Zee TV announces its biggest Diwali Extravaganza

OCTOBER 4, 2014 8:26 AM / LEAVE A COMMENT / EDIT

Shah Rukh, Deepika, Farah, Abhishek, Boman, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah
come on board as ‘Agents of Happiness’

When 13 year old l’il Bheem taps his feet, snaps his fingers with a big grin on his face and moves like no one’s watching, he isn’t exactly the embodiment of perfection. He is, perhaps, more a comedy of errors, if anything. But one thing’s certain – He does put a smile on your face because he’s dancing straight from his heart. Ditto for Minal’s kitty party gang of middle-aged housewives from Karad, nurse Nora John who serves patients round-the-clock and dances behind closed doors because that’s the one thing that makes her happy and the senior citizen’s club of Mumbai who can put any youngster to shame with their spunk and energy. They have just a few things in common – a complete lack of inhibition, an ability to not take themselves too seriously, lose themselves in the moment and celebrate their own imperfections while spreading their inner joy as they dance seedha dil se …!

Zee TV, with its landmark franchise Dance India Dance, celebrated India’s passion for dance, making it nothing short of a religion across the country! Having scaled the pinnacle of brilliance in aesthetic, skillful dancing with DID, Zee TV now introduces India to yet another home-grown format … a genre of dancing that calls out to every Indian to brush aside considerations such as technique and training, just let their hair down and dance straight from the heart! Partnering with India’s biggest superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment & ZEEL’s creative and production studio Essel Vision Pvt Ltd, Zee TV brings viewers the biggest entertainment extravaganza with the hottest celebrity panel ever – ‘Maruti Suzuki Alto K 10 Dil Se Naache Indiawaale Co-powered by Askmebazaar.com & L’Oreal Paris Fall Repair 3X’.

Dil Se Naachein Indiawaale will be India’s first ever multi-city dance tour in search of the happiest dancer! Conducted through a joyride on a special ‘Happy Dancing’ bus, the tour will reach Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Indore in the coming days with a star-studded panel called the ‘Agents of Happiness’comprising none other than Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Farah Khan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani and Vivaan Shah. Dil Se Naachein Indiawaale, as a platform, calls for entries from dance enthusiasts across the length and breadth of the country to send in their ‘Happy Dancing’ videos and the shortlisted dancers will win an opportunity to showcase their acts in front of the ‘Agents of Happiness’.

Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, ZEEL says “Dil Se Naachein Indiawaale is Zee TV’s biggest Diwali extravaganza, introducing India to an all-new genre of dancing. The core idea is to spread happiness across the country through dance. We are pleased to partner with Shah Rukh in bringing this proposition alive. True to Zee TV’s positioning of Umeed Se Saje Zindagi, the show brings hope into the lives of countless dancers across the country who haven’t had the privilege of formal training. You don’t need to be flawless and technically brilliant in order to be appealing as a dancer, sometimes all it takes is a lot of heart!”

Shah Rukh Khan said, “For our film, Happy New Year, we wanted to move away from the conventional format of city tours where we only get to spend a few minutes talking to the crowd in a mall or a movie theatre. This time we wanted to go out there and thank them by entertaining them and giving back the love they always give us. When Zee approached us with the concept of a show that celebrates the sheer happiness of dancing as against selecting the most trained and technically sound dancers, it instantly appealed. The concept also holds well with our film. This will be our unique way of promoting our film in different cities. It gives all seven of us – Farah, Deepika, Abhishek, Boman, Sonu, Vivaan & I – an opportunity to reach out to everybody in India who unknowingly respond to any rhythm or music. All of us will be performing and judging in this show. The idea is to spread cheer and happiness wherever we all go!”

While audiences await the launch of this exciting property, it has already created quite a stir amongst the advertisers’ fraternity, with Maruti Suzuki Alto K 10 coming on board as the title sponsor andAskmebazaar.com and L’Oreal Paris Fall Repair 3X stepping in as co-powered by sponsors. Zydus Cadilla, Nerolac, Liberty Shoes and Vicco have come on board as Associate Sponsors.

With the hottest celebrity panel ever on Indian television, an all-new genre of dancing and the first-of-its-kind dance tour with a mission to spread joy and happiness across the country, Dil Se Naachein Indiawaale,promises to be the biggest entertainment extravaganza this Diwali!

