The Indian Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the proposal of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) for ratification of ISA’s Framework Agreement by India.
ISA was launched jointly by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th November, 2015 at Paris on the side-lines of the 21st CoP meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The ISA will strive to bring together more than 121 solar resource rich nations for coordinated research, low cost financing and rapid deployment.
The foundation stone of the ISA Headquarters was laid at Gwal Pahari, Guragaon in Haryana. India has already committed the required support of operationalization of ISA. ISA will put India globally in a leadership role in climate and renewable energy issues. It will also give a platform to showcase its solar programmes.
The Agreement was opened for signature on the sidelines of 22nd CoP meeting at Marrakesh, Morocco. The Agreement invokes the Paris Declaration on ISA and encapsulates the vision of the prospective member nations. UNDP and World Bank have already announced their partnership with the ISA. Till now, 25 nations have signed the Framework Agreement.
Come New Year’s Eve, display of fireworks to revelers displaying the joyous mood mark the night of December 31 every year. Throughout the world the celebration begin with New Zealand and Australia reporting it first and New York or California joining the party much later in the day.
New Zealand:
A giant digital clock on Auckland’s landmark Sky Tower will show the countdown to New Year with people joining the spree shouting the seconds down to midnight. This is the first New Year Celebration every year to report with horns blared and crowds cheered as the tower goes up in lights varying from green to red to white in colour accompanied by fireworks.
Australia:
In Australia, Sydney’s famed harbour hosts pyrotechnics followed by waterfall of multicoloured fireworks in the sky, witnessed more than a million people off the Harbour Bridge.
Japan:
It’s holiday mood in Japan with most of the offices empty and cities virtually deserted. The New Year’s eve is celebrated by Tokyoites with children by releasing balloons from the top of the Tokyo Tower. Otherwise, millions of people leave cities for hometowns in trains. Temple ceremonies come to life on the New Year’s eve with the bronze bells ringing in the new year.
South Korea:
South Koreans too mark New Year’s Eve with traditional bell ringing ceremonies in Buddhist temples, with fireworks and music accompanied by pubic shows and performances in cities. On this day, several North Korean refugees, usually gather near the border to wish for a united Korea one day.
Malaysia
It is the fireworks time and celebrations on top of Kuala Lumpur’s landmark, Petronas Twin Towers, make the New Year’s Eve celebration in Malaysia comparable with the ‘Ball Drop’ at Times Square in New York.
China
China celebrates New Year’s Eve hosting performances and fireworks near Beijing’s Forbidden City in the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Beijing. Those at home are usually glued to TV broadcast of a gala from the National Stadium, known to most as the iconic Bird’s Nest.
Philippines
Fireworks mark both the revelry and tragedy of Filipinos on New Year Eve over the years. Traditionally Filipinos eat “media noche” on the midnight as others try thier hands at fireworks to make the loudest noise possible in Manila. After 2015 New Year Eve tragedy that injured about 850, shopping malls are holding the fireworks display to discourage individuals firing crackers in the city. Even the annual procession called the Black Nazarene, or carrying a black wooden statue of Jesus Christ, is being held a day earlier now to avoid injuries due to left over crackers on the streets.
Thailand
Following the demise of King Bhumbol, the New Year Eve will not be held in Thailand, which is observing one year mourning. Some of the canceled events include the Central World’s New Year Countdown Party & Beer Garden, the annual Patong Carnival, no fireworks at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) this year, and the New Year celebrations in Pattaya.
India:
Delhi, known for its showcase culture, will see many youngsters celebrating the New Year’s Eve on the streets dancing in an inebriated status while the police try to keep an eye on motorcyclists and drunk vehicle drivers. Usually Rashtrapati Bhavan is illuminated on the New Year’s Eve and 5-star hotels hold special events with live bands, dancing and plenty of drinks.
United Arab Emirates
In Dubai, the world’s second tallest building Burj Khalifa will be fitted with 400,000 LED lights and 1.6 tons of fireworks planned on every New Year’s Eve.
Gaza Strip
Palestinia hardly celebrates the New Year as Gaza’s Islamist Hamas rulers have banned New Year celebrations in the Palestinian territory and hotels and restaurants were not allowed to hold parties for three days, a day before the New Year and a day after the New Year.
France
The Champs Elysee in Paris is usually the centre of New Year’s Eve celebrations every year though last year it was not held due to November terrorist attacks in the city. It is likely that the Elysee may bring back the revelry of the New Year this time.
Belgium
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, canceled last year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks due to fear of terrorist attack but this year, it may be resumed though at a scaled down level.
