ASUS unveil Eee Pad

ASUS Technology, a leading international
brand embodying the strength, mastering technological innovation and design
perfection for the ultimate life-enhancing and computing experience, has
unveiled its long anticipated Eee Pad Transformer Prime, paired and primed
to Perfection, powered by NVIDIA Tegra 3.
The impressive Eee Pad Transformer Prime is available with 10.1" WXGA Glare
(LED), focusing on user experience and aesthetics more than the previous
offering. To develop this state of the art product, ASUS development team
focused on four key incredible principles that guided the development team
during the designing phase of Transformer Prime. The metallic spun finish
on the ultra-slim and light Transformer Prime sets a new benchmark in the
art of tablet design. Only 8.3 mm thin and 586g light, the Transformer
Prime re-defines the rule of the mobile life, making it expedient to carry
and transport.

The first tablet to use the NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-Core CPU, the Transformer
Prime browses the web and plays 1080p HD video at blazing speeds. The Tegra
3 also empowers the Transformer Prime to deliver a gaming experience
comparable to that of a game console. Tegra 3 enables up to 61 percent
lower power consumption. This translates into an industry-leading 12 hours
of battery life for HD video playback. The snappier response time and
better multi-tasking performance make the Transformer Prime a true mobile
entertainment powerhouse.

The Transformer Prime is equipped with the most advanced CMOS sensor and a
large aperture design to ensure sufficient light exposure and the ability
to defocus the background and put emphasis on the object, making your
photos bright and clear. With the high speed auto-focus and color
enhancement design, the Transformer Prime can capture a clear and vivid
image.
The Transformer Prime offers a choice to enjoy both notebook mode and
tablet mode with the optional mobile dock. The mobile dock offers a full
QWERTY keyboard with touchpad and USB port, while also extending battery
life to an incredible 18 hours for all day computing on the go. The Battery
life is measured under power saving mode, playing 720p video playback and
Brightness of 60nits, default volume with headphones.

“The new offering distinguishes itself from the sea of tablets with its
aggressive pricing and an optional accessory that easily transforms it into
a notebook. The preface of ASUS Transformer Prime is a vivid proof of
fundamental transformation that tablets are ushering in the
personal computing space.  It is packed with the security, responsiveness,
and other exciting features, that deliver on the promise of being prime and
to offer the most complete and satisfying computing experience,” *Alex
Huang, Managing Director, Systems Business Group, ASUS Technology Pvt Ltd
(India).*

“Powered to deliver a complete multimedia experience in the palm of your
hands, the Asus Transformer Prime redefines mobile computing. Users of the
ASUS Transformer Prime will be able to enjoy stunning graphics performance
and an amazing battery life with NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 quad-core processor.  The
power of Tegra 3, thus, helps the ASUS Transformer Prime offer a clearly
differentiated value proposition to consumer and will truly ‘transform’ the
way users consume and create content. With changing lifestyles and growing
need to be connected on the go, ASUS has brought to the fore a truly
path-breaking device. We are happy to have partnered with ASUS with our
Tegra 3 quad-core processor to bring this revolutionary new gadget to
Indian consumers,” said "Mr. Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, NVIDIA,
Asia-South."

Tuned by the ASUS Golden ears team, audio on the Transformer Prime is
delivered with the most precise processing protocols and codecs, superior
speaker construction and large resonance chambers for unforgettable audio
enjoyment. It facilitates playing games beyond the tablet boundary and
provides maximum 3D performance with advanced water effects, realistic
textures and material display, motion blur effects, camera splash effects
and all kinds of new 3D effects have been added to the Transformer Prime.
It offers superb 3D graphics performance previously unseen on a tablet.
Over 500,000 apps are available on the Android™ Market to compliment your
tablet experience. You also have access to various social networks such as
Facebook and Twitter.

brand embodying the strength, mastering technological innovation and design
perfection for the ultimate life-enhancing and computing experience, has
unveiled its long anticipated Eee Pad Transformer Prime, paired and primed
to Perfection, powered by NVIDIA Tegra 3.
The impressive Eee Pad Transformer Prime is available with 10.1" WXGA Glare
(LED), focusing on user experience and aesthetics more than the previous
offering. To develop this state of the art product, ASUS development team
focused on four key incredible principles that guided the development team
during the designing phase of Transformer Prime. The metallic spun finish
on the ultra-slim and light Transformer Prime sets a new benchmark in the
art of tablet design. Only 8.3 mm thin and 586g light, the Transformer
Prime re-defines the rule of the mobile life, making it expedient to carry
and transport.