Starting 11th October, ‘Maruti Suzuki Alto K 10 Dil Se Naache Indiawale Co-powered byAskmebazaar.com & L’Oreal Paris Fall Repair 3X’ will air every Saturday-Sunday at 9 PM, only on Zee TV.

INDIA Economic growth picked up but remained below potential

October 3, 2014Uncategorized Edit

The economy expanded by 4.9% in the fiscal year 2013, up from 4.5% in the previous year. This rate is, however far below the 9.5% pace registered in the years prior to the global financial crisis. Subdued output growth pushed up the measured unemployment rate by one percentage to 4.7%.

A fragile global economy has weighed on growth in recent years, but delays in tackling structural impediments, such as rising inequality, high inflation, infrastructure shortages and public spending effectiveness, have also been important factors.

Tight monetary policy to contain inflationary expectations and capital flight also had and impact on domestic demand. Consumer confidence deteriorated with car sales in 2013 declining for the first time in a decade. Fixed investment also showed, in the with sluggish demand and higher interest rates.

The economy is expected to enjoy stronger growth momentum of 5.5% in the fiscal year 2014, underpinned by solid expansion in the Industrial and services sectors. Higher growth in the developed countries and the weaker local currency would support exports. The formation of a new Government after parliamentary elections in April-May 2014 also provides impetus to economic reforms.

Elevated inflationary pressure

The inflation rate remained at above 10% in 2013.  In addition to supply constraints, the weaker currency and cuts in fuel price subsidies are contributing factors.

High food inflation hit the poor harder, as they spend proportionally more on food purchases, especially cereals and vegetables. Food items account for close to half of the consumer price index in India.

Exports rebounded 

Merchandise exports resumed a positive growth in 2013 after a modest contraction in 2012. The pickup was mainly fuelled by strengthening import demand from developed economies but the weaker Indian Rupee also helped.

The current account deficit narrowed to 2.4% of GDP in 2013. In addition to the export rebound, the measures to curb sizeable gold imports also prayed a role.

Financial market volatility 

India experienced capital outflows and sharp currency deprecation in mid 2013 on speculation of a change in the United States monetary policy stance.

In response, capital flow management tools were introduced, such as lowering the limit on overseas investment. Moreover, after a steady decrease between January and September 2013, the policy interest rate was raised to stem capital outflows.

Macroeconomic imbalances, such as persistently high inflation and limited fiscal space, have constrained India’s capacity to weather capital flow volatility  more resiliently.

More heavily affected economies were those with large fiscal and current account deficits financed by external short term capital flows. This highlights the need for a deeper structural transformation to drive India’s dynamic competitive advantage.

Structural reform agenda 

India’s 12th National Development Plan (2012-17) emphasized the need for the country to reverse the recent economic slowdown, while ensuring that growth was more inclusive and sustainable. Tackling macroeconomic imbalances, particularly high fiscal and current account deficits, is cited as an immediate policy challenge.

Some of the country’s recent from initiatives include : relaxing caps on foreign investment in such sectors as retail and telecommunications; setting up an investment committee to speed up the implementation of large infrastructure projects; passing a food security act that provides subsidized food grains to two thirds of the population; and introducing clearer guidelines on the land acquisition process.

Regarding financial reforms, there are proposals to create a new category of banks that would focus on lending to small businesses and low income households and to introduce a structured monetary policy framework to increase central bank independence.

About these ads

Occasionally, some of your visitors may see an advertisement here.

Tell me more | Dismiss this message

Asia Pacific developing nations must unlock fiscal space to sustain growth dynamism

ESCAP flagship publication outlines ways to mobilize resources for sustainable development  

Bangkok (ESCAP News) - Asia Pacific developing economies are experiencing yet another year of subdued growth, the United Nations said here today, calling for quick action on the removal of domestic structural constraints and the unlocking of fiscal space to help stimulate growth and support social development.

