Abhay Singh Chautala set to become new president of IOA

Abhay Singh Chautala is set to become the new president of the Indian Olympic Association while many of his key associates will also be elected unopposed in the IOA elections to be held on 5th December.   

The three-member IOA Election Commission, headed by retired Justice Anil Dev Singh, was expected to make a formal announcement and put up the final list of candidates by today.

With most of the candidates owing allegiance to Randhir Singh withdrawing from the fray, many of the candidates belonging to the Chautala camp will be elected unopposed.

Meanwhile, IOA Acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra had a series of meeting with senior officials in the wake of the International Olympic Committee's latest threat to suspend India if the IOA followed the Government's Sports Code for the December 5 polls which according to the apex body violates autonomy of IOA.

According to reports an IOA delegation comprising Narinder Batra and eminent lawyer R K Anand will meet the Sports Minister and other senior officials.

They are expected to go to Lausanne to have a meeting with top IOC officials on Saturday or Sunday.

President conveys felicitations to the Mexican President Mr. Enrique Pena Nieto

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has conveyed warm felicitations to H.E. Mr. Enrique Pena Nieto on his election and assumption of office as the President of the United Mexican States.

In his message the President has said that India and Mexico enjoy warm and friendly relations and that it is a matter of satisfaction that relations between the two countries are based on shared values of democracy, rule of law and pluralism and have evolved significantly and successfully into a ‘Privileged Partnership’ with well established institutional mechanisms. President of India has said that he looked forward to working with the Mexican President towards further consolidation and development of the multi-dimensional partnership between the two countries, in the years ahead. He also extended an invitation to the Mexican President to visit India at a mutually convenient date.

Posted just now by Nksagar

December 9-16, 2012

Last chance to secure your place! Register or update your profile for this year’s DIFF. In 2011, The Dubai International Film Festival welcomed more than:   1500 film industry professionals   1300 media   50,000 Admissions Running alongside DIFF, the Dubai Film Market is internationally recognised as a thriving industry hub and key destination to do business. Delegates registering for the Dubai Film Market can participate in Market initiatives including:   Forum   Exchange   Dubai film Connection   Enjaaz   Filmmart To secure your place in the Dubai Film Market Guide, simply register before November 4th. The Market guide is the most sought after industry (reference) publication and is used by all delegates. For any additional information, please contact us at diffregistration@filmfest.ae or visit us online at diff.ae. We look forward to welcoming you to the 9th Dubai International Film festival.

PRESENTED BY: PRINCIPAL SPONSORS:   IN ASSOCIATION WITH: SPONSORED BY:

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Young Indian win Tony Blair Faith Foundation’s 2012 global film award

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United Kingdom, November 28, 2012: The young film makers Charles Andrew Flamiano from the Philippines, Liat Har-Gill from Israel, and Mudit Muraka from India for winning the Tony Blair Faith Foundation’s 2012 global film competition, Faith Shorts.
The three winners received their awards at 195 Piccadilly, the home of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in front of over 200 guests including Tony Blair, members of the entertainment and film industry, religious leaders, and experts from Wikipedia, Youtube and Google.
Host of the event Julie Etchingham said,
“These films truly give young people a voice in a world where they can often feel drowned out – and an opportunity to use their personality and creativity to express their faith and what it means to them. They challenge stereotypes, provoke thought – and most importantly encourage tolerance and compassion.

Russia no to extending Kyoto Protocol

Russia said it won’t join the second commitment to extend the Kyoto Protocol. The Russian vice Prime Minister confirmed that his country will not sign on to the Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol. He told that Russia will announce its emissions reduction targets next week but they will not be attributed to the Second Commitment Period which Russia strongly opposes. It implies that Russia will lose the chance to take part in Joint Implementation projects on Climate Change in the future.

The move will have a negative effect on both the economy and low-carbon development in Russia. At the UN Climate change Conference in Durban two years ago, a group of 40 odd rich nations had agreed to cut by 5.2 percent their emissions below 1990 levels by the end of 2012 and to set up a $100 billion Green climate Fund to help the developing nations in climate change issues.

Neither of the two have fructified yet.
Japan has already stated that it won’t join the Second commitment and wants a fair, effective and transparent deal in which the emerging economies should also share the emission reduction cuts.

US has said that it won’t increase earlier commitments to cut emissions by 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020. New Zealand has also said that it won’t be a party to second commitment but would like to be involved in climate change talks.

It leaves only European Union, Australia and several smaller countries which account for less than 15 per cent of global emissions as the only parties ready for second commitment.

The BASIC countries led by Brazil, South Africa, India and China have said that the responsibility for the outcome of Climate Change talks depends on developed nations.

Day four at the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference in Doha was dedicated to the role of youth in the issues related to climate change. Experts and delegates from participating nations underlined the importance of involving and motivating them to prepare the world for a safe and secure environment.

The President of the Conference of Parties, COP-18, Qatar’s former energy minister Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah appreciated the contribution of the youth towards making world a cleaner and greener place to live in and said if UN doesn’t support them, whom will they support.

