Merkel:EU harder time next year

Merkel warned Germans that the economy, Europe's biggest, would experience a harder time next year than in 2012 and cautioned too that the eurozone debt crisis was far from over. In her annual New Year address published Monday, Merkel said: "In fact, the economic environment next year will not be easier, but more difficult", adding: "The crisis is a long way from being beaten." Although top exporter Germany has managed to hold up to the crisis fairly well, growth has slowed here as well since the beginning of the year. After expanding by 0.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012, gross domestic product (GDP) grew by just 0.3 percent in the second quarter and a mere 0.2 percent in the third quarter. And in October, the government slashed its forecast for economic output next year to 1.0 percent, compared to 1.6 percent previously anticipated. The country's gloomy central bank has said Germany may even flirt briefly with recession early next year. The Bundesbank also forecast that Germany would only grow by a meagre 0.4 percent next year. Nevertheless, "it has been possible this year to have the lowest unemployment and the highest level of employment since the reunification" in 1990, Merkel recalled. And a slowdown next year "should not leave us discouraged but should spur us on", said the chancellor, according to the text of her speech released in advance by her office. Turning to the eurozone's efforts to tackle its three-year debt crisis, she judged that "the reforms that we have decided are beginning to work". "However, we still need more patience. The crisis is a long way from being overcome."

PRESIDENT TO INAUGURATE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS 2013

DECEMBER 31, 2012 BY SAGARMEDIA

President to Inaugurate Centenary Celebrations of Indian Science Congress 2013 “Science for Shaping the Future of India” Focal Theme for Centenary Session