Sturctural constaints, such as infrastructure and development deficts, along with external challenges, are keeping the region from realizing its economic potential, according to the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2014, the annual flagship publication of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Developing countries in the region are forecast to grow at an average of 5.8 percent in 2014, up from 5.6 percent last year. This marks the third successive year of growth below 6 percent. By comparison, growth averaged 9.5 percent in the pre-crisis years of 2005-2007 and over 7 percent in 2010 and 2011.

“The constrained domestic growth prospects of the region have underlined the importance of productive countercyclical public spending to support inclusive growth and sustainable development, “ United Nations under secretary general and ESCAP Executive Secretary Dr. Shamshad Akhtar said.

Trade driven East and North East Asia is expected to grow moderately at 4.1 per cent in 2014 against 4.2 percent last year. Subdued global commodities demand is forecast to lower North and Central Asian growth to 1.3 percent from 2.1 percent in 2013. Despite geographical challenges, Pacific island developing economies are projected to grow at 4.9 percent against 4.0 per cent last year. Growth in South and south-west asia is forecast at 4.7 percent in 2014 from 3.9 per cent last year. South East Asia’s economy is set to grow slower at 4.6 percent from 4.9 per cent last year.

Dr. Akhtar emphasized that developing economies in Asia and the Pacific are experiencing subdued growth for different reasons, including economic rebalancing and sustainability considerations in China, monetary tightening to flight and inflation in India and Indonesia, and the impact of geopolitical instability on the Russian Federation.

China India, Indonesia, and the Russian Federation are projected to grow at 7.5, 5.5, 5.4 and 0.3 percent, respectively in 2014 compared to 7.7, 4.7, 5.8 and 1.3 percent, respectively in 2013. The group of 12 least developed countries (LDCs) in the region are forecast to grow at 5.6 percent in 2014 –slower than the developing Asia Pacific average.

Inflation in developing Asia Pacific countries as a whole is projected at 4.8 percent in 2014 against 5.0 percent last year, but will be a concern for some large developing economies including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Pakistan.

Launching Survey 2014 in Bangkok, Dr. Akhtar stressed the urgency for bridging gaps in infrastructure and development in the region and addressing environmental degradation in order to promote higher, well balanced and sustainable growth. Another priority for ensuring the sustainability of growth is to better address climate change through improved climate finance.

ESCAP estimates an annual infrastructure development funding requirement of 800-900 billion in the region. At the same time, more than 60 percent of Asia-Pacific people lack social protection coverage. An estimated 63.1 percent of women and 56 percent of men in the region faced employment vulnerabilities in 2013 and youth unemployment is three times the adult rate.

External Challenges

Asia-Pacific countries are coping with the fallout of monetary and trade policies in the developed world. The withdrawal of quantitative easing by the United States has jolted regional financial markets. Survey 2014 estimates further financial market volatility, expected from the continued normalization of monetary policy in the United States, could cut annual growth by between 0.7 to 0.9 percent in India, India, Malaysia the Russian Federation, Thailand and Turkey.

Trade-restrictive measures in advanced economies outside the region may also have deprived Asia Pacific developing countries of 225 billion in goods export opportunities between 2009 and 2013, translating into a cumulative decline of more than 1.6% of regional economic output, the ESCAP analysis reveals.

Rising inequality

The growing disparity in incomes and access to social opportunities is a dampener on economic dynamism in Asia-Pacific developing countries says Survey 2014. The estimates indicate that the poorest 20% of people in 40 Asia-Pacific countries account for less than 10% of national income. The net wealth of about 49000/- ultra-wealthy individuals in the region – with atleast 30 million in assets – 17 times the combined GDP of Asia-Pacific least  developed countries.

Mobilizing finances for sustainable growth

Given high public debt levels and declining international development assistance, Survey 2014 outlines a blueprint for mobilizing resources for required productive government spending, focused on strengthening tax revenues which fall for short of potential in most Asia-Pacific countries. This tax gap is more than 5% of GDP in some countries, rising as high 12.5% of GDP in others. Closing existing tax gaps in 16 Asia-Pacific developing economies would increase total revenues in excess of 300 billion, boosting tax revenues by more than 70% in some countries, ESCAP estimates in Survey 2014 show.

ESCAP recommends broadening the tax base and rationalizing rates; tackling tax evasion and tax fraud; making tax administration efficient; careful sequencing of tax reforms, and better regional cooperation.