The first tablet to use the NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-Core CPU, the Transformer
Prime browses the web and plays 1080p HD video at blazing speeds. The Tegra
3 also empowers the Transformer Prime to deliver a gaming experience
comparable to that of a game console. Tegra 3 enables up to 61 percent
lower power consumption. This translates into an industry-leading 12 hours
of battery life for HD video playback. The snappier response time and
better multi-tasking performance make the Transformer Prime a true mobile
entertainment powerhouse.

The Transformer Prime is equipped with the most advanced CMOS sensor and a
large aperture design to ensure sufficient light exposure and the ability
to defocus the background and put emphasis on the object, making your
photos bright and clear. With the high speed auto-focus and color
enhancement design, the Transformer Prime can capture a clear and vivid
image.
The Transformer Prime offers a choice to enjoy both notebook mode and
tablet mode with the optional mobile dock. The mobile dock offers a full
QWERTY keyboard with touchpad and USB port, while also extending battery
life to an incredible 18 hours for all day computing on the go. The Battery
life is measured under power saving mode, playing 720p video playback and
Brightness of 60nits, default volume with headphones.

“The new offering distinguishes itself from the sea of tablets with its
aggressive pricing and an optional accessory that easily transforms it into
a notebook. The preface of ASUS Transformer Prime is a vivid proof of
fundamental transformation that tablets are ushering in the
personal computing space.  It is packed with the security, responsiveness,
and other exciting features, that deliver on the promise of being prime and
to offer the most complete and satisfying computing experience,” *Alex
Huang, Managing Director, Systems Business Group, ASUS Technology Pvt Ltd
(India).*

“Powered to deliver a complete multimedia experience in the palm of your
hands, the Asus Transformer Prime redefines mobile computing. Users of the
ASUS Transformer Prime will be able to enjoy stunning graphics performance
and an amazing battery life with NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 quad-core processor.  The
power of Tegra 3, thus, helps the ASUS Transformer Prime offer a clearly
differentiated value proposition to consumer and will truly ‘transform’ the
way users consume and create content. With changing lifestyles and growing
need to be connected on the go, ASUS has brought to the fore a truly
path-breaking device. We are happy to have partnered with ASUS with our
Tegra 3 quad-core processor to bring this revolutionary new gadget to
Indian consumers,” said "Mr. Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, NVIDIA,
Asia-South."

Tuned by the ASUS Golden ears team, audio on the Transformer Prime is
delivered with the most precise processing protocols and codecs, superior
speaker construction and large resonance chambers for unforgettable audio
enjoyment. It facilitates playing games beyond the tablet boundary and
provides maximum 3D performance with advanced water effects, realistic
textures and material display, motion blur effects, camera splash effects
and all kinds of new 3D effects have been added to the Transformer Prime.
It offers superb 3D graphics performance previously unseen on a tablet.
Over 500,000 apps are available on the Android™ Market to compliment your
tablet experience. You also have access to various social networks such as
Facebook and Twitter.

March 2:2012::Friday:6:00 pm
Lecture
SIR AUREL STEIN - THE ARCHAEOLOGIST IN INDIA
Lecture by Rita Jeney
archaeologist, primarily known for his explorations and archaeological discoveries in Central Asia. He was
also a professor at various Indian universities. An extraordinary man, who advanced human knowledge on many fronts, Sir Aurel Stein pursued dramatic adventure with scientific purpose.
Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre
1/A Janpath, New Delhi 110 011
(Near Hotel Claridges)
Nearest metro station - Race Course
Tel: 91 - 11 - 2301 4497, 2301 4992; Fax: 91 - 11 - 23793161; Email: hicc.delhi@gmail.com

Romney wins Michigan and Arizona primaries

Inching closer to bag the Republican presidential nomination, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney on Wednesday won primaries in Michigan and Arizona, defeating Senator Rick Santorum in a tight race.

Now all eyes are on Super Tuesday, 6th March, when primaries are scheduled in about 10 States.

A major victory next week would almost seal Romney's nomination, experts say.

While final results were yet to be declared, based on the poll results so far, major media outlets in Washington had declared Romney as the winner in both Michigan and Arizona.

"I was confident that we could come together today and take a giant step toward a brighter future," Romney said in his victory speech referring to the poll numbers last week when he was trailing behind Santorum.

Romney said his campaign is about restoring the promise of America.

"Last week, I unveiled a very bold economic plan that's going to jump-start the economy, and it's going to get Michiganders back to work, it's going to get Americans more jobs they're crying out for, and we're going to have less debt and smaller government, and I'm going to deliver on more jobs, less debt, and smaller government. We're going to hear that day in and day out, more jobs, less debt, smaller government."

