34-year-old Prince, who was acquired from Memphis in a three-team trade on Jan. 12, was 7 for 10 from the field and 3 for 4 at the free-throw line.

Gordon Hayward had 26 points for Utah, and Enes Kanter finished with 20. Reserve Trey Burke added 18 points, and Derrick Favors finished with 13 points with eight rebounds.

 The Celtics (16-27) dominated both sides of the floor in the second quarter, jumping to a 55-31 halftime lead. Boston outscored Utah 38-14 in the quarter while shooting 60 percent from the field for the period.

Utah shot 29.4 percent from the field in the second, but put together a big third period to get back in the game. Hayward had 13 in the third and Kanter scored 10. Hayward’s 3-pointer trimmed Boston’s lead to 71-66 heading into the final period.

 But the Celtics pulled away in the fourth.

 Westbrook, Ibaka help Thunder beat Timberwolves 92-84

                                                                                            

 OKLAHOMA CITY: Without Kevin Durant, the Thunder seamlessly shifted to their alter ego.

Russell Westbrook scored 18 points, Serge Ibaka added 13 points and a season-high 19 rebounds, and Oklahoma City gutted out a 92-84 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.

Durant sat out after spraining the big toe on his left foot Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The normally explosive Thunder adjusted and fell back on the the grind-it-out, defense-first approach that kept them competitive while Durant was out for the first 17 games of the season with a broken bone in his right foot. The Thunder won, despite shooting just 42 percent from the field.

Westbrook shot just 7 for 22 from the field, but was 4 for 6 and scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Thunder remain in control. Ibaka played one of his best games of the season. He made 6 of 13 shots and had two blocks and two steals.

Reserves Anthony Morrow and Reggie Jackson each added 14 points to help Oklahoma City’s bench outscore Minnesota’s 45-21. The Thunder reserves are used to coming up big because Durant has missed 24 games this season.

Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points, Thaddeus Young had 22 and Gorgui Dieng had a season-high 18 rebounds for the league-worst Timberwolves, who shot a season-low 34.1 percent from the field.

Oklahoma City led 25-19 at the end of the first quarter, then pushed the lead to 15 in the second. In the closing seconds of the first half, Nick Collison threw a pass the length of the court. Perry Jones caught the ball off the bounce in front of everyone and scored a reverse layup with 0.5 seconds remaining to give the Thunder a 48-40 lead at the break.

Wiggins scored 13 points in the first half to help the Timberwolves stay in the game.

Back-to-back baskets by Young cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 57-54 midway through the third quarter.

With the Thunder leading 62-56 late in the third quarter, Minnesota coach Flip Saunders was issued a technical foul for loudly disagreeing with a call against Wiggins. Jackson made all three free throws to bump Oklahoma City’s lead to nine heading into the fourth.

Saunders never expected an easier road when he learned Durant wouldn’t play.

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Categories : culture

HERO WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL GOLF TOUR 2015

28 01 2015

HERO WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL GOLF TOUR 2015

Vaishavi eyes an encore in the 3^rd leg

Kolkata, 27^th January:  Starting the season with a victory last week, Noida’s Vaishavi Sinha will be eager to continue with her good run in the 3^rd leg of the Hero Women’s professional golf tour which gets underway at the historic Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkata from Tuesday onwards. The INR 5,00,000 event will be played from the 28^th – 30^th of January 2015.

In her last outing at the Kalhaar Blues and Greens, Vaishavi had a slow start but some emphatic play on the last day saw her completing a very convincing victory while the current Hero Order Of Merit leader Vani Kapoor had a forgettable second leg. Vani who has been known as the queen of comebacks will be eager to make amends for her earlier errors and make astrong statement in the upcoming 3^rd leg.

The third leg also marks a comeback of Hero Motor Corp sponsored Sharmila Nicollet, who will play her first leg this season. The Bengaluru golfer who missed out on her LET full card this year has been training really hard and is expected to showcase some solid golf in the event.

Chandigarh’s Amandeep Drall impressed one and all with her gritty play in her rookie season finishing as the runners up in the 2^nd leg. She will look forward to keep the momentum going in the 3^rd leg as well and hope to return with some formidable results.Veteran Golfer Smriti Mehra too has had a decent start this season and is expected to perform well at her home course.

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Categories : sports

AIRASIA INDONESIA FLIGHT QZ 8501 UPDATE AS PER 27 JANUARY 2015 19:30

28 01 2015

AIRASIA INDONESIA FLIGHT QZ 8501 UPDATE

AS PER 27 JANUARY 2015 19:30 HRS LT (GMT+7)

SURABAYA, 27TH JANUARY 2015 – The search and rescue (SAR) operations continued this morning as divers were deployed into the sea to observe the sea floor and the fuselage wreckage conditions. However, the floating mission of the fuselage wreckage unfortunately had to be stopped due to strong underwater currents.

Earlier today, the Commander of the Indonesian Navy’s Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Widodo, announced that according to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander, General Moeldoko’s order, TNI has withdrawn all of its forces and assets from the search area. He added that the decision was made based on several considerations such as fuselage wreckage observation results which indicate that no remains are still left inside.

The National Search and Rescue Agency Republic of Indonesia (BASARNAS) is expected to announce their plans for the next phase of the SAR operations in the coming days.

The Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) today announced that one passenger was identified as: Prawira Harja Subagio (male). AirAsia Indonesia has officially handed over the remains to the respective families this afternoon. DVI POLRI also received an additional remain – recovered two days ago (25/01) – and had been flown from Pangkalan Bun, Central Borneo this afternoon. The remain will undergo further identification process at Bhayangkara Hospital.

To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 70 remains of which 55 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 15remains are still being identified.

AirAsia Indonesia would like to take this opportunity to urge the public seeking progress on the search and evacuation and identification process of QZ 8501 passengers to refer solely to official information from BASARNAS and DVI POLRI.

You may also obtain substantiated information only from authorised AirAsia social media accounts: Facebook (www.facebook.com/AirAsia)and Twitter (www.twitter.com/AirAsia).

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Categories : Business

NISSAN INDIA INVITES YOU TO THE LAUNCH

28 01 2015

Subject: LAUNCH OF NEW DEALERSHIP IN DELHI
From: Raj Kumar Ghosh <rajukrghosh@gmail.com> Tue, 27 Jan ’15 4:28p
Hi,
NISSAN GROUP
OF INDIA
NISSAN INDIA INVITES YOU TO THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW
DEALERSHIP
In presence of
GUILLAUME SICARD, PRESIDENT-NISSAN INDIA OPERATIONS
&
ARUN MALHOTRA, MD-NISSAN INDIA OPERATIONS

On Thursday, 29^th January, 2015
Time: 4:30 pm
Venue: Kaizen, Plot No. 10A,
Shivaji Marg, Moti Nagar
Delhi

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Categories : Uncategorized

Global news

27 01 2015

US embassy in Yemen closes to public

The US embassy in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, was closed to the public over security concerns amid turmoil in the Arabian Peninsula state. The embassy “will resume consular operations as soon as our analysis indicates we are able to do so safely,” it said in a statement. On January 22, Yemeni President Hadi submitted a resignation letter to the parliament under pressure from advancing Shia militias.

5 killed as passenger pick-up hits landmine in SW Pakistan

At least five people were killed and one injured when a pick-up truck hit a landmine in the southwestern province of Baluchistan on Monday, Pakistani officials said. The incident happened in the Chattar area of Dera Murad district, around 257 kilometers southeast of the provincial capital of Quetta, AFP reported. No group has claimed responsibility, but separatists in the area have regularly attacked security personnel and state infrastructure.

Fight for Nigeria’s Maiduguri leaves over 100, mainly militants, killed

More than 100 people, mainly insurgents, died in fighting on Sunday in Nigeria’s Maiduguri, Reuters said, citing a local journalist as saying on Monday. The local reporter, Bello Dukku, said the dead also included at least 15 soldiers and a few civilians. Another 50 people were wounded in the fighting, according to the reporter.

Turkey orders Facebook to block pages insulting Mohammad

A Turkish court has ordered Facebook to block a number of pages deemed insulting to the Prophet Mohammad, Reuters reported. The court also threatened on Sunday to stop access to the whole social network if it doesn’t comply, according to local media. The court order followed a request by a prosecutor, TRT said.

Ukraine govt declares ‘high alert regime’ nationwide – PM

The Ukrainian government has introduced “an emergency situation regime” on the territory of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions, and “a high alert regime” nationwide, TASS quoted Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk as saying on Monday. This decision was made to “coordinate the activities of all state bodies to ensure citizens’ security and public order,” he said. The PM will also head a new commission on emergency situations.

34 airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria, Iraq – US military

The US and its allies launched 21 airstrikes in Syria and 13 in Iraq against the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) over a 24-hour period, Reuters reported. The Combined Joint Task Force said Monday that 17 of the strikes since Sunday targeted Kobani, a contested city on the border with Turkey. The strikes in Iraq targeted near Mosul, Tal Afar, Haditha and Fallujah.

Kurds fighters expel ISIS militants from Syria’s Kobani

Kurdish fighters have expelled jihadists from the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) from the Syrian border town of Kobani after more than four months of fighting, AFP reported, citing a monitor. Fighters from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) had “expelled all Islamic State fighters from Kobani and have full control of the town,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Kurds are pursuing some jihadists on the eastern outskirts of Kobani, “but there is no more fighting inside now,” Rahman said.

Italian prosecutors seek 26 years prison for Costa Concordia captain

Italian prosecutors called Monday for the captain of the doomed Costa Concordia, to serve 26 years and three months in jail for the 2012 shipwreck which left 32 people dead, AFP said. “This is not an exaggerated sentence,” prosecutor Maria Navarro told the court in Grosseto, Tuscany. The prosecutor said Francesco Schettino, dubbed ‘Captain Coward’ by the media was guilty of multiple manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship before all the passengers were safe.

3 killed in first US drone strike in Yemen this year

The US has carried out its first drone strike in Yemen since its president resigned, AP reported, citing tribal leaders and security officials. The first strike this year on a vehicle in an area called Hareib, located between the provinces of Marib and Shabwa, killed three suspected Al-Qaeda militants on Monday. It was also the first since Shiite Houthi in control of the capital, Sanaa, put President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his ministers under house arrest.

Japan seeks help from Jordan, other states to save hostage

Japan sought help from Jordan and other countries Monday in its race to save a hostage held by Islamic State militants, AP said. No details of the talks with Jordan, where a Japanese envoy is coordinating regional efforts to save hostage Kenji Goto, were reported. Japanese officials have indicated they are accepting the likelihood that the second hostage, Haruna Yukawa, a 42-year-old adventurer captured in Syria last summer, had been killed.