The Centenary Session of Indian Science Congress is beingorganised  from 3rd-7th, January , 2013  in University of Calcutta,  Kolkatta.The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukerjee will inaugurate the Centenary Session of the Indian Science Congress at Salt lake Stadium on 3rd January,2013 , in the august presence of the Prime Minister of India Dr ManmohanSingh , Ms Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal,  Shri. M. K. Narayanan, Governor, West Bengal and Dr Jaipal Reddy , Minister of Science & Technology, Government of India.   This is another historical occasion where the presiding Prime Minister of the Country is the General President for the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA). Bose Institute and University of Calcutta are co-hosting the events being organized at Kolkata.  The five-day Science Congress will be attended by eminent scientists and academicians from all over the world.   The  historical importance of 100th Science Congress  is in more than one way. Whereas the themes for all the sessions up the period of 2003 since the first session in 1914 could be grouped under ‘Shaping of the Indian Science’, the focal theme selected for the centenary session is “Science for shaping the future of India”.    The manner in which the new Science, Technology and Innovation policy 2013 could be implemented would form the central theme of the annual session. A road map for investing science into the development process of India is the main topic for discussion. The centenary session is expected to serve as a platform for creating coalition among all stake holders of science and society to pave a new path of progress for the country in the emerging global knowledge economy. The Detailed Programme of Science Congress has been enclosed for your reference. The main highlights of the Science Congress will be as follows:   ·         The celebration of centenary year of Indian Science Congress is being organized in the form of Regional Science Congresses. Since the annual session is being organized at the Eastern region, sessions are being organized in four other regions namely North, North-East, West and South.   ·         In commemoration of centenary year of Indian Science Congress a postal stamp would be released during the inaugural session on 3rd January 2013.     ·         Technical programmes would include a large variety of sessions and topics for discussions. All the technical sessions have been named after renowned scientists or personalities who contributed to the growth of Indian Science.    ·         Programme for the  session at Kolkata would comprise of Inauguration on 3rd January, a panel session under the chair of General President, Endowment lectures, a lecture in honour of Asutosh Mukherjee, two evening public lectures, four plenary sessions named after MN Saha,Homi Bhabha, Norman Borlaug, and C Subramanian, twelve technical sessions named after SN Bose, P C Ray, DN Wadia, UN Brahmachari, DS Kothari, H Khurana, CV Raman, S Ramanujan, Ronald Ross, Vikram Sarabhai, Vishveshwaraya, and GN Ramachandran, one panel discussion on networking and governance dedicated to Satish Dhawanwith two cultural evening sessions. Confirmation of participation and consent to deliver lectures has been received from 66 speakers including 6 Nobel and 1 Abel Prize winners so far. (list of Nobel Laureates and renowned scientists & Programme details are enclosed). With few exceptions, all the technical sessions would be organized at the chairmanship of past General Presidents or the President-Elect of the Indian Science Congress Association. Total of eight scientific academies in the world have agreed to send their representatives to the session at Kolkata so far.  Follow-up is being made with some more scientific academies. It is expected that representatives from as many as 20 countries are likely at the 100th session of Indian Science Congress. There would be 57 overseas invited guests and participants. Special facilitations for the overseas participants are planned.   ·         The Children Science Congress session at the Indian Science Congress is planned to be inaugurated at Kolkata on the 4th January 2013. These children would participate in the Indian Science Congress during 3rd -7thJanuary 2013. In the centenary year session at Kolkata, a special mentoring session for the participants at the Indian Science Congress is being scheduled with some Bhatnagar Prize winners and young associates of the Academies of Sciences.     ·         Sharing the national priority in promoting gender parity in science sector, Indian Science Congress has scheduled special sessions on Women Science Congress during 5th and 6th January 2013.  As many as 30performing women leaders in science sector are likely to deliver lectures and participate in mentoring sessions.   ·         Indian Science Congress organizes annually Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan(Science Communicators meet). Similar session is planned this year as well. It is scheduled for the 4th-5th January 2013.     ·         An exhibition of technologies from various public-funded bodies and private sector is also being organized. ·         A panel discussion on the Networking and Governance is scheduled on the 7th January 2013 where Secretaries of various Science departments would be panellists. The session is named after Satish Dhawan   The Concluding session is planned on 7th January 2013.  At the session, Major recommendations emanating from the Congress would be presented. Professor M. S Swaminathan has been invited to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. At the Concluding session, Secretary Department of Science & Technology would make a presentation on the major recommendations emanating from the 100th Session of Indian Science Congress.   A website viz. http://www.isc2013.com has been launched containing the details of the 100th Indian Science Congress. All sessions of the Science Congress will also be webcast.   Background:   Indian Science Congress was first convened in the Asiatic Society in 1914 and Sir Asutosh Mukerjee delivered the first presidential lecture. Since then the Indian Science Congress has emerged as the Parliament of Indian Science. Since the presidential address of Sir Asutosh Mukherjee, 99 annual sessions have been conducted and the year 2012-13 is being observed as the centenary year of the Indian Science Congress.  Indian Science Congress has received wide support of the scientific community and patronage of the political will since the inception. In the year 1946-47, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was elected as the General President and he delivered the historic address calling for friendship of people with science in January 1947.   Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) unanimously resolved to elect Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, as the General President for the centenary year 2012-13.  He has kindly accepted the General Presidency.  Under the Presidency of Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, the year 2012-13 is being observed as the Year of Science.  During the centenary year, year-long celebration of the Indian Science Congress is being organized nationwide.

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (1I), 2012 – Declaration of Written Result Thereof

On the basis of the result of the written part of the NationalDefence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2012 held by the Union Public Service Commission  on 19th August, 2012, candidates with the under mentioned Roll Nos. have qualified for Interview by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force Wings of the National Defence Academy for the 130th Course and for the 92nd Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from July, 2013. 2.         The candidature of all the candidates whose Roll Nos. are shown in the list is provisional. In accordance with the conditions of their admission to the examination, they are required to submit original certificates of Age and Educational Qualification direct to the “Additional Directorate General of Recruiting, Adjutant General’s Branch, Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Army), West Block No.-III, Wing No.–I, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066”. The candidates must not send the Original Certificates to the Union Public Service Commission. For any further information, the candidates may contact Facilitation Counter near Gate “C” of the Commission, either in person or on telephone Nos. 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 between 10:00 hours and 17:00 hours on any working day. The result is also available at Union Public Service Commission’s website http:// www.upsc.gov.in 3.           The mark-sheets of the candidates, will be put on the Commission’s website within fifteen (15)days from  the date of publication of the final result (after  concluding SSB Interviews and will remain available on the Website for a period of sixty (60) days. CLICK HERE TO SEE RESULT

