Arun has been associated with India International Times since 2018 and he has been a key reporter in covering science and space related stories. He can be reached at reporter@sh003.global.temp.domains.
Not NASA but the global hacking group Anonymous has come out with a revelation that the US space agency is likely to announce the discovery of alien life.
Anonymous on their website said, “NASA says aliens are coming!” and there is no confirmation from NASA, which never reacted on such alien stories in the last seven decades. Anonymous has also uploaded a video citing alien-friendly comments made by NASA astronauts and space scientists.
Otherwise afficionados of UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) and aliens have long argued about sighting aliens on Earth but Anonymous group suggesting that NASA might announce the truth behind it saying, “something is going on in the skies above” is very intriguing at a time when alien organism on Mars was a likely truth, though it may not wholly back the theory of UFOs or aliens.
Anonymous quoted NASA rendering before a Congressional hearing in April titled “Advances in the Search for Life” that said: “NASA`s recent advances, such as the discovery of hydrogen in Saturn`s moon Enceladus and the Hubble team’s promising results from the oceans of Jupiter`s moon Europa, are promising signs that we’re closer than ever to discovering evidence of alien life.” Made by Professor Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate of NASA, it had given enough hints at alien life, argued the hackers group.
“Taking into account all of the different activities and missions that are specifically searching for evidence of alien life, we are on the verge of making one of the most profound, unprecedented, discoveries in history,” Zurbuchen said.
Caught on that line, Anonymous has upped the ante over NASA disclosures to be made open for the first time since 1950. In September 2016, NASA announced a new discovery about Europa, an ice-encrusted moon of Jupiter that may be just like Earth in its features such as warm, liquid, and potentially habitable water.
Europa has a crust made up of blocks, which are thought to have been of a subsurface ocean at some time in its past. Combined with the geologic data, the presence of a magnetic field leads scientists to believe an ocean is most likely present at Europa today.
Will NASA made the next imminent announcement about some organism up there on Europa now?
Sushma Swaraj, known for her open challenge to Sonia Gandhi when she was slated to become Prime Minister in 2004, has reiterated similar stand against the opposition candidate for President, Meira Kumar, digging out an old video from archives.
BJP Ram Nath Kovind and Opposition candidate Meira Kumar, former Lok Sabha speaker will be contesting the office of President of India in the July 17 Presidential elections. Though initial rumours hinted at Sushma Swaraj as the possible candidate, BJP leadership wanted to neuter opposition move by naming a Dalit and more acceptable leader Kovind who is currently Bihar Governor.
Sushma Swaraj, in her typical tirade against the congress and opposition nominee Meira Kumar tweeted saying the former speaker had interrupted her speech four times. The 6-minute video clip released by Ms Sushma Swaraj showed her accusing the then UPA government of corruption.
As the presiding officer, Meira Kumar was seen interrupting her saying, “All right”, “Thank you”, “Okay”, “I have to proceed”, though Sushma Swaraj continued her speech.
Not only video but Ms Swaraj also attached a press clipping from little-known daily Pioneer which said Swaraj was interrupted by the Speaker for at least 60 times during the next 2 minutes of Swaraj’s speech.
Ms Swaraj’s hostile gesture is seen as towing the leadership line though there was no need for any hysterical reaction in the race which is likely to go Kovind way as BJP and its allies comand majority of votes in the electoral college of the Presidential election that consists of elected MLAs and elected MPs. It could also be a move to ward off any suspicion from her own party bosses.
The trigger could be from the remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Kovind’s candidature saying, “The Office of the President is a key post. Someone of the stature of Pranab Da, or even Sushma Swaraj or Advaniji may have been made the candidate”. Though a positive gesture in support of Ms Swaraj, the BJP leadership grew uncomfortable over the remarks and hence, Ms Sushma Swaraj has to take the cudgils against Meira Kumar.
Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr. In a message, he said that Id-ul-Fitr marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan and signifies the traditional expression of brotherhood and understanding between people. The festival reaffirms the spirit of compassion, charity and generosity in our lives, he added.
“I convey my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr. Id-ul-Fitr marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan and signifies the traditional expression of brotherhood and understanding between people. The festival reaffirms the spirit of compassion, charity and generosity in our lives.May the noble ideals associated with Id-ul-Fitr enrich our lives with peace, harmony and the spirit of humanity,” he said in his message.
Ramzan or Eid is on Monday, June 26, 2017, marking the completion of the holy Ramzan or Ramadan month (Islamic month of Shawwal) throughout which Muslims observe fasting.
The date for Eid al-Fitr, the first day of the month that follows Ramadan, is determined based upon the sighting of the new moon, which can vary in different parts of the world and this time it is expected to fall on Sunday or Monday in most of the Arab world.