West uses Ukraine tragedies to impose new sanctions on Russia – Lavrov

The tragedies in Ukraine are used by the West to stir anti-Russian hysteria and impose new sanctions, TASS quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as saying on Monday. “We are well aware of the cynical use of such tragedies to pervert the truth” without waiting for results of unbiased investigations, the minister said.“The West should understand how they will build policy both on Russia and Ukraine, as well as on the security situation on our continent,” according to Lavrov. He added he hopes that common sense and objective national interests will prevail.

Number of Philippines police officers killed in clash with Muslim rebels rises to 49

At least 49 Philippines police commandos have been killed in a clash with Muslim rebels in the south, AFP said. An 11-hour gun battle broke out after police entered the remote town of Mamasapano, held by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. There was reportedly no coordination with the rebels as required under their ceasefire agreement. The bodies of 49 police have been recovered from the town on Mindanao Island and moved to an army camp, according to regional police spokeswoman Judith Ambong.

‘No threat’ as Secret Service recovers ‘device’ at White House

A “device” has been found on the grounds of the White House, AP quoted a spokesman for President Barack Obama as saying. Secret Service agents recovered the object but early indications are that it doesn’t pose a threat to anyone in the building, according to Josh Earnest. Obama and his wife, Michelle, are on a three-day visit to India.

Houthi rebels disperse demonstrators in Yemen capital

Houthi Shiite rebels armed with knives and batons attacked and detained demonstrators on Monday, who were protesting against their power grab in Yemen’s capital, AP reported. Militiamen attacked protesters and journalists who had converged on Sanaa’s Change Square – the epicenter of Yemen’s 2011 uprising. The violent dispersal came as Sanaa University students staged a demonstration inside the campus. The Houthi rebels seized Sanaa in September. Days of gun battles last week ended with rebels placing the president, prime minister and top officials under house arrest.

Turkey opens biggest camp for 35,000 Kobani refugees

Turkey opened its biggest refugee camp on Sunday to house 35,000 people fleeing fighting between Kurdish forces and Islamist militants in Kobani, Syria, Reuters reported. The tent camp in the southeastern border town of Suruc has two hospitals, seven medical clinics and classrooms for 10,000 children, according to national disaster management agency AFAD. Turkey has some 24 camps housing 265,000 Syrian refugees with another set to open in Mardin next month. The majority of 1.7 million refugees in Turkey live on the streets and in shanty towns, and authorities have begun to transfer them to camps.

The sons of Egypt’s ex-President Mubarak freed from prison

Two sons of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak have been released from prison, AP reported, citing officials. Wealthy businessman Alaa and Mubarak’s one-time heir apparent Gamal were first arrested along with their father nearly four years ago. The two walked free from Torah Prison in a southern Cairo suburb shortly after daybreak on Monday and were believed to have headed to their homes in the capital. They separately face trial on insider trading, and had been acquitted of other charges. Mubarak and his sons face a retrial on corruption charges.

Philippines police recover 43 bodies of commandos killed by Muslim rebels

Philippine police have recovered at least 43 bodies of the dozens commandos who were mown down by Muslim rebel gunfire in a far-flung southern village, AP reported. The national police’s elite Special Action Forces moved in the village over the weekend to hunt down one of Southeast Asia’s most-wanted terrorists, officials said Monday. The government reportedly suffered its biggest single-day combat loss in many years in the battle scene in and around the village of Tukanalipao in Mamasapano township. The commandos had apparently had a “misencounter” with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the main Muslim insurgent group.

Syrian govt officials, opposition to meet in Moscow

Representatives of Syrian opposition are meeting in Moscow on Monday, and they will be joined by Syrian government officials later in the day, TASS reported. Both sides will be able to meet Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to Russian President’s special Middle East and Africa envoy, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. “If they all gather, then representatives of both sides will be able to meet the minister,” he said.

Syria rebels fire rockets at central Damascus, 7 killed

Seven people were killed when rebels fired a barrage of rockets and mortar rounds Sunday in central Damascus, AFP reported, citing a monitoring group. “Five civilians and two soldiers have been killed and dozens more wounded,” according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Rebels in the Eastern Ghouta area fired more than 43 locally-made rockets and mortar rounds at several areas of central Damascus, it added. The attack came two days after militants threatened to retaliate for fatal air raids by the Syrian government forces against an opposition-held area on the edge of the capital.

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Categories : Business, world News

US, EU threaten new Russia sanctions over Ukraine

26 01 2015

Jan 26
US President Barack Obama and European leaders are threatening new sanctions on Russia after pro-Russian rebels launched a deadly rocket attack on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.
On a state visit to India yesterday, Obama said he would ratchet up pressure on Moscow in the wake of Saturday’s attack that killed at least 30 people and injured more than 80 others when the rockets slammed into a market and apartment buildings.
Obama said, they are deeply concerned about the latest break in the Ukrainian ceasefire. Some European leaders have recently talked of easing economic sanctions against Moscow but European Union president Donald Tusk said that appeasement encourages the aggressor to greater acts of violence. He said, it is the time to step up their policy based on cold facts, not illusions.