United Kingdom
Fireworks in London are the most watched scenes around the world over the New Year’ Eve until the New York Ball drop takes place. Spectacular fireworks in London, Edinburgh and other big cities mark the event but police keep a tab on those without tickets.
Brazil
Remember the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? It’s here the giant Christ statue will be lighted to say goodbye to 2016 and welcome 2017. Last year’s New Year’s Eve show was illuminated by 24 tons of fireworks spanning over 16 minutes. Music shows, samba dances and revelers mark the day with their performance.
US – New York
Come to New York on New Year’s Eve and watch the historic Ball Drop at Times Square at the midnight. Nearly one million people watch the event every year and big music bands including Luke Bryan, Charlie Puth, Demi Lovato and Carrie Underwood would perform. The descent of a glittering crystal ball from a rooftop flagpole marks the fireworks.
The long-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II’s health after she missed mass on Christmas Day for the first time in six decades has fuelled enough fire over the next course of events in Buckingham Palace. The palace, however, said the queen had a “heavy cold” and preferred to stay indoors, though she would participate in other ceremonies.
Queen Elizabeth II is longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom surpassing the earlier record created by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who took over India’s Queen in 1857, heralding the long British rule in the country. She is the only monarch who has visited over 115 countries so far.
Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne on February 6, 1952, at the age of 25 years and now she is 90. While other media outlets rubbished the reports in some quarters of the British media, the BBC said it was merely "undue concern”.
The queen has four children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. The ledest Prince Charles is the heir to the throne even if the Queen relinquishes her throne or dies.
Minister of Shipping and Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated Sagarmala coastal and maritime development projects worth Rs. 1 Lakh Crore under Sagarmala programme.
At a ceremony to inaugurate the Sagarmala Development Company in New Delhi on Monday, he said the Sagarmala Development Company (SDC) will achieve India’s maritime ploans. It has been incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 with an initial Authorized Share Capital of Rs. 1,000 Crore and a subscribed share capital of Rs. 90 Crore.
The main objective of the company is to identify port-led development projects under the Sagarmala Programme and provide equity support for the project Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) set up by the Ports / State / Central Ministries and funding window and /or implement only those residual projects which cannot be funded by any other means / mode.
The Cabinet had approved the formation of the SDC under the administrative control of the Ministry of Shipping in July 2016. The company would help in structuring activities, bidding out projects for private sector participation, identifying suitable risk management measures for strategic projects across multiple States / Regions and obtaining requisite approvals and clearances.
The implementation of the identified projects would be taken up by the relevant Ports, State Governments/Maritime Boards, Central Ministries, through private or PPP mode. The Company would act as the nodal agency for coordination and monitoring of all the currently identified projects under Sagarmala as well as other projects emerging from the master plans or other sources.
It would also undertake the preparation of the detailed master plans for the Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) identified as part of the National Perspective Plan (NPP) SDC would be raising funds as debt/equity (as long term capital), as per the project requirements, by leveraging resources provided by the Government of India and from multi-lateral and bilateral funding agencies. It would also aim to increase the scope of private sector participation in project development.
The incorporation of SDC is part of the ambitious Sagarmala Programme to harness India’s 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes. The concept of the Sagarmala Programme was approved by the Cabinet in March 2015.
The Ministry of External Affairs has announced new passport rules liberalizing the process of issue of passport to benefit the ordinary citizens as government officials and ministers and legislators have the privilege of getting a Silver Passport that is considered a status symbol and obtained easily within the legislature and bureaucracy.
Under the changed rules, all applicants born after January 26, 1989 should submit the Birth Certificate as the proof of Date of Birth (DOB) and it should have been issued by the Registrar of Births & Deaths or the Municipal Corporation or any other prescribed authority empowered under the Registration of Birth & Deaths Act, 1969 to register the birth of a child born in India;
The Transfer/School leaving/Matriculation Certificate issued by the school last attended/recognized educational board containing the Date Of Birth of the applicant; or
PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department with the DOB of applicant; or
Aadhar Card/E-Aadhar having the DOB of applicant; or
Copy of the extract of the service record of the applicant (only in respect of Government servants) or the Pay Pension Order (in respect of retired Government Servants), duly attested/certified by the officer/in-charge of the Administration of the concerned Ministry/Department of the applicant, having his DOB; or
Driving licence issued by the Transport Department of concerned State Government, having the DOB of applicant; or
Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission of India having the DOB of applicant; or
Policy Bond issued by the Public Life Insurance Corporations/Companies having the DOB of the holder of the insurance policy.
In case of children applying for a passport, a three-member Committee comprising of the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Women and Child Development was constituted to examine various issues pertaining to passport applications where mother/child has insisted that the name of the father should not be mentioned in the passport and also relating to passport issues to children with single parent and to adopted children. The Report of the Committee has been accepted by the Minister of External Affairs.
