No special favors for Kalmadi in Tihar: Delhi Police

http://in.news.yahoo.com/no-special-favors-kalmadi-tihar-delhi-police-125141191.html


New Delhi, May 5 (ANI): The former chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi, now imprisoned in Delhi's Tihar Jail, is not receiving any special treatment, police officials here said.

Presently lodged in Jail Number 4, Kalmadi spent the night in a separate cell in the dormitory surrounded by other accused, including Olympic Committee Joint Director General (Sport) A.S.V Prasad and Deputy Director General (Procurement) Surjit Lal

According to prison officials, Kalmadi has not been provided with any additional facilities like an air conditioner or a bed. He has also not put forth any special demands.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Tihar Prisons) R. N Sharma said Kalmadi is keeping to his normal routine by eating simple food and performing everyday chores at the prison but is facing medical problems.

    "Mr. Kalamdi came yesterday. He has not put forth any special demand. He stayed at his cell during the night. It is a small cell of 10X12 measurements. There is a small toilet attached to it. We have provided a television set to him. He is facing some medical problems because he is highly diabetic. He is receiving his regular treatment. There is no shortage for his regular treatment. He has been provided with food from within the premises. There has been no special demand from his side to us," said Sharma.

Meanwhile, Kalmadi is keeping a low profile and has not attracted any special attention by other regular inmates.

    "No reaction so far. In other jails also, we have such high profile inmates. So, there has been no special reaction from any inmate. They (high-profile inmates) have been kept in safe and secure custody, kept separately from hardened criminals. That is all," said Sharma.

The routine followed by Kalamdi is said to be basic like that meant for others. The menu includes roti, dal twice a day and a biscuit with tea in evening.

    "At 6 a.m, each inmates come out from their dormitories for roll call, to assure the count of prisoners is exact to the ones lodged last night. The next one hour is for morning prayer and exercise. At 7 a.m. he gets breakfast, which has tea, bread and vegetable. Then at 7-8 a.m. all those prisoners who are supposed to go the court, they are sent in cars. They are escorted by the police to different (respective) courts," Sunil Gupta, law officer and spokesperson, Tihar Prisons.

Gupta said inmates including Kalmadi are required to attend moral teaching classes held every evening.

    "At 12-3 p.m. is time to take rest. They are shut in their dormitories where they can watch television or read. At 3.30 p.m., the prisoners get tea and biscuit that is called afternoon tea. From 4-6 p.m. moral teaching classes are held," said Gupta.

Kalmadi met his wife and son this morning, a day after he was sent to 14-day judicial custody along with his aides.

Kalmadi, Prasad and Lal were arrested by the CBI on April 25 for allegedly awarding an illegal contract to a Swiss firm for the timing-scoring-result system of CWG last year, causing a loss of Rs 95 crore to the exchequer.

होली है.!

बस की पांचवी सीट पर गुमसुम बैठी मैं लाल बत्ती को देख रही थी. 

बायें मुड़ी तो सड़क पर खड़े वो अपनी भोली-भाली-सी आँखों से मुझे देखने लगा. 

मैंने देखा. 
उसने देखा. 
इससे पहले कि मैं वापिस मुड़ पाती... उसने अपने दायाँ हाथ उठाया और...
 दे छपाक.! 
गुब्बारे का दर्द क्या होता है, बड़े दिनों बाद पता लगा. 

Agriculture sector needs to improve: CII Chairman

CII Chairman Rakesh Bharti Mittal speaks to Pooja Shali/ANI and says India needs to take agriculture to the next level. 

Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Chairman Rakesh Bharti Mittal has said that it is essential for the agriculture sector to move forward to combat food inflation.

"Agriculture needs to move to the next level and if the Prime Minister is talking about the secondary green revolution, if we are look at feeding more people in India as the population grows, if we feel more food is required because there are people who are moving above the BPL (Below Poverty Line) and getting to have a second meal in a day, if we believe that young demographic India is changing from a supply-led to a demand-led agriculture, all in all we need to take agriculture to the next level," said Mittal in an exclusive interview to Asian News International (ANI) on Thursday.

