Brazilian-Indian soap opera “Passage to India” launched in Kazakhstan

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Astana (Kazakhstan), May 21 (ANI): The premier Kazakh entertainment TV Channel 31 launched the Brazilian-Indian soap opera titled “Passage to India” on Kazakh television on Thursday.

The soap opera, or novella, as it is called in Brazil, is titled “Caminho das Indias” in the original Portuguese and has successfully brought India into the living rooms of a large majority of Brazilian homes for close to a year over recent months.

The Caminho story is a 50-50 mix between India and Brazil with all the beautiful Brazilian girls falling head over shoulders in love with Indians and vice-versa leading to complicated love triangles and hilarious situations in the two countries.

All the roles are performed by well-known and popular Brazilian stars and actors. The whole story is recounted in Portuguese though with a liberal sprinkling of colloquial Hindi phrases to make them sound authentic and real.

The Embassy of India in Kazakhstan has worked with Channel 31 to bring this TV serial to Kazakhstan. It will be telecast on prime time every working day in the evening in Russian language and rebroadcast the next morning in Kazakh language.

Speaking at the inaugural launch, India”s Ambassador to Kazakhstan Ashok Sajjanhar said the decision by a commercial channel to bring this telenovella to Kazakhstan, both in Russian and Kazakh languages, was evidence of the growing and vibrant relations between India and Kazakhstan.

Ambassador Sajjanhar referred to the keen interest amongst the people of Kazakhstan in Indian dance, music, culture, films, food, customs and traditions.

He recalled the Grand Gala Concerts organised by the Embassy in Almaty and Astana in November, 2009 which were so popular that hundreds of viewers had to go back disappointed as they were not able to get admission to the auditoria.

He added that the Embassy would continue to organise and bring new programmes to showcase both classical and mainstream contemporary Indian culture to the people of Kazakhstan.

Ambassador Sajjanhar said that although several instances and portrayals in the Brazilian novella might be clichéd, stereotyped or somewhat inaccurate, they will go a significant way in raising curiosity and interest of the friendly people of Kazakhstan to know more about developments and evolution of the Indian society.

Ambassador Sajjanhar said that the Embassy will shortly be establishing the India-Kazakhstan Cultural and Humanitarian Forum which will promote greater understanding and appreciation of each others heritage and legacy between the people of the two countries.

The budget of the telenovella exceeded 50 million dollars. It has run successfully in Brazil for about a year and is now all set to take over the minds and thoughts of people in Kazakhstan.

The novella has been filmed in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, in Dubai as well as in Jaipur and Mumbai in India. It won the Emmy Award for the best telenovella in 2009.

The telecast of this serial will go a significant way in further promoting understanding and cooperation and strengthening relations between India and Kazakhstan. (ANI)

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India, Kazakh have congruence on regional and international issues: Krishna

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Astana (Kazakhstan), May 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna, who arrived here on a three-day State visit on Tuesday, said that both India and Kazakhstan have a strong congruence of views on major regional and international issues.

Addressing the media here, Krishna said: “India and Kazakhstan enjoy warm and friendly ties going back several millennia. We both are multi-ethnic, multi-religious and secular societies. We have also forged a strategic partnership to give a qualitative boost to our ties.”

“The landmark visit of President Nazarbayev to India (January 2009) as a chief guest at our Republic Day celebrations provided a significant impulse to our bilateral ties,” he added.

He also said that India have rapidly moved to implement the far reaching initiatives taken during his visit, in diverse sectors like energy, including hydro-carbon, thermal and nuclear, fertilizers, agriculture, information technology, space, pharmaceuticals, trade and investment.

Krishna further said he was confident that an agreement between ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) and KazMunaiGas on exploration and production in the Satpayev Oil Block would be concluded soon.

He said he is also confident that an Inter-Governmental Agreement on civilian nuclear energy cooperation would be finalized soon.

“This sector has immense possibilities for bilateral cooperation including for supply of uranium ore, investment by Indian companies in mining in Kazakhstan, construction of nuclear reactors and others,” he added.

He said discussions in several other promising areas like thermal power plants, transportation and banking are at an advanced stage.

“Both India and Kazakhstan are factors of peace, stability, development and growth, not only in the region but also in the world,” he added.

Krishna further said: “We would like to invite Kazakh companies to invest in India and take advantage of the huge market that India has to offer.”