In some Muslim countries, religious councils determine the moon sighting and Muslim clerics wait as the end of the month nears to know when the Eid date will be. The basis is that a new moon should be visible to the naked eye, unless clouds cover the sky in full.
It is believed that the holy book of Quran was written during this month and so people try to purify their soul with their thoughts and deeds. Muslims from all over the world greet this month with great anticipation and carry on fasting during daytime throughout the month and eat and drink even water only after sunset.
Eid is a day when people who have gone through a whole month of fasting and doing all deeds in the remembrance of Allah, wish to rejoice and they feel closer to Allah who they believe will help get rid of their sins of past. The entire month has witnessed Iftaar parties or communal meals.
Muslims also wear new clothes, visit friends, family members, exchange Eid cards and give presents of sweets and small toys to children.
In his Mann ki Baath, PM Narendra Modi recollected the great gift-giving habits around the world and how Queen Elizabeth once showed him a hand kerchief woven in khadi by Gandhiji and sent to her as her wedding gift.
Referring to his Kerala visit recently, Modi said the P.N. Panicker Foundation encourages people to cultivate the habit of reading books and to enhance their awareness towards this, by organising celebrations such as ‘Reading Day’, and ‘Reading Month’. “I had the opportunity to go for the inaugural function, where I was told that instead of bouquets, they gift books. I liked it,” he said.
“When I was in Gujarat, I had set this tradition of welcoming, by not giving bouquets, but books or handkerchiefs instead. And that too, a ‘Khadi’ handkerchief, so that it promotes ‘Khadi’. Till the time I was in Gujarat, this habit had been ingrained in us, but after coming here, I had lost that habit. When I went to Kerala, it was rekindled. I have already begun to issue instructions in the government.”
A bouquet is very short, “You receive it in your hand for a moment and then abandon it. But when you present a book, it becomes a part of the household, a part of the family. One can also use a ‘Khadi’ handkerchief to welcome people, and be a support to the innumerable underprivileged. The expenses are reduced as well, and the gift is well utilized too.”
Recollecting his visit to London, he said Queen Elizabeth had invited him to dine with her and later she showed him a small thread-spun khadi handkerchief. With great respect and in an emotion filled voice, she told him that Mahatma Gandhi had sent this handkerchief to her as a wedding gift. “So many years have passed and yet, Queen Elizabeth has treasured the handkerchief gifted by Mahatma Gandhi. And she was happy to show it to me, when I went there.”
When he gazed at it, the Queen encouraged him to touch it. “A small gift by Mahatma Gandhi, has become a part of her life and a part of history,” he noted. Modi said he would henceforth encourage people to give books or khadi handkerchiefs or gift. “I cannot say that if I go somewhere and somebody brings a bouquet I will refuse it. No, I won’t do that, but we will talk about it even though there is criticism, and then gradually, the change will happen.”
The Government has granted in-principle approval for a greenfield airport at Jewar in Greater Noida in view of the rapidly growing flying requirements of the NCR region, said Minister for Civil Aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Saturday.
The air traffic in the NCR region is growing very fast, he noted. From the current level of 62 million passengers per annum, it is expected to reach upto 91 MPPA by 2020 and 109 MPPA by 2024, which would be the saturation point for the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. It requires a second airport in the next 7-10 years, said the minister at a press conference in Delhi.
The minister said that the Government of Uttar Pradesh had submitted a proposal for construction of a new Greenfield International Airport at Jewar in Greater Noida, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation has accorded in principle approval for the project based on the recommendations of the Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports, headed by the Secretary (CA).
The Noida International Airport will be located 72Kms from IGI Airport and 65 Kms from Hindon Air Force station Ghaziabad. Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is the implementing authority of the project.
An area of 3000 hectares has been notified for the airport which will be developed in phases. An area of 1000 hectares will be developed in the first phase at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crores. There will be one runway in the first phase. Three more runways will be developed in subsequent phases. The total cost of development of all phases is expected to be around Rs 15-20,000 crores.
The airport is expected to cater to 30-50 million passengers per year over the next 10 to 15 years.. Government of UP along with YEIDA will bear the cost of land procurement. The project will be implemented in the PPP mode for which concessionaire is to be identified based on open market competitive bidding process.
Also speaking on the occasion MoS Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said that the airport is not only important for the NCR region but also for Western Uttar Pradesh. He said cities in this part of Uttar Pradesh have a lot of potential in terms of air traffic and the Noida airport will help in providing seamless domestic and international connectivity to the region.