The following policy changes have been made inter-alia on the basis of the recommendations of this Committee:
(i) The online passport application form now requires the applicant to provide the name of father or mother or legal guardian, i.e., only one parent and not both. This would enable single parents to apply for passports for their children and to also issue passports where the name of either the father or the mother is not required to be printed at the request of the applicant.
(ii) The total number of Annexes prescribed in the Passport Rule, 1980, has been brought down to 9 from the present 15. Annexes A, C, D, E, J, and K have been removed and certain Annexes have been merged.
(iii) All the annexes that are required to be given by the applicants would be in the form of a self declaration on a plain paper. No attestation/swearing by/before any Notary/Executive Magistrate/First Class Judicial Magistrate would be henceforth necessary.
(iv) Married applicants would not be required to provide Annexure K or any marriage certificate.
(v) The Passport application form does not require the applicant to provide the name of her/his spouse in case of separated or divorced persons. Such applicants for passports would not be required to provide even the Divorce Decree.
(vi) Orphaned children who do not have any proof of DOB such as Birth Certificate or the Matriculation Certificate or the declaratory Court order, may now submit a declaration given by the Head of the Orphanage/Child Care Home on their official letter head of the organization confirming the DOB of the applicant.
(vii) In case of children not born out of wedlock, the applicant for the passport of such children should submit only Annexure G while submitting the passport application.
(viii) In case of issue of passport to in-country domestically adopted children, submission of the registered adoption deed would no longer be required. In the absence of any deed to this effect, the passport applicant may give a declaration on a plain paper confirming the adoption.
(ix) Government servants, who are not able to obtain the Identity Certificate (Annexure-B)/ No-Objection Certificate (Annexure-M) from their concerned employer and intend to get the passport on urgent basis can now get the passport by submitting a self-declaration in Annexure-‘N’ that he/she has given prior Intimation letter to his/her employer informing that he/she was applying for an ordinary passport to a Passport Issuing Authority.
(x) Sadhus/ Sanyasis can apply for a passport with the name of their spiritual Guru mentioned in the passport application in lieu of their biological parent(s) name(s) subject to their providing of at least one public document such as Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission of India, PAN card, Adhar Card, etc wherein the name of the Guru has been recorded against the column(s) for parent(s) name(s).
4.Necessary notifications would be soon published in the Official Gazette to give effect to these changes. Instructions are also being issued to the Passport Issuing Authorities in India and abroad on these revised regulations.
5.The Ministry of External Affairs expects that the above changes in the Passport Rules would further ease the process for passport applicants in getting their Passport. At the same time, it would enable this Ministry to continue to deliver passport related services to the citizens in a timely, transparent, more accessible, reliable manner and in a comfortable environment through streamlined processes and committed, trained and motivated workforce.
Paving the path for future space missions to withstand atmospheric escape and re-entry hurdles, scientists from Imperial College London in the UK discovered that the metal hafnium carbide has a melting point that is the highest ever recorded that can withstand temperatures of nearly 4,000 degrees Celsius.
This can prove a path-breaking discovery to manufacture future spacecraft with the heat resistant shielding for hypersonic space vehicles. It can also provide as fuel cladding in the super-heated environments of nuclear reactors, thus avoiding Chernobyl type of nuclear reactor accidents in the future.
Tantalum carbide (TaC) and hafnium carbide (HfC) are refractory ceramics, with extraordinarily resistance to heat. Until recently, the technology to test the melting point of TaC and HfC in the lab was not available and now the researchers have developed a new extreme heating technique using lasers to test the heat tolerance of TaC and HfC.
Now he scientists have used the laser-heating to find the point at which TaC and HfC melted, both separately and as mixed compositions of both. The mixed compound (Ta0.8Hf0.20C) was melting at 3,905 degrees Celsius, but the two compounds on their own exceeded past record as the compound TaC melted at 3,768 degrees Celsius, and HfC melted at 3,958 degrees Celsius.
"So far, TaC and HfC have not been potential candidates for hypersonic aircraft, but our new findings show that they can withstand even more heat than we previously thought," said Cedillos-Barraza, who has conducted the research as a PhD student at Imperial College, London.
The researchers are upbeat as the new discovery can help manufacture future space vehicles to withstand extreme heat when travelling above Mach 5 -hypersonic speeds, which cannot carry humans. Even the future spacecraft will travel faster with humans, armed with the new material.
In an effort to provide quick services and responses to Indians abroad and in the country for passport and other services, the Ministry of External Affairs has launched “Twitter Seva” platform, enabling the quick resolution of grievances.
