MMS to lead Indian delegation to G-20 summit

MMS to lead Indian delegation to G-20 summit

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will lead the Indian delegation to the G-20 summit beginning at Cannes in France on Thursday. External affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said Dr. Singh will be assisted by the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the designated Indian Sherpa for the G-20. Our correspondent reports that the G20 summit this time takes place in the back drop of efforts to deal with the sovereign debt crisis in Greece and to check the imminent possibilities of spill over effects in the Euro zone area. Ahead of the Prime Minister's visit, New Delhi has welcomed the realism shown by the recent European Union Summit decision to assist Greek in its debt crisis.

India played big role in its bid for UNSC seat-Pak

Pakistan has said, India had played a major role in supporting its successful bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Abdullah Hussain Haroon told reporters at the Karachi airport that many of the countries that Pakistan had considered as friends were no longer its friends.

But he said, India supported Pakistan in becoming a non-permanent member of the 15-member security council and played a major role.

Italy declares emergency flood-hit northwestern

Italy declares a state of emergency in the flood-hit northwestern areas of the country as residents dig out from tons of mud that has buried roads and houses. The government on Friday said it was releasing 91 million dollars in aid to help towns clean up after Tuesday's floods. At least seven people were killed in the torrential downpours that triggered flash floods and massive mudslides in the picturesque regions of Tuscany and Liguria.

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Mega Food Park Projects

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA,  approved setting up 15 new Mega Food Park Projects under the Infrastructure Development Scheme at a total cost of over 787 crore rupees. This setting up of 15 new Mega Food Parks will result in creation of state of the art infrastructure in major parts of the country with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlets. The projects are expected to bring about substantial reduction of wastage, value addition, employment generation and increased income for the farmers.
 Scheme to be implemented in a market driven manner commensurate with both global and national demands. Innovative supply chain management will be the key to implementation of this scheme.

Each Mega Food Park is to benefit 6000 farmers and producers directly and 25 to 30 thousand farmers indirectly. Each Mega Food Park will also generate about 40,000 jobs. An estimated 30 to 40 food processing industries are expected to be set up in each project

UNSC adopts India-co-sponsored resolution on piracy

UN Security Council has unanimously adopted an India-co-sponsored resolution on piracy in Somalia, taking on board, at India's initiative, the issue of prosecution of convicted pirates not only for acts of piracy but also for hostage taking.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed attended the Security Council meeting at the United Nations on Monday for adoption of Resolution on prosecution of pirates, co-sponsored by India and 10 other UNSC members.

In a first, at India's initiative, the resolution deals with the issue of prosecution for acts of piracy as well as hostage taking.

The resolution calls for international cooperation in sharing information for the purpose of law enforcement and effective prosecution.

It recognizes the increasing scope of piracy beyond the coast of Somalia, which affects not only the states in the region but also those far beyond.

India, supported by other members, incorporated in the resolution provisions dealing with persons who "intentionally facilitate piracy operations, including key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy."

The resolution calls for prosecution of those who illicitly plan, organize, facilitate, or finance and profit from such attacks.

In the resolution, the 15-member body urged countries that have not already done so to criminalise piracy under their domestic laws and to implement prosecution methods in accordance with international human rights law.

The resolution also emphasized the need to establish specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia and other countries in the region.

The Security Council had earlier this year adopted another resolution which addressed the problem of hostage taking and sought cooperation among states in overall counter-piracy efforts.

India said it expects that both the resolutions will further strengthen the international legal framework for the fight against the menace of piracy and hostage taking.

India has been taking lead in addressing piracy problems as well as hostage taking.

While piracy off the coast of Somalia has become a serious threat to international peace and maritime trade, taking hostages has grave human rights and humanitarian implications.Media agencies

Islamist party expects 40 pc of vote in Tunisia polls

Islamist party  expects 40 pc of vote in Tunisia polls

Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda party said on Monday it expected to capture about 40 per cent of the vote with ballot counting under way in the country's first-ever democratic elections.

"We are not far from 40 per cent. It could be a bit more or a bit less, but we are sure to take 24 (of the 27) voting districts," Samir Dilou, a member of Ennahda's political bureau told the news agency, quoting "our sources".

Analysts widely predicted Ennahda to win the most votes but fall short of a majority in yesterday's elections for a new 217-member assembly that will rewrite the Constitution and appoint a president to form a caretaker government.

The elected assembly will decide on the country's system of government and how to guarantee basic liberties, including women's rights, which many fear Ennahda would seek to diminish despite its assurances to the contrary.