Secretary Civil Aviation R.N. Choubey said the Metro connectivity was being extended to Jewar, and so the airport would have multi modal connectivity by road and rail. The UP State Government and YEIDA will be preparing the Techno- Economic Feasibility Report for the project and the airport is expected to be operational in five years.
In his latest foreign visit to Portugal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed MoUs in Lisbon for creation of an India Portugal Space Alliance and launched a unique startup Portal – the India-Portugal International StartUp Hub (IPISH) – in Lisbon.
While the agreements will promote India’s science and technology partnership with Portugal, towards the establishment of a unique Centre on the Azores Archipelago – the Atlantic International Research Centre for trans-Atlantic and north-south cooperation, both countries vowed to create an international network of research and academic organizations to foster a new climate, earth, space and marine research.
With respect to space, cooperation is expected to include development and cooperation of next generation nano and micro satellites. On marine sciences, the project would enable India to study the atmospheric and ocean behaviour of the Atlantic and its linkages with weather patterns including the Monsoon.
The India-Portugal International StartUp Hub (IPISH) is a platform initiated by Startup India and supported by Commerce & Industry Ministry and Startup Portugal for entrepreneurial partnership hosting a range of tools to provide information on the start-up hot spots of Bangalore, Delhi and Lisbon, including policy, taxation, and visa options. It will develop a Go-To-Market Guide too, said a joint statement.
IPISH is expected to help in mutual capacity building, and enable connections between start-ups, investors, and incubators from relevant sectors. It is also expected to establish a network of honorary ambassadors based in India and Portugal to guide start-ups from both countries.
There are strong complementaries between India and Portugal in the start-up sector as Portugal has one of the highest rates of business creation in Europe and has emerged as one of the most vibrant European eco-systems for entrepreneurship.
Lisbon is hosting the Web Summit – a key annual international technology conference – for 3 years from 2016 onwards and in the last Web Summit, more than 700 participants from India participated and the number is expected to go up further this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 2, 2017) addressed the Plenary Session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) where India is a “guest country” this year, and Prime Minister Modi is the “Guest of Honour.”
In his remarks, the Prime Minister thanked President Putin for the opportunity to be present at SPIEF, in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg. Touching upon India-Russia relations, the Prime Minister said they are moving forward with good momentum. He said there are very few relations between, where the basis of the relationship is mutual trust. He said the India-Russia relationship of the last 70 years, has been based on trust, and deepened, even in a changing world.
The Prime Minister said he is at SPIEF as a representative of 1.25 billion people. He said the world is focused on Asia, and therefore, naturally to India. He said that over the last three years as Prime Minister, the Union Government is making progressive decisions on all fronts. We have today an annual GDP growth rate of 7 per cent, he added.
“Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” and “Red carpet instead of Red tape” have been the basis of governance reforms in India, Prime Minister Modi said. He said that political will and clear vision are necessary for reforms. Bureaucracy too has to be vibrant and in tune with leadership, he added.
Noting that diversity is India’s strength, the Prime Minister said that the Goods and Services Tax will be implemented from July 1st, and this will herald a uniform tax system across the country.
Agreeing with President Putin, who spoke before him, the Prime Minister said technology is going to play a key role, and mentioned the Digital India initiative.
The Prime Minister said that with the vision of “New India” skill development is a top priority for India’s 800 million strong talented youth. In this context he mentioned the success of India’s Mars Mission in the first attempt. He said the New India would have youth that are not job seekers but job creators; and can fulfil the global requirements of skilled human resource.
In the services sector, the Prime Minister said the tourism and hospitality sector will receive high priority.
Stressing that one of the four Vedas- the Atharvaveda – encapsulates dedication to nature 5,000 years ago, the Prime Minister said India’s economic growth was based not on exploitation of nature – which is a crime- but on its use and preservation and on respecting it.
He pointed out that India has target of generating 175 Giga Watts of renewable energy by 2022, and added that India is setting up more power generation capacity in renewable energy sector than in thermal. He asserted that India will be a responsible nation with regard to climate and work towards zero-defect, zero-effect manufacturing, entailing no detrimental effect on the environment. He said programmes such as LED bulb distribution had already resulted in huge power savings.
List of MoUs/Agreements signed on the sidelines of the 18th India-Russia Annual Summit (June 02, 2017)
Sl.No.
Title of MoUs/Agreements
1.
Protocol No.2 to the Agreement dated December 5, 2008 between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation
2.
Agreement between Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited and Joint Stock Company “Cascade – Technologies” for setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle for railways
3.
Memorandum of Understanding between SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited and State Corporation ‘Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)’ on Russian export support and participation in the development of India-Russia capital goods financing/leasing business
4.