ESCAP also proposes the establishment of an Asia-Pacific Tax forum of experts and officials which it would coordinate to monitor tax legislation and regulations across the region, help develop regional best practice and address issues ranging from avoiding tax competition for foreign investment to double taxation and preventing the illicit transfer of funds.

The Survey 2014 makes a valuable contribution to the development discourse underway in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. It provides fresh data, new perspectives and policy guidance on issues which are critical to fostering more inclusive and sustainable development. “the ESCAP Executive Secretary said.

Please find the full report at http//www.unescap.org/publications/economic-and-social-survey-asia-pacific.  

Sagar Media Inc @ Talk at NMML Prof Sverker Sorlin ‘Historizing Climate Change’

2102014

Sagar Media Inc @ Prof Sverker Sorlin Historizing Climate Change

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : CSR, Education

Narendra Modi : we launched Swachh Bharat Mission,

2102014

Narendra Modi added 2 new photos.

· 

On Gandhi Jayanti, we launched Swachh Bharat Mission, a historic mass movement integrating a billion Indians to create a Clean India. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, I am pleased to launch the Clean India Campaign. Come, devote time for a Clean India.

Clean India Campaign invites you to pick a location & clean it. Do share the ‘Why Clean India’ (before) & ‘My Clean India’ (after) images. Today I Joined the Clean India Campaign at Mandir Marg Police Station in Delhi.

Invited 9 people to join the Clean India Campaign. I invited Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Sachin Tendulkar, Baba Ramdev, Shashi Tharoor, Kamal Haasan, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Ambani, Salman Khan and the entire team of the popular TV show ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ to join the Campaign. ‪#‎MyCleanIndia‬

I am sharing the ‘Why Clean India’ and ‘My Clean India’ picture along with a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU0Gglv74zQ

Postedby Sagar Media Inc

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Uncategorized

Three Union Ministers come out in support of boxer Sarita Devi

2102014

Three Union Ministers come out in support of boxer Sarita Devi

By sagarmedia on October 2, 2014 | Edit

Three Union Ministers have come out in support of boxer Sarita Devi as the Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal sought a report from the Indian Olympic Association on pugilist’s controversial loss against Korean boxer in the semi-final of the Asian Games in Incheon.

Mr. Sonowal told reporters on Wednesday that they have sought a detailed report from the Indian Olympic Association on Sarita’s case and will take further steps after receiving the report.

Minister of State for Home, Kiran Rijiju said that Indian officials should have been more pro-active in lodging a protest to the Asian Games Organizing Committee.

Minister of State for North East Region Affairs, General (Retd.) V K Singh said that our delegation there should have taken up the issue at the right time.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Uncategorized

Mary Kom clinch Gold Medal in Boxing at Asian Games

2102014

Mary Kom becomes first Indian woman to clinch Gold Medal in Boxing at Asian Games

Oct 2,The much awaited Gold from MC Mary Kom came on Wednesday in the women’s flyweight category.

After a goldless Tuesday India came on the golden track by the punch from Mary Kom. She became the first Indian women boxer to clinch gold.

Mary Kom, the mother-of-three, also known after her coined name ‘Magnificent Mary’ by the International Boxing Association, brought home the gold. Many accolades she had before but the Asian Games Gold medal was missing from her collection.

She rose to the occasion and held her head high and gallantly waved the Indian flag on the podium.

Padma Bhushan, Padma Shree, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award are a few mention towards this Manipiuri Boxer besides the 5 World Championship titles and Olympic bronze medal.

Her determined effort is inspiration for all. Mary Kom delivered the golden punch to rout 6 year younger opponent Zhaina Shekerbekova of Kazakhsthan. But it was not an easy battle for her.

First round was convincingly taken away by the Kazakh boxer. Figuring on the experience Mary Kom tactically observed the opponent in second round and then released her fury. It was no level for the Kazakh to match. After winning, she thanked everyone for the support.

All the joy Mary Kom has brought should be celebrated but another incident with an Indian boxer can’t be ignored.

A tearful Laishram Sarita Devi continued her protest on the podium as she refused to wear the bronze medal around her neck and wiped her tears holding it, before handing it to the home boxer who had defeated Sarita in a controversial bout yesterday.

