Niti Aayog – CPR first Open Seminar on

Gujarat CM takes concrete steps towards fostering ties with China

• Engages political leadership for cooperation in sustainable development
• Visit results in top Chinese businesses exploring investments in Gujarat
• Focuses on job creation and better quality of life
• Gujarati business community to contribute towards Centre of Excellence for skill development on the lines of Haihe Educational Park in Tianjin, China

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Gandhinagar, May 21:

Taking forward the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Gujarat and Guangdong province of China in September 2014, in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modiand Chinese President Mr. Xi Jingping, Smt. Anandiben Patel led a high-level delegation of officers and top industrialists of Gujarat to China and Hong Kong between May 14th and 20th, 2015. During the course of the visit, Smt. Patel held one to one meetings with top political leadership and top business houses, visited industrial parks and manufacturing facilities and interacted with both Chinese businessmen and the Indian community in Beijing, Guangdong, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The Gujarat Chief Minister joined the Prime Minister of India and the Chinese Premier at the India China States and Provincial Leaders’ Forum in the Great Hall of People at Beijing. Chief Minister addressed the Forum on the Theme “Smart City: Smart Living”. Speaking to a distinguished audience that included the Governors and the Mayors from various regions of China, she emphasized the commonality of interests between the two nations saying, “I believe China and India also share a common future – a better and bright future – for our people. In the last decade, Gujarat has forged a strong relationship with China. The former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi, visited China a number of times. I am continuing that relationship with my visit here under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Modi.” Smt.Meenaxiben Patel, Mayor of Ahmedabad also addressed the Forum, highlighting the need for Smart City concept.

Enjoys support of political leadership for cooperation in sustainable development

Smt.Anandiben Patel received a warm welcome from the top Chinese leadership in the sister state of Guangdong.

Smt. Patel held high-level discussions with the Governor of Guangdong Mr. Zhu Xiaodan. The meeting was heldin the presence of Mayor of Guangdong and other senior members from key departments of Guangdong government such as foreign affairs, finance and commerce, to identify opportunities and discuss areas of cooperation between the two sister states. The Governor listed several areas of interest where the two states could partner for mutual benefit, including port and transport sector, infrastructure and tourism.

Earlier in the day, in the meeting with Mr. Lin Musheng, Senior Advisor to the provincial government of Guangdong, Smt. Patel shared her views on the strong infrastructure that Guangdong has developed. During the luncheon meeting, Smt. Patel spoke about key areas of development in Gujarat. Common areas of interest between Guangdong and Gujarat, in industrial as well as agriculture sectors, were discussed. The two leaders also agreed that stronger cultural ties would be beneficial in building long-term relationship.

Smt. AnandibenPatel was also received by the Minister in charge of Education, Ms. Cao Xiaohong, in Tianjin, where she visited the Haihe Education Park. Admiring Smt. Patel’s long experience in the field of education, Ms. Xiaohong readily agreed to work towards possibilities of cooperation among the Vocational Training Institute (Skill Development University) and skilling programs in Gujarat. Smt. Patel had a detailed tour of the educational park and appreciated the overall concept.

Impressed by the concept of Skill Development Centre at Haihe Educational Park, the business delegation from Gujarat has decided to contribute its CSR resources for the setting up of a similarCentre for skill development and training in Gujarat.

Chinese firms keen to explore opportunities, sign Rs. 30,000 crore MoUs

Later in the tour, Gujarat Chief Minister held one to one meetings with large business houses of China. They showed tremendous interest in making investment in Gujarat in areas of Renewable Energy, Construction, Smart City, Industrial Park, Manufacturing, Textiles and in developing real estate. The major companies that met with the Chief Minister’s delegation at Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong included Foxconn, China Light and Power, Li & Fung Group, Shangri La Group, China National Building Material Group, HongBang Finance and Investment, Guangdong Richwood Group and Sinofinn Group.

A total of 22Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the Industrial Extension Bureau, Government of Gujarat (iNDEXTb) and various companies in China and Hong Kong across sectors of renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure development, affordable housing, smart city, textiles, industrial parks, pharmaceuticals, automotive, electrical engineering and logistics.

Among the major MoUs that iNDEXTb signed included two MoUs with China Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Ltd. (CSMEI) envisaging cooperation and support for development of a Smart City (worth $3 billion or about INR 19,000 crore) and for setting up of an Industrial Park (worth $1.6 billion or about INR 10,000 crore) for investment in the Park infrastructure and manufacturing units in the Park.