India and Kazakhstan will sign an exploration and production agreement for the Satpayev oil block on the Caspian Sea before the new domestic Kazakh law on reviewing contracts of foreign companies comes into force. (ANI)

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GE Signs Agreement for 150 Shunter Locomotives in Kazakhstan

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Commitment continues to develop Kazakhstan`s rail infrastructure
ERIE, Pa. & ASTANA, Kazakhstan–(Business Wire)–
GE Transportation announced today the next milestone in its long-term commitment
to develop the railway infrastructure in the Republic of Kazakhstan by signing a
Memorandum of Understanding with Kazakhstan`s Joint Stock Company Locomotiv (JSC
Locomotiv) and Joint Stock Company Kurastyru Zauty (JSC LKZ) for 150 shunter
locomotives.

In contrast to a freight locomotive that hauls heavy loads over great distances,
a shunter or switcher is a smaller locomotive used in rail yards to assemble
trains and to make short hauls.

GE Transportation, JSC Locomotiv, and JSC LKZ plan to jointly develop shunter
diesel-electric locomotives suitable for use in the Republic of Kazakhstan and
across the CIS region using a track gauge of 1520 mm. GE Transportation will
incorporate its proven AC traction technology in the design of the locomotives.
AC technology provides lower life-cycle costs and higher availability than older
DC technology.

The first five shunter locomotives would be manufactured at GE Transportation`s
Erie, Pennsylvania (USA) plant. After the prototypes are manufactured and
validated, the additional shunter locomotives would be assembled at Joint Stock
Company Kurastyru Zauty`s plant in Astana, Kazakhstan with kits from GE
Transportation. Locomotive delivery is anticipated for 2012.

“The ongoing cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and GE demonstrates
that a solid strategic partnership can help fuel both short-term infrastructure
improvements as well as long-term economic growth,” said Askar Mamin, President
of Kazakhstan`s state-run railroad Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. “Today`s announcement
continues to enable Kazakhstan`s critical rail infrastructure to remain modern
and efficient in the future. I look forward to continuing the relationship with
GE as it helps the Republic of Kazakhstan develop a world-class rail system.”

Added Erlan Idrissov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States: “This
framework agreement underlines the important cooperation between the United
States of America and the Republic of Kazakhstan for the mutual benefit of both
countries and its people.”

GE`s continuing commitment to the Republic of Kazakhstan

The announcement is the latest in a series between GE Transportation and
Kazakhstan. Partnership highlights include:

* 1995, GE Transportation started a program to update older Kazakhstan
locomotives by supplying more than 400 modernization kits that can extend the
revenue-generating life of a locomotive by up to twenty years.
* 2006, Kazakhstan ordered 310 GE Evolution Series Locomotives.
* 2009, in May GE Transportation announced a 15-year, $500 million service
contract to further improve the performance of Kazakhstan`s fleet; in July
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev celebrated the grand opening of the
plant that is now producing Evolution Series Locomotives for Kazakhstan and the
surrounding region; in December, GE and Kazakhstan celebrated the very first
Evolution Series Locomotive assembled in the Kazakhstan plant.

“I am extremely pleased to mark another milestone in GE`s and Kazakhstan`s long
and fruitful history of working together,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, President and
CEO of GE Transportation. “Since 1995, GE and the Republic of Kazakhstan have
collaborated to develop the railway infrastructure in the Republic of
Kazakhstan. The current collaboration to design and deliver shunter locomotives
specifically designed for the Republic of Kazakhstan and the 1520 mm region is a
great example of how globalization has opened up growth opportunities for GE
Transportation. We look forward to many more projects together to serve the
country`s infrastructure needs.”

About GE Transportation

Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE),
is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling,
mining and wind industries. GE provides freight and passenger locomotives,
railway signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions,
marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills,
high-quality replacement parts and value added services. Approximately 17,000 GE
locomotives are currently in use in more than 50 countries around the world. GE
Transportation is headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs
approximately 8,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit:
www.getransportation.com

GE Transportation
Media Contacts:
Stephan Koller, +1-814-875-3457 (office)
+1-814-431-3150 (cell)
stephan.koller@ge.com
or
Tom Scott, +33-635-249-233 (cell)
thomasxavier.scott@ge.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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Indo-Kazakh expedition team reaches Mount Marble Wall summit

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Astana (Kazakhstan), Sep 11(ANI): A mountaineering expedition team comprising six members of the Indian Army and eight from the Kazakhstan Army has successfully scaled the Mount Marble Wall Peak in Kazakhstan.