Former Israeli foreign minister indicted

Former Israeli foreign minister indicted

Israel on Sunday announced the indictment of former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Lieberman Who  is accused of trying to promote a diplomat who relayed to him information about a criminal investigation into his political funding,notified of the pending charges, Lieberman resigned his cabinet post on December 18th saying he would prove his innocence.

Lieberman is a leader of a far-right coalition bloc that's a partner with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party.He's running in parliamentary elections on January 22nd, on a joint proportional representation list of the two parties.

Netanyahu called a snap election, hoping to benefit from the strong support of the Israeli people. But the latest poll shows that some supporters have shifted to another far-right party.

Tribute to Damini. 

There are no short cuts to women's safety. while protests on the streets are important, we cannot ask for hanging on the streets, castration, lowering age and including 15yrs old as criminals, knowing the history of the police and our military forces of human rights abuses these are dangerous trends. WE need a National Authority to Stop Sexual Assault on Women which would look at every aspect from gender sensitisation to education, laws, policing, media, cinema, khap panchayatas, patriarchal mindsets, dowry and domestic violence.

A small initiative from Progressive Films Mumbai, made for Anhad, we dedicate this video to the memory of 'Damini'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZCW__gnM14&feature=youtu.be

Shabnam Hashmi

9811807558

Sahir Raza

Progressive Films- 09820320317

249th Army Medical Corps Anniversary

Air Marshal D.P. Joshi addressing a Press Conference on the occasion of 249th Army Medical Corps Day  Jan 01,2013

249th Army Medical Corps Anniversary falls on Jan 01,2013. Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), Air Marshal D.P. Joshi addressing a Press Conference on the occasion of 249th Army Medical Corps Day, in New Delhi on December 28, 2012.
Army Medical Corp celebrate its 249 Anniversary on 1 Jan 2013.
On 1 Jan 1764,the first Indian Doctor joined East India Company and on 03  April 1947,amalgamation of Indian Medical department,Indian Medical Services and Indian Hospital Corps led to formation of the Indian Army Medical  Corps. Air Marshal D.P. Joshi is Director General, Armed Forces Medical Service.

UK terminates services of 123 Indian doctors

Foreign physicians in the UK will face a more rigorous assessment, after figures showed that the vast majority of doctors who have been struck off were trained abroad, especially in countries like India. Last five years, 669 doctors have been either struck off or suspended by the General Medical Council, GMC. Reports The Sunday Telegraph yesterday reported that of those, only 249 were British while 420 were trained abroad. It said, doctors trained overseas are five times more likely to be struck off than those trained in the UK. The paper further said that the country with the biggest single number of doctors who have been removed or suspended from the medical register, was India (123), followed by Nigeria and Egypt (33 each) and Pakistan (32). The GMC said new reforms included an induction programme, better checks and a review of the present testing system.

RIPRENDIMI (Good Morning Heartache) - 2nd January 2013

Tessitori Hall

2^nd January, 6.30 p.m.

5^th January, 2.00 p.m.

RIPRENDIMI

Good Morning Heartache

2008, 93 min.

Director: Anna Negri

Cast: Alba Rohrwacher, Marco Foschi, Valentina Lodovini, Alessandro Averone, Leonardo Bono, Damiano Bono,Marina Rocco, Stefano Fresi, Francesca Cutolo

Two filmmakers begin to track every intimate moment in the lives of struggling actor Giovanni and his wife, Lucia, who works freelance as a film editor. Yet, this film study on precarious existence is suddenly shattered by deep emotion and simple human truth, as cruel as it is banal, when Giovanni walks out on Lucia and their infant right before the camera. The camera continues relentlessly filming the couple despite this unexpected real life crisis, and Lucia’s solitude and heartache are mercilessly dissected by the lens of cameraman Eros….