In addition, the Gujarat delegation also held discussions for establishing institutional relationships between Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (CASME), and China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and for engaging with various medium and small business enterprises through these organizations.

List of MoUs:

HERE

Experiencing Modern Economic Ecosystem& Smart City concept

Smt.Anandiben Patel visited the manufacturing facilities of Foxconn Technology Group, the electronics manufacturing services giant, at its Longhua plant. Foxconn Technology had a global turnover of USD 148 billion in 2014 and is market leader in production of smartphones, tablets, laptops, touchscreens and LCD panels. Smt. Patel also visited the manufacturing facilities of Guangzhou Radio Group, the leading manufacturer of ATM and auto fare collection machines. Learning that cash dispensing machines are being deployed at Milk Cooperatives in North Gujarat, Smt.Anandiben Patel expressed her keenness to adopt the advances ATM technologies for intensifying the Financial Inclusion program in rural Gujarat.

At Shenzhen, Chief Minster led the delegation to the Guangzhou Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone (GHIDZ), which is dedicated to promote harmonious development among advanced manufacture, hi-tech industry and modern services industry. It may be recalled that Gujarat has already set into motion the planning for the Dholera Special industrial region which is to cover over 920 sq km.

Smt. Patel and the delegation also visited the Qianhai Shenzhen – Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zoneand held discussions for the collaboration between the Zone and Gujarat International Finance-Tech (GIFT) City for accelerating the development of GIFT city as India’s first Smart City. The Chief Minister witnessed the signing of an Intent of Cooperation between the GIFT city and Qianhai Shenzhen – Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone.

Situated at the shore of South China Sea and adjacent to Hong Kong, Qianhai Shenzhen – Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone has developed as an innovation area for modern service industry, acting as a pilot area for close cooperation between Mainland China and Hong Kong.

Offers platform to potential investors; pushes forward ‘Make in India’ agenda

Earlier Smt.Anandiben Patel attended the Business Meet and Road Show at Guangdong. The Meet saw larger than expected participation from the business community, clearly indicating the heightened interest among Chinese investors and businesses in Gujarat following the visits of Shri Modi as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2011,and the recent visit of Chinese President to Ahmedabad in Sept 2014.

Speaking at the Meet, Smt. Patel said, “During the visit of President Xi Jinping to Gujarat in September 2014, an agreement was signed between Gujarat and Guangdong for enhancing socio–economic and cultural ties, in the presence of the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping. A Cooperationagreement was also signed between Guangzhou and Ahmedabad as sister cities and setting up of industrial parks in Gujarat. My team and I are in China as a follow up to these agreements.” She identified the sectors such as engineering, agriculture and technology, textiles, automotive and ancillary parts, chemicals and petrochemicals, and renewable energy as areas for investment in Gujarat.”

At Hong Kong, the Chief Minister of Gujarat was hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce. She expressed confidence that businesses based in Hong Kong would find it worthwhile to invest in financial services sector as well as other sectors in Gujarat. She welcomed investors stating that Gujarat is a preferred destination for investment due to its excellent infrastructure and positive outlook of the Government.

List of Business groups met:

HERE

Gives a message of heart-to-heart connect for sustained relationship

The Indian community at both Beijing and Guangdong extended a warm welcome to Chief Minister Gujarat and business delegates. Speaking to the community, Smt.Anandiben Patel emphasized the importance of people to people connect for greater mutual cooperation between the two nations. She expressed her view that building long term relationships would be the key to strong bilateral business ties between Gujarat and Guangdong.

Key outcomes:

• The visit of Smt.Anandiben Patel as chief Minister of Gujarat has built upon the last visit to China by the former Chief Minister Shri Modi in 2011. Ever since then China and Gujarat have been brought closer by virtue of their similarities as manufacturing centres and export oriented economies.
• The visit has brought about closer understanding between the Government leadership and business community of Gujarat and Guangdong-Shenzen-Hong Kong area. It has also laid the foundations for a sustained long term relationship. Both sides expressed the desire to move closer both through trade, business and cultural ties.
• At every forum, the government leadership in China expressed appreciation of the development achievements of Gujarat and highlighted the similarities between Gujarat and Guangdong-Shenzhen. Both the states are seen as major manufacturing hubs in their respective countries. Both are coastal states leveraging their port infrastructure for export oriented economic activity.
• Mr Zhu Xiaodan, the Governor of Guangdong has accepted the invitation of Chief Minister Anandiben Patel to visit Gujarat. He is expected to be here in September this year. Earlier in July 2015, Mr Lin Musheng, who is Senior Advisor to Guangdong Province, is to visit Gujarat with a business delegation. The two governments have agreed to jointly prepare a list of specific projects and programs for cooperation.
• Discussions have been held with Chinese enterprises seeking to invest in affordable housing using new materials and speedy construction technology. This would give a further impetus to the housing sector.
• Job creation in Gujarat has been at the forefront of discussions and companies working in the field of renewable energy, and employment generating sectors such as agriculture, construction, tourism infrastructure, and transport infrastructure were also identified.
• The possibility of close cooperation in skill development programs for increasing the employment opportunities in high technology industries and modern manufacturing has been the highlight of this visit. Gujarat has expressed the desire to have an institutional arrangement for benefitting from the Chinese experience in this field. The visit of the delegation to the Haihe Education Park at Tianjin is expected to lead to a specific program of cooperation with Directorate of Employment and Training in the near future for upgrading the ITIs and Polytechnics in the state.
• The focus of cooperation in this visit has been on bringing investments from MSMEs of China and Hong Kong to Gujarat, looking to the higher employment potential and innovation in small industrial units.
• Potential transfer of technology for increasing agriculture productivity and maximizing the profit of the farmers through agro-processing and forward linkage possibilities were also discussed.
• The delegation has identified the main areas of cooperation between Gujarat and China that would enhance the quality of life of the common man in Gujarat. Investment opportunities that sync with the potential available in Gujarat were focused upon, as part of sister state agreement.
• The signing of the Intent of Cooperation with the Qianhai Shenzhen – Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone is expected to give a fillip to the expansion and development of GIFT city.
• The MOU signed with CSMEI on development of industrial park in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister and the MOU signed with CSMEI in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister for development of Smart City would lead to investments of close to Rs. 30,000 crore, creating immense job opportunities.
• Building on the positive sentiments among the Chinese regarding Buddhist heritage in India, the opportunities for developing Buddhist sites such as Vadnagar, Devni Mori and Talala have been identified as areas for further collaboration. It was also agreed to intensify cultural exchanges among the two states.
• As part of the sister city agreement between Ahmedabad and Guangzhou, the two cities agreed to cooperate in waste water recycling and capacity building in infrastructure such as road engineering, water supply and smart city technologies. This is intended to build better services for citizens in urban Gujarat, wherever 42% of the population lives in urban areas.
• In addition to contact with individual businesses, the foundation for institutional cooperation with associations such as CASME and CCPIT were strengthened through this visit. This would provide industry to industry contacts for speedier identification of business partners and greater investment in Gujarat by Chinese companies including SMEs.

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MAY 21, 2015/LEAVE A COMMENT/EDIT

World Education Forum adopts Declaration on the

Future of Education

INCHEON, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, 21 May, 2015 – A transformative vision for education over the next 15 years has been adopted at the World Education Forum, which concluded today in Incheon, Republic of Korea.  The Incheon Declaration was welcomed by the global education community, including government ministers from more than 100 countries, non-governmental organizations and youth groups.  It encourages countries to provide inclusive, equitable, quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all.   The Declaration will underpin the education targets in the Sustainable Development Goals that will be ratified at the United Nations in September.

“This Declaration is a huge step forward,” stated the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova.  “It reflects our determination to ensure that all children and young people gain the knowledge and skills they need to live in dignity, to reach their potential and contribute to their societies as responsible global citizens. It encourages governments to provide learning opportunities through life, so that people can continue to grow and develop. It affirms that education is the key to global peace and sustainable development.”

The Incheon Declaration builds on the global Education for All (EFA) movement that was initiated in Jomtien, Thailand in 1990 and reiterated in Dakar, Senegal in 2000.   EFA – and the Millennium Development Goal on Education – resulted in significant progress, but many of its targets, including universal access to primary education, remain unfulfilled.  Currently, 58 million children remain out of school – most of them girls. In addition 250 million children are not learning basic skills, even though half of them have spent at least four years in school.  The Incheon Declaration must finish the ambitious EFA and MDG agendas.