In the past two years, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj often used Twitter to help Indians who’re caught in difficulties abroad. Now, the Twitter Seva will monitor the complaints throughout the day and night to provide help from local Indian embassy or regional passport office.
The service was launched by Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh. Ministry spokesman Vikas swarup said the twitter Seva will act as “an umbrella platform” of all Ministry-affiliated Twitter handles. VK Singh said it would offer new frontiers in the use of digital technology for citizen engagement.
Twitter Seva will bring about 200 social media handles, including those of 198 Indian Missions abroad, 29 Regional Passport Offices and 8 other handles such as @MEAIndia, @Indiandiplomacy and @MEAQuery — all under one platform. Swarup said the enhanced, timely and transparent manner will now take the ministry to “a new leap forward.”
The launch of Twitter Seva service was first launched by the commerce and industry ministry in april, by the Telecom Ministry in August and now the External Affairs Ministry.
Cyanogen, the original Operating Software and rival of Google Android which was installed in One Plus first series of phones way back in 2013 has finally shut down its services with effect from Dec. 23, 2016.
In a statement, the company said: "As part of the ongoing consolidation of Cyanogen, all services and Cyanogen-supported nightly builds will be discontinued no later than 12/31/16. The open source project and source code will remain available for anyone who wants to build CyanogenMod personally."
The users of original One Plus mobile phones will have no updates to their original Cyanogen OS but those who bought OnePlus 2 and other latest series may not worry as their OS is supported by OxygenOS of One Plus.
The parent company Yanogen said Cyanogen will continue as an open source project that can be built upon by those interested. But the appreciation for the initial concept of the country was forthcoming from all tech circles.
Forbes magazine said, "Cyanogen Wanted To Kill Google’s Android, But Instead Killed Itself." The report said in 2015 Cyanogen CEO Kirt McMaster said:"We’re putting a bullet through Google’s head". Since Cyanogen is an off-shoot of Google Android, which is an open source project itself, its existence was dependant on Google support. In fact, Yanogen went on to make a deal with Google rope in Google that allowed it to refine its services sold to third-parties.
[ tags cyanogen shut, cyanogenmod, one plus operating system, one plus OS, oxygenOS, cyanogen ceo kirk mcmaster, google rival, android rival, cyanogen shut down]
In its farewell to the outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Security Council today acknowledged his contribution to international peace, security and development, in particular his exceptional efforts to solve global problems in economic, social, environmental and cultural fields.
Adopting a resolution by acclamation, the Council also acknowledged his endeavours to meet humanitarian needs and to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
“As Secretary-General, you have succeeded in ensuring that the Organization took advantage of the technological advances and prepared itself to meet the challenges of continued globalization, technological change and emerging new threats,” said Román Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain), President of the Council for December, underscoring that today’s world was very different from that of ten years ago. Quoting Miguel de Cervantes, he added: “Good deeds never lack a reward.”
Mr. Marchesi went on to highlight Ban’s remarkable successes, namely the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as the establishment of the Human Rights Council and the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, known as UN-Women, along with the appointment of the first Special Envoy on Youth.
In a similar resolution earlier this week, the General Assembly paid a tribute to Mr. Ban for his “never-tiring service to humanity” over the past decade.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre right), whose ten-year tenure draws to a close at the end of the year, poses for a group photo with the representatives of members of the Security Council. UN Photo/Evan Schneider
In response to today’s Council action, Mr. Ban expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have served the United Nations over the past ten years. He spoke of the Council’s successes, including its decision to establish the Force Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the integral role of the United Nations in securing peace in Nepal – particularly during its 2008 election, as well as creating greater stability in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.
He also highlighted a stronger partnership with the African Union and mainstreaming women, peace, and security into the Council’s agenda – particularly with regards to its decision to address sexual violence in conflict.
“I encourage the Council to continue its very important work in this regard and I know that my successor, António Guterres, will be a most determined ally,” said Mr. Ban, who will step down on 31 December.
He emphasized that “the Council is strongest when it is united,” citing examples of successful initiatives including the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria and the UN’s emergency response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.
Mr. Ban noted, however, that a lack of unity has proven to be profound, even catastrophic in the case of South Sudan.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that an experimental Ebola vaccine has been found to be highly protective against the deadly virus in a major trial in Guinea.
WHO said that an international vaccine-focussed organization, GAVI, provided $5 million to Merck, and the medical firm committed to ensure that 300,000 doses of the vaccine are available for emergency use in the interim, and to submit the vaccine for licensure by the end of 2017.