Agreement on Cooperation between ‘JITF Urban Infrastructure Services Limited’ (Republic of India), ‘Jindal Rail Infrastructure Limited’ (Republic of India), Joint Stock Company ‘Russian Export Centre’ (Russian Federation), and Limited Liability Company Management Company ‘RailTransHolding’ (Russian Federation)
5.
Memorandum of Understanding between National Investment Promotion Agency ‘Invest India’ and the Business Council for Cooperation with India concerning the promotion of investment in India and Russia
6.
Cooperation Agreement between National Investment Promotion Agency ‘Invest India’ and the Roscongress Foundation
7.
Memorandum of Understanding between ‘Sun Group Private Limited’ and Joint Stock Company ‘Pribor’
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (June 1, 2017) met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 18th Annual India Russia Summit at St. Petersburg, where he recalled his first visit to St. Petersburg as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001. He said ties between India and Russia span the spectrum from Culture to Defence.
The Prime Minister said 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries have been marked by a high degree of convergence on various bilateral and global matters.
The Prime Minister described the St. Petersburg Declaration, issued on Thursday, as a benchmark of stability in a turbulent, interdependent and interconnected world. He said India’s participation as a guest country in SPIEF and his address there tomorrow would further deepen economic cooperation between the two nations.
The Prime Minister described energy cooperation as one of the cornerstones of the relationship between India and Russia, and noted that this cooperation in the nuclear, hydrocarbon, and renewable energy sectors has been considerably deepened by the discussion and decisions taken today. In this context he mentioned the agreement of Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.
The Prime Minister emphasized the role of the private sector in enhancing trade and commerical ties between the two countries, adding that India and Russia are close to achieving the target of 30 billion US dollars worth of investment by 2025.
Speaking on the theme of connectivity, the Prime Minister mentioned cooperation between the two countries in the International North South Transport Corridor. Among other initiatives, the Prime Minister mentioned the forthcoming first Tri-services exercise – INDRA 2017, between the two countries.
He announced that a road in Delhi has been renamed after Ambassador Alexander Kadakin, whom he described as a friend of India, who passed away recently.
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharati has appealed to spiritual institutions and organisations to join Namami Gange programme in spreading awareness about keeping the ghats clean.
She was addressing a gathering of stakeholders at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh on Friday, June 9, 2017, as part of her ongoing Ganga Nirikshan Abhiyan that entered into its last leg in Uttarakhand. Swami Chidanand , a spiritual leader was also present at the gathering.
Sharing her experience of the tour so far, the Minister said “Our river Ganga has a very rich aquatic life right from Ganga Sagar up to Haridwar. This directly reflects the good quality of water in the river.” She also informed the gathering about the work that has been done so far under Namami Gange programme.
Reiterating that without people’s participation, the task at hand cannot be achieved, Sushri Bharati urged the people to refrain from all practices that pollute Ganga like washing clothes by the banks of the river and dumping solid/liquid waste. During the programme, thousands of people pledged to keep river Ganga Nirmal and Aviral.
Sushri Uma Bharti set out for Ganga Nirikshan Abhiyan on May 26,2017 from Ganga Sagar in West Bengal. Since then she has tirelessly travelled more than 2,000 kilometers addressing thousands of people during Ganga Chaupals,meeting officials and interacting with other stakeholders.
Within months after successfully launching more than 100 satellites at one go, ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C38 successfully launched the 712 kg Cartosat-2 Series Satellite along with 30 co-passenger satellites on Friday, June 23, 2017 in its 39th consecutively successful mission of PSLV.
PSLV-C38 lifted off at 9:29 am IST from the First Launch Pad from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. After a flight of about 16 minutes, the satellites achieved a polar Sun Synchronous Orbit of 505 km inclined at an angle of 97.44 degree to the equator in the next 8 minutes, all the 31 satellites successfully separated from the PSLV in a predetermined sequence beginning with Cartosat-2 series satellite, followed by NIUSAT and 29 customer satellites. With today’s launch, the total number of Indian satellites launched by PSLV are 48.
After separation, the two solar arrays of Cartosat-2 series satellite were deployed and ISRO’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at ground at Hassan, near Bangalore took over the control of the satellite. In few days, the satellite will be brought to its final operational configuration and orbit. Soon, the satellite will provide remote sensing services using its panchromatic (black and white) and multispectral (colour) cameras, said ISRO in a statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated ISRO on its 40th successful PSLV launch. He said, “Congratulations to ISRO on its 40th successful Polar satellite launch carrying 31 satellites from 15 countries. You make us proud.”