 Ekal Silver Jubilee Year on 13^th, January, 2013.

Ekal Abhiyaan through its support organization Bharat Lok Shiksha Parisad recipient of Sita Ram Jindal Award for exceptional achievement in the field of “Peace, Social Harmony & Social Development" is organizing an event on 13th of January, 2013 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.

The program is conceptualized to mark the beginning of 25th year of Ekal Abhiyaan rendering selfless service through Ekal Vidyalayas based on five tier education for the holistic development of Tribal & Rural Bharat and to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. 

The program is only the beginning of year long celebrations throughout Ekal Movement from Delhi to remotest tribal village. The details of the program are as follows:

                    

SN	Program	Time
		From	TO
1	RUN with Ekal A run of 5.5 KM with 2000 – 3000 youth from Delhi and also from Ekal Villages	9.00 AM	11.30 AM
2	Launch Ceremony to mark the beginning of Silver Jubilee year	3.00 PM	6.00 PM

We would kindly like to request you to grace the occasion with your gracious presence.

We would be grateful for your consent to grace the occasion.

Thanking You,

With Warm Regards

For Ekal Sansthan

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I N V I T A T I O N

National School of Drama

Solicits your gracious presence for a

PRESS CONFERENCE

to announce the commencement of

Annual Theatre Utsav

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15^th Bharat Rang Mahotsav - 2013༯span>

featuring theatre performances from across the country and other nations

on

Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 2.30 pm

at

Sammukh Auditorium

National School of Drama

Bahawalpur House, Bhagwan Das Road

New Delhi-110 001

Dr. Marc Faber, the investment guru, concluded his monthly bulletin  with the following comments! : Dr. Marc Faber tells it how it is   "The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China . If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs. If we buy a computer, it will go to India . If we purchase fruits and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras and Guatemala . If we purchase a good car, it will go to Germany  and Japan . If we purchase useless crap, it will go to Taiwan . In short, none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in the US . I've been doing my part....."

Foreign exchange earnings from tourism rises 22% from last year

Government has earned 83,938 crore rupees as foreign exchange from tourism as against 68,721 crore rupees last year. This amounts an increase of 22 per cent this year. The visa-on-arrival scheme drew 13,903 tourists as against 11,121 visitors in 2011, a rise of about 25 per cent this year.

Exploring possibilities of giving export industry status to the tourism sector and to meet the demands of the Indian Tour operatrors, the ministry announced that a comprehensive study will be carried out on impact of taxation on the sector.

With an aim to develop integrated tourism circuits in south India, the ministry has formed Southern Zonal Tourism Council comprising Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Gang rape victim had planned a wedding party in Delhi

Girl victim of a gang-rape,then murdered triggered an outpouring of grief and anger across country is cremated at a private ceremony at  wee hours on Sunday as it emerged she was planning to get married in February.The girl, a physiotherapy student, was gangraped and brutally assaulted allegedly by six men in a moving bus in south Delhi on December 16 night.She died on Saturday at around 2:15 a.m.