Romney has so far won contests in six states: New Hampshire, Florida, Nevada, Maine, Michigan and Arizona.

"This is a decisive moment, I believe this is a time that requires real leadership in our country. Times are tough. We need leaders who will live with integrity, who have the courage to tell the truth, and have the experience to get our economy back on track. That's the kind of leader I aspire to be; that's the kind of leader I will be if I'm president of the United States," he said.

"Our campaign is more than just replacing a president. It's about restoring America's promise. From generation to generation, Americans have always known that the future would be brighter and better. Americans have always believed in a tomorrow full of possibility and prosperity. That's what it means to be the land of opportunity," Romney said.

Running close second to Romney, Santorum cast the close outcome in Michigan as a sign of success.

"A month ago, they didn't know who we are, but they do now," Santorum said.

"We all have that responsibility, to make both work and work as well as we can, and it's getting harder out here in America. It's getting harder for people to make ends meet, because we have a government that is crushing us every single day with more taxes, more regulations, and the idea that they know better than you how to run your life," he said.

"That ultimately is about what this race is about. It goes down to the very nature of who we are as Americans," Santorum said.

"We need a president who's on the side of rural America, who's on the side of small-town America, and opens up those energy resources for America," he added.

Two other candidates, former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, made little effort in either state, pointing instead to next week's Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses.

Gingrich said the challenge is to present a clear and compelling alternative so that the country has a really clear sense of what the difference is.

Obama confident of second presidential term   

With some recent opinion polls showing that his popularity ratings have improved, US President Barack Obama has exuded confidence that he will be elected for his second term during the November presidential elections.

"Five years from now when I'm not President anymore, I'll buy one (Chevy Cobalt) and drive it myself. Yes, that's right," a confident Obama said in his address to the United Auto Workers in Washington amidst applause from the audience of "four more years" on Tuesday .

Riding on a nationwide wave, in November 2008, Obama created history by becoming the first African American to win presidential elections.

On January 20, 2009, he was sworn-in as the first non-white President of the United States. "The fact that he is confident that the American people believe or will believe when he presents his case that his vision for where we need to go to grow the economy, where we need to go to create jobs, where we need to go to further secure America's national security interests is the right vision -- and that debate will be engaged and that theory will be tested in November," the White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters in a press conference.

"But he is confident, although he is certainly aware that when you're in the kind of economic environment that we've been in for the past three-plus years that this will be invariably a very competitive election," Carney said responding to questions.

"Carney intends to make his case to make clear what his vision is, to explain the decisions that he's made and the policies that he's put into place, and why he thinks they were the right ones to get this economy into a situation where instead of hemorrhaging jobs at 775,000 per month, it's been growing steadily," the US official said.

A total of 3.7 million jobs have been created so far in the private sector, Carney said, adding that Obama looks forward to the time when the other party has chosen its nominee to engage in that debate directly with his opponent.

"But he will continue to make the point that there is still time between now and November to get things done for the American people," Carney said, The US official claimed that the people do not want Washington to freeze and stop acting on their behalf, adding that within this time period efforts would be on to enhance economic growth and create jobs

 

CzechTourism India

European Quartet countries are gearing up to attract Indian visitors

Delhi, 28 February 2012

CzechTourism in India commenced a new season by organising an annual roadshow for four Central European countries under the brand European Quartet – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Events held in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi hosted till now the largest representation of these upcoming European countries. Over four days 23 suppliers and representatives met more than 300 Indian tour operators and agents.

The roadshow was a great opportunity for trade partners to present new tourist products, to open a new platform for new business ties and strengthening already ongoing collaborations. The increase interest about the Czech Republic thanks to the release of the Rockstar movie shot in Prague in 2010 have facilitate the major awareness about the destination not only among the travel trade but especially among the travellers. “The Czech Republic Tourist Authority - CzechTourism is already seriously focused on promoting the Czech Republic to Indian visitors since the end of 2010.  Already during 2011 we have seen a progressive growth, and all the indicators are showing that this trend will continue in the upcoming middle term period. I believe that presenting all four countries in the wider perspective of the Central European region, will definitely help to improve the awareness and to intensify the ongoing promotion of the Czech Republic”, said Radka Neumannova, director of CzechTourism in India.