One of the 30 co-passenger satellites carried by PSLV-C38 include the 15 kg NIUSAT, a University/Academic Institute satellite from Nurul Islam University, Tamil Nadu, India, while the other 29 were international customer satellites from USA (10), United Kingdom (3), Belgium (3), Italy (3), Austria (1), Chile (1), Czech Republic (1), Finland (1), France (1), Germany (1), Japan (1), Latvia (1), Lithuania (1) and Slovakia (1).
ISRO’s PSLV launch has so far lofted off 209 foreign customer satellites, said ISRO.
On the occasion of International Day of Yoga on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his greetings from Lucknow to all those joining the Yoga Day celebrations across India and said Yoga has become a part of many people’s lives today. He said Yoga’s popularity is high even outside India; and Yoga has connected the world with India.
The Prime Minister said he is glad to see several Yoga institutes take shape over the last three years, and noted that the demand for Yoga teachers is increasing. In addition to fitness, wellness is important, he said. Yoga is a medium to achieve wellness. Urging everyone to make Yoga a part of their lives, he said Yoga is about health assurance, and it is not even expensive to practice.
In New Delhi, President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated a mass yoga demonstration to commemorate the 3rd International Day of Yoga at Rashtrapati Bhavan and noted that on the initiative of Prime Minister Modi the UN had declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga. This year, the 3rd International Day of Yoga was being observed.
President Mukherjee said that yoga is an ancient Indian practice which is very useful for curing many diseases and health disorders. It is a holistic approach to physical and mental health and well- being. He welcomed all participants to the mass yoga demonstration and urged them to practice yoga everyday as a fit mind and fit body is the abode of God.
Officers, staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan and their family members as well as residents of the President’s Estate participated in large numbers in the mass yoga event.
The Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines (Independent Charge), Shri Piyush Goyal performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, in Visakhapatnam on June 21, 2017.
Foreigners in the mass performance of Common Yoga Protocol, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, organised by the M/o AYUSH and NDMC with support of Art of Living, at Lodhi Garden, New Delhi on June 21, 2017.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participates in the mass yoga demonstration at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga – 2017, in Lucknow on June 21, 2017.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participates in the mass yoga demonstration at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga – 2017, in Lucknow on June 21, 2017.
The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, at Baddi, District Solan, Himachal Pradesh on June 21, 2017.
The Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, at IRIIM Campus, Mourigram, Howrah, in West Bengal on June 21, 2017.
The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, at Baddi, District Solan, Himachal Pradesh on June 21, 2017.
The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, organised by the Ministry of AYUSH & Yoga Day Celebrations Committee, at Palakkad, Kerala on June 21, 2017.
Paramilitary personal and official of the district administration performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, organised by the district administration of Kamrup district of Assam, at Guwahati on June 21, 2017.
The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri C.H. Vidyasagar Rao and the Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge), Dr. Mahesh Sharma participating in the International Yoga Day 2017 celebrations, at at Isha Foundation, Coimbatore on June 21, 2017. Spiritual leader and founder of Isha Foundation, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is also seen.
The Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri P. Radhakrishnan performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, at Madurai on June 21, 2017.
Paramilitary personal and official of the district administration performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, organised by the district administration of Kamrup district of Assam, at Guwahati on June 21, 2017.
Paramilitary personal and official of the district administration performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, organised by the district administration of Kamrup district of Assam, at Guwahati on June 21, 2017.
The participants in the mass performance of Common Yoga Protocol, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, organised by the M/o AYUSH and DDA with support of Patanjali Yoga Samiti, at Dwarka, Delhi on June 21, 2017.
Paramilitary personal and official of the district administration performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, organised by the district administration of Kamrup district of Assam, at Guwahati on June 21, 2017.
The Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines (Independent Charge), Shri Piyush Goyal performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, in Visakhapatnam on June 21, 2017.
Foreigners in the mass performance of Common Yoga Protocol, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017, organised by the M/o AYUSH and NDMC with support of Art of Living, at Lodhi Garden, New Delhi on June 21, 2017.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participates in the mass yoga demonstration at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga – 2017, in Lucknow on June 21, 2017.
The presidential race between Congress and BJP has become intense with both the national parties trying to woo the Dalit vote bank in the country with the presidential elections.
Soon after BJP’s unilateral choice for Ram Nath Kovind, current Bihar governor, UPA Chairman and Congress President Sonia Gandhi has announced former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar will be the combined choice for UPA.
Daughter of late Indian Deputy Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram, Meira Kumar has served in the diplomatic service of the country as an Indian Foreign Service officer before becoming Lok Sabha Speaker during the UPA rule.