Merck has also submitted the vaccine to WHO’s Emergency Use and Assessment Listing procedure, a mechanism through which experimental vaccines, medicines and diagnostics can be made available for use prior to formal licensure.
“The vaccine is the first to prevent infection from one of the most lethal known pathogens, and the findings add weight to early trial results published last year,” WHO said in a release, noting the results of the latest trial, published in the medical journal The Lancet.
According to WHO, the vaccine, rVSV-ZEBOV was studied in a trial involving 11,841 people in Guinea during 2015. Among the 5,837 people who received the vaccine, no Ebola cases were recorded 10 days or more after vaccination. In comparison, there were 23 cases 10 days or more after vaccination among those who did not receive the vaccine.
“While these compelling results come too late for those who lost their lives during West Africa’s Ebola epidemic, they show that when the next Ebola outbreak hits, we will not be defenceless,” said Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO’ Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Innovation, and the study’s lead author.
The Ebola virus was first identified in 1976 and caused sporadic outbreaks in Africa. However, the 2013-2016 outbreak in west Africa, that killed more than 11,300 people, underlined the urgent need of a vaccine.
The trial took place in the coastal region of Basse-Guinée, the area of Guinea still experiencing new Ebola cases when the trial started in 2015.
It employed an innovative design, a so-called “ring vaccination” approach – the same method used to eradicate small pox. This involved tracing all people who may have been in contact with a new Ebola case within the previous three weeks as well as certain “contacts of contacts.” These “rings” were randomized to receive the vaccine either immediately or after a three-week delay.
However, the authors note that the trial was not designed to measure this effect, so more research will be needed.
The government has launched a trilingual website www.haj.gov.in for Haj Matters on Tuesday in Hindi, Urdu and English to facilitate online application for Haj, besides giving information about the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Haj Department, Haj Pilgrimage, rules and regulations. It may be noted that Haj affairs are being looked after by the Ministry of Minority Affairs now, not the Ministry of External Affairs.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of Minority Affairs, said the website also has Do’s and Don’ts during Haj and also a film informing about various aspects of the pilgrimage. On preparations for next Haj, the Minister said Haj 2017 has already been announced and from 2nd January 2017, Haj Committee of India will start receiving the application.
Naqvi said he had held a meeting with Saudi Arabia Ambassador Dr. Saud Mohammed Alsati in New Delhi on Tuesday and issues concerning next Haj pilgrimage were discussed in detail. Efforts are also on with officials of Civil Aviation Ministry to provide aircraft with all modern facilities for Haj pilgrims, he added.
The website www.haj.gov.in is a one stop facility to provide all necessary information relating to Haj management in one place. It features information on various agencies involved in Haj management, useful contacts of the central and state Haj authorities, location maps of State Haj Houses, location maps of accommodation sites in Makkah and Medina etc., and useful links to the website of Haj Committee of India and Consulate General of India, Jeddah.
Every year Government of India deputes administrative and medical officials on temporary deputation to CGI, Jeddah for 2-3 months. This website provides link for the prospective applicants to enable them to apply online through the dedicated portal. The website also hosts information about the Private Tour Operators(PTO). It also has provision for getting feedback from users and for registration of public grievances.
It may be recalled that Haj matters have been transferred from Ministry of External Affairs to Ministry of Minority Affairs with effect from 1st October, 2016. Ever since, the preparations for Haj 2017 have been undertaken and efforts are being made to bring about further improvements in the Haj management process so as to make Haj Pilgrimage more convenient, affordable and a memorable experience for the Haj pilgrims.
Bringing to memory the Classic win in 2001, India celebrated winning the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup clinching a 2-1 victory against Belgium in the final.
Last time India won the cup in Hobart in 2001 with the likes of Gagan Ajit Singh and Yugraj Singh then. This time India scored two field goals in the first half through Gurjant Singh (8th minute) and Simranjeet Singh (22nd) to emerge as winners.
The team coached by Harendra Singh was cheered throughout by home crowd, revived the fortunes of the game in a nation, which has boasted of a rich hockey tradition way back 50 years ago.
The other team Belgium scored a late consolation goal through Fabrice van Bockrijck’s penalty corner conversion in the 70th minute.
Earlier, six-time champions and title holders Germany had been relegated to a bronze defeating Australia 3-0 in the third-fourth place play-off match.
Congratulating the team, Minister of Sports Vijay Goel has commended their splendid win and said India have become the first nation to win the hockey junior World Cup at home and the title is significant as it came after a gap of 15 years for the second time.
He said the joyous moment of glory is more enjoyable as it came after Senior Indian Men and Women Hockey Teams lifted the Asian Champions Trophy earlier in the year. Vijay Goel said the best finish in Hockey in recent times reflects the hard work, dedication, discipline and determination of our players to succeed at the International Sporting arena.