The mortal remains were flown to the capital in a Special Aircraft of Air India and after landing at IGI airport. Family members accompanied the body.The cremation took place under a dense cover of fog. A Special aircraft of Air India carrying the mortal remains of the victim, who died in Mount Elizebeth hospital, landed at IGI airport in New Delhi at around 3.30 am.  The funeral pyre was lit after traumatized relatives and friends said their final prayers at a ceremony in southwestern Delhi..The  23-year-old, the focus of nationwide protests since she was brutally attacked on a bus in New Delhi two weeks ago, was cremated away from the public glare only hours after her body was repatriated from Singapore.
Reports according to mourners who revealed she had been due to wed a boyfriend who was injured in the same attack "They had made all the wedding preparations and had planned a wedding party in Delhi" for February, said Meena Rai, who was a close friend and neighbour."I really loved this girl. She was the brightest of all."
 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, the leader of the main ruling Congress party, were at Delhi airport to console her parents as they arrived home on a chartered plane with their daughter's body at around 4:00 am (2230 GMT).
After initial treatment in a Delhi hospital following the attack, she was flown to Singapore on Wednesday night. But doctors were unable to prevent a multiple organ failure and she was pronounced dead in the early hours of Saturday.
Her death has prompted government promises of better protection for women, and deep soul-searching in a nation where gang-rapes are a daily occurrence and sexual harassment is routinely dismissed as "Eve-teasing".
Waves of protests have erupted across nation since the attack on the night of December 16 when the woman was not only repeatedly raped but also sexually assaulted with an iron bar, leaving her with terrible intestinal injuries.
Thousands took part in late-night candlelit vigils Saturday after Singh led appeals for calm to prevent a repeat of the sometimes violent protests.As police said the six accused of murdering the unnamed woman could face the death penalty, there was a widespread determination that the killing would serve as a tipping point for how the nation deals with violence against women.

The city has been dubbed the "rape capital" of India. According to police and prosecutors, the murder victim's ordeal began when six men lured her and her male companion onto a bus that they thought would take them home.Group of joyriders, who had been drinking heavily, launched a savage attack lasting some 40 minutes that only ended when the victims were thrown off the bus.The attack has prompted intense debate among Indians who had grown almost inured to an epidemic of violence against women.
Gang-rapes are so common that they rarely get a mention in the newspapers. Victims are often deterred even from reporting them for fear of shaming their families or receiving a brush-off from police.

Dry Delhi & Moral education Must:VHP

VHP had condolences & Protests at Dozen places in Delhi

New Delhi. December 30, 2012. Vishwa Hindu Parishad(VHP) today demanded compulsory moral education and complete liquor free country to stop such heinous crimes against women and make citizens safe. Expressing his deep sorrow and paying rich tributes to the young lady who  became victim of the drunken in the national capital, the national spokesperson of VHP advocate Prakash Sharma said that country should be free from liquor and the moral education must be made mandatory in all schools of the country to avoid any such crime in future. He was speaking in Sanatan Dharm Mandir of GK-2 in south Delhi. VHP today organized condolence meetings at dozen places in Delhi.

According to shri Vinod Bansal, the media chief of VHP Delhi, today, we have paid rich tributes through havan satsang, Keertan & prayer meetings at different parts of Delhi. Many socio-religious organization, RWAs, Temple management committees etc have taken part in such meets. All present have demanded that our country should be made free from liquor and rich of moral education & values to save the nation from such menaces.

 The programs organized at Jyoti colony, Mayur Vihar Phase-2 & New Ashok Nagar of East Delhi, Chhatar pur, Pul Prahalad pur & Kalkaji in south Delhi and Nand Nagari, Mahalaxmi Nagar & Palam of West Delhi had large gathering. The state vice presidents shri Mahaveer Prasad, Gurdeen Prasad, Deepak kumar, Ujagar Singh & Brij Mohan Sethi, secretary general Satyendra Mohan, secretary Ram Pal Singh, organizing secretary Karuna Prakash, Rashtra Prakash and Manish Rai were amongst those who participated and addressed the large gatherings, Bansal added.

FII inflow in stocks surpasses Rs 24,000-cr mark in December

December 30, 2012

Dec 30,  1:19 PM
Overseas institutional investors have pumped in more than 24,000 crore rupees in Indian stock market in December, the highest in ten months. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were gross buyers of shares worth 71,595 crore rupees, while they sold equities amounting to 47,412 crore rupees.
Market regulator SEBI report indicates a net inflow of 24,183 crore rupees to Indian stocks market this month only. This is the highest net inflow in this month by FIIs since their entry into Indian capital markets in 1992. In February this year, FIIs had infused infused 25,212 crore rupees.
Market experts predict that in absence of growth in the global economy, the Indian market continue to look attractive and hopes of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India early next month.