The Indian travel industry in fact predicts the shift of interest to the new and less explored European destinations like Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The initiatives to present the region under the unique brand of European Quartet was highly appreciated by travel trade. The growing potential of Indian market has been as well recognised by many european suppliers, which have confirmed to conduct individual sales missions to India to strengthen their positions and partnerships on Indian market. H.E. Mr. Miloslav Stasek Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India said, „During the last year we have witnessed the growing interest of Czech companies to enter an Indian market, and this trend is also reflecting in the tourism industry. In fact this year the delegation of DMC´s and hotels on the mission in India has double the number of participants in comparison with last years. Indian growing economical potential brings more and more tourist to European countries and the Czech Republic is definitely an attractive option not only for leisure but also for business travellers. The collaboration of Central European countries under the brand of European Quartet has proven to be effective as it allows effectively target the potential travellers and as well bring more strength to the marketing efforts.”

While leisure travellers is a typical segment for all the four countries, over past year there has been a significant growth of MICE and business events in the European Quartet countries. India definitely ranks among the most important markets for all countries of European Quartet, and to develop that potential there other marketing activities will be conducted during 2012 – particularly study tours, marketing campaigns focused on the promotion of all European Quartet countries and as well of the Czech Republic.

For more information, please contact:

Radka Neumannova, Director

Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism in India

Tel.: +91 11 24108933

“NO to GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) FOOD”

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Genetically Modified (GM) crops are developed by artificially introducing a gene from one species into an unrelated species (for eg. Bacteria (BT) is introduced with combination of other genes into Brinjal, resulting to BT Brinjal). These are generally produced by transfer of a pesticide producing or herbicide tolerating gene into seeds so that the plant either generates toxins to kill a pest or can remain safe when herbicide is sprayed to kill other plants growing alongside. This is unnatural, hazardous to our health and environmentally unpredictable & dangerous.
Do you know? After Bt cotton seed entered India, Bt cotton seed oil has unlawfully entered our food and Consumers don’t even know. Farmers have no choice but to buy the expensive Bt cotton seeds to grow. Corporate mint money while farmers and consumers suffer the effects.
People from most of the places where GM foods are sold are switching to NON-GMO food. Public protests resulted in the moratorium on commercialisation of Bt Brinjal in India, yet the Government is not listening to people of India, when aware consumers world over are rejecting GM food, India is now the target market – 74 GM food crops are in the pipeline & hundreds of GM crop field trials are permitted!
BRAI bill will expedite GM crop clearances if passed in the parliament. (see overleaf)
STOP GENETICALLY MODIFIED ( GM) CROP CULTIVATON & DISTRIBUTION
Know more/Join now/Take action - www.gmfreein.org | http://indiagminfo.org | www.iamnolabrat.com
Please sign petitions available on these websites
CORRUPTION ENTERING OUR FOOD
A proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill is quietly being moved in the parliament. If passed, it will create a single-window clearing-house for Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the country.
Following are few of major flaws in the BRAI Bill;
 A Three member Authority will decide for the entire nation.
 Promoter & Regulator are one! –The Ministry of Science & Technology is promoter of biotechnology and will also be the Regulator.
 Assumes that all GM crops are proven safe. There is no mention on evaluation of requirement of GM Crops OR any assessment of available safe alternatives to be carried out.
 Unconstitutional – Overrides the authority of states over agriculture and health
 Inadequate mechanisms for Transparency - Worse yet, bypasses citizens’ Right to Information (RTI).
 Undermine the right of the public and affected parties to get justice.
 Compromises on Bio-safety & Risk evaluation. No proposal for independent bio-safety testing.
 Consumer choice negated – Consumers will not know if they are eating GM food.
STOP THE CORRUPT BRAI BILL! It is Anti- People & Anti-Nature!
Know more/Join now/Take action - www.gmfreein.org | http://indiagminfo.org | www.iamnolabrat.com
Please sign petitions available on these websites
CORRUPTION ENTERING OUR FOOD
A proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill is quietly being moved in the parliament. If passed, it will create a single-window clearing-house for Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the country.
Following are few of major flaws in the BRAI Bill;
 A Three member Authority will decide for the entire nation.
 Promoter & Regulator are one! –The Ministry of Science & Technology is promoter of biotechnology and will also be the Regulator.
 Assumes that all GM crops are proven safe. There is no mention on evaluation of requirement of GM Crops OR any assessment of available safe alternatives to be carried out.
 Unconstitutional – Overrides the authority of states over agriculture and health
 Inadequate mechanisms for Transparency - Worse yet, bypasses citizens’ Right to Information (RTI).
 Undermine the right of the public and affected parties to get justice.
 Compromises on Bio-safety & Risk evaluation. No proposal for independent bio-safety testing.
 Consumer choice negated – Consumers will not know if they are eating GM food.
STOP THE CORRUPT BRAI BILL! It is Anti- People & Anti-Nature!
Know more/Join now/Take action - www.gmfreein.org | http://indiagminfo.org | www.iamnolabrat.com
Please sign petitions available on these websites
Consumers world over are saying, “NO to GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) FOOD”
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Genetically Modified (GM) crops are developed by artificially introducing a gene from one species into an unrelated species (eg. Bacteria(BT) introduced with combination of other genes into Brinjal resulting to BT Brinjal). These are generally produced by transfer of a pesticide producing or herbicide tolerating gene into seeds so that the plant either generates toxins to kill the pest or can remain safe when herbicide is sprayed to kill other plants growing alongside. This is unnatural, hazardous to our health and environmentally unpredictable & dangerous.
Do you know? After Bt cotton seed entered India, bt cotton oil has unlawfully entered our food and Consumers don’t even know. Farmers have no choice but to buy the expensive Bt cotton seeds to grow. Corporate mint money while farmers and consumers suffer the effects.
People from most of the places where GM foods are sold are switching to NON-GMO food. Public protests resulted in the moratorium on commercialisation of Bt Brinjal yet the Indian Government is not listening to people of India, when aware consumers world over are rejecting GM food, India is now the target market – 74 GM food crops are in the pipeline & hundreds of GM crop field trials are permitted!
BRAI bill will expedite GM crop clearances if passed in the parliament. (see overleaf)
STOP GENETICALLY MODIFIED ( GM) CROP CULTIVATON & DISTRIBUTION
Know more/Join now/Take action - www.gmfreein.org | http://indiagminfo.org | www.iamnolabrat.com
Please sign petitions available on these websites