“If this generation of children is to someday reduce the inequalities and injustices that afflict the world today, we must give all our children a fair chance to learn.  This must be our collective vision and commitment,” said UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake.

The Incheon Declaration will be implemented through the Education 2030 Framework for Action, a roadmap for governments to be adopted by the end of the year.  It will provide guidance on effective legal and policy frameworks for education, based on the principles of accountability, transparency and participatory governance.  Effective implementation will require strong regional coordination and rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the education agenda.  It will also require more funding, especially for the countries furthest from providing inclusive, quality education.  The Declaration and Framework will urge countries to set nationally appropriate spending targets and increase Official Development Assistance to low income countries.

Speakers at the closing ceremony included Susan Hopgood, President of Education International, Kishore Singh, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Mohamed Sameh Amr, Chair of UNESCO’s Executive Board, Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, Ant㮩o Guterres, High Commissioner of UNHCR (via video),Geeta Rao Gupta, UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Keith Hansen, Global Practices Vice President of the World Bank Group, Micha묬e Jean, Secretary-General of La Francophonie, Hwang Woo Yeo, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea and Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO.

“We all agree that every student has the right to quality, free, public education,” said Susan Hopgood, the President of Education International – an organization representing more than 30 million teachers and education workers around the world.  “However, in order to realize any education goals, students in every classroom must be guaranteed a well-trained, professionally-qualified, motivated and supported teacher.  Providing quality education for all will require changes to education systems.  To implement the Education 2030 Framework for Action and improve the quality of education, it is fundamental that our education systems are transformed into ones that foster an open and collaborative culture.”

Education is essential to achieving all of the new Sustainable Development Goals.  It is necessary to eradicate poverty, boost shared prosperity and broad-based economic growth, and build peaceful, tolerant societies.  Today’s Declaration demonstrates the common commitment to deliver this vision.  It shows how education can transform

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MAY 21, 2015/LEAVE A COMMENT/EDIT