UNGA votes to recognize Palestine as non-member observer state

November 30, 2012

UN General Assembly has voted in favour of granting the upgraded status of Observer state to Palestine on the lines of Vatican.
India was among the 138 countries which voted in favour of the resolution while there were nine votes against the move led by US and Israel. 41 countries abstained from the voting.
The change in status from Observer entity to Observer State means Palestinians can now co sponsor the resolutions at UN. They can access membership of additional UN bodies like the International Criminal Court where they can try to put Israel on war crime charges.
The Palestinians believe that the upgraded status would also help their claims for an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem which was captured by Israel in the 1967.Our correspondent reports that the voting and the reactions on the Palestinian resolution for an upgraded Observer State status was on expected lines.
Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned this was the last chance to save the two state solution He said that there is an urgent and pressing need to end Israeli aggression and Palestine won’t forego its inalienable right.
The Israeli Ambassador to UN Ron Prosor said the resolution was one sided and undermines the peace process. He told that peace can not be imposed through UN and the only way out is the direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
The US Ambassador Susan Rice told that the resolution was unfortunate, counter productive and would create further obstacles in the path of peace.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Mooon urged the two sides to work for a lasting peace through negotiations while living side by side peacefully.Atul K Tiwary, AIR Nrews, Dubai.
The United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has slammed a UN vote granting observer state status to the Palestinians as unfortunate and counterproductive.
She said the resolution just passed at the United Nations places further obstacles in the path to peace, reiterating that the only way to Palestinian statehood was through direct talks with Israel.

Egypt parliament passes draft of new constitution

Egypt parliament passes draft of new constitution

November 30, 2012

 Egypt, the parliament passed the draft of the new constitution defining the roles and responsibilities of the executive, judiciary and legislature. A marathon session of parliament which lasted for sixteen hours each of the 230 articles of the new constitution were read and voted upon by the Islamist and Salafist MPs.
The liberal ,secular and leftist opposition along with minority Coptic Christians boycotted the proceedings of the house.
Under the Egyptian law, the draft has to be ratified now by President Morsey and put up for a nationwide referendum within 30 days.
In a televised interview, President Morsey said that it would be expedited in time since Egypt needs a constitution to have a properly elected parliament, an independent judiciary, and a President who executes the law. He defended his decisions as a step to save the revolution that toppled Mubarak regime.
The newly formed National Salvation Front ,an umbrella of liberal,secular and leftist opposition and youth revolutionary movements has criticized the move as hasty and ill conceived.
In a statement it alleged that the regime is trying to impose a constitution monopolized by one trend and is the farthest from national consensus, produced in a farcical way.
The parliament decision is being seen as an attempt to pre-empt a court ruling that could dissolve the constitution drafting body.
The Supreme Constitutional Court was due to give its ruling on the dissolution of the constitution assembly and the upper house of parliament on Sunday.
Analysts say it may further aggravate the tensions between the Government and the opposition which has been demanding scrapping of the Presidential decree which granted sweeping powers to President Morse

.Economic growth declines to 5.3% in Jul-Sep quarter

Indian economy grew by 5.3 per cent in the July-September period of the current financial year (2012-13), pulled down by poor performance of manufacturing and agriculture sectors, showing persistent signs of slowdown. 
The gross domestic product had expanded by 6.7 per cent in the same period of last fiscal.It had grown by 5.5 per cent in the first quarter (April-June) of 2012-13.  During the three-month period ended September 30, the manufacturing sector grew marginally by 0.8 per cent, against 2.9 per cent growth in the same period of 2011-12, according to data released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) today. 

Farm sector output expanded by just 1.2 per cent in the July-September period this fiscal against 3.1 per cent in the same period last year.  The economic growth in the first six month of this fiscal (April-September) is 5.4 per cent, lower than 7.3 per cent growth clocked in the year-ago period.  In the July-September quarter, trade, hotels, transport and communications segment also witnessed lower pace of growth at 5.5 per cent compared to 9.5 per cent expansion in the same quarter in year ago

Stage set for Battle Royale at Hero Women’s Indian Open

Gurgaon, November 29: The stage is set for a Battle Royale between the big guns of European and Asian women’s golf, as the sixth edition of the $ 300,000 Hero Women’s Indian tees off at the DLF Golf and Country Club on Friday morning.

With the legendary Laura Davies and defending champion Caroline Hedwall present in the field alongwith the European Order of Merit leader, Carlota Ciganda and two other multiple winners from 2012, Carly Booth and Stacey Keating, the European challenge may look stronger, but two-time winner, Phatlum Pornanong, gunning for the third Indian Open, the Asians cannot be taken lightly.

Add to that Indian challengers, Smriti Mehra, Sharmila Nicollet and Nalini Singh Siwach and Vani Kapoor, the next three days could provide very interesting fare.