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Categories : Business, Legal, Media, Politics

India celebrates 66th Republic Day

26 01 2015

In presence of Chief Guest Barack Obama, First lady of US Michelle Obama the meticulous planned Republic Day parade one of India’s prestigious pageant showcasing the multiple culture and discipline army bests actions. Chief Guest Barack Obama signaled thumps-up when he saw the Poster, “WE LOVE OBAMA”  at tableau and in crowd thus Thanks giving by people of India showed exemplary love to the leader.
India produced global best exhibition of its military prowess & cultural diversity showcased on Rajpath to mark Republic Day celebrations. However West Bengal was missing from today’s Republic Day parade.
Reports say that the central government rejected Bengal’s tableau theme, ‘Kanyashree’, which is a pet project of chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
The rejection did not go down well with the Trinamool Congress as Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Kanyashree’ program is being projected as a major achievement of the Bengal government.
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O Brien tweeted: ‘Bengal Tableaux for Republic Day depicting path-breaking Kanyashree initiative was not allowed.’
India celebrates its 66th Republic Day today with gaiety and enthusiasm. President Pranab Mukherjee unfurled the national flag at Rajpath in the presence of Chief Guest Barack Obama, First lady of US Michelle Obama, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After unfurling the tricolour, the National Anthem was played with 21-gun salute. The Republic Day ceremony commenced at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate where Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath. Before commencement of parade President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the highest peacetime gallantry Award Ashok Chakra posthumously to Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh and Major Mukund Varadarajan who laid their life during anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir .The award was received by the wives of the martyrs.Chief Guest of this year’s Republic day function US president Barack Obama arrived at Rajpath along with his wife Michelle Obama.
President Obama was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi amidst thunderous applause. The inclement weather conditions failed to dampen the spirits of Delhites, who turned out in unprecedented numbers, to be part of the 66th Republic Day celebrations.
Obama is the first US president to be chief guest at the Republic Day and the first US president to visit India twice while in office.
This was followed by the President’s Bodyguards escorting President Pranab Mukherjee’s cavalcade down Raisina Hill marking the beginning of the 66th Republic Day Celebration.
Rajpath reverberated with the tunes of ” swagatam shubha swagatam,” as President’s cavalcade arrived escorted by the President’s Guards.
At sharp 10.10am, the Republic Day parade began from Vijay Chowk marching towards the saluting base on Rajpath, towards India Gate.
The parade was commanded by Lt. General Subroto Mitra, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area while Major General Abhay Krishna, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area was Second-in-Command.
India showed its military might on Rajpath. Surface-to-air missile system, weapon locating radar among DRDO equipment rolled down Rajpath.
The Brigade of the Guards, the Grenadiers, the Jat Regiment, the Sikh Regiment, the Kumaon Regiment, the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, 14 Gorkha Training Centre and the Territorial Army (Punjab) were the other marching contingents that took part in the Republic Day parade.
The grand finale of the parade was a spectacular flypast by the Indian Air Force.
With women’s Empowerment being the theme of this year’s parade, for the first time all-women’s contingent of the armed forces marched down the Rajpath. The parade displayed indigenously developed medium-range surface-to-air missile ‘Akash’, multi barrel rocket launcher ‘Pinaka’, laser-guided missile capable T-90 Bheeshma tank, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II Sarath and T-72 with Trawl. The indigenously built stealth destroyer INS Kolkata was also displayed which was inducted in the Indian Navy in July last year.
The main attraction of the parade was sparkling show of air power, fascinating tableaux depicting the diverse culture and dance by colorfully dressed school children. 24 children who have been awarded with the National Bravery Award also participated in the parade.
A total of 25 tableaux participated in the parade,with 16 of them belonging to states and the union territories. A giant mechanised lion symbolic of Make in India policy, huge mock-up of Karnataka’s famed wooden toys, scale model of Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity, bullet train and safety and education of girl child were some of the attractions.
Furthermore Reports of Republic Day celebrations are pouring in from different States and Union Territories across the country. Governors and Chief Ministers unfurled the national flag. The Governors also took salute at the march past by contingents of police and armed forces. Various cultural programmes and tableaux were presented to mark the celebrations.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the main function of Republic Day celebrations was held in the winter capital city of Jammu today. The function was organised at M.A. Stadium where the State Governor N.N.Vohra hoisted the Tricolour. In the Kashmir Valley, the Republic Day was also celebrated amidst unprecedented security arrangements. The function was held at Bakshi stadium, where Kashmir Divisional Commissioner unfurled the national flag. For the first time since 2005, the mobile phone and mobile Internet services were not disrupted in Kashmir Valley as part of the security drill for Republic Day celebrations.
In Leh in Jammu & Kashmir, the Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Mr Rigzin Spalbar hoisted the national flag.
In Assam, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi unfurled the tricolor at Khanapara in Guwahati. Referring to the massacre of 23rd of last month in his speech, the Chief Minister said that violence will not solve any problem. Gogoi said that the government is committed to take strict action against the terrorists. He also appealed all militant groups to shun violence.
In Chhatisgarh, Governor Balramji Das Tandon unfurled the national flag and took the salute at the Republic Day parade held in state capital Raipur. AIR Correspondent has reported that Chief Minister Raman Singh hoisted the tri-colour at Maoist affected Bastar divisional headquarter Jagdalpur.
In Andhra Pradesh, Governor E.S.L Narasimhan paid tributes to Pingali Venkaiah, who had designed the national flag.
There are similar reports of Republic Day celebrations from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra and several other states.
Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh, the two army personnel who laid down their lives combating militants in Kashmir Valley, were today awarded posthumously the highest peacetime military honour, the Ashok Chakra, by President Pranab Mukherjee.
The awards were received by their wives at the 66th Republic Day celebrations. Both the army men laid down their lives while battling groups of militants in separate operations in Shopian and Kupwara districts of Kashmir.
Major Varadarajan, who was an officer in the Rajput Regiment of the Indian Army, killed three terrorists in an encounter in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir in April last while Naik Neeraj Singh leading a search operation in general area Gurdaji of Kupwara district in August came under heavy fire from terrorists.
Media agencies