presents
Session on “The Pacific Alliance and India: Emerging Opportunities” ​
EVENT DETAILS
DATE		Tuesday, May 26, 2015
TIME		4:30 PM  – 6:00 PM (Registration at 4:00pm onwards)
LOCATION		WWF India Auditorium, 172 -B, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi – 110003
SPEAKERS		Amb. Melba Pria,  Ambassador  of Mexico to IndiaAmb. Andrés Barbé, Ambassador of Chile to IndiaAmb. Monica Lanzetta Mutis, Ambassador of Colombia to IndiaAmb. Javier Paulinich, Ambassador of Peru to India
CHAIR		Amb. R. Viswanathan, Former Ambassador of India to Argentina, Uruguay and   Paraguay & Distinguished Fellow, Latin America Studies, Indian Council on Global Relations (Gateway House)
ABOUT THE EVENT
The Pacific Alliance (PA) is a regional integration initiative with four member states: Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Created on April 28, 2011, it brings together the vibrant and growing economies of these Latin American countries, aiming to achieve the free movement of goods, services, capitals and people on the basis of the existing Free Trade Agreements between its members. It also looks to strengthen the relationship with other parties in a convergence through diversity scheme, with an emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. As a whole, the PA is the 8th largest market and represents the seventh largest exporting entity worldwide. India’s trade with the PA reached about 15 billion dollars in 2014 and the investment between the two sides has been growing. The PA received 41% of the total Indian investment projects in Latin America in the same year. India has been granted observer status since February 10, 2014. The discussion will feature the perspectives of the PA and the potential for an enhanced partnership with India.
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SPEAKERS   Ambassador Melba Pria, Ambassador of Mexico to India A professional public servant who has served Mexico’s public and private sectors for 37 years, Ms. Melba Pria is currently the Ambassador of Mexico to India. She was previously Mexico’s Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia and Timor Leste. Ms. Pria also held several roles with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Director General level beginning in 2000. From 2001 to 2002 she was Director General for Mexican communities abroad, responsible for the Government’s relationship with the Mexican diaspora and their representation on issues relating to rights in their countries of reception and the resulting matters of domestic public policy. From 2003 she became Head of Public Diplomacy responsible for the development of the Ministry’s relationship with civil society in Mexico and abroad. Ms. Pria was political and consular attaché at the Mexican Embassy in Israel from 1979 to 1982, and later advisor to the Foreign Minister from 1991 to 1992. She previously headed the Mexican National Institute for Indigenous Affairs, during which period she was elected Vice President of the Latin American and Caribbean Indigenous Peoples’ Fund. From 1983 through 1991 Ms. Pria was Publications Department editor and Chief of Cultural Promotion at the Social Security Institute of Mexico. From 1992 through 1994 she was Vice President of Development and Communications for Mexicana de Aviation, then Mexico’s largest airline. She has also authored several books and publications. Ms. Pria was born in Mexico City in 1958. Her basic education was completed in Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, after which she attended the National Autonomous University of Mexico graduating with a Bachelor Degree in sociology. She holds two Masters Degrees, one in public policy planning from the Technological Institute of Superior Studies and the John F Kennedy School of Government in Harvard, and another in international studies from the Technological Institute of Superior Studies. Ms. Pria also completed post-graduate studies in national security and strategic studies at the National Institute for Public Administration and the Centre for Intelligence Studies. As well as her native Spanish language Ms. Pria is fluent in English, German, French and Italian. She has also received honours from the Governments of Mexico, Germany and Timor Leste.   Ambassador Andrés Barbé, Ambassador of Chile to India Ambassador Barbé was born in Santiago, Chile. He has a degree in History from the University of Chile and is graduated from the Diplomatic Academy Andrés Bello. He has undergone Commerce and Investment Studies in the Carleton University, Canada, and M.A. African History Studies in the Nairobi University, Kenya. Before being appointed to India, he served as Chargé d’ Affaires in Kenya and in the Embassies of Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.   Ambassador Monica Lanzetta Mutis, Ambassador of Colombia to India Ambassador Mutis is currently the Ambassador of Colombia to India and Non – Resident Ambassador of Colombia to the Bangladesh, Maldives, Iran and Sri Lanka. She is a political scientist and specialist in Negotiation and International Relations and has held important positions in the public sector, especially in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs such as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and General Director of for Special Affairs: Human Rights, Environment, Drugs, Disarmament. She was also the Consultant of International Affairs.  She started her career as an Assistant Research fellow at Centre of International Studies and was the Professor at Andes University. She entered the Ministry in 1981 as an Assistant to the Minister and became the First Secretary of Embassy of Colombia in the United Kingdom (1988-1990), she also served as the Advisor to the Minister. She has also been at the position of Executive Director of Proexport Office in Caracas; Executive President of Colombia – Venezuela integration Chamber; Executive Secretary of Colombia – Brazil neighbouring Commission. Amb. Mutis was born in Bogota, Colombia.   Ambassador Javier Paulinich, Ambassador of Peru to India Amb. Javier Paulinich is presently the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru to India with concurrent accreditation to Iran, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives. He was previously the Director-General of WTO and International Economic Negotiations. Amb. Paulinich has also served in Embassy of Peru to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, concurrent to Ireland and Peruvian Embassy to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He was the Deputy Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations (UN), New York, United States of America. He was also the Member of the Committee of Experts of the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for Economic and Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (PGTF); Chairman of the Committee on Trade-related Investment Measures in the WTO (TRIMS). From  2000-2004  served as an  Ambassador of Peru to the Republic of Austria and concurrent Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Slovenia and Slovakia. In the past, he was the Permanent Representative of Peru to the International Organizations, Regional Cooperation Agreement and Preparatory Committee of the CTBT. Among the many other positions held by him in his distinguished career are Representative to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (PERUPEC). Amb. Paulinich is the recipient of Great Golden Badge of Honor with Band of Merit, Austria. Amb. Paulinich was born on 22nd April, 1952 in Arequipa. He attained degrees in Diplomat, Diplomatic Academy of Peru (1975); Bachelor in Social Science (Sociology), Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (1979); International Relations, Diplomatic Academy of Peru (1978); Sociology, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (1979).  CHAIR   Ambassador R. Viswanathan, Former Ambassador of India to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay  & Distinguished Fellow, Latin America Studies, Indian Council on Global Relations (Gateway House) R. Viswanathan is the former Indian Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay (2007-2012).  He is currently a Distinguished Fellow of Latin American Studies, Indian Council on Global Relations (Gateway House). He was earlier the Ambassador to Venezuela and served as the first Consul General of India in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has headed the Ministry of External Affairs’ division on Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as its Investment and Trade Promotion Division. He has specialised in Latin America since 1996 and has been a regular contributor to newspapers and business journals, besides giving lectures on the subject at think tanks and universities across India, Latin America and the United States.  A self-confessed Latinophile, Ambassador Viswanathan is an avid reader of Latin American literature and admirer of Latino culture.  He graduated in Chemistry from Pushpam College, Poondi and completed his post graduate degree from Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai. Before joining civil service, he worked as chemistry lecturer for one year at Bishop Heber College, Trichy and two years at Pachiyappa´s College, Chennai. His Latin American interests cover politics, economies, business, history, literature, culture, music and movies. Ambassador Viswanathan is the author of the book “Malgudi to Macondo: Journey of an innocent Indian through Seductive Latin America.” He is fluent in Tamil, Spanish, English, Portuguese and Portuñol. About Ananta Aspen Centre Ananta Aspen Centre is an independent and not-for-profit organisation that seeks to foster positive change in society through dissemination of knowledge. The Centre facilitates discussions on issues of international significance, values-based leadership and cross-sector outreach by engaging the civil society, government, private sector, and other key stakeholders.  To know more, Please log on to http://www.anantaaspencentre.in