A capacity addition of 14.30 GW of renewable energy has been reported during the last two and half years under Grid Connected Renewable Power, which include 5.8 GW from Solar Power, 7.04 GW from Wind Power, 0.53 from Small Hydro Power and 0.93 from Bio-power. As of 31st October, 2016, Solar Energy Projects with an aggregate capacity of over 8727.62 MW has been installed in the country.
Confident by the growth rate in clean energy sector, the Government of India in its submission to the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change on Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) has stated that India will achieve 40% cumulative Electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 with the help of transfer of technology and low cost International Finance including from Green Climate Fund.
The increased use of indigenous renewable resources is expected to reduce India’s dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels. India has an estimated renewable energy potential of about 900 GW from commercially exploitable sources viz. Wind – 102 GW (at 80 meter mast height); Small Hydro – 20 GW; Bio-energy – 25 GW; and 750 GW solar power, assuming 3% wasteland
The Government of India has set a target of 175 GW renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022. This includes 60 GW from wind power, 100 GW from solar power, 10 GW from biomass power and 5 GW from small hydro power.
A target of 16660 MW grid renewable power (wind 4000 MW, solar 12000 MW, small hydro power 250 MW, bio-power 400 MW and waste to power 10 MW), has been set for 2016-17. Besides, under off-grid renewable system, targets of 15 MW eq. waste to energy, 60 MW eq. biomass non-bagasse cogeneration, 10 MW eq. biomass gasifiers, 1.0 MW eq. small wind/hybrid systems, 100 MW eq. solar photovoltaic systems, 1.0 MW eq. micro hydel and 100,000 nos. family size biogas plants have been set for 2016-17.
The target set for the various renewable energy sources for the next three years are:
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba, has paid an official visit to Japan from 19 December 2016 in a bid to consolidate existing Maritime Cooperation initiatives as well as explore new avenues.
Defence cooperation between India and Japan is currently robust and is primarily focused towards Maritime Cooperation ever since the commencement of the India-Japan Comprehensive Security Dialogue which was initiated in 2001.
Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) has participated in the MALABAR exercise in 2007, 2009, 2014 prior being included as a regular member in the exercise since 2015. JMSDF participated in MALABAR 15 and 16 held in the Bay of Bengal and Western Pacific respectively.
In 2014, Japan has also been included as an observer in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a Maritime Cooperation construct conceptualised and pioneered by Indian Navy in 2008.
Both navies also engage in Navy to Navy Staff Talks which commenced in 2008. The 7th Navy to Navy Staff Talks are scheduled to be held in 2017. JDS Matsuyuki participated in the International Fleet Review 2016 held at Visakhapatnam.
The Chief of Staff of the JMSDF, Admiral Tomihisa Takei also attended the Review. Indian Navy too participated in the International Fleet Review conducted by the JMSDF in Oct 15 at Sagami Bay, Yokosuka, Japan.
JMSDF for the first time participated in the Admiral’s Cup Sailing Regatta conducted by the Indian Navy in 2016 at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala from 05 to 11 Dec 16. Warships of both countries regularly visit each other’s ports.
India and Japan share similar maritime challenges such as long coastline, extensive EEZ, coastal security, large coastal shipping and fishing fleet, wherein both navies have opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences. In addition common ground exists for cooperation on a number of issues common to both navies.
Indian navy chief Admiral Sunil Lamba
During the visit, Admiral Sunil Lanba is scheduled to hold discussions with Chief of Staff, JMSDF, Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff besides other Senior Dignitaries and Naval Officers.
The friendship between India and Japan has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilisational ties. India’s earliest documented direct contact with Japan was with the Todaiji Temple in Nara, where the consecration or eye-opening of the towering statue of Lord Buddha was performed by an Indian monk, Bodhisena, in 752 AD.
In contemporary times, among prominent Indians associated with Japan were Swami Vivekananda, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, JRD Tata, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Judge Radha Binod Pal. The Japan-India Association was set up in 1903, and is today the oldest international friendship body in Japan.
It’s called PPAP in short and the full form reads Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen, written in Japanese katakana as ペンパイナッポーアッポーペン, a parody song written by Pikotaro, a fictional singer-songwriter created and portrayed by Japanese comedian Daimaou Kosaka. It has become a rage in Japan and elsewhere to match Gangnam fame in 2016.
Though it was released as a music video on YouTube on 25 August 2016, it took some time before people realised that it forces one to see it again and again thus reaching almost a 100 million views on Youtube as of now.