National Judicial Appointments Bill to be tabled in Cabinet next month: Law Minister

Law and Justice Minister Dr. Ashwani Kumar has said that the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill will be tabled in Cabinet next month and on getting approval, it will be tabled in the next session of Parliament as well.
He said this in an exclusive interview given to DD News correspondent Manoj Tibrewal Aakash.
In what is perceived to be a step towards legal reforms, the upcoming budget session of Parliament is likely to be a significant one.
Dr Ashwini Kumar said that National Judicial Appointments Commission bill and Judicial Accountability bill will be tabled in cabinet next month and on getting the approval, the bill will be tabled in Parliament as well.
The bill is significant in view of improving the current procedure for appointments of judges. Strict punishment for the heinous crimes against women The Law Minister expressed hope that a committee headed by Justice J S Varma on suggesting provisions related to strict punishment for the heinous crimes against women, will submit its report within the fixed time limit.
He also said that the report will be tabled in cabinet and efforts will be made to reach consensus among political parties if necessary amendments are required.
Following this, the report will be tabled in both the houses of Parliament.
On Lokpal bill, the minister said that it will be tabled during the budget session after cabinet approval.
He also said that village courts will be set up at the block level across the country under the Village Court Bill to ensure justice at the grass root.

AIASA Constituted Anti-Corruption Cell(ACC)

The All India Agricultural Students Association(AIASA)  in its Annual General Meeting(AGM) held on 29.12.2012   at New Delhi has constituted 15 members Anti Corruption Cell(ACC) headed by Mr.Jitendra Singh Shekhawat, former President, Central Students Union, S.K.Rajasthan Agricultural University-Bikaner. The ACC will work independently in close cooperation and coordination with All India Federation of Agricultural Associations(AIFAA) and other Agricultural Organizations  for bringing transparency in the agriculture sector in the country. The other members in the ACC represent from Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, New Delhi, Haryana.

Recently the Students of  55 Agricultural, Horticultural, Veterinary, Fisheries Universities and in other 100s colleges in the Traditional  Universities  have come under one umbrella for the welfare of the primary sector and its various stakeholders such as students,  farmers, officers, teachers, various professional personnel. On this backdrop, a registered Society under the name  of All India Agricultural Students Association (AIASA) has been constituted in December, 2011. The association is having two kinds of membership i.e. current membership and associate membership. About 2 lakhs students pursuing their courses in agriculture and its various allied subjects are members under current membership and the professional such as teachers, scientists, farmers and other stake holders are associate members.

The Association has  conducted election for constitution of its 75  Students Cabinet members for the year 2013. Dr.Mahesh Yadav, returning officer of AIASA has declared the election result on 29.12.2012. Mr.Manjit Lad, IARI, New Delhi  has been declared elected as National President, Mr.Rohan Kelawala, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari(Gujarat) as Senior Vice President, Mr.Babu Lal, President, Rajasthan Agricultural University, Jobner(Raj) as General Secretary, Miss Hina Rasool Mir as National Treasurer and Mr.Harish Makhija as Chief Coordinator.

The out going National President Mr.Biswajit Mondal has stated that the AIASA has recently initiated membership drive in the Country and it will have crores of members on its roll and the Association will work for betterment of agriculture community and will be in a position to influence the decision making process in the government  in the interest of agriculture community particularly agriculture students. The newly elected National President Mr.Manjit Lad has advocated that immediate steps will be taken up  to impress upon the government to  create all India Cadre of Indian Agriculture Service, State Agriculture Services, Agriculture education Commission and to   fill up 50,000 vacant Group A posts in Central and State Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and  Agriculture Universities.