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Niti Aayog – CPR first Open Seminar on —

Niti Aayog – CPR first Open Seminar on

MAY 21, 2015/LEAVE A COMMENT/EDIT

May Niti Aayog – CPR first Open Seminar on Open Defecation Free (ODF) Communities: A key step towards Swachh Bharat Friday, 22nd May 2015, 3:00 p.m. Room 122, Niti Aayog, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001 Image by Shubhagato Dasgupta It may be argued that India’s open defecation figures (both rural and urban) were the key drivers for the creation of a national-level mission on sanitation. To counter this, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) proposes to construct individual household latrines, and convert insanitary (including pit latrines) into sanitary latrines. For this, SBA offers a central government incentive of Rs. 12,000/- per targeted household in rural areas, and Rs. 4,000/- per targeted household in urban areas. At the end of 2019, it is expected that India will be Open Defecation Free (ODF). This seminar will debate the definition of ODF communities and the evolution of a suitable matrix to measure the achievement of this status under the mission. Programme schedule: 15:00-15:15  –  Introduction & Welcome Ms. Sindushree Khullar, CEO, Niti Aayog, Dr. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, President & Chief Executive, Centre for Policy Research 15:15-15:35  –  Presentation: Transformation to an ODF society through Sabar Shouchagar movement in Nadia district Dr. P. B. Salim, District Magistrate, Nadia District, West Bengal 15:35-15:55  –  Presentation: Framing the questions Mr. Shubhagato Dasgupta, Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research 15:55-16:30  –  Open discussion Moderated by Ms. Sindushree Khullar, CEO, Niti Aayog Speaker Bios: P. B. Salim is a 2001 batch IAS officer from the West Bengal cadre. He is currently District Magistrate, Nadia District in West Bengal, which on 30th April 2015, was declared “Open Defecation Free” by Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee. Shubhagato Dasgupta is a Senior Fellow at CPR and Director of the Scaling City Institutions for India (Sci-Fi) Sanitation initiative. His current research focuses on drinking water and sanitation in India and the world, with particular reference to flagship government programs and service delivery challenges in smaller cities The Niti Aayog-CPR Open Seminar Series aims to create a platform for deliberation on models for urban sanitation, including service delivery, through a series of thematic seminars with academic and research institutions, development partners, public and private organisations, NGOs and the three tiers of government. The seminar series will strengthen the understanding of the challenges and opportunities in sanitation by promoting evidence-based knowledge in the sector. The space seeks to initiate discussion by sharing experiences; lessons learned from successes and failures; alternative models of sanitation technologies and service delivery models; and studies of best practices. This platform will be a crucial tool to leverage the expertise of various stakeholders on urban sanitation, including service delivery, and create a feedback loop into government, aiding the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in being a dynamic and responsive programme on sanitation. The presentations and subsequent discussions will be summarized as thematic discussion briefs for wide dissemination.

Looking for a company or a group of indivisuals for PR —

Looking for a company or a group of indivisuals for PR

MAY 21, 2015/LEAVE A COMMENT/EDIT

Nikhil Kashyap
· Mumbai
Looking for a company or a group of indivisuals for PR / Marketing / sales / Events & Activation / Social Media for an upcoming two wheeler vertical… Pls suggest – nikhilkashyap0@gmail.com