It has also spawned several parodies, which too have reached more than 50 million views and some clocked 20 to 30 millions. The single itself reached number 1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart and became the shortest single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
Kosaka hit upon the idea of a silly song a-la Gangnam or Gentleman of Korean counterparts with much less inputs — single person portraying with no background and no one else in the video. Except for his Asian costume, no other item on the screen diverts your attention. And the lyrics, nothing unless you expand PPAP once and for all.
Kosaka came up with the tune when he was reportedly listening to the tune and wanted to pen down. When he looked around an apple and a pineapple caught his vision and there he imagined as if he is from the apple country, that is the US.
The song is written in the key of C♯ minor with a common time tempo of 136 beats per minute and the song Pikotaro’s vocals span from F♯3 to C♯5 in the song.
The music video portrays Pikotaro, dressed in a yellow snake and leopard animal print costume, making gestures you should assume as dance and then sings: “I have a pen, I have a apple. Uh, apple pen” with his gestures showing as if he is holding both of them and pushing them together. Produced with just 100,000 yen (about Rs.50,000), it has already reached 100 million views, which could be few millions of dollars for the producer.
On 27 October, Pikotaro posted a “long version” of the music video and on 17 November, Pikotaro made an appearance on the Japanese edition of Sesame Street, where he joined Elmo and Cookie Monster in singing their version of the song titled “CBCC (Cookie-Butter-Choco-Cookie)”.
When Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber shared the video on Twitter on 27 Sept, 2016, saying it was his “favorite video on the Internet”, it hit the road to worldwide recognition averaging over 1.5 million hits a day with several parodies coming out.
Union power minister Piyush Goyal and US Ambassador Richard Verma launched on Friday a new joint venture of US-India Clean Energy Finance (USICEF) Initiative which would help in unlocking OPIC financing and mobilize public and private capital to expand access to distributed clean energy projects.
Letter of Intents were signed and exchanged between MNRE and OPIC in presence of Piyush Goyal for the creation of a $20 million for US-India Clean Energy Finance (USICEF) Initiative, equally supported by the United States and India would support projects which, upon long-term financing and deployment, and would qualify for the support of long-term debt financing from OPIC.
The U.S.-India Clean Energy Finance facility (USICEF) would support project preparation activities for distributed solar projects in order to unlock OPIC financing and mobilize public and private capital to expand access to distributed clean energy solutions that will benefit disadvantaged communities in India and contribute to India’s ambitious renewable energy and energy access goals.
USICEF builds on the success of other project preparation facilities to support renewable energy in emerging markets. Through this initiative, project developers pursuing mini-grid, distributed rooftop and off-grid solar projects, as well as smaller-scale grid connected solar projects would be benefitted.
Rajeev Kapoor, Secretary, MNRE, White House Senior director John Morton and William Pegues, Managing Director, OPIC and representatives of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Good Energies Foundation were also present.
During the event, Udai Khemka presented Clean Energy Finance Forum (CEFF) Report to Goyal. The report has been prepared after an extensive domestic and international consultation with all categories of financial Institutions (including pension funds, sovereign investors, insurance companies, other financial investors/funds, banks, investment banks etc.), multilateral institutions, as well as strategic investors and developers.
CEFF has made recommendations which will help solicit greater investment into the renewable energy sector. Some of the key cross cutting recommendations includes to boost and Accelerate “Open Access” Markets; Improve PPA Bankability; Improve Ease of Access to Domestic Banking and Capital Markets; Encourage International Debt and Equity Investments and Mitigate Currency Risk.
Goyal assured that suggestions emerged out would be examined and corrective actions would be taken up soon. He also stated that the new initiative of USICEF launched would help the early-stage project capital gap for distributed solar by supporting project preparation activities necessary to access long-term debt financing and unlocking OPIC and private finance.
A revised Agreement between India and Cyprus for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal evasion (DTAA) with respect to taxes on income, along with its Protocol, was signed last month on 18th November, 2016 in Nicosia, which will replace the existing DTAA that was signed by two countries on 13th June 1994.
The Protocol was signed by Mr. Ravi Bangar, High Commissioner of India to Cyprus on behalf of India and Mr. Harris Georgiades, the Minister of Finance on behalf of Cyprus.
Both sides have now exchanged notifications intimating the completion of their respective internal procedures for the entry into force of the DTAA, with which the revised DTAA shall come into effect in India in the fiscal year beginning on or after 1st April, 2017.
The revised DTAA will enable source based taxation of capital gains on shares, except in respect of investments made prior to 1st April, 2017. In addition, the DTAA will also bring into effect updated provisions as per international standards and in accordance with the consistent position of India.