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Categories : culture, Education, Media, Politics

Greece’s – snap general election

25 01 2015

A legislative election  take place in Greece on 25 January 2015 to elect all 300 members to the Hellenic Parliament in accordance with the constitution. The election are held as per scheduled due to the failure of the Greek parliament to elect a new president on 29 December 2014.

Greece voting on an election likely to bring in a government led by the left-wing Syriza party, which has promised to take on international lenders and roll back painful austerity measures imposed during years of economic crisis.The victory for Syriza, led opinion polls for months, would produce the first government in the eurozone openly committed to cancelling the austerity terms of its EU and IMF-backed bailout programme.

Greece has endured tough budget cuts in return for its bailout, negotiated with the European Union, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank (ECB).
The economy has shrunk drastically since the 2008 global financial crisis, and increasing unemployment has thrown many Greeks into poverty.

A Syriza win is turning point for Europe after last week’s announcement by the European Central Bank of a massive injection of cash into the bloc’s flagging economy after years of trying to clamp down on budgets and pushing countries to pass structural reforms.
Polls are due to close at 1700GMT with the first exit poll expected immediately after voting ends.
Greeks 9.8 millions are registered to vote in the election.

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Categories : election

Indo-US Nuclear-Deal Okay Dokey,

25 01 2015

Indo-US Nuclear -Deal Okay Dokey

US withdraws tracking clause

Obama at Hyderabad House lawns

PM’s Top Ministers Break for Lunch at Famous Dhaba

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are now holding expanded delegation level talks. Earlier, both the leaders held restricted talks over lunch at Hyderabad house.
The US President was given a guard of honour with a 21 gun salute at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan soon after his arrival. Mr Obama was introduced to Indian cabinet Ministers and Senior Leaders there. Barack Obama said, he is grateful for the extraordinary hospitality which is a great honour for him. Accompanied by the First Lady Michelle Obama, Mr Obama arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit this morning. Breaking normal protocol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly received the United States President and the First Lady. President Obama’s National Security Council in a tweet said, Jai Hind. It said, Mr Obama is honored to be back in India to celebrate Republic Day and begin a new chapter in the US-India partnership.
Mr. Obama also visited Rajghat and laid wreath at the Samadhi of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and planted a sapling there.

Naresh Kumar Sagar

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Categories : Business

Lungu wins Zambia presidential election

25 01 2015

Defence and Justice Minister Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front won by a 48.3%, as per latest update released by Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima at 23 Hours using 111 consolidated constituency results, PF’s Edgar Lungu is still reducing with 670,397 representing 48.87 percent of the vote.
Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND is close in second place with 641,343 representing 46.75 percent of the vote.
Edith Nawakwi of the FDD has leapfrogged Dr Nevers Mumba of the MMD to occupy third position with 11,260 representing 0.82 percent of the vote.
Media agencies

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Categories : world News

Across Globe

25 01 2015

Thousands of Yemenis protest against Houthi rebels

About 20,000 mostly Sunni Yemenis marched through capital Sanaa in protest against the Shia Houthi rebels, who have controlled the capital of the Middle Eastern country since September last year. As well as chanting anti-Houthi slogans, the crowd denounced their alleged backers – Iran and Al Qaeda. The demonstrators converged outside the house of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who was forced to resign earlier this week, after being placed under virtual house arrest by the rebels.

Ukrainian Court prolongs arrest of anti-Maidan protesters in Odessa fire case

A court in Odessa, southern Ukraine, has prolonged the arrests of 21 people probed in anti-Maidan protests in the city last May by two months. The detained are accused of instigating mass clashes between the supporters of new authorities in Kiev and their opponents. According to the Court, the suspects could affect the investigation if released. Ten of them are being kept in prison and eleven more are being held under house arrest.

Spanish police arrest 4 suspected

Spain’s police have arrested four people in Ceuta, in the Spanish area in Northern Africa bordering with Morrocco, who are suspected of belonging to a militant Islamist group capable of plotting an attack in the country. According to Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz, they are two pairs of brothers, highly radicalized and highly trained. El Pais newspaper reports one of them posted a video online urging others to wage jihad. Spain stepped up its security after the terror attacks in Paris. Earlier, the national police and Moroccan police arrested seven people in a joint operation to prevent recruitment of people to join militants in Syria.