Four of the last five winners, including the defending champion Hedwall headline a strong field for the sixth edition of the Hero Women’s Indian Open, which is now in its third year of joint sanctioning with the Ladies European Tour. The DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon, which has been the home for the tournament, will once again be the venue for the flagship event for the sixth year in succession.

Four of the top-10 on the LET Order of Merit, including the leader Carlota Ciganda are in the field and there are as many six players who have tasted victory on the LET Tour this season. Three of them, Ciganda, Carly Booth and Stacey Keating have in fact won twice each. The field also has three Thai girls, who have won the LAGT this season, Nontaya Srisawang (Thailand Ladies Open),  Tainun Yoopan (Technology Cup, Taiwan) and Numa Gulyanamitta (China Trust Open). Ciganda (China Suzhou Taihu Open) and Cassandra Kirkland (Sanya Ladies Open) won events which were co-sanctioned by LET and LAGT.

Other noteworthy Indians include Neha Tripathi and Tanya Wadhwa.

A few others with an Indian connection and in the field for this week include England’s Kiran Matharu, Rhea Nair, an Indian who is based in the Middle East ad Welsh golfer, Sahra Hassan.

Caroline Hedwall, who has had some injury worries early in the season, has come back strongly to win the Uniqa Ladies Golf Open Raiffeisen in September for her fifth LET title. Last year as a Rookie she won four titles. The Swede, who had her mother on the bag, posted a winning three-round 12-under par, 204, two clear of Pornanong Phatlum.

Laura Davies will be returning to the site of her last LET victory two years ago, in 2010 and will look to continue her love affair with the reachable par-five 18th hole. Davies eagled the hole to make a four-way play-off with South African Tandi Cuningham, Thailand’s Nontaya Srisawang and Swede Louise Friberg in 2010. She then birdied the hole to win the tournament. “I love the 18th at DLF,” she said.

Spanish LET rookie Ciganda, who is leading the ISPS Handa Order of Merit after two victories this season in the Netherlands and China, will be playing in India for the first time. She said: “I like to travel and see new countries, new things.”

The tournament features 108 competitors and is tri-sanctioned by the LET, Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT) and Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI).

ON FDI IN RETAIL NATIONWIDE DEMONSTRATION ON 4 DECEMBER

TRADERS ADOPT STRONG PROTEST STRATEGY ON FDI IN RETAIL

NATIONWIDE DEMONSTRATION ON 4 DECEMBER AGAINST JUGAAD RAJNEETI

In the wake of Loksabha Speaker's mandate to hold debate and voting under Rule 184 on FDI in Retail in Lok Sabha, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) while cautioning the political parties particularly those who were earlier opposing and now supporting FDI by way of a couplet " Raat Ki Baat Sitaron Ne Gagan Bech Diya-Chand "o" Chandni Ki Lasho Ka Kafan Bech Diya. Aaj Adhikar Tumhe Phool Chuno Ya Kaante- Phir Na Kehna Ki Baharon Ne Chaman Bech Diya" and asked the political parties to give away their suspensive role and while clearing their positions, they should announce their opposition to FDI in Retail.

In the above couplet the "Sitare" is used for Govt and "Gagan" is used for economy while Chand -Chandni is signifying the vibrant retail trade of the Country. The Couplet also caution the people that they should execersie their right in the way which leaves no scope of regret. The CAIT said that by bringing FDI in Retail the Govt has put on stake the future and livelihood of crores and crores of people invloved in farming, trading, hawking, earning through small industry or transporting goods.Undoubtdly, the issue has now linked with the Votes and it will be of much importance to see the choice of Politicians whether it devolves on Multinational Companies or on domestic people. The outcome of such choice will certainly have major impact on future of the Country and that of political parties.

On the other hand, the stance of DMK to support the Govt has evoked a sharp response amongst the trading and other sectors which leads to a major rally of Traders held yesterday at Coimbatore and led by Tamilnadu Traders Association Federation President Mr. Vikram Raja who while criticising the DMK has demanded that DMK should withdraw its support from UPA Govt and demostrate its strong stand of opposing FDI in Retail. An environment of back biting is being emerged across the Tamilnadu and traders are planning to hold protest demonstartions against DMK all over the State in next days.

The CAIT while continuing its nationwide SMS campaign against FDI on second day today take the political parties like DMK to the task. The sms says " Pehle Virodh aur Ab Samarthan Ye Kaisi Manmani Hai-FDI Se Hoga Hamare Vote Ka Nirnay Humne Ab Ye Thani Hai". This sms has been sent in thousands to organisations of trade,farmers,hawkers, small industries,transporters etc. with a advise to further forward to their members and general public with a request to send it further. Accordingly several lakhs of sms have been exchanged during the day all over the Country. The sms is proving to be an effective tool for expressing dissent and in making public opinion.

The CAIT further said that to expose the dirty picture of "Jugaad Rajneeti" (manipulative politics), the traders will hold protest march, Dharna and will burn effigy of "Jugaad Rajneeti) on forthcoming 4th December all over the Country. Consultations are going with leaders of all other sectors of retail trade to transform a protest environment in the Country by 4th December.