It will also have interim authority to write laws and pass budgets. Ennahda says it models itself on the ruling AKP party in Turkey, another Muslim-majority country which like Tunisia to date has a secular state.

Its critics have accused Ennahda of preaching modernism in public and radicalism in the mosques, but Tunisia's progressive left remains divided with party leaders having failed to form a pre-vote alliance.Media agencies

Afghan’s neighbours to play role in rehabilitation:Hillary

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has urged Afghanistan's Central Asian neighbours to play a role in securing and rebuilding the war-torn nation. She told an audience in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Saturday that Afghanistan's reintegration into the regional economy would be critical to its recovery as well as improving conditions in surrounding countries.

Mrs. Clinton was promoting the concept of a "new Silk Road" that would increase regional trade and commerce.On the sensitive subject of human rights, she told a meeting in Dushanbe that she would raise the issue with the leaders of both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, where she will travel later in the day. Clinton was asked why she would meet with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, who has been accused of numerous abuses. She replied that it was important to try to raise issues of human rights and rule of law, the kind of fundamental freedoms that the US strongly supports.

Clinton is pushing Afghanistan's neighbours to support the country as the US withdraws forces over the next three years.

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German Prez Wulff meets Afghan Prez Karzai

Kabul:German President Christian Wulff met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Sunday. Mr Wolf arrived in Afghanistan on a unscheduled visit. He was given a ceremonial reception at the Presidential Palace in Kabul with full military honours. Afghan President Hamid Karzai described Germany as an old friend of Afghanistan.

German President assured Mr Karzai that his country will not abandon Afghanistan in the lurch. He said Germany would continue to help Afghanistan even after the withdrawal of international troops in 2014. It is the first state visit by a German president to Afghanistan in 44 years. The last formal visit to Afghanistan by a German head of state was by President Heinrich Lubke in 1967.

German President also met with Afghan human rights activists. The talks focused in particular on women's rights, along with general human rights and the political future of Afghanistan. Mr Wulff emphasized that improving human rights in Afghanistan was of central importance to Germany.

Weekly Address: "Made in America"

S&P downgrades Spain’s credit rating

S&P downgrades Spain’s credit rating

Standard & Poor's (S&P) has cut Spain's long-term credit rating by one notch, from AA to AA-, The rating has been revised in wake of weak growth and high levels of private sector debt in Spain. The ratings agency added that the country's high unemployment would remain a drag on the economy.

Fitch agency also cut Spain's rating, a process that can raise a country's borrowing costs. S&P's move comes as G20 finance ministers are due to meet today to discuss the euro-zone crisis.

satellite Megha tropiques sucessfully put in orbit by PSLV C-18

Chairman ISRO Dr.K.Radhakrishnan has said that India will not be a follower but a leader in the field of space science in future. Speaking to newspersons after the successful launch of PSLV C18 at Sathish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota Wednesday, he said that India has been making remarkable achievements in new scientific technology. Calling today’s launch a grand success he assured that ISRO’s first microwave nano satellite will be put in space this december, Mr Radhakrishnan said that more universities and academic institutions would be involved in designing and developing satellites to build a space system. Lsiting out the upcoming developments in the Space department,Mr Radhakrihsnan said that Chandrayaan two would be launched in 2013.

Russian State Duma approves easy visa arrangement for Indians

Russia's lower house of Parliament has overwhelmingly voted to approve an inter-governmental deal on visa regime simplification that will benefit Indian citizens wanting to travel to this country for tourism or business purposes.
At its plenary session on Friday evening, the 450-strong State Duma approved by 428 votes the Inter-Governmental Agreement on simplification of requirements for mutual travels of certain categories of citizens, which was was signed by India and Russia on December 21 last year in New Delhi, the lower house of Parliament said on its website.

"The agreement is aimed at consolidating the legal basis for Russia-India relations in the area of mutual travels of citizens and promoting creation of favourable conditions for certain categories of citizens of the two countries, first of all representatives of business, scientists, cultural workers, students and tourists," Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Borodavkin said presenting the document before the House.

After the ratification of the Indo-Russian agreement by the upper house of Parliament - the Federation Council - and signing it into law by President Dmitry Medvedev, the individual citizens and organisations will no longer need an invitation or a tourist voucher to travel to Russia or India and will be able to directly apply for visas.

Earlier in August, the Presidium of the Russian Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin approved the Indo-Russian deal easing issuance of business and tourist visas to their nationals and forwarded it to the State Duma.

Under the agreement, the citizens of the two countries holding valid national passports can stay on the territory of the other country for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days from their first entry.