Obama departs India early to visit mourning Saudi Arabia

President Barack Obama will cut short a formal visit on Tuesday to India and head to Riyadh to pay respects following the death of King Abdullah, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement. Obama, together with the First Lady, will meet the new King Salman. Vice President Joe Biden, previously scheduled to make the trip to Saudi Arabia, “will remain in Washington” the statement said. The Saudi king’s funeral was held early Friday in accordance with Islamic tradition, and the kingdom will remain in mourning for three days. The sudden change of plans means Obama will miss a visit to the Taj Mahal, Pradeep Bhatnagar, a leading state official based in the city of Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, told The Associated Press.

Indonesian search fuselage of crashed AirAsia flight

Four more bodies were recovered and an operation was begun to raise the fuselage of the AirAsia Flight 8501 wreckage from the bottom of the Java Sea on Saturday. The start of the operation comes a day after recovery crews were able to enter the main section of the plane, which crashed on December 28. Bad weather prevented them from entering it earlier in January when it was first spotted. “We have begun the operation today to lift the main body and we hope we can float it today,” one official with the rescue agency told AFP. The authorities blame bad weather on the crash, which took place on a short flight from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore. It has also been established this week that shortly before the plunge, the plane had started a climb at an abnormally high speed. The tragedy claimed 162 lives.

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Categories : Uncategorized

Modi-Obama’s Joint Radio Address special with MyGov

25 01 2015

Having trouble reading this email? View it on your mobile and web browser

Let us make PM Narendra Modi and President Obama’s Joint Radio Address special with MyGov This month’s Mann Ki Baat Radio Programme will be a memorable one as our Republic Day Guest President Barack Obama will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi and share their thoughts together. MyGov gives you the unique opportunity to share your questions for the radio programme which will be aired on 27th January. Post your questions to the Open Forum on MyGov by 25th January and be a part of this momentous address. Click here Connect with the PM Interact with the PM National Portal of India OGD Platform India

—
This message was sent to nksagar_1@yahoo.com from MyGov through

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Categories : Business

Chikkarangappa, Angad Cheema & Abhijit Singh Chadha earn their maiden Asian Tour cards

25 01 2015

Himmat Singh Rai regains his card
Hua Hin, Thailand, January 24, 2015: Indian youngsters Chikkarangappa, Angad Cheema and Abhijit Singh Chadha finished inside the top-40 after the final round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage and thus earned their maiden Asian Tour cards. Himmat Singh Rai, a former winner on the Asian Tour, also regained his card after finishing inside the top-40.

Chikkarangappa (66-66-76-68), a winner on the Asian Development Tour in 2014, finished as the highest-placed Indian at the event as he claimed fourth position at nine-under-276. The Bangalorean, who shot a creditable three-under-68 on Saturday, finished six shots behind the winner Daniel Chopra of Sweden.
Chikka, who finished second on the PGTI';s Rolex Rankings in 2013 and 2014, made four birdies and a bogey in his final round.
Chandigarh lad Angad Cheema (69-71-68-72) earned his place in Asia';s premier tour after a tied 12th finish at five-under-280 along with Delhi-based Himmat Singh Rai (70-67-71-72)
Abhijit Singh Chadha (71-69-73-71), another Chandigarh golfer, also managed to progress to the Asian Tour thanks to his tied 37th finish at one-under-284. The top 47 players earned their full cards for the 2015 Asian Tour season as 11 players were in tied 37th after the final round.

Interestingly, India';s three new entrants on the Asian Tour, Chikka, Cheema and Chadha, are all below the age of 25. The three golfers are also tournament winners on the PGTI.

The three Indians who finished outside the top-40 and thus missed their cards were Amardip Sinh Malik (two-over-287) in tied 62nd place, Khalin Joshi (four-over-289) in tied 77th and C Muniyappa (five-over-290) in tied 84th place.

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Categories : sports

Welcomed President Barack Obama & Michelle Obama to India.

25 01 2015

Narendra Modi

 

Welcomed President Barack Obama & Michelle Obama to India.
With a break to protocol, US President & First lady was greeted at the airport by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.PM Modi receives US President Barack Obama with a warm hug at the Palam airport a pleasing moment. by Nks

Naresh Kumar Sagar

NDTV

 

PM ‪#‎Modi‬ Greets ‪#‎Obama‬ With Hug
Watch full video: http://goo.gl/v9CQaf
‪#‎NamastePOTUS‬

00:20

Latest features  of historic visit:

1. “I am grateful for the extraordinary hospitality, it’s a great honour to be back in India,” President Obama said at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He later visited Rajghat where he paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and planted a sapling.
2. President Obama is now headed to Hyderabad House for a working lunch with PM Modi. The two leaders will have an expanded delegation level meeting expected to last for about an hour.
3. A one-on-one walk is also planned at the Hyderabad House. With progress in talks on a stalled nuclear deal, India is optimistic that a key breakthrough will be made, officials said.
4. President Obama and his wife landed in Delhi a little before 10 this morning, on a three-day visit to India. In a departure from protocol, PM Modi received them at the airport. He greeted President Obama with a hug and the leaders shook hands.
5. President Obama has been invited by PM Modi to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations tomorrow. He will be the first US president to be chief guest at the Republic Day parade. He is also the first US president to visit India twice.
6. The US President will attend a state banquet hosted by President Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening. Sources said 250 guests have been invited for the banquet.
7. Tomorrow, President Obama will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade at Delhi’s Rajpath. Later, the Obamas will attend an ‘at home’ reception hosted by President Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
8. On Monday afternoon, President Obama and PM Modi will participate in a CEO forum roundtable and address the US-India Business Summit. On Tuesday, the US President will give an address at the Siri Fort Auditorium before leaving for Saudi Arabia. He cancelled a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra.
9. In Delhi, President Obama is travelling in his special car, called the Beast, which has both the US and the Indian flags on it today.
10. A little after he arrived in India the White House tweeted, “President Obama is honored to be back in #India to celebrate Republic Day and to begin a new chapter in the US-India partnership. Jai Hind!”
11. From NDTV