Shamim Khan fires 68, seizes the lead in round two

Local lad Shankar Das and Abhijit Singh Chadha post day’s best score

Kolkata, November 29, 2012: Delhi’s Shamim Khan fired a four-under-68
to seize the round two lead at the McLeod Russel Tour Championship
2012 being played at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC). Shamim’s
total stands at six-under-138 at the halfway stage of the tournament.
Mukesh Kumar of Mhow shot a 71 on Thursday to be placed one stroke
behind the leader in second position.

Shamim Khan (70-68), who was overnight tied fifth, dropped a bogey
early on in his round after his tee shot found the rough on the third
hole. The 38-year-old, currently placed second on the Rolex Rankings,
soon turned the tide with eagle-birdie on the next two holes. Shamim
eagled the par-5 fourth after hitting the green in two shots and
subsequently converting the six feet putt. He then sank a 20-footer to
birdie the fifth.

Shamim, a three-time winner in the current PGTI season, conceded a
bogey on the sixth but came back fighting with a sublime effort on the
back-nine where he birdied the 13th, 16th and 17th. He sank a
monstrous 35-feet putt on the 13th and chipped-in from behind the
green on the 17th.

“I missed just two fairways today as I drove it really well. My
putting was also much better as compared to round one. I sank some
long putts. One has to be aggressive on this course since it is quite
long. Even though the fairways are narrow, using the irons instead of
a driver or 3-wood is not an option,” said Shamim.

He added, “The next two rounds are very crucial in the context of the
Rolex Rankings race as well. The difference between Rashid Khan and
myself is just over Rs. 11,000 in the rankings. If I finish even one
position ahead of him I would overtake him to become number one.”

Mukesh Kumar (68-71), the overnight leader, slipped to second position
on Thursday after returning a 71 that included five birdies and four
bogeys. His overall score reads five-under-139.

Local favourite Shankar Das’ five-under-67 was joint best score of the
day. It helped him climb from overnight tied 32nd to tied third.
Shankar’s super round featured seven birdies and two bogeys. He made
three straight birdies on the 15th, 16th and 17th.

Shankar, a three-time winner on the PGTI, said, “I changed my putter
today. I was not feeling very comfortable with my old putter after
missing a lot of short putts in round one. The change had the desired
effect as I putted better today. I also played brilliantly on the
back-nine.”

Abhijit Singh Chadha of Chandigarh, who also shot a 67 in round two,
joined Das in tied third place at three-under-141. Chadha made six
birdies against a bogey on day two.

Jyoti Randhawa with four birdies and two bogeys in his round of 70 was
the third golfer in tied third position.

Kolkata’s SSP Chowrasia is a further shot back and shares the sixth
spot with Vijay Kumar of Lucknow and Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera.

Bangalore’s Anirban Lahiri and Rashid Khan of Delhi are joint ninth
with totals of one-under-143.

Phatlum gunning for a third Hero Women’s Indian Open title

Gurgaon, November 29, 2012: Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum may be dressed up by Loudmouth Golf – the manufacturer endorsed by John Daly – but she is anything but that. On Thursday, the shy and soft-spoken Phatlum makes her sixth straight appearance in the Hero Women’s Indian Open, which she considers as her favourite event. There is good reason for that.

After finishing tied 30^th in her first appearance as a 17-year-old in the first Indian Open in 2007, she emerged triumphant in 2008 and 2009. In 2010 she was tied sixth and in 2011 she was second to Caroline Hedwall.

Phatlum, who turns 23 two days after the end of the 2012 Hero Women’s Indian Open, now wants an early birthday present and become the first woman to win the title three times – in fact she is the only to win the Indian Open more than once.

Phatlum, 23,  hails from Chaiyaphun, a satellite town near Chiangmai in north Thailand. She said, “There’s no pressure on me. My game is on song and I like playing in India. There is a chance for me to go for my third win, this explains why I’m here – to make it happen.”

Having played 27 events on the US LPGA this season, Phatlum only missed the cut six times. “Playing in the US LPGA has made me a better player. The courses are tough, the greens are sleek and tough and there are good players,” said Phatlum, who won the HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2012 and recorded top-15 finishes in two other events.

She added, “Don’t forget, there are strong players taking part in this event too. The Hero Women’s India Open always holds a special place in my heart. I hope my form and my mental strength will help me win once more to put my name on the record books.”

Phatlum, 55^th on the LPGA Tour, wants to get into top10 in a year or two. “I want to be part of that force from Asia. So, winning a joint-sanctioned event by Ladies Asian Golf Tour and Ladies European Tour will justify my actions,” said Phatlum.

launch of the Aakash2 Tablet at United Nations

launch of the Aakash2 Tablet at United Nations

November 29, 2012

H.E. Mr. Ban ki-moon,
Secretary General of the United Nations,

Excellencies and
Colleagues from Permanent Missions and Observer Missions,

Dear Friends from the Media,and

Most importantly, the architect of Aakash2, Mr. Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of Datawind, who flew all the way from India to Canada and then here for this event.

