Oriental Bank of Commerce Progress under Financial Inclusion in the Villages

Oriental Bank of Commerce leading Public Sector Bank had a Total Business Mix of Rs.2,83,000 crore as on 30^th September, 2012. The Bank presently has a Branch Network of 1900 Branches, 10 Extension Counters and 1312 ATMs all over India and a total customer base of more than 1.75 crore.

The Bank has 33 (Thirty Three) Regional Offices across the country with 3 (Three) Regional Offices in Rajasthan at Jodhpur, Jaipur & Sriganganagar.Visit of Shri S.L. Bansal, Chairman and Managing Director,Shri V. Kannan, Executive Director andSmt. Sreya Guha, Nominee Director of Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance to Jodhpur Region to Review the Business and Progress under Financial Inclusion in the Villages adopted by the Bankon 30^th November,2012 & 1^st December,2012

Shri S.L. Bansal, Chairman and Managing Director and Shri V. Kannan, Executive Director of the Bank visited the Bank’s Regional Office at Jodhpur on 30^th November, 2012 and reviewed the Business and functioning of the Branches under the Region.  A Review Meeting with all the Branch Managers of Jodhpur Region was conducted for the same.

Jodhpur Region of the Bank shall cover 15 Districts in Rajasthan viz. Ajmer, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Sirohi & Udaipur.

Shri Bansal along with Shri Kannan and Smt. Sreya Guha, Nominee Director of Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance in the Bank’s Board reviewed the progress of FIP Villages allotted to the Bank in Rajasthan under Jodhpur & Jaipur Regions on 01-12-2012.

She has also visited Sumer Public School Jodhpur branch, and reviewed the performance of urban financial inclusion and gave various inputs so that urban financial inclusion can happen in time bound manner.

Financial Inclusion – Implementation of Govt. of India Initiatives

o   Total villages allotted                               :Phase I- 569, Phase II-336 Villages

o   No. of Villages allotted in Rajasthan      :Phase I- 63, Phase II-41 Villages

o   No. of Villages allotted under Jodhpur  : Phase I-16, Phase II-12 Villages

Region

o   No. of Villages allotted under Jaipur      : Phase I-15, Phase II- 14 Villages         

Region

o   No. of villages covered till date              : All the allotted villages have been

          covered by the Bank

o   No. of Household covered in FIP          : Bank as a whole :4,36,294

     In Rajasthan -55,895

                                                                 (Jodhpur-9551, Jaipur-10,653 )  

o   No. of NO Frill / SB Accounts               : Bank as a whole :6,12,582 Accounts

opened in FIP Villages                           In Rajasthan -58,098 Accounts

                                                                (Jodhpur-9345, Jaipur-11080 A/cs)  

o   No. of Biometric Cards Issued               : Bank as a whole - 2,45,136 cards ;

          In Rajasthan-31,467 cards

      (Jodhpur-6952, Jaipur-3629 cards)

Other Activities in Rajasthan

The Bank has started its First Mobile Branch in Rajasthan for Jaipur District. This Mobile is attached to B/O Govindgarh and provides Banking Services to the residents of 12 (Twelve) villages.

Bank has opened 4 Financial Literacy & Credit Counseling (FLCC) Centres in Sriganganagar in Rajasthan, Karnal and Palwal Districts of Haryana & Ferozpur in Punjab.

Bank has 9 (Nine) Branches in Alwar, Ajmer and Udaipur Districts and all of them are ready to implement Direct Cash Transfer Scheme of the Government.

Empowering Rural India

As a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the Bank has set up a Trust in the name of ‘OBC Rural Development Trust’ on 09.12.2005 for setting up of Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs). The Trust has set up 5 (Five) Institutes in different states viz. Chomu (Jaipur) & Sriganganagar in Rajasthan, Ferozepur in Punjab, Dehradun in Uttrakhand & Palwal in Haryana which impart free training on skill development to the rural unemployed youth for self-employment generating activities.

CSR Initiatives in Rajasthan:

Bank has undertaken various welfare activities such as providing safe drinking water, sanitation, installation of solar light system, hearing aids/wheel chairs to physically challenge in the allotted villages from time to time.

As on 31^st October, 2012 a total number of 25 Govt. Primary schools have been covered.

Place  : Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Highway tunnel collapses in Japan

A highway tunnel in central Japan caved in on Sunday morning, hitting passing vehicles and at least 7 people may be trapped.Police in Yamanashi Prefecture said the ceiling of the 4.7-kilometer Sasago Tunnel, west of Tokyo on the Chuo Expressway, collapsed at a spot about 2 kilometers from an exit around 8 AM.

Police confirmed through monitoring cameras that several cars were trapped and black smoke was spewing from within the tunnel.Witnesses say at least 3 vehicles were crushed under debris. Fire officials say 2 women were treated for light injuries at hospital.

