Nita Kapoor is new secretary-defence finance

New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) Nita Kapoor, a 1973-batch Indian Defence Accounts Services (IDAS) officer, Monday took over as the new secretary, defence finance, replacing Indu Liberhan who retired Monday, an official statement said.

The first woman officer from the northeast to assume the post, Kapoor is an alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi, and brings with her a ‘rich bureaucratic experience’ of almost 37 years to the ministry of defence, the statement said.

Kapoor was controller general of defence accounts before taking over the new assignment.

She has worked in the department of personnel and administrative reforms, science and technology and National Commission for Women.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved her appointment last week.

General VK Singh to take over as new Army chief today

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): General VK Singh will take over as the new Army Chief here today.

The 59-year-old General takes over from General Deepak Kapoor, who retires from service today.

He will be the 26th Army Chief and will stay at the helm of the 1.13 million personnel-strong Army for over two years.

An honours graduate of the US Army Infantry School at Georgia in the US, General Singh is an alumnus of the Wellington-based Defence Services Staff College, the Mhow-based Army War College and the US Army War College, Carlisle.

A third generation army officer, General Singh was commissioned into the Rajput Regiment on June 14, 1970.

He had participated in the 1971 war against Pakistan and in the operations of the Indian Peace-Keeping Force in Sri Lanka in the mid-1980s.

He also commanded the Jalandhar-based 11 Corps and Ambala-based Strike Corps and was an instructor in the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) headquarters in Bhutan.

He is a recipient of the Param Vishist Seva Medal, the Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Yudh Seva Medal. He is also one of the honorary ADCs of the president of India, who is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces. (ANI)

Minglebox launches e-CAT Prep

Bangalore, Sept 19 (ANI/Business Wire India): Realising the changing needs of MBA aspirants with Common Admission Test (CAT) turning into a Computer Based Test (CBT) in India from this year, Minglebox.com has launched e-CAT Prep, a fully online platform for CAT preparation.

Preparation plays a significant role for a large number of candidates and through e-CAT Prep, Minglebox.com intends to assist students, from over 250 cities, by offering them high quality content, tests and study material designed by CAT preparation experts.

Kavita Iyer, CEO, Minglebox.com (an IIM Ahmedabad alumnus) said, “With e-CAT Prep, we have aggregated the best online resources for CAT preparation and are offering it completely free to aspirants. We believe these mock tests will help students prepare in an organized manner and also give them confidence in the lead up to their CAT exams. We have done a lot of research to ensure that these tests are close to the real thing. Minglebox.com promises to help students by providing them with latest, most updated, authentic and comprehensive information.”

Minglebox e-CAT Prep content covers the complete syllabus with refresher material for each lesson following which students can take the refresher and the practice tests.

Not only this, online versions of previous year CAT papers are also available for getting used to this medium while solving the questions of the same difficulty level.

The robust testing engine on e-CAT Prep closely simulates the actual CBT environment. e-CAT Prep for CAT 2009 can be accessed on www.minglebox.com/CAT2009.

In addition to the test preparation content, e-CAT Prep has a CAT Expert Panel to share tips and tricks and provide suggestions and guidance for preparation through regular columns and practice tests.

There are interviews with previous years’ CAT toppers to motivate and encourage aspirants for CAT 2009. A strong aspirant community is actively interacting through forums and Q and A sections.

On this occasion, advising students on preparing for CAT 2009, T Vamsee Krishna, IIM-A alumnus and part of the e-CAT Prep Expert Panel said, “With CAT turning into a Computer Based Test, the mode of preparation also needs to change.

Through Minglebox e-CAT Prep, CAT aspirants can prepare with some of the best online resources and a test engine simulating the actual CAT exam. As we get closer to the CAT exam, one needs a large amount of practice with mock tests and the free tests on e-CAT Prep will help the students immensely.

Aspirants can also get valuable advice, tips and suggestions through columns and articles by experts. Also, there’s no need to panic over the computer format of CAT, remember to keep your cool and give your best.” (ANI)

Air Marshal KJ Mathews appointed as new AOP of IAF

New Delhi, Sep. 1 (ANI): Air Marshal KJ Mathews on Tuesday took over as the new Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel (AOP), the Head of Human Resources of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Air Headquarters.

Commissioned in the year 1973, the Air Marshal has over 3,500 hours of flying to his credit on various aircraft that include HF-24 (Marut), Hunter, MiG-21M and MiG-29.

He was also a team member of “Thunderbolts” – IAF’s erstwhile Aerobatic Team.