--
Umendra Dutt
Executive Director
KHETI VIRASAT MISSION
JAITU-151202

PRESS RELEASE Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Contact: Supriya Kumar, skumar@worldwatch.org, (+1) 202-452-1999, ext: 510 UN Responsibilities Far Outstrip Funding Core funding for the organization has risen just threefold in four decades, as mandatory contributions from the United States and other member countries lag. Washington, D.C.----The United Nations' core budget in 2011 was US$2.2 billion, down from a peak of $2.5 billion in 2009 and miniscule compared to the $66 billion budget of the UN's host city, New York. The funds available to the key international organization have not kept pace with the expansion of the UN's duties since its founding in 1945, according to a new report published by the Worldwatch Institute for its Vital Signs Online publication. The report reveals a disconcerting shift in the sources of UN funding. The level of voluntary contributions from the organization's wealthier member nations, including the United States, Germany, and Japan, is growing, helping to fund the core budget and various UN agencies and programs. Yet mandatory payments from all member nations are lagging: they account for just 14-18 percent of UN funds, down from 20-25 percent during the 1970s through 1990s. In effect, wealthier nations use their financial leverage to sidestep the regular UN decision making process, the report notes. "The shift away from mandatory payments and toward voluntary contributions reflects the rich member nations' preference for agenda-setting through bilateral pressure, rather than democratic voting," write report authors Michael Renner and James Paul. "In this way, UN finance is increasingly a reflection of a world divided between countries of vastly different resources, priorities, and global aspirations." The report finds that private sources, including foundations and businesses, are increasingly funding UN operations. Many governments and experts are critical of this trend because they claim that private funding introduces external influences over the organization's regular governance process. The UN's core or "regular" budget, which covers ongoing costs like staff salaries, meeting expenses, travel, security, conflict mediation, and human rights activities, among other tasks, is funded entirely by mandatory national payments. In 1971, this budget was $157 million, and it has grown almost 14-fold since then in nominal terms. But in real terms (i.e., when adjusted for inflation), the budget has grown only threefold----not nearly enough to keep up with multiplying program mandates and the complexities that accompany a much-expanded membership, according to the report. Beyond the "regular" UN budget are the much larger peacekeeping budget and specialized agency budgets. In the 2011-12 budget year, the UN peacekeeping budget was $7.8 billion. Funding for specialized UN programs and agencies like the World Health Organization, the Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the UN Development Programme totaled about $20 billion in 2011. In total, the UN system's in 2011 amounted to about $30 billion. Further highlights from the report: UN member states' individual military spending in 2010 totaled $1.6 trillion, more than 200 times the UN's current annual peacekeeping spending of $7.8 billion. The poorer UN states, voting in the G-77 bloc, favor more UN activity in the social and economic field, while the rich countries generally prefer an emphasis on peacekeeping. In part because of budgetary shortcomings, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has failed to establish a strong international presence since its 1972 founding: in 2010, UNEP received just over $205 million, less than 1 percent of total UN funding. At the end of May 2011, the United States owed the UN regular and peacekeeping budgets a total of $1.3 billion in arrears, or 42 percent of the total for all member states.