Effectively, Congress strategy will take the sheen out of BJP’s game plan to placate the Dalit vote in the country. Though Ram Nath Kovind is likely to win the race owing to BJP’s majority in parliament and state assemblies, Meira Kumar is going to give it tough time to gain a brand image among the Dalits.
Born in 1945 to Congress veteran leader Jagjivan Ram from Bihar, who switched over to Janata Party in 1977 elections, she remained away from politics for a long time.
Meira Kumar was educated in law and M.A.(English) at Indraprastha College and Miranda House, University of Delhi (Delhi) and Madrid (Spain). She served as an IFS officer throughout her career before plunging into politics as MP from the Congress Party in 1985 and becoming the Lok Sabha speaker during the UPA regime in 2009 to 2014.
she has been elected to the 8th, 11th, 12th and 14th Lok Sabha and prior to becoming Speaker, she served as a Cabinet Minister in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of Manmohan Singh’s Congress led Government (2004–2009).
Ruling party BJP has proposed the candidature of Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit leader and Bihar governor who once worked as an aide to late PM Morarji Desai, in a bid to placate isolated Dalit communities across the country.
While many see it as a belated attempt to reach out to the Dalit community, BJP is hoping that Kovind’s nomination would face little opposition from the opposition parties, especially the Congress, while NCP has already opposed the BJP candidate for the office of President of India.
A lawyer by education and training, Kovind is known to keep a low-profile without any controversies in his career and apparently maintained his scholarly and liberal face. BJP hopes that his presence in Rashtrapati Bhavan would send the message across the country that the BJP believes in befriending the Dalit community, which is upset over the suicide of University of Hyderabad student Vemula last year.
A lawyer who practised in Delhi, Kovind graduated in law from a Kanpur college, got selected in Allied services in Civil Services, but opted for his own practice as a lawyer. He became government counsel in Delhi High Court from 1977 to 1979 and Central Government Standing Counsel in Supreme Court from 1980 to 1993. He became Advocate-on-Record of the Supreme Court of India in 1978.
After practising in Delhi High Court and Supreme Court for about 16 years till 1993, he was elected to Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh for two terms from 1994 to 2006. Former president of the BJP Dalit Morcha (1998-2002) and President of the All-India Koli Samaj, he was appointed Bihar governor in August 20
Pakistan has thrashed sixers and boundaries to set a huge target of 238 for India in the second half of the play in the final of India vs Pakistan final match of ICC Championship 2017 Trophy being held at the Oval in London.
Not unexpected, India was defeated with all out for 180 despite its record defeat of the new champions in the opening match on June 4 as it could not maintain the same tempo in the final.
Pakistan’s Hafeez was dismantling the Indian bowling towards the end and noticeably one can attribute the upper hand of Pakistan to its determination to avenge the defeat two weeks ago, knowing Indian team was an utter failure with its poor bowling strategy.
Leaving Indian spectators into gloom, Pakistan run rate remained around a comfortable 6.4 throughout the play and increased towards 6.66 in the entire show on average. Descpite Bhubaneshwar Kumar entering at the last to test his bowling spree, little could it help the defenders of ICC Championship.
The next question is whether Indian batsmen blame it on their coach Anil Kumble who is already seen at clash with Captain Virat Kohli for his strict adherence to rules and discipline. It is always the poor scapegoat who exits after such ignomious defeat in Indian sports scene and not the main culprits.
The defeated Indian team will soon reach West Indies to test its mettle but no wonder rumours are abound over the match fixing in the social media.
In a horrible display of perversion for social media applause, a cruel father dangled his baby outside his 15th floor apartment in a high-rise building in Algiers, capital of Algeria, took a picture of it and put it on FaceBook demanding a minimum of 1,000 likes or else he threatened to drop the baby, news site Al Arabiya reported.
The caption of the photo read:”1,000 likes or I will drop him.” Soon it went viral on social media with netizens demanding his immediate arrest for child abuse. The incident took place on Sunday, June 18, 2017 in Algeria and the man was promptly sent to jail for two years, instead of getting “likes” on his Facebook account.
It is becoming a phenomenon around the globe to beg, buy or force ‘Likes’ on Facebook page.
Recent manipulation to get millions of likes and followers on Facebook by a Thai leader was criticised by none other than the country’s Prime Minister, who ridiculed that it is becoming a booming business in online forums as people are going crazy for public attention. A study in Thailand revealed that politicians have been buying millions of likes on Facebook to showcase.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha recently pointed out that the number of “likes” and followers in social media could be manipulated by emerging “click farms”, hired to boost online-media likes for a number of people including Chinese products.