However, Indian Olympic Association has remained quiet through out the matter. Today, Women’s Hockey team bagged the bronze medal after defeating Japan 2-1. Now, we need to gear up for tomorrow as in summit clash for the men’s hockey gold, India will take on arch rival Pakistan.

All India Radio will broadcast the live commentary of the match from 3:25 pm onwards. The clash of the titans will be one to watch out for as Pakistan had defeated India at the group stage. India will have an eye to avenge the loss and in that moment capture the gold.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : sports

PM launches Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

2102014

PM launches Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Oct 2,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched Swachh Bharat mission to make India clean by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mr Modi visited Valmiki Basti in New Delhi and swept streets in a symbolic start to the cleanliness drive.

Before starting the drive, he offered prayers at Valmiki mandir and later visited the place where Mahatma Gandhi once stayed.

The Prime Minister also made a surprise visit at Mandir Marg Police Station where he cleaned some section of its premises.

On the last leg of launch of the programme, Mr Modi arrived at Rajpath and addressed a huge gathering. He exhorted citizens to realize Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of clean India.

Mr Modi The Prime Minister asked people to change their mindsets as cleaning is not only the responsibility of safai karamcharis.

The Prime Minister said Swachh Bharat mission is above politics as it is inspired by patriotism and not politics.

He stressed on constructing more toilets saying it is a matter of concern seeing women defecate in the open.

Mr Modi administered a cleanliness pledge to the people and later flagged off a walkathon as part of the campaign.

Several Union ministers and heads of departments also administered cleanliness pledges to the officers and staff members in their office premises.

AIR correspondent amidst thousands of people including school children, government officials and celebrities at sprawling lawns of Rajpath, the Prime Minister read a cleanliness pledge seeking their assurance to actively take part in the campaign.

He invited nine well known figures, including cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, actors Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra to join the cleanliness drive and requested each of them to draw nine more into the initiative.

Mr. Modi’s clarion call for making India litter free had people enthusiastically giving it a thumbs-up.

The Prime Minister urged tech-savvy netizens to bring to notice dirty places by uploading pictures and videos.

He also asked people to use MyGov portal, as well as Facebook and Twitter to promote the nationwide mission.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : Uncategorized

PM returns home after five-day visit to US

2102014

By sagarmedia on October 2, 2014

 Oct 2,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived back home last night after successfully completing his five-day visit to the United States.

There were many takeaways from his US visit. India and US resolved to broaden their cooperation in various fields including defence, intelligence, counter-terrorism, Afghanistan, space exploration and science.

The two countries also agreed to intensify cooperation in maritime security to bolster national, regional, and global security.

Both the countries agreed to dismantle the safe havens for terrorists and disrupt the financial support of Laskar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e Mohmmad, D-Company, Hqqani network and Al-Qaeda. The two countries also agreed for trilateral partnership in Afghanistan and African countries.

Noting that two-way trade has increased fivefold since 2001 to nearly 100 billion US dollars, the two leaders committed to increase trade another fivefold.

They pledged to establish an Infrastructure Collaboration Platform to enhance participation of US companies in infrastructure projects in India.

They also agreed for US industry to be the lead partner in developing smart cities in Allahabad, Vishakhapatnam and Ajmer.

US will also help in providing sanitation and drinking water in 500 ciites.

The two leaders committed to hold public-private discussions in early 2015 on advanced manufacturing and to facilitate greater confidence in cross-border trade and investment.

US President Obama also offered support for preparing young Indians for jobs by sharing expertise and global standards for skills development.

They reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement. They also agreed to a new and enhanced strategic partnership on energy security, clean energy, and climate change.

The leaders agreed to develop affordable vaccines for dengue, malaria, and tuberculosis and initiate cooperative activities to increase capacity in cancer research and patient care delivery.

In the first leg of his US visit, Mr Modi spent four days in New York, where he addressed the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 27th, and stormed the Indian American community by addressing the diaspora at Madison Square Garden on September 28th.

He announced lifetime visa for people of Indian origin card holders and the merger of People of Indian Origin scheme and Overseas Citizens of India scheme into one scheme.

He also announce that visa on arrival facility will be provided to American tourists.