His appointments include-Station Commander of an operational base during Kargil operations, Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Adampur, Principal Director of Concept Studies, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) at Air HQ and Commandant, Air Force Academy before his current appointment.

Air Marshal Mathews is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Air War College, USA. (ANI)

Amal Allana gets second term as NSD chief

New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) President Pratibha Patil Monday appointed veteran theatre personality Amal Allana as chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD) for a second term with immediate effect.
“Allana, an alumnus of the NSD, is the daughter of Ibrahim Alkazi, the founder of the NSD. She joined NSD four years ago as the chairperson,” NSD public relations officer Anup Kumar Barua told IANS.

Allana has directed several plays, including “Aadhe Adhure”, “The Exception and the Rule”, “Khamosh, Adalat Jari Hai”, “Ashadh Ka Ek Din”, “Mahabhoj”, “King Lear”, “Himmat Mai” and “Begum Barve”.

She has received many honours, including awards from the Delhi Natya Sangh (1994), Sahitya Kala Parishad (1996), Czech TV for the tele-play “Wapsi” (1983) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for direction (1998).

One of the important changes during Alana’s tenure was the re-christening of NSD’s annual theatre festival as Theatre Utsav from the National School of Drama Bharat Rangmahotsav.

Allana is currently abroad.

New chief for Western Naval Command

Mumbai, Apr 30 (ANI): Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin on Thursday took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command from Vice Admiral Jagjit Singh Bedi.

Bedi retired on Thursday after serving 40 years in the navy.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Vice Admiral Bhasin was commissioned into the executive branch of the Indian Navy in January 1972 and obtained expertise in navigation and aircraft direction.

He has served as the commanding officer of the INS Khukri, INS Mumbai and INS Ranjit.

As Rear Admiral, he worked as Chief of Staff of Western Naval Command and was Fleet Commander of the Eastern Fleet.

Before taking charge of the Western Naval Command, Bhasin was acting as Officer on Special Duty to the Chief of Naval Staff in Delhi. (ANI)

News coverage of trans fat makes shoppers stay away from certain products

Washington, Apr 21 (ANI): News coverage detailing harmful effects of trans fat, along with labelling information, could prompt shoppers to stay away from short-term purchases of foods high in trans fat, according to a new study.

However, such coverage does not suffice to influence consumers to avoid these potentially artery-clogging purchases over the long term.

“Our study found that when consumers are exposed to information about the harmful effects of trans fat on the local news, they buy fewer products high in trans fat. In the absence of broader changes in food policy and public education, news coverage may be insufficient to produce lasting reductions in trans-fat purchases and consumption,” said Dr. Jeff Niederdeppe, lead author of the study.

In the study, researchers examined news effects on the sale of seven brand-specific products that contained trans fat at the time of the study, including buttered popcorn, vegetable shortening, buttermilk biscuits, sandwich cookies, stick margarine, crescent rolls and hotdogs.

It was found that for the next one week after the stories appeared, consumer purchases dropped significantly for six out of seven products, except hot dog purchases.

But, three weeks later, consumer purchases went back up for half of these products.

Trans fat is found in partially hydrogenated (partially hardened) oils and is associated with a substantially increased risk of coronary heart disease.

“While news coverage is a potentially valuable source of information, and one that can help the public to make informed decisions about their health, this study shows that news coverage alone is not enough to sustain changes in consumer behavior,” said Dominick L. Frosch, Ph.D., co-author of the study and an alumnus of the RWJF Health and Society Scholars Program.

Researchers examined news coverage about trans fat and sales data for seven products containing trans fat from a major grocery store chain in Los Angeles County, Calif., before and after the federal labelling change.

A recurring theme of the news coverage included the relationship between trans fat consumption and coronary heart disease.

The study, titled ‘News Coverage and Sales of Products with Trans Fat: Effects Before and After Changes in Federal Labeling Policy’, has been published in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. (ANI)

TNT cancels ad-agency drama “Trust Me”

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – TNT has canceled its low-rated freshman drama “Trust Me,” which starred Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh as ad-agency executives.

The show garnered middling reviews, and its January 26 premiere drew 3.4 million viewers, losing 50 percent of its lead-in from “The Closer.” A week later, “Trust Me” dropped to 1.9 million viewers. It ended its 13-episode run last week.

In another sign the show was on its way out, “Will and Grace” alumnus McCormack last month booked an untitled comedy pilot at ABC.