Click farms are hired by marketers seeking to boost their companies and their ranking algorithms to ensure products are given priority, and fake news writers are mushrooming to get on “most read” lists. Prayut has ordered police to investigate and try to determine the motive behind such brazen buying of ‘Likes”.
For a change, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee took a metro ride though in different cities down the south today. While PM Modi inaugurated Kochi Metro this morning, President Pranab Mukherjee is opening and taking ride on Namma Metro at 6 pm this evening.
Bangalore’s Namma Metro, initially planned to be completed in 5 years has taken full 11 years to complete a 42-km stretch connecting North South and East West Corridors connecting key spots of the city with a projected 5 lakh commuters daily hopping on to the coaches.
The first phase of Namma Metro was dedication to Bangaloreans on Saturday by President Pranab Mukherjee when he opens the green line section of the metro, connecting the Sampige Road station and Yelachenahalli, the last 12-km leg of the phase 1.
“Phase I was new for all of us. We have learned our lessons from the execution of Phase I and will put that to use for the second phase,” said Pradeep Singh Kharola, MD of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL). The next phase aims to bring in more stations making it a 72-km stretch with a 2020 deadline.
The first 6.7-km Metro line was opened on 20th October 2011 when Baiyyappanahalli – MG Road (Reach-1, Purple line) was inaugurated. After more than two years, on March 1, 2014, the second line connecting Sampige Road with Peenya Industrial Area (Reach-3/3A, Green line) on 9.9 km was opened. Again on May 1, 2015, it was stretched to connect Peenya Industry with Nagasandra (Reach-3B, Green line) on 2.5 km further was opened.
Namma Metro
In the same year, on Nov. 16, 2015 the stretch between Mysore Road – Magadi Road (Reach-2, Purple line) on 6.4 km track was opened. Last year, on 30th April 2016, the MG Road – Magadi Road (UG-2, Purple line) stretch measuring 4.8 km was added. And finally, today the remaining 12-km stretch between Sampige Road and Yelachenahalli (UG-1, Reach-4/4A, Green line) measuring 12 km will make the Phase I of Namma Metro full, at a cost of Rs 14,200 crore.
The Phase 2 involves extention of the the current Green and Purple lines and also introduction of two new lines between RV College and Bommasandra, and between Gottigere and Nagawara. Already, the work is in progress and France’s Agence Francaise De Development (AfD) has committed Rs. 1,500 crore loan, while BMRCL is negotiating with Germany’s KfW and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to raise more funds.
Moving over from Namma Metro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of Kochi Metro, which was completed in a record time compared to a decade-long delay in Namma Metro completion. Later, PM MOdi and others took a ride from Palarivattom to Pathadippalam and back to Palarivattom, with Metro Man E. Sreedharan joining the ride.
The 13.4 km long Kochi Metro was completed in just 4 years and 10 days and will be opened to public on Monday.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Posts (DOP) have decided to utilize the Head Post Offices (HPO)/ Post Offices in the country as Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) for delivery of passport related services to the citizens of the country, giving due functionality to post offices in the country.
In the first phase, it has been decided to open 86 POPSK in the country. 52 POPSK have become functional. MEA and DOP are working closely for the operationalization of passport related services at the remaining 34 POPSK in the first phase.
Following the successful functioning of these POPSK and the positive response received from the people, MEA and DOP have now decided to open another 149 POPSK at the following places to take the total number of POPSK to 235 in the country:
The Ministry of External Affairs has opened 14 Passport Seva Laghu Kendras (PSLK) in recent years including all the North Eastern States. Two more PSLK at Siliguri in West Bengal and at Sholapur in Maharashtra are scheduled to be inaugurated shortly to take the total number of Passport Seva Kendras in the country to 93.
With the addition of 235 POPSK, the total number of Passport Seva Kendras including POPSK , would be 251.
Amid stringent food safety regulations imposed by countries across the globe, Indian spices and spice products surged to a record export growth worth Rs.17664.61 crore (US$ 2633.30 million) and a volume of 9,47,790 tonnes in 2016-17, said a statement.
The buoyancy in exports of spices and related products, both in terms of value and volume, compares favourably with figures of 8,43,255 tonnes valued at Rs.16238.23 crore (US$ 2482.83 million) in 2015-16, thereby registering an increase of 12 per cent in volume, nine per cent in rupee terms and six per cent in dollar terms.
Chilli continued to be the most demanded spice in FY 2016-17 with exports of 4,00,250 tonnes amounting to Rs 5,070.75 crores, registering an increase of 15 per cent in volume and 27 per cent in value.