On behalf of the Permanent Mission of India first let me extend to all of you a very warm welcome. We are gathered today for a special event that focuses on one of the principal goals of the UN, a better world for all.

Mr. Secretary General, you have kindly consented to unveil today an innovation that has the potential to fundamentally alter the development discourse. It allows millions of young people the opportunity to benefit from technology and move towards realizing the Millennium Development Goals for themselves. This innovation is unique, not just from the view point of the technology, OR for being the world most cost competitive tablet, as it is widely billed as,

BUT more importantly in actualizing the an idea of development innovation - and that's the reason why Government of India embarked upon the pursuit of this pioneering technology. With pricing determined through anopen international tender, Aakash2 is the world’s lowest cost tablet at end-user pricing. It harnesses top of the line technologies at costs, which the neediest can embrace. And believe me, the technologies and applications that have been put in it, are indeed the world's best.

It also bridges the digital divide within our societies. No doubt, Mr Suneet Tuli has been recently voted amongst the world's top 15 education innovators by Forbes magazine. In India, the National Mission on Education through Information Communication Technology will equip 220 million students across the country with low cost tablets and internet access. The Government of India is subsidizing 50% of the cost of this device. With State governments and local institutions along with other development partners chipping, the devices would ultimately be, made available FREE to all students.

It may be pertinent to mention here Mr. Secretary General, that while outlining your 'generational imperatives and opportunities' in the beginning of this year, you had outlined that 'harnessing the full power of partnerships across the range of UN activities ' was a key enabler.

It is our considered submission, that by partnering with key initiatives such as these, the UN development system would be able to 'force multiply' to achieve the MDGs of universal education and global partnership.

The development of Akash2 also reflects India's continuing commitment to the principles of the United Nations Academic Impact, including those of educational opportunity for all and fostering global citizenship. It is just two years since you launched the Academic Impact, Mr Secretary-General, and we are delighted to commemorate its second anniversary with this innovative product.

The first Aakash2 was unveiled in India, on 11 November by the Hon'ble President of India. With devices such as Aakash2,Technology Enabled Learning, would be implemented to leverage the potential of ICT in providing high-quality, personalized, and interactive knowledge modules over the internet in a any-time, any-where mode, across all primary schools. Using Aakash2, teachers & students in the remotest corners of our country can join a classroom and benefit from lectures delivered by the best teachers.

Mr Secretary-General, in a knowledge economy, the wealth of a nation will not be measured in terms of its natural resources but in terms of its human capital. We need to promote research and innovation in national institutions and create an eco-system of excellence right from the elementary level upto the institutions of high-end research and innovation.

To us, Aakash2 is an epitome of such high end research, innovation and excellence. It is said that the taste of a pudding lies in its eating. Very soon this device would be unveiled and then you can yourself decide, whether this 20$ pudding, is worth its taste, for 220 million students who could have never ever afforded to see this pudding, lest alone taste it. ( 20 $ approx being the price at which GOI after 50% subsidy intends to give it to Indian students)

Aakash, to those here who dont understand Hindi - means SKY-something that many aspire to reach out for. It is our earnest hope that for students in India, and, indeed in time across the developing world, this device helps in getting them their 'mouthful of the skies'.

I would now like to invite His Excellency Secretary General, to unveil the Aakash2, and deliver his address

A tribute to 100 years of Bollywood with the ቮdia China Music Festival 2012⠥xclusively on UTV STARS!

Delhi, 27^th November: 2012 has been declared as the ᆲiendship year⠢y the Prime Ministers of both, India and China in order to improve bilateral ties between both countries. With a view to propagate this agenda and to pay an iconic tribute to the 100 years of glorious Cinema, UTV STARS the official channel of Bollywood and Carnival Media have come together to create a unique property; The India China Music Festival 2012!

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The India China Music Festival is a first of its kind initiative that will witness the confluence of Chinese Sound and Indian Music. For the first time, in the history of India, 100 Chinese Musicians along with some Bollywood singers will perform together to the tunes of BollywoodⳠgreatest chartbusters, culminating into an illustrious Musical Jugalbandi!

The Chinese Musicians belong to none other than the renowned China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra and the Indian singers include none other than BollywoodⳊdistinguished singer, Kavita Krishnamurthy along with her husband, ace violinist, Dr. L. Subramaniam and son, Ambi Subramaniam. This event will, in fact, mark AmbiⳠdebut performance as vocalist/singer.

Commenting on the prestigious property, Nikhil Gandhi, Business Head, UTV STARS, said: 㔨e India China Music Festival 2012 marks a musical tribute to the 100 glorious years of Bollywood. UTV STARS is proud to be associated with this festival as it marks the friendship between both the countries.伯span>

Commenting on the visit of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra, Zhang Zihong, Cultural Counselor, Embassy of China, said: "I believe that the visit of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra will be a unique opportunity for Indian people to have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture through the appreciation of the traditional Chinese music, which will facilitate more frequent cultural exchange between China and India. I wish the China Broadcasting Chinese OrchestraⳠtour to India and the India-China Music Festival a complete success."