Mittal further said the involvement of private sector would contribute in better research, which would contribute in the economy of the country.

"One area, which I also believe needs to be looked at is the involvement of the private sector. I think while the government of India, the state government has put in regulations and statutory laws to protect the small and marginal farmers, my belief is that the same work in benefit of those farmers," said Mittal.

"There is no worthwhile research which has happened. Extension services are almost insignificant and they are nil; the public sectors or the universities have failed on that part. So clearly, this is an area where private sector can come in, on the research, on extension services," he added.

Mittal insisted the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act allows farmers of all states to sell their products only in government-regulated markets as it would benefit common people.

"The farmers should be given the flexibility to sell directly to the food processors, to the retailers, and to the aggregators and consolidators. This will in turn ensure that the wastages reduce. It will also ensure better terms and better returns for the farmers because they don''t have to go and wait at the mandis (wholesale vegetable markets). They are at the mercy of the middleman," said Mittal.

"They can have their terms and conditions and contracts signed, they get right payment, they get right price because prices are available everyday. So they get a better return. I think we don''t really realize that ultimately it is the consumer who is suffering the most," he added.

Food inflation has dropped to 15.52 per cent for the week ended January 8 from 16.91 per cent recorded in the previous week on the back of high vegetable prices.

Link - http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/5/2011012120110121194240251ea13643b/Agriculture-sector-needs-to-improve-CII-Chairman.html

CARE CEO optimistic on Bihar's health indices

http://www.aniin.com/v_Details.asp?StoryID=21407

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/care-ceo-optimistic-on-bihars-health-indices_100484045.html

New Delhi, Jan 6 (ANI): The President and CEO of CARE International USA, Dr. Helene D. Gayle, on Thursday said Bihar could see a dramatic turnaround in its health indices in three to five years with the bonding of the Government and Non-Government Organizations or voluntary groups, which would improve child and maternal healthcare in the state.

Dr. Gayle, who is on a short visit to New Delhi, in an interview to Asian News International (ANI) said that she expects the mortality rates for Bihar to improve in three to five years.

"The State Government''s commitment to achieving health goals was ''encouraging'', and it would make a difference in the long run. The indices in health are still low, are still bad. The mortality rate for women as well as children are still high in Bihar, but I think what is encouraging is that more and more commitment is visible there," said Dr. Gayle.

"The resources are there, and I fully expect that in the next three to five years we are going to see progress in health in Bihar because those elements are there that will make a difference in the long run," she added.

Dr. Gayle said there is scope for facilitation of policies and their implementation with the government support.

"For us it is also important that we have the support of the government, because it is part of what can really have an impact. The partnership of working with the government along with the NGO and the private sector and importantly working with the community; so that the community understands its rights. To help and to service is an important part of our work as well," she said.

Dr. Gayle further told ANI that there are numerous areas in which the US and India could share their expertise that would mutually benefit both the nations.

"So many lessons to be learnt. This is after all the largest democracy on the face of this earth and I think India is continuing to innovate in so many ways, whether it is the business community or the technology community," said Dr. Gayle.

"I think there is a lot that we can learn at the United States with India and there is a lot that we can share. So I think it is a real mutual learning experience, a real partnership. And I look forward to seeing it continue to grow and for us to continue to learn from each other," she added.

Dr. Gayle is slated to visit Bihar on Sunday to assess measures on child and maternal healthcare. The visit is expected to focus on monitoring mortality rates and also solving poor implementation of health policies.  

CARE has identified literacy, education, maternal and child health, nutrition, livelihood and economic self-sufficiency as focus areas in Bihar.

CARE''s key areas of intervention include among others, healthcare especially with regard to HIV and AIDS, TB Protection and critical support during disasters, damage mitigation and relief work.

CARE has worked in Bihar for over 40 years, with an operational presence in almost all the 38 districts of the state. By Pooja Shali  (ANI)

Pat down search of Indian envoy unfortunate: Lu

http://sify.com/news/frisking-of-indian-envoy-unfortunate-security-policies-need-to-be-reviewed-us-news-national-kmkwuiehgid.html

The Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi,Donald Lu, on Friday expressed regret over the pat-down search of Indian envoy to the U.S., Meera Shankar, and said security policies in the country need to be revisited.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Gay Rights' seminar at the American Centre here, Lu said that the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour have expressed a desire to look at the security policies again.