The officials quoted one woman as saying she does not know the whereabouts of 5 people she was with in a car. Another report says at least 2 other people are unaccounted for.

Fire department headquarters say they have received a request from a transportation company for the rescue of a driver trapped inside a truck in the tunnel.

Reports say additional people have been walking out of the tunnel.

Police are trying to confirm a report that about 20 vehicles are still inside the tunnel in addition to the 3 cars under the debris. Fire fighters extinguished the fire on one of the vehicles by around noon.

THE SKODA PRIZE PRESENTS  
The Breakthrough Artist Award 2012

Announcement of the Short List on 5^th December, 2012

 In 2011, The SKODA Prize platform was extended to create a prize for artists at the beginning of their careers with theBreakthrough Artist Award – which recognizes younger artists under the age of 35 who are selected on the basis of their debut solo exhibitions in India. The Breakthrough Artist Award is supported by Art India, which has been one of the most highly regarded art magazines in India for over a decade. Through its association with ART India, The SKODA Prize also supports the development of critical dialogue, and writing about Indian contemporary art.

 The Breakthrough Artist Award aims to showcase emerging artists who are at the beginning of their careers and to help them gain exposure to a wider audience. Madhuban Mitra and Manas Bhattacharya won the first Breakthrough Artist award and received a cash prize of INR 50,000. In 2012, this award will be presented in association with Art India magazine and the prize will include a cash prize of INR 200,000.

The shortlist of this year’s Breakthrough Artist Award will be announced alongside theopening of Bani Abadi’s solo show “Then It Was Moulded Anew” at Experimenter in Kolkata on the 5^th of December 2012. The show bringstogethersignificantbodiesofworkthathaveallpremieredin international venues through 2012 and are showing for the first time in the country. Poised at a crucial moment in her career, the exhibition provides a window into Abidi’s acutely sensitive practice over the last few years.

 “We’re delighted to have onboard such a distinguished jury. We aim to build on the reputation the award has established as a benchmark of artistic quality, while also attracting new voices through the Breakthrough Artist Award". -Girish Shahane, Director of Art, The Škoda Prize.

About The ŠKODA Prize

The ŠKODA Prize is most prestigious award on the Indian visual arts scene. It recognises cutting-edge work demonstrating vision, innovation, and a mature understanding of material and form. The Prize brings to public notice exciting trends in contemporary art, highlighting the output of established mid-career artists as well as new voices. It is backed by jurors of impeccable credentials, renowned patron institutions, a dedicated group of advisors, and a management team of proven capability. Nominees need to be below the age of 45, and should have had a solo show in the country over the last 12 months. The winner takes away the prestigious ‘The ŠKODA Prize Winner’ title and also receives a prize money of INR 10,00,000. Runners-up are invited to participate in international residencies supported by Prohelvetia, the Swiss Arts Council. Visited by thousands every year, The ŠKODA Prize Top 20 exhibition (which takes place alongside the India Art Fair in New Delhi) showcases country's most promising contemporary artists.

Juried by a panel of notable personalities and supported by museums and cultural institutions of international repute. In the past, the ŠKODA Prize jury has included collector Mrs. Kiran Nadar, Mrs. Tasneem Mehta, (Managing Trustee and Honorary Director, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum), artist Vivan Sundaram, Pooja Sood, (Director of Khoj), Heike Munder (Director of the Migros Museum für gegenwartskunst, Zürich) who was also on the jury for this year's Turner Prize, while renowned artists Marc Quinn, and Turner Prize winner Anish Kapoor have presented awards to past winners Mithu Sen (2010) and Navin Thomas (2011).

The ŠKODA Prize is a Seventy EMG Arts Initiative.

Press Contact: For more information on The ŠKODA Prize, images please contact Nidhi Awasty at nidhi.awasty@flint‐pr.com or on +919899598586.

Aditi best Indian; Nalini top Indian pro

Gurgaon, December 1: Amateur Aditi Ashok was the best Indian and Nalini Singh Siwach was the top Indian pro at the end of the second round of the Hero Women’s Indian Open at the DLF Golf and Country Club. Six Indians made the cut, three of them pros and three amateurs.

The 14-year-old school girl, Aditi Ashok, held her nerves to shoot a 74 that kept her as the best Indian at one-under 143 and in tied 10^thalongside the likes of ISPS Handa Order of Merit leader Carlota Ciganda (75-68) and Becky Morgan (70-73).

The leader after two rounds was

Two-time champion Phatlum Pornanong of Thailand moved into the pole position, while the defending champion Swede Caroline Hedwall cracked the course record as the duo revived memories of their 2011 battle at the DLF Golf and Country Club. At the end of 36 holes in the sixth Hero Women’s Indian Open, Phatlum, second to Hedwall in 2011, carded seven-under 65 to share the lead with Australian Bree Arthur (67) at seven-under 137.