In New York, Mr Modi also held meetings with a host of top American businessmen and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.

In Washington, he addressed US India Business Council. He invited global companies to invest in India and impressed upon them that India is changing and steps are being taken to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : world News

Haider al-Abadi PM said Iraq’s army would defeat IS

2102014

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has told the BBC that he totally opposes Arab nations joining air strikes against Islamic State in his country.

In an interview, he said, Western air power had filled many gaps in Iraq’s fight against the group. Several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, have joined the international coalition against IS.

Their aircraft have carried out strikes in Syria, but only those from the US, UK and France have hit targets in Iraq.

Talking to news persons in Baghdad, Mr Abadi said, Iraq’s army would defeat IS if it has a good air cover but stressed that no foreign ground troops were needed.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : world News

Wind, Solar Generation Capacity Catching Up

2102014

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 Contact: Gaelle Gourmelon,  ggourmelon@worldwatch.org For more information: Wind, Solar Generation Capacity Catching Up with Nuclear Power    Wind, Solar Generation Capacity Catching Up with Nuclear Power New Worldwatch Institute analysis examines global trends  in renewable and nuclear power Washington, D.C.—-Advocates of nuclear energy have long been predicting its renaissance, yet this mode of producing electricity has been stalled for years. Renewable energy, by contrast, continues to expand rapidly, even if it still has a long way to go to catch up with fossil fuel power plants, writesWorldwatch Institute Senior Researcher Michael Renner in the Institute’s latest Vital Signs Online analysis (bit.ly/NuclearRE). Nuclear energy’s share of global power production has declined steadily from a peak of 17.6 percent in 1996 to 10.8 percent in 2013. Renewables increased their share from 18.7 percent in 2000 to 22.7 percent in 2012. Following a rapid rise from its beginnings in the mid-1950s, global nuclear power generating capacity peaked at 375.3 gigawatts (GW) in 2010. Capacity has since declined to 371.8 GW in 2013, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Adverse economics, concern about reactor safety and proliferation, and the unresolved question of what to do with nuclear waste have put the brakes on the industry. In stark contrast, wind and solar power generating capacities are now on the same soaring trajectory that nuclear power was on in the 1970s and 1980s. Wind capacity of 320 GW in 2013 is equivalent to nuclear capacity in 1990. The 140 GW in solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is still considerably smaller, but growing rapidly. In recent years, renewable energy has attracted far greater investments than nuclear power.  According to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA), nuclear investments averaged US$8 billion per year between 2000 and 2013, compared with $37 billion for solar PV and $43 billion for wind. Individual countries, of course, set diverging priorities, but nowhere did nuclear have a major role in power generation investments. In contrast with investment priorities, research budgets still favor nuclear technologies. Among members of the IEA (most European countries, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand), nuclear power has received the lion’s share of public energy research and development (R&D) budgets during the last four decades. Nuclear energy attracted $295 billion, or 51 percent, of total energy R&D spending between 1974 and 2012. But this number has declined over time, from a high of 73.6 percent in 1974 to 26 percent today. Renewable energy received a cumulative total of $59 billion during the same period (10.2 percent), but its share has risen year after year. Because wind and solar power can be deployed at variable scales, and their facilities constructed in less time, these technologies are far more practical and affordable for most countries than nuclear power reactors. Worldwide, 31 countries are operating nuclear reactors on their territories. This compares to at least 85 countries that have commercial wind turbine installations. The chances of a nuclear revival seem slim. Renewable energy, by contrast, appears to be on the right track. But it is clear that renewables have a long way to go before they can hope to supplant fossil fuels as the planet’s principal electricity source. The expansion of sources like wind and solar will have to become even more rapid in order to stave off climate disaster, and that in turn means that their fate cannot be left to the whims of the market alone.

A ‘Bandhan’ Welcomed Warmly by Viewers

Grand opening to ‘Bandhan … Saari Umar Humein Sang Rehna Hai’
further strengthens Zee TV’s robust fiction line-up

Zee TV’s latest primetime fiction show Bandhan … Saari Umar Humein Sang Rehna Hai, the first-of-its-kind to delve into an astonishing relationship between a little girl Darpan and Ganesha, a new-born elephant calf that she accepts as her younger brother, has opened up to a very promising viewership of 4366 TVTs, making it the second highest opening soap across GECs in the year 2014, second only to Zee TV’s immensely popular Jamai Raja which had clocked in 5488 TVTs - the highest opening for a soap in the last 2 years!