Cumin was the second-most exported spice, recording an increase of 22 per cent in volume and 28 per cent in value. A total volume of 1,19,000 tonnes of cumin valued at Rs.1963.20 crore was exported from India in 2016-17. The increase was largely due to the mandatory checks on cumin and its byproducts implemented by the Spices Board in the backdrop of rapid alerts from importing countries.
“India has surpassed all previous export records and has fulfilled the increasing international demand for its quality spices in the face of tough competition in global markets. More satisfying was the fact that the appreciable increase in exports came in the face of strict food safety regulations that now define and determine the international commodity trade,” said Spices Board Chairman Dr A. Jayathilak.
Increased global demand for turmeric, especially in the pharmaceutical sector, drove its exports to attain figures of 1,16,500 tonnes in volume and crossed Rs 1,241 crores in value terms in 2016-17.
The spice which showed the maximum increase as compared to the previous financial year was fennel, registering a 129 per cent increase in volume and 79 per cent in value. Garlic exports contributed substantially to the overall growth during the year, notching figures of 92 per cent in value terms and 39 per cent in quantity.
The export demand of nutmeg and mace was also on a higher side, registering an increase of 25 per cent to 5,070 tonnes, as compared to 4,050 tonnes during 2015-16. The export of celery rose from 5,310 tonnes valued at Rs.53.28 crore in 2015-16 to 6,250 tonnes worth Rs. 62.46 crore in 2016-17.
Dr Jayathilak said the efforts of Spices Board to promote production of large cardamom, especially in the country’s North Eastern region which is the organic area by default, led to a rise in its exports by 30 per cent in volume and nine per cent in value.
Indian Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs and Defence Arun Jaitley met South Korean President MOON Jae-in on Wednesday and conveyed the good wishes of the Prime Minister of India. Complimenting President Moon for his vision for the region and the relationship with India, and recalling the PMs invitation to the President to visit India, FM hoped that the two leaders would meet soon.
Recalling the PMs congratulatory phone call of May 11, President Moon said there was a strong will on both sides in building the bilateral relationship. He also underlined that the decision appoint a Special Envoy to India, for the first time ever by a recently elected Korean President, was a strong sign of Korea’s commitment to the India relationship.
Conveying the appreciation of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for South Korea, Mr. Jaitley underlined that such initiatives coincided with India’s Act East policy, he emphasized India’s conviction that an internationally-minded Korea is good for both Asia and for other nations. He also briefed the President about his fruitful meetings with his Korean counterparts the previous day.
Jaitley expressed the need for the early convening of the bilateral Joint Commission and the 2+2 Dialogue, to further take the relationship forward. He stressed on the immense opportunity for the two countries to forge partnerships in defense industry, infrastructure investment and manufacturing.
President Moon lauded the bold economic reforms in India under the leadership of Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi and Finance Miiister Mr. Jaitley, and shared his belief that India was on its way to becoming a true economic power. In the process, he hoped that South Korea would be a special partner and that the Special Strategic Partnership would continue to grow.
He noted the presence of India’s highly skilled professionals in Korea and hoped that such partnerships would continue to help both countries grow. Earlier in the day, Jaitley had separate meetings with the senior leadership of premier Korean companies including the Vice Chairman of Hyundai-Kia, CEO of Samsung Electronics, Chairman of Hyosung Group, Managing Director of Hanwha Group, Chairman of Doosan Heavy Industries and the CEO of Hyundai Rotem.
He also met, over breakfast, leaders of Korea’s financial industry including the CEOs and CIOs of the Korean Investment Corporation, Korea Post, KB Financial Group, Shinhan Group, Woori Bank, Mirae Asset, Nonghyup, and Military Mutual Aid.
Later in the afternoon, Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley delivered the key note address at an India-Korea Business Meeting at the Lotte Hotel, co-hosted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Embassy of India and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI).
Welcoming India and Pakistan into the SCO, China categorically ruled out any bilateral issues cropping up at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a stand that India avowedly upheld in all multilateral forums.
“As a founding member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), we are very happy about the membership of India and Pakistan,” China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said at a ceremony at the SCO headquarters held to formally admit the two nations as new members of the grouping.
China is a dominant member and host of the 8-member organisation, which includes China, Russia and Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan besides India and Pakistan. Currently, Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia are the observers and may soon join as members.
Kong, who attended the ceremony, tried to ally apprehensions aired by media reports on the possibility of bilateral rivalry weakening the organisation the way it has done to saarc. “In the charter of the SCO there is a clause that the hostility between the bilateral relations should not be brought to the organisation. I believe both the countries will abide by the charter of the organisation,” he said.
“Between our member states our interests far outweigh our differences. So, we should not exaggerate the differences between the countries as it is not good for the organisation and cooperation between member states. After becoming members, we all become members of the big family,” he said.