Naresh Kumar Sagar

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Categories : Politics, world News

Hollande ask corporate leaders to join global fight against terror

24 01 2015

Hollande ask corporate leaders to join global fight against terror

Jan 24
Calling for a shared response against extremism, French President Francois Hollande on Friday asked corporate leaders to join the global fight against terror. He also urged the international community to resolve existing conflicts.
Addressing participants at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meet, weeks after his country witnessed one of the worst terror attacks, Hollande said there should be a shared response by both governments and businesses to terrorism. Hollande said, corporate leaders are the lifeblood of the economic world. He asked the biggest bosses of companies around the world, not only to be watchful but to also get involved. Hollande called on the financial system to ensure that the sources of financing for terrorists are dried up.
The French leader also urged “major digital corporations to play their role, to identify illegal content and to make them inaccessible and to establish clear rules, because they are also stakeholders”. The corporate world cannot have prosperity without security. According to him, the international community needs to do more to resolve existing conflicts and stabilise simmering global hotspots.
“Every time the world lets a conflict linger, terrorism flourishes. France will always be present. Whenever it can act, it will,” Hollande said.

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Categories : world News

President Obama leaves for New Delhi today

24 01 2015

Jan 24
US President Barack Obama will leave for a three-day trip to India later today.  White House said that Obama will be accompanied by the First Lady Michelle Obama, and a delegation that will include several top officials. He is expected to touch down in Delhi at 10 am tomorrow at the Air Force Station, Palam.
On his arrival, the US President will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Thereafter, he will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat and participate in a tree planting event there.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said, in the afternoon, Obama will join Modi for a restricted working lunch at the Hyderabad House, after which the two leaders will have a delegation level meeting.
Later in the evening, Obama is scheduled to meet embassy personnel and families. He will then drive down to the Rashtrapati Bhawan to attend the state dinner with Mr Pranab Mukherjee.
On Monday, the US President will participate in the Republic Day celebrations with the First Lady. In the afternoon, Obama and Modi will participate in a CEO forum round table and deliver remarks at a US-India Business Summit.
On Tuesday, Modi and Obama will jointly address the nation from All India Radio in the programme, ‘Mann Ki Baat’. The US President will also give an address at the Siri Fort Auditorium.

NBC News

 

Obama will skip the Taj Mahal and fly to Saudi Arabia to pay respects to its new king.

Obama Cuts Short India Trip to Visit Mourning Saudi Arabia

President Barack Obama and the First Lady will travel to Saudi Arabia to pay respects following the death of King Abdullah, the White House said.

nbcnews.to

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Categories : Business, CSR, culture, world News

Ravinder Tavel wins PGTI Qualifying School 2015

24 01 2015

Ravinder Tavel wins PGTI Qualifying School 2015 after playoff victory over Trishul Chinappa

Thirty-eight players earn full cards for 2015 season

Eagleton – The Golf Resort, Bangalore, January 23, 2015: Ravinder Tavel (69-72-69-70) of Chandimandir, Haryana, prevailed in a playoff against Bangalore’s Trishul Chinappa (75-69-69-67) to win the PGTI’s Final Qualifying Stage for the 2015 season being held at Eagleton – The Golf Resort near Bangalore. Tavel defeated Chinappa on the second playoff hole after the two golfers ended the regulation 72 holes with matching totals of eight-under-280.

At the end of round four, the top 38 players earned their cards for the 2015 PGTI season as five players were tied in 34^th place at seven-over-295.

Ravinder Tavel, who started the day two shots off the lead in joint second, emerged a major contender for the title after a solid front-nine where he made three birdies and a lone bogey. The 21-year-old from the SEPTA Golf Course in Chandimandir, a town on the outskirts of Chandigarh, then had a mixed back-nine as he made three birdies and an equal number of bogeys. Tavel finally sealed the affair against Trishul Chinappa, who shot the day’s best of 67, on the second playoff hole. Ravinder sank a seven feet par putt to win the event even as Chinappa missed a short par putt.

Tavel, who played his first full season on the PGTI in 2014, said, “I had a good start with some long conversions on the front-nine. However, the back-nine wasn’t that great as I missed some short putts to drop bogeys. I was quite confident going into the playoff even though Trishul had shot a much better score than me in regulation play. I held my nerve to hole a tricky par putt on the second playoff hole to seal the win.”

He added, “I’m delighted with this effort. It gives me the self-belief to do well in the 2015 PGTI season. Now that I’m in the top 100 of the tour, I will get more playing opportunities and can thus improve my game. I’ve worked really hard to get here. I would like to thank my coach Mr. Rampal for helping me with my game and Maj. Gen. Jagmohan Singh Sidhu and Col. Alok Sood for supporting me when I needed it the most.”

Udayan Mane of the Eagleton Golf Resort, Bangalore, finished third at seven-under-281.