With more and more viewers tuning into sample this heartwarming story of sibling love between man and animal, Bandhan's launch day ratings of 4325 TVTs have seen a day-on-day increase, closing the week with 4711 TVTS on Friday. 

Zee TV's fiction line-up is growing from strength to strength with one successful launch after another. With Kumkum Bhagya seeing a 171% growth  during its shaadi highpoint (first 4 wk average: 2963 TVTs  & the Shaadi event: 8043 TVTs) and gaining slot leadership in week 34, Jamai Raja emerging as the quickest gainer and attaining slot leadership within 3 weeks of its launch and Jodha Akbar being the consistent slot leader for over a year now, the channel clearly rules the weekday primetime!

 Zee TV Business Head Pradeep Hejmadi says, "The consistent growth of our fiction programming speaks of our relationship with audiences that has only evolved and strengthened over the years. Telling extremely relatable stories that represent the core fabric of contemporary Indian culture, Zee TV's shows have not only struck a chord with the viewers - but given them role models to look up to and fascinating characters they wish they had as their own friends or family. Zee TV represents hope - every story resonates with our core proposition of Umeed. While Jamai Raja challenges conventional mindsets by placing the responsibility of stringing a family together on the son-in-law instead of the bahu, Bandhan transports viewers to a very different world where man accepts an animal as a part of his family and explores the relationships that grow out of it.  We aim to further push the envelope by venturing into genres not attempted before and  stories told from a fresh perspective."  

Creator and Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary says “I had complete conviction in the thought of telling a human-animal story and the opening ratings are a clear indication of the same. We are happy that our effort of over 2 years is being appreciated by the viewers.  L’il Darpan & the baby elephant Ganesh’s innocent bond of sibling love has struck an instant chord with viewers across all age groups. The journey of the Karnik family has just begun, more interesting facets of their bond with Ganesh are yet to be explored. It's a complete family entertainer. Keep watching…these unlikely brother & sister will become a part of every family.”

Produced by Swastik Productions,  Bandhan transports viewers to a world significantly different from the concretized, urban world most of us inhabit. Set in a real jungle, the show follows little Darpan and her elephant brother on a journey of love & struggle in the big bad world. Stay tuned to Bandhan … Saari Umar Humein Sang Rehna Hai  every Monday to Friday at 7 PM, only on Zee TV.

Anjali Damania and Preeti Sharma Menon resigned as State Convener and State Secretary of Aam Aadmi Party

Anjali Damania and Preeti Sharma Menon resigned as State Convener and State Secretary of Aam Aadmi Party

Message from Anjali Damania and Preeti Sharma Menon

From: Preeti Sharma Menon  Tue, 30 Sep '14 7:38p

To: Anjali Damania

Show full Headers

Dear Friends from the Media

The last three have been an amazing journey where many of ‘aam’ folks have discovered the country as well as our own selves through the IAC movement and then through AAP. However, every adventure ends and our adventure too ends here. Anjali and I have been battling between our family life, our careers and our party responsibilities. Both of us could not cope up with the multi tasking that we had to do. But, we had decided that we would not give up abruptly and would wait till the Mission Vistaar team would come to Maharashtra. Now that Prithvi Reddy and Atishi have taken up the State, it was a huge sigh of relief for us.

Both Anjali and I have resigned as State Convener and State Secretary of Aam Aadmi Party Maharashtra and from the State Executive as we need to give attention to our personal life. We continue to be a supporter of AAP and will always be there to help the party in any way.

We thank you friends from the media, for your support in the past three years. We may have been at loggerheads often but overall we are grateful for your support to us personally, to AAP and to the nation. We request you to take this in the right spirit, we do not wish to give any reaction and sincerely request you to constructively put it before the people. Please understand that for us, everything is not politics. We are some genuine people who have our own set of problems. 

Both Anjali and I jointly make a request your continued support to AAP

Thanking each one of you.

Jai Hind!

Preeti Sharma Menon

Anjali Damania