For the first time since the Soviet collapse, the two sides are also considering the possibility of issuing multiple entry visas valid for up to five years to citizens of both countries under the condition that they follow certain requirements, which are yet to be identified.

Earlier in June India took a lead in resolving the vexed visa issue by liberalising its rules for the Russian citizens visiting India on business and for tourism.

To further encourage business contacts and promote tourism between India and Russia we are now issuing multi-entry business visas valid for one year against six months single or double entry in the past and tourist visas valid for six months with multiple entries," Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra said.

The Indian diplomatic missions in Moscow, St Petersburg and Vladivostok have streamlined issuance of business and tourist visas within three working days against 14 days in the past.

According to Ambassador Malhotra, the Indian missions in Russia had issued about 110,000 visas to Russian citizens during 2010.

"I expect this number to increase by about 25 per cent this year", Malhotra hoped.

Tourist flows from Russia to India have picked up in recent years, with Goa, New Delhi-Agra-Jaipur Golden Triangle, Mumbai and Kullu-Manali emerging as major attractions.

Tourism Minister S K Sahai had recently visited Moscow to further boost tourist inflow from Russia.

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Press conference Sagar31News_101_2360_x264.mp4

Centre agrees on disclosing Lokpal proceedings

The government has agreed to make public the audio recordings of proceedings of the Joint Drafting Committee constituted in April this year to frame the Lokpal Bill.

The Joint Drafting Committee comprised five members of Team Anna Hazare and five Cabinet Ministers. The department of personnel has decided to provide the recordings to an RTI activist S C Agrawal after charging 450 rupees as additional fee.

Congress Spokesperson Abhisek Manu Singhvi said whatever is permissible under the RTI Act will come in public domain.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Focuses Attention On Indian Film Industry

Tourism Authority of Thailand Focuses Attention On Indian Film Industry

Organizes study tour for leading film producers and location managers

Mumbai 5^th October 2011: As part of the marketing strategy to highlight new scenic destinations within the Kingdom of Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has focused on the Indian film since the launch of their Mumbai operations in 2009. This month a 5-day study tour to Thailand exclusively for some of the Indian film industry’s top producers was conducted from 22nd to the 26th September, 2011.

The film producers were treated to new scenic locations in Bangkok, Koh Chang, Rayong and Pattaya ideal for shootings of films, documentaries and music videos.

Mr.Sethaphan Buddhani, Director of TAT, Mumbai office who accompanied the participants commented, “Over 100 Indian films were filmed in Thailand that included mainstream Indian motion pictures, ad films, documentaries, music videos and regional films. We want to increase this number as Thailand offers everything that is needed by a director / producer for a perfect film; from scenic locations, hospitable and skilled people, world class facilities, online production support and studio premises that rival the best in the global industry."

The participants of the study tour were Mr. Jitendra Chacha from Jeet Global Film Locations & International Travel consultants Mumbai, Mr. Sundeep Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment, Mr.Nikhil Panchamiya from Fourth Wall Entertainment and Mr.Vishal Desai who is an acknowledged Associate Director based in Mumbai.

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Cash-for-vote case: Amar Singh moves HC for bail

Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, an accused in the 2008 cash-for-vote case, on Monday moved the Delhi High Court seeking bail. Amar Singh moves for bail high court after his interim and regular bail pleas were rejected on 28th September by a Delhi court which had said his role was "major" in the entire episode aimed at "disgracing" parliamentary democracy. Lower court  said the incident showed that Singh and other political functionaries, including arrested BJP leaders in the case, "stooped to a level beyond imagination" aimed at "subverting" the functioning of Parliament. Singh, who is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS, has been seeking bail on medical grounds while relying on his medical report, according to which his health condition was showing "overall improvement" but his renal condition was assessed prone to infection and needed constant monitoring. Singh was arrested on 6th September after he appeared before the court in response to summons for his alleged involvement in the cash-for-vote scam.

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India qualifies for Qtr-finals of Asian Women's Rugby 7's Champ

Indian eves today qualified for the quarterfinals of the Asian Women's Rugby 7's Championship at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune. After suffering defeats at the hands of Asian Games 2010 winners Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, India bounced back as they blanked South Korea 35-0. The win kept India's clean record against Korea intact. Earlier they had beaten them 22-7 in the Asian Championship 2010 in Guangzhou, China. In the quarter-finals, India will face China. Other to have reached the last eight stage are Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and Singapore.

Sagar31NewsMedia-Inc TIE2011-Conference

Sagar31NewsMedia-Inc TIE2011-Conference