India China Music Festival 2012 was held in Delhi on 27^th November at the Sirifort auditorium and will go on air on 10^th December 2012 exclusively on UTV STARS.

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About the შina Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra⺼/span>

China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra was founded in 1949. It took the lead in establishing the Chinese orchestra pattern and consists of all traditional Chinese instruments and the most renowned musicians of china.

They have performed in America, Canada, Australia, South America and many other countries throughout the world. They will be performing in India for the first time.

༯span>

About UTV STARS:

UTV STARS the official channel of Bollywood, is a mass specialty entertainment channel launched in August 2011 with a view to provide the average viewer with exceptional Bollywood content that has never been seen or experienced before and bring Bollywood closer to its audiences, thereby becoming the intimate insider of Bollywood. Right from Original Programming formats that boast of path breaking shows such as Live My Life, Up, Close and Personal with PZ , Superstar Santa, Lux The Chosen One to taking the brand on-ground via prestigious associations with the ᐥopleⳠBest Dressed Show⬠the Lap Buddh Circuit After Parties , Cosmopolitan Fun and Fearless Awards, IIFA Awards 2012, to owning its very own on ground IP, the ᗡlk of the Stars⠠an iconic tribute to Indian Cinema; the Brand has left no stone unturned in establishing UTV STARS as a premier and ultimate destination for Bollywood.

UTV STARS was the only Indian channel to be launched simultaneously in India and the Middle East.The channel was launched in the UK market in June 2012. UTV STARS is today, amongst the top Bollywood Entertainment channels in the country!

Naresh --

More than 1 million supporters took our survey last week, sharing feedback on their 2012 campaign experience and how they'd like to see us move forward. While we're still sorting through all of the responses, I wanted to share some initial results:

-- An overwhelming majority of survey respondents reported feeling welcomed and included, that their time was used effectively, and that there was a clear understanding of how their work directly helped re-elect President Obama.

-- Among those of you who volunteered at least a few hours, a majority went into a field office, though many of you got involved instead through the campaign's online tools such as Dashboard and the call tool.

-- About 1 in 10 survey respondents are interested in running for office at some point, using their organizing skills to continue fighting for real and lasting change. That level of political engagement is inspiring.

-- Almost half of all survey respondents forwarded campaign emails, and more than one-third communicated with friends on Facebook -- both great ways to pass along information about the President's positions and plans, as well as opportunities to get involved.

-- Nearly 80 percent of survey takers want to keep volunteering, primarily around the President's legislative agenda.

Many of you shared comments and personal anecdotes. Here are just a few that made me smile:

"When our field office opened, my husband, 12-year-old daughter, and I were there almost every day. My daughter and I even took a leadership role -- she was our tally captain! This is the kind of experience that changes your life. My children not only have a better understanding of the political system but also have a firsthand experience of how community engagement can make a difference. On Election Night, they felt that difference. They were so excited for the President because they had a sense of ownership -- they had personally helped him achieve the win. On Election Night, I truly believed we were all winners." -- Kerry, California

"It made me feel good to see the enthusiasm of volunteers at the local level (who become friends) ... great to see teens through seniors, men and women, any race and faith all working together for something we believed in (even if we weren't there for the same issues) ... it assured me I was doing the right thing..." -- William, Virginia

I feel more confident as an individual -- I can make a difference in election results! I was talking about this with my son today, he's a public school teacher, and he has new faith in our electoral system also! Let's keep doing it -- this is democracy as it should be!" -- Andrea, California

There's a lot more to be proud of -- check out this blog post for some other incredible numbers on the work you all did in the field.

And here are a few comments from supporters like you about the road ahead. We fought for the chance to continue moving our country forward for the next four years, and it's up to each one of us to follow through on this remarkable opportunity:

"This organization has tapped into the enthusiasm of Americans that were previously on the sidelines of the political process. These Americans are now fully engaged and aware of the policies that are being advanced that will impact their lives and the lives of future generations. They are excited, ready, and willing to do whatever is within their power to influence policy makers to pass legislation that reflects and responds to the issues of our times." -- Rita, Virginia

"Create an engaged community of people that keeps the momentum alive and ensures that progressive policy is implemented at local, state, and national levels. Community here is the operative word! Build and enhance local organizing groups. Would be happy to be included in a local group and lead such a group." -- Merida, Illinois

"Don't let the energy of the re-election slip through your fingers. This is a very powerful network of people." -- Joel, Texas

We're going to put your survey responses to good use. Over the next month or two, a team of campaign staff from across the country is working on a project to document and analyze the work we did over the past 19 months, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement. Our goal is to pass along what we've learned from the 2012 campaign.

You're the reason President Barack Obama was re-elected in 2012, and your input from surveys and calls is crucial to this project. So please stay tuned. We're putting together a final report that will be available to the public, so that your voices continue to shape the future.