Weeks before the “Trust Me” premiere, TNT picked up three new drama series to premiere later this year: Ray Romano’s “Men of a Certain Age,” the Jada Pinkett Smith-starring medical drama “Time Heals” and the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced cop drama “The Line,” starring Dylan McDermott.

Also under consideration is Boston-set pilot “Bunker Hill.”

(Editing by Dean Gooodman at Reuters)

robo.in launches RoboCAMP in Bangalore from April 13

Bangalore, Apr 1 (ANI/Business Wire India): robo.in, a venture of Thinklabs, founded by a group of IIT Bombay alumnus, in the field of educational robotics, today announced the launch of RoboCAMP, a summer camp which aims to offer a wholesome robotic learning system which will help kids learn science and technology in more practical and fun manner.

The camp will start from April 13 at three venues namely at Cunningham Road, Indira Nagar and Jayanagar.

The camp is targeted at students who are in the age group of 10-18 years. It is a six-day course in which the children will spend four hours daily learning to implement various concepts of science and mathematics in a practical way.

Further, it will also provide hands on exposure to robot programming, enhance problem solving skills and help logic development. Robotics being a multi-disciplinary field gives the students the advantage of working on all their favourite technical topics on a common platform.

The training will be provided by experts in the field of robot building and programming.

The course would include a take away multi sensored reprogrammable Robotic Kit with Software.

The kit has been developed after two years of extensive research at IIT Bombay involving more than 300 students, faculty and experts. This robotics kit is an indigenously developed product and will more accessible to students as compared to other international brands which are inaccessible due to their high pricing.

Commenting on this issue Fred Rose, Director Technology and Strategy for Honeywell, said, “robo.in has developed a product, a low cost robotics platform and associated training class, that has filled a big need in India”, once again reinstating the requirement of such a robotics platform. In addition, the program has also been recognized and certified by Indian Innovators Association (IIA).

The robotic kit has two major components i.e. hardware (to build robots) and Cimple, an intuitive robot programming language.

The hardware has electronic components such programmable CPU and sensors, also mechanical building blocks to construct the robots. CiMPLE is a C based robot instruction language developed by robo.in to enable kids to make autonomous robot behaviours. Cimple literally means ‘C’ made ‘Simple’.

Using this language kids can learn about the nuances of logic building, programming practices as well as different problem solving approaches. Cimple is ideal for kids who have just taken their first steps in programming.

Speaking on the occasion, Gagan Goyal, Founder and Director, robo.in, said, “Robo.in’s endeavour is to increase awareness, exposure and provide appropriate tools for 10-18 year old, so that they can explore science and technology through fun way of robotics. With 2 years of exhaustive research at our R and D center in IIT Bombay we have come up robotic kit and training program which will enable young minds to learn science and mathematics in practical way.” (ANI)

Lieutenant General Avinash Chander Soneja posted as DG of OL and SM

New Delhi, Mar 30 (ANI): Lieutenant General Avinash Chander Soneja, an alumnus of the Sainik School, Kapurthala, has been posted as Director General of Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement at Integrated HQ of Ministry of Defence (Army), New Delhi.

The General Officer had joined Sainik School, Kapurthala (Punjab), in January 1963.

A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he had attended the prestigious higher command course at Indian Army’s War College, Mhow.

He holds Post Graduate degrees in MSc and M Phil (Defence Studies) and MBA (HRD). He has held numerous command and staff appointments including the General Officer Commanding, Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The General Officer has been decorated with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and twice with Vishist Seva Medal for his outstanding performance.

The General Officer is married. His wife Neelam Soneja is a school teacher and the couple have two children. (ANI)

Indian Air Force gets its first ever Director General (Administration)

New Delhi, Mar 1 (ANI): Air Marshal Naresh Verma has taken over as the first ever Director General (Administration) at Air Headquarters here today.

As the first Director General, he will be looking after the land and infrastructural development, Organization and Ceremonials, Sports and Adventure and Air Force Schools.

Air Marshal Naresh Verma was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the IAF on December 30, 1972.

An alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and National Defence College, New Delhi he has specialized in Aerial Imagery Interpretation at Air Force Intelligence School, Pune and was selected for training in the subject at Royal Air Force Wyton, United Kingdom.

During his service career, he held many important appointments. He was the Chief Administrative Officer at bases such as Bhuj, Jamnagar, Yelahanka and Air Force Station New Delhi and that of Principal Director, Air Force Works at Air Headquarters.

He has also functioned as Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration at Central Air Command as well as Western Air Command prior to taking over as the first Director General (Administration) at Air Headquarters.

For his distinguished service he has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2001 and 2006 respectively. (ANI)