Chandigarh’s K Raghav Bhandari and Delhi’s Anirudh Goyal shared fourth place at three-under-285.

Delhi golfer Siddharth Semwal, who fired a 68 on Friday, claimed sixth place at one-under-287.

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Categories : sports

Debate on the proposed 6000 MW Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Plant

24 01 2015

Press Release: We want fair and open discussion on the proposed 6000 MW Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Plant before taking any decision on the project – Open Letter sent to Narendra Modi & Barack Obama by Sarpanches of affected villages
From: napm india  Sat, 24 Jan ’15 8:54a
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
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Let us have fair and open discussion on the proposed 6000 MW Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Plant before taking any decision on the project – Open Letter sent to Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India & Mr. Barack Obama, President of USA by the Sarpanches of Mithi Virdi, Jaspara, Mandva and Khadarpar.
On 23 January 2015 one day fast observed against Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Plant by more than 300 villagers.
Fax & Email
Date: 22 January 2015
To,
Mr. Narendra Modi
The Prime Minister of India, Prime Minister’s Office, South Block, New Delhi
Mr. Barack Obama
The President of United State of America
The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
Subject: Need for public discussion and debate on the proposed 6000 MW Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Plant
Dear Sirs,
We are the villagers of the Mithi Virdi area of District Bhavnagar, Gujarat State, where the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), a Government of India company, seeks to install six 1000 MW (AP 1000) nuclear reactors with the joint support of the American company, Westinghouse Electric Corporation. We wish to put on record our viewpoint regarding this proposed nuclear power plant.
We are deeply concerned that NPCIL has nominated an environmental consulting firm (Engineers India Limited) lacking necessary accreditation to conduct the environmental impact assessment for Nuclear Power Plants. In fact, no agency in India is accredited to assess nuclear power projects by the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training.
In all, 152 villages with a population of more than 200,000 in 30 km radius of the proposed nuclear power plant will be “adversely affected” by the project. The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. The rich alluvial soil here supports crops like groundnut, wheat, bajra, and cotton, and fruits like mango, chikoos and coconut. The area also grows and supplies vegetables like onion, brinjal, gourd, tomatoes, and drumsticks on a regular basis to other parts of the state, and the climate and the soil are suitable for cashew nuts. This rich agriculture is threatened by the proposed nuclear plant. Moreover, the site of the project is about 5 km from top lignite mining site, while Asia’s biggest ship-breaking yard Alang is only a stones throw away, posing additional threats to public safety.
Moreover, the governing leadership of the village does not sanction this plant. On 9 March 2013 the gram Panchayats of four most-affected villages – Jaspara, Mithi Virdi, Mandva, and Khadarpar – passed a resolution declaring the entire Mithi Virdi-Jaspara region as nuclear free zone. Yet, a state official (Taluka Development Officer) unconstitutionally ordered the elected village head (Sarpanch) of Jaspara to grant approval for the state government transfer of forest land to the NPCIL in a letter dated July 15, 2013.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has asked NPCIL to “revise” and “resubmit” its Environment Impact Assessment report of the project, as it lacks clarity on a large number of issues. The panel, simultaneously, criticized the NPCIL for a three year delay in the proposal for environmental clearance following “site clearance” of the project by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, and noted key coastal regulatory clearances to be missing.
Pointing towards major shortcomings in the environment impact report, the Ministry of Environment and Forests noted: the absence of “base-line radioactivity data for milk samples;” the absence of the “impact of two hills near the site on atmospheric dispersion;” only eight water samples were collected and the need to “collect data for three seasons and submit;” the location of the Near Surface Disposal Facilities (NSDF) for radioactive waste was not clear; unclear “impact on land and groundwater;” absence of current status and a detailed study of “effect of historical tsunamis;” and no copy of the no-objection certificate (NOC) from the state irrigation department “since the project is located in a command area”.
This casual approach to clearing a Nuclear Power Plant can lead to a major Nuclear disaster. Agriculture forms the backbone for human survival, and this project strikes on a very important asset of our country – the prime agricultural lands.
It is not that we are against electricity generation. But no serious thought has been given to the available sustainable alternatives for electricity generation. The solar and wind power have equal and more sustainable potential to produce electricity and that too in a decentralised manner.
Keeping in mind above facts to reiterate again, the said agency, the EIL does not have necessary accreditation to conduct EIA for Nuclear Power Plants and also other anomalies bear serious reconsideration, therefore demand the following:

1. The concerned authority should immediately reject the present EIA of Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Plant of NPCIL prepared by EIL.
2. Let us have fair and open discussion on the proposed 6000 MW Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Plant Project before taking any decision on the project.
3. Consider other environmentally sustainable and non-hazardous technologies for electricity production, which can co-exist without disturbing the agricultural livelihoods.

We request you to give us date and time to explain in detail our above-mentioned points and other related points in the interest of justice.
Expecting your positive response.
Yours Faithfully,
Shaktisinh H. Gohil – Sarpanch, Jaspara village
Samuben Hirabhai Dabhi – Sarpanch, Mithi Virdi village
Vilasba Dharmendrasinh Gohil – Sarpanch, Mandva village
Pruthvirajsinh.M. Gohil – Sarpanch, Khadarpar village

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Categories : Energy, Environment, Law, Legal, Media, Opinion, Politics, Science