In a separate development, the notification of Cyprus under Section 94A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as a notified jurisdictional area for lack of effective exchange of information, has been rescinded with effect from 1.11.2013, said a statement. The bilateral economic ties between the two countries are expected to be further strengthened by these measures, added the statement.
The Income Tax Department has carried out investigations since the de-monetisation of Old High Denomination (OHD) currency announced by the Government on 8th November, 2016 and unearthed Rs.2,600 crore in 291 cases across the country. In addition, open enquiries have been effected in more than 3,000 cases.
Approximately Rs. 393 Crore including Rs. 316 Crore cash and Rs. 77 Crore worth of jewellery has been seized. Of the cash seizure, about Rs. 80 Crore is in new currency. As a result of these investigations, approximately Rs. 2600 Crore of undisclosed income has been admitted by the taxpayers.
The success of the Department in unearthing undisclosed incomes and detecting large scale malpractices is due to its focused enforcement actions based upon high quality data analytics under various categories thereby identifying and prioritizing high risk persons/groups.
This, coupled with the professional manner of conducting the investigations in a swift and confidential manner, has helped the Department make an impact in a short time.
A 14 days joint training exercise of the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force commenced today with the Opening Ceremony at
File Photo: Visit of Foreign Minister of Maldives to India (August 15-16, 2016) (MEA)
in Maldives.
The training contingents comprised of a platoon strength from BIHAR Regiment and a similar strength of the Maldivian National Defence Force. Senior military observers of both the countries will be witnessing the validation phase of the Exercise.
Exercise EKUVERIN – 2016 will be the 7th edition of Joint Exercise and is in continuation of a series of joint Exercises between the Indian Army and Maldivian National Defence Force. The previous edition of the Exercise was held at Trivandrum, India in 2015.
The aim of the Joint Exercise is to acquaint both forces with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop of amphibious and counter insurgency/ Counter terrorism environment as also to enhance the existing military relationship between the Indian Army and the Maldivian National Defence Force.
The Indian Army contingent had landed at Male International Airport on 14 Dec 2016 on a C-130 military aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The exercise aims to enhance the interoperability between the Indian Army and Maldivian National Defence Forces in conducting joint operations and cement bonds of friendship between the two countries.
The joint military exercise named ‘Exercise EKUVERIN’ alternatively in India and Maldives with participation of an Infantry platoon from each side.
On the sidelines of International Civil Aviation Negotiations (ICAN) – 2016 held recently in Nassau from 5th to 9thDecember, 2016, R.N. Choubey, Secretary, Civil Aviation said that India signed agreements with six nations on air aviation.
The Conference was attended by 106 countries out of ICAO membership of 191 countries. India held negotiations with 17 countries and “Memorandum of Understanding” was signed with 12 countries. The major issues resolved at these negotiations as per the directions in National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2016) are:
Increase in traffic rights:- India renegotiated traffic rights with Oman increasing the entitlements with 6,258 seats effective from Summer 2017 as the existing entitlements were nearly exhausted. The points of call remained unchanged.
India agreed with Saudi Arabia to increase the capacity by 8000 seats per week from IATA season when Indian carrier’s utilization reaches 80%. This was in response to the needs of increasing traffic between the two countries where Indian carriers have been utilising open sky in Damman to mount more flights than the Saudi Arabian side.
India also agreed with Ghana to increase the present allocation of 2 frequencies to 7 frequencies per week to encourage connectivity between the two countries.
Open Skies agreement as per NCAP 2016 :- allows unlimited number of flights to six metro airports namely Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai, was signed with six countries namely Jamaica, Guyana, Czech Republic, Finland, Spain and Sri Lanka. The new arrangement will encourage connectivity and passenger travel between India and these countries.
New Air Service Agreements were signed with Jamaica and Guyana.
Code Shares:- In the present scenario code shares provide seamless connectivity to the travelling passengers and make possible connectivity between far off destinations not served by direct flights. As per NCAP 2016 code shares are to be encouraged and keeping this in view, negotiations were completed with 9 countries to enable the legal framework between the governments of these countries to make possible code shares between the airlines of two sides. The negotiations have enabled domestic code shares with Czech Republic, Portugal and Malaysia, domestic and international code shares including third country airlines with Guyana, removal of restriction of counting of capacity in case of code share with 3rd country carriers and domestic code share to additional two points to Mauritius, code share with 3rd country carriers and 4 additional domestic code share points with Saudi Arabia and Spain and code share with 3rd country carriers with Sri Lanka.
Resolution of other issues relating to Air Services Agreement was also completed with Ghana, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal, Hong Kong, Ethiopia and Bangladesh.