"We all at the American embassy have tremendous respect for Ambassador Meera Shankar. She is one of the most impressive diplomats working today for India. What she has done personally for US-India relationship is well known and we have, again, tremendous respect for her. We have also seen major American political figures, you mentioned Hillary Clinton but also Governor of Mississippi expressed regret over this incident and desired to look at our policies again," said Lu.

He further said that security remains a major concern in United States, so as not to allow any terrorist attacks and added that a balance needs to be struck between security and respect.

"I think it is worth remembering that the purpose of having the airport screening is really to make sure that passengers remain safe and secure. We both, India and America, live in two big democracies... democracies that have faced very terrible terrorist attacks. Both of us have to find a balance between security and respect for each other. We are trying to do that in the United States, the struggle to have that balance set right is something we will continue to do," he said.

Shankar was patted down by an American security agent at the Jackson - Evers International Airport in Mississippi on December 4.

The incident took place when she was about to board a flight to Baltimore after attending the Mississippi State University's programme.

Those who witnessed the ambassador's screening alleged that officials had singled out Shankar because she was dressed in a sari.

Shankar was further taken to a VIP waiting room despite informing authorities she was an ambassador. By Pooja Shali (ANI)

लाल रंग का छोटा गुल्लक

बचपन के दिन याद आये तो एक लाल रंग का गुल्लक घर ले आईI 

बड़ी उँगलियों में फंसा मिटटी का गुल्लक अब बहुत छोटा लगता हैI

इंतज़ार है ऊस दिन का जब ज़मीन साफ़ कर, पैसों से भरे गुल्लक को ज़ोर से दे मारना हैI

फ़र्क होगा तो बस उँगलियों के स्पर्श का...

...क्यूंकि अब सिक्के नहीं, दस-दस रूपये के नोट निकलेंगे.

India International Trade Fair

By Pooja Shali (ANI)

November 14, 2010

The India International Trade Fair (IITF) commenced here on Sunday at the Pragati Maidan.

This year's IITF has specific focus on Energy-Technology and Eco-Technology as twin themes of the fortnight long fair that wil last till Nov.28, 2010.

The trade fair, on the first day, showcased hues of green and giant posters highlighting the significance of saving energy.

Every year India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the nodal agency of the Central Government of India hosts this annual trade exposition. This year, the partner States are Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.

The inaugural day witnessed presence of various political leaders at State pavillions. n the morning, the Union Commerce and Trade Minister, Anand Sharma, inaugurated the IITF 2010 today.

In his address, the Union Minister highlighted the twin themes of Energy-Tech and Eco-Tech for the fortnight long fair.

    "It is clean technology, green technology have assumed a special place in the planning, in policy formulation, in investments in innovation, in research worldwide. India has also embraced it, it is country conscience of the changes that are taking place I the environment around us in the climate. India has the fifth largest installed capacity of renewable energies in the world," said Anand Sharma.

Rajashtan Chief Minsiter Ashok Gehlot and the newly appointed Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, visited the State pavilions along with Union Minister Anand Sharma.

Delhi Chief Minsiter Sheila Dikshit inaugurated the Delhi pavilion and visited each stall.

    "All (are) eco friendly. Whether it is the use of power, whether it is the use of water or products made out of eco friendly materials all that is being done (at the pavilion). So I think it is a very cheerful and a happy pavilion," said Sheila Dikshit.

Taking a cue from the recently held Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, authorities of Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) have decided to use latest state-of-the-art security gadgets during the ensuing India International Trade Fair.

The Fair will be thrown open to the general public from November 19, as first four days have been solely reserved for exclusive interactions between the manufacturers, traders and exhibitors and the buyers.

The estimated budget of this grand trade expo is expected to be in the range of one billion dollars towards varied arrangements.went three countries will showcase their wide range of products and services and special arrangements are being made at their stalls and pavilions for security.