Our work is far from done -- you helped make sure of that. President Obama, as always, is counting on us to help pass his agenda and continue to make this country a better place for every American.

There's more to come. Thanks for all you've done and will do.

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
National Field Director
Obama for America

Dear ONE member, I used to feel helpless when I told my patients in Ghana that they had HIV. There was very little we could do for them. We had no drugs for treating HIV. Many didn’t make it to the next week. It was a period of hopelessness and despair. When we finally got access to medicine because of money from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and other partners, I felt so empowered. I knew my patients would finally live to see the next day, and 10 years down the line most of them are still living. It’s time to make sure every mother, every child, every person gets a chance to see tomorrow. In advance of World Aids Day on 1 December, please join me in signing ONE’s petition with just one click: http://act.one.org/go/863?t=3&akid=3546.1559475.t_ydT1 The petition reads: Dear World Leaders, Step up your fight against AIDS. Scale up your commitments to support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and help make the beginning of the end of AIDS a reality by 2015. Right now we are at a critical moment in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The world has made incredible progress in its efforts to understand, prevent and treat this disease. But we need to do more. If enough of us take action we can ensure we bring about the beginning of the end of AIDS. Please sign the petition: http://act.one.org/go/863?t=5&akid=3546.1559475.t_ydT1 We have all the tools. Now we need the passion to fight for what’s right. It starts with you. Thank you, Dr. Patricia Nkansah-Asamoah Tema Clinic, Ghana and ONE member

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The Environment in India and China: Histories and Innovations When: November 30-December 1, 2012 Where: Theresa Lang Center, 55 W 13th St, 2 Fl., New York, NY For more information visit www.indiachinainstitute.org Co-sponsored with Environmental Studies Program, Global Studies Program, GPIA and The Starr Foundation.

Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 3:00 – 4:00pm | Opening Registration 4:00 – 4:15pm | Welcome Ashok Gurung, Senior Director, India China Institute Ron Kassimir, Associate Provost For Research And Special Projects 4:15 – 6:45pm | Session I – Ecology Chair: Mark Frazier, ICI Academic Director Panelists: Kamaljit Bawa – University of Massachusetts – “India, China and the Environment” Steward Pickett – Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies – “Meaning, Model, and Metaphor in Ecological Science as Tools for Interacting with Innovators” Lu Zhi – Peking University – “Integrating Science and Traditional Culture into Conservation Policies on the Tibetan Plateau” Discussants: Jayanta Bandyopadhyay, Timon McPhearson Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 9:30 – 10:00am | Continental Breakfast 10:00 – 12:30pm | Session II – History Chair: Sanjay Reddy, ICI Academic Director Panelists: Ranjan Chakrabarti – Vidyasagar University – “Writing Environmental History of Asia: Climate, Water and the Issue of Sustainability” Judith Shapiro – American University – “Nature-Conquest in Revolutionary China: Lessons for China’s Search for Sustainability” Donald Hughes – University of Denver -“Environmental History in China and India” Discussants: David Ludden, Li Bo 12:30 – 2:00pm | Lunch Break 2:00 – 4:30pm | Session III – Innovations Chair: Brian McGrath – The New School Panelists: Sanjay Chaturvedi – “Struggles for Innovation: The Chipko Movement in Retrospect” Shikui Dong – “Adaptive Management for Sustainable Resource Use” Victoria Marshall – “Designing Urban Environmental Activism” Nidhi Srinivas – “Politics of Innovation: Cases from India and China” Discussants: Michele Kahane, Guobin Yang 4:30 – 5:00 PM | Closing Remarks Ashok Gurung, Senior Director, India China Institute Michael Cohen, Director, Graduate Program in International Affairs (GPIA)

Japan PM Noda promises to phase out nuclear power

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promised on Tuesday to rid Japan of nuclear energy in coming decades as he set out his party's platform before next month's general election.

Noda also pledged to conduct "calm and realistic" diplomatic and defence policies, as he tried to counter claims by his opponents that his Democratic Party of Japan does not stand up to foreign powers.
"After the nuclear accident (in Fukushima), we believe the Japanese people wish for and are resolved to have a society that does not rely on nuclear power plants," Noda told reporters.
"We will put all available policy resources into building a path toward that goal," he said.
The pledge amounted to a slight hardening of announcements made earlier this year when his cabinet said it would work towards scrapping nuclear power by the end of the 2030s.
A vocal section of Japan's public has turned against atomic power in the aftermath of the disaster at Fukushima, where reactors were sent into meltdown after cooling systems were knocked out by a tsunami.
However, many in the business community say Japan needs nuclear to power its industries.
In a document that was short on specifics, the DPJ said it would also try to end deflation during fiscal 2014 by working with the Bank of Japan and promised a "large-scale" extra budget in early 2013.
It reiterated a desire to deepen Japan's alliance with the US, and promised to "promote" Japan's involvement in talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a wide-ranging free trade agreement that is anathema to the country's cosseted farmers.
The manifesto stands in sharp contrast with the party's 2009 campaign platform that offered a number of specific promises, many of which it failed to deliver on.
In 2009 the DPJ promised to build equal ties with the United States, to scrap highway fees and to stop the construction of a huge dam, among other pledges.
The party failed to make good on many of them and is expected to suffer as voters desert it in favour of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party or smaller, newly-formed groupings.
"Looking back at the past three years, there are promises that we were able to keep, and unfortunately there are things we could not deliver," Noda said.
"With deep apologies to the Japanese people, and lessons learned from our shortcomings, we drafted this," he said