Aditi said, “My game was fine as I played two-over with seven pars and two bogeys on front nine. I had three birdies and three bogeys and three pars on back, but there were no serious mistakes. I am happy with the game.”

Nalini Singh Siwach (74, three-over 147), went through contrasting emotions on the front and back nines. “I just could not do anything right for first 10 holes and then everything fell in place,” said Nalini, who is due to play LET Q-School next week. “I was five-over after 10 but had four birdies and one bogey after that. I was not releasing the club fully and then things started happening for me. It was a relief to find the rhythm back.” Smilingly, she added, “I am going to give it a good shot tommorrow. I know I am playing well.”

Sharmila (73-76), who had another eagle on Saturday, continued to mis-read the greens while Vani Kapoor who had 10 pars to start with was still without a birdie in two days.

Sharmila started on the tenth and was in deep trouble at five-over through eight holes. She found a birdie on 18^th and then eagled the sixth for the second day running, but gave away shots on seventh and ninth to finish on a disappointing note. “There was a lot of misreads and mis-hitting. My reading of the greens was a bit off, though I putted decent. The eagle on the sixth was the redeeming feature. I hit a driver and hybrid and landed within eight feet. Thankfully I holed that!.”

Indians making the cut:

Aditi Ashok (A) (69-74) was tied 10^th; Nalini Singh Siwach (73-74), tied 33^rd; Sharmila Nicollet (73-76) tied 43^rd; Gurbani Singh (A) (76-73), 43^rd; Vani Kapoor (75-75) tied 47^th and Millie Saroha (A) (76-76) tied 62^nd.

Meanwhile Hedwall rebounded from opening day’s 76 to bring in a 10-under 62 – bettering the course record of 65 set by Laura Davies in 2010 - to get to six-under in sole third place at 136. Laura Davies (69) recovered from back-to-back bogeys on the 15^th and 16^th with a great second shot on the 18^th that landed within 15 feet of the flag. She holed the eagle putt to re-kindle memories of the eagle she landed in 2010 enroute to a title win at the same course and event.

Florentyna Parker (70-71), Nontaya Srisawang, tied second in 2010, (71-70) and Elizabeth Bennett (72-69) were tied fifth at three-under 141. Behind them in tied eighth were Stefania Croce (69-73), the first-round co-leader, and Kiran Matharu (73-69), who after being four-over through six holes on Friday has not used her driver since and then found eight birdies against just two bogeys to be two-under 142.

Aditi shares lead with European duo, Sharmila and Nalini 25^th

Gurgaon, November 30: Even as amateur Aditi Ashok stole the limelight by sharing the lead with Welsh golfer Becky Brewerton and Italian Stefania Croce, two other Indian professionals carded one-over 73 each to be tied 25^th after the first round which was a mixed bag for the Indian contingent.

Aditi, Brewerton and Croce carded three-under 69 each and were one shot ahead of six others who were at 70. Laura Davies (71) was among the six players at 71 in tied 10^th place. Two-time champion Phatlum Pornanong (72) was tied 16^th while defending champion Caroline Hedwall (74) was tied 47^th.

Vani Kapoor (75) was tied 39^th, while amateurs Gurbani Singh, Millie Saroha and Raksha Phadke carded 76 each to be tied 47^th. But veteran Smriti Mehra was way behind after carding 10-over 82.

Nalini Siwach played a very steady 73 with one birdie and two bogeys. “I played quite solid, but missed a lot of putts. I did get within 10 feet of the flag many times but the putts were always tricky ones. Still a decent round with one birdie and two bogeys, though it would have been nice to hole a couple more,” said the 23-year-old.

“The wind was not a factor, as it was either headwind or tailwind, and never really cross. I started with a bogey, but quickly got back with the birdie on 12^th. Then it was steady pars before that bogey on third. I am looking forward to tommorrow (second round),” added Nalini.

Sharmila Nicollet said, “It was a rather disappointing finish as I three-putted twice towards the end, on the 15^th and 16^th. Then I pulled the drive on the 18^th, which is really an easy hole, where one can look for a birdie, but I ended with a par.”

The tall and strikingly good-looking pro added, “I had a very stable front nine. I was hitting the ball well and solid. The eagle on par-5 sixth was nice. I hit a good drive and followed that up with a 5-Wood to within 10 feet and holed it nicely. Immediately I birdied the seventh and there was momentum.”

She rued the fact that she did not play well on the holes which are easy on the course. “I think I did not score well on many of the easy holes. I bogeyed the 10^th and then missed a few putts and finished a bit disappointingly.”

Smriti Mehra, the seniormost member of the Indian women’s pro golf Tour, started and ended the day with birdies, but in between she struggled with six bogeys, one double and two triple bogeys to virtually end her campaign at 10-over 82 for the first round. She was tied 94^th.

Media Contacts:

Deependra Chetri / Neha Rastogi

9811182106 / 9899469690

Unity Infraprojects bags Mantaralya order worth Rs. 138Cr

Current order book of company stands at Rs. 4232.17 Cr.

New Delhi, November 30, 2012: Unity Infraprojects Ltd., (BSE: 532746), one of India’s major civil contracting firms, has secured Mantralaya renovation project order worth Rs.138Cr .

The order is for Mantralaya renovation project at South Mumbai by Government of Maharashtra and the said project is to be completed within a period of 8 months under Public Development Plan (PWD), Government of Maharashtra. The project value is Rs. 138 Cr.

With the addition of this project, the order book of the company stands at Rs.4232.17Cr

Commenting on the occasion Mr. Abhijit K. Avarsekar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Unity Infraprojects Ltd., said “We are extremely grateful for partnering with The Government of Maharashtra for Mantralaya makeover project. Undeniably, this is a great opportunity to exhibit our high-level performance in operations and quality supported with planning and highly skilled workforce. We are sure of executing this fast track project in the given time to bring greater effulgence in the future.”

About Unity Infraprojects Ltd

Unity Infraprojects Ltd. provides integrated engineering, procurement and construction services for civil construction and infrastructure sector projects. Besides civil construction, the company’s project expertise includes transportation engineering, irrigation, water supply and urban infrastructure projects. Unity is the flagship unit of the Mumbai based KK Group of Companies which has interests across a wide spectrum of businesses such as concrete block manufacturing and quarrying, hospitality and organized retailing industries.

With an established presence in engineering, irrigation and transportation, Unity is successfully diversifying its business model. Some of the landmark projects done by Unity are Expansion & Modification at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai; Millennium Business Park in Navi Mumbai; Mass Housing Projects for DDA in Delhi; New Secretariat Complex in Assam; Tsunami Re-construction Project in Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Jupiter Mills in Mumbai; Nizam Institute of Medical Science in Hyderabad;  High Court in Karnataka.

Unity also has presence in real estate and BOT space. The company is ISO 9001-2008, ISO 14001-2004 and OHSAS 18001-2007 certified and has a market capitalization of Rs. 344 cr.; and is listed in BSE & NSE.

For further information:

Vinay Digrajkar

Sr. Manager Corporate Communications

For Unity Infraprojects Limited

Mob: +91 9833697526

INTERNATIONAL JURISTS AWARDS – 2012 & NATIONAL LAW DAY AWARDS 2012 ANNOUNCED

Nepal Chief Justice Regmi, Delhi Journalist J Venkatesan among Awardees

New Delhi, Nov 30: Chief Justice of Nepal, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Khil Raj Regmi and Mr Justice V S Sirpurkar, Chairman of the Competition Appelate Tribunal are among the winners of the prestigious International Jurists Awards and National Law Day Awards respectively announced here today.

While Justice Regmi has been awarded with the International award for his life long unique contribution in the field of administration of justice, Justice Sirpurkar has been honoured with the National Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to fair and efficient administration of justice during his distinguished judicial tenure.

The other winner of the International Award is Mr. Charles Nuez of Royal Canin India Pvt. Ltd., for his unique contribution in the field of corporate governance by unwavering pursuit of innovative approaches, Dr. Adish C Aggarwala,  President, International Council of Jurists and Convener, Indian Council of Jurists, announced here today.

Mr. J. Venkatesan, Deputy Editor (Legal), The Hindu (legal journalism),  Mr. Ashok Aggarwal, Advocate General of Punjab (Civil Law), Mr. Gourab Banerji, Additional Solicitor General of India (Jurisprudence), Mr. Vijay Aggarwal (Criminal law), Mr. Anand Bhushan Kanade Senior Advocate

(Constitutional law) Dr. Janak Raj Jai (Legal writing),Mr. Irshad Wali, IPS (Law & order)

Mr. C.D. Singh (Advocacy) and Dr. M. Antony Selvaraj (Legal aid) are among the prominent winners of the National Law Day Awards-2012, he said.

Mr Venkatesan has been honoured in recognition of his lifelong passionate and dedicated contribution to the field of accurate legal reporting and writing, which has set a benchmark for journalism. “He is credited with comprehensive and unbiased coverage of legal events and developments”, Aggarwala said.

He said the awards would be presented during the two-day International Conference of Jurists beginning at the Vigyan Bhavan here tomorrow.

(Dr. Adish C Aggarwala)

                                                                        President,

International Council of Jurists

                                                                        Convener, Indian Council of Jurists

Mobiles  +(91) 9868510674, 9958177904