Mass Protests in Egypt againstc Prez Mursi

Egypt, renewed nationwide protests erupted across the nation as the President Muhammed Mursi stuck to his controversial decree granting him sweeping powers with protesters alleging that the radical leader was fast turning into a dictator.In the capital Cairo, tens of thousands of people staged a protest against Mursi. Journalists, lawyers and opposition figures including Nobel Peace prize laureate Mohammed ElBaradei joined Tuesday's rally. >Protests also spread to outlying provinces including Alexandria, second-biggest city and central parts of the country.The new demonstrations came a day after Mursi held a meeting with the nation's top judges to defuse the crisis over the controversial decree, but the meeting failed to break the impasse as thousands of people poured onto the streets in a massive show of defiance.

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Weekly Watchdog November 28, 2012
Secrecy for Sale: Inside the Global Offshore Money Maze The Center's global network of reporters, The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, this week launched the first part of a multi-year project aimed at stripping away the biggest mystery associated with tax havens - the owners of anonymous companies. Secrecy For Sale: Inside The Global Offshore Money Maze is one of the most ambitious and complex pieces of journalism the ICIJ has ever undertaken. This first part of the project was done in collaboration with The Guardian and the BBC's flagship investigative program, Panorama, and focused on Britain - one of the centers of the offshore industry. The first day of our series identified more than 21,500 companies around the world who use a group of some 28 so-called nominee directors. The nominees play a key role in keeping hundreds of thousands of commercial transactions secret. They do so by selling their names for use on official company documents, while giving addresses in obscure locations all over the world. Hiding behind nominee fronts are the real owners. They are of widely varying types, ranging from Russian oligarchs to perfectly legal but discreet speculators in the British property market. Their only common factor: the wish for secrecy. Read More Share Revealed: the Real Identities Behind Britain's Secret Property Deals The real identities behind British property deals previously cloaked in secrecy were revealed in the second part of our investigation. By then, the revelations had prompted the British government to promise that it would investigate any abuses revealed involving sham nominee directors. The second story showed how previously secret owners were identified in a sample of almost 60 UK homes and offices, ranging from multimillion-pound commercial premises in the heart of London to a small hotel in Essex. They typified the 100,000 such purchasers who have set up offshore companies, largely registered in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), since 1999. The owners of BVI entities use them to hide their dealings in UK property and to take advantage of tax loopholes. Read More Share Post Soviet Billionaires Invade UK, Via British Virgin Islands Britain's friendly regime of offshore secrecy has tempted an extraordinary array of post-Soviet billionaires to descend on London, sometimes to the sound of gunfire. They include a magnate who once tried to take over the SAAB motor company. These billionaires on the run tend to offer similar justifications for their use of British-controlled secrecy jurisdictions. They say they must protect themselves from corporate predators and political enemies in their home countries. The final day of the series will concentrate on military and intelligence figures using offshore entities. You can watch our video on this series as well. Read More Share	Secrecy for Sale: Hidden Off-Shore Money This week, The Center for Public Integrity's global investigative arm, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists or ICIJ, has launched the first part of a multi-year project on tax havens, such as those based in the British Virgin Islands. Secrecy for Sale: Inside The Global Offshore Money Maze is the most ambitious and complex journalism project we have ever been involved with. The first part of our project is being done in collaboration with The Guardian and the BBC's flagship investigative program, Panorama. The initial reporting focuses on Britain - one of the centers of the offshore industry. All week, the front page of The Guardian has been dominated by this project, providing the names behind the existence of a global network of sham company directors, most of them British. The UK government claims such abuses were stamped out long ago, but our worldwide joint investigation has uncovered a booming offshore industry that can lead to tax avoidance and hidden assets. Our project has already had an impact - the British government has promised to investigate the abuses we have uncovered. This type of cross-border investigative work has been the purpose of ICIJ since it was founded in 1997 as a project of the Center for Public Integrity. And this complex investigation is the brain-child of the Center's Irish ICIJ Director, Gerard Ryle, who came to the Center from a distinguished journalism career in Australia. Working closely with Gerard is ICIJ Deputy Director and Argentina native Marina Walker Guevara, a distinguished international investigative reporter. Three cheers, Gerard, Marina and ICIJ, and congratulations on this important work and excellent launch with much more to come. Until next week, Bill Buzenberg Executive Director
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