The expedition was jointly led by Lt Col SS Shekhawat and Ilinski, and the team reached Base Camp on August 23 at 3300 meters and established three camps on the mountain by August 27.

On September 3, the summit team left for Camp- III, located at a height of 5200 meters, and after nearly 11 hours of grueling climb finally summitted the peak on September 4.

The summit was a great challenge, as continuous inclement weather during the ascent and alpine climbing used by the teams further increased the degree of difficulty.

This was the first Indian expedition to Marble Wall Peak. (ANI)

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India Week and Indian Food Festival on in Kazakhstan

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Astana (Kazakhstan), Sep.9 (ANI): The Embassy of India in Kazakhstan has organized an “India Week and Food Festival” in Astana and Almaty from September 8 to 18 in collaboration with the Rixos President Hotel Astana, Intercontinental Hotel Almaty and Air Astana as part of its continued efforts to promote people-to-people contacts and strengthen bilateral relations between India and Kazakhstan.

India’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan Ashok Sajjanhar, Kairat Sarybai, Assistant to Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Akan Bizhanov, Member of Parliament (Senate) addressed the gathering of about 100 specially invited guests.

The inaugural ceremony included several VIPS.

In his inaugural address, Ambassador Sajjanhar informed the gathering that the week-long Food Festival in Astana and Almaty are initiatives by the Indian Embassy to further strengthen relations between India and Kazakhstan and increase understanding and cooperation between the two peoples through the wonderful medium of good food.

He underlined that this year has been eventful and momentous in India-Kazakhstan bilateral relations.

Ambassador Sajjanhar expressed confidence that relations between the two countries will improve significantly as a result of these initiatives.

He also welcomed a delegation of 12 leading tour operators from India who are presently in Kazakhstan through the courtesy of Air Astana to promote relations in the area of tourism between the two countries.

Kairat Sarybai underlined the importance of further improving the growing bilateral relations between the two countries. He fondly recounted his visit to India with President Nazarbayev in January 2009. Senator Akan Bizhanov underlined the cultural relations between India and Kazakhstan.

A graceful Odissi dance performance by Ms. Nurgul Amirbekova, a Kazakhstani artiste who studied Indian classical dance in Delhi for three years under scholarship from the ICCR added colour and splendour to the event.

The Embassy also displayed Indian Objects d’Arts, tourist information materials, and Indian books including recipe books at the venue. After the conclusion of the official function the guests were treated to a variety of exotic Indian food delicacies.

The Embassy has invited a team of four leading chefs headed by Mr. Marut Sikka to organize the Indian Food Festival in Kazakhstan. They will be delighting gourmands and connoisseurs of authentic Indian delicacies during the five-day long Food Festival, both in Astana and Almaty.

The inaugural event was widely covered in the Kazakh media.

The inauguration of India Week and Indian Food Festival in Almaty will be held on September 14 at Intercontinental Hotel and will last till September 18. (ANI)

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Religious leaders must play role in building a more tolerant, inter-communal world: Kazakhstan

July 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Astana (Kazakhstan), July 1 (ANI): In hosting the two-day Third Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions here from today (July 1 and 2), Kazakhstan and its President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, will promote the key theme of an increased role for religious leaders in building a more tolerant world even as it cuts across national boundaries to globalize.

According to Kazakhstan, which hosted the previous two Congress’s (in September 2003 and September 2006); a regular dialogue between the leaders of world and traditional religions opens “wide prospects for mutual cooperation and contributes to overcoming negative manifestations such as violence, fanaticism, extremism and terrorism.”

Kazakhstan’s initiative has gained worldwide recognition, so much so, that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution on Promotion of Inter-Religious Dialogue on November 12, 2004. The resolution stresses the commitment of all religions to promote peace and stability all over the world, and appeals to the international community to promote inter-religious dialogue, a culture of peace and greater dialogue among civilizations.

This year, the Third Congress will see the participation of three world religions and more than 60 delegations from different religious confessions, representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations, the Islamic Conference Organization, the OSCE and UNESCO.

The first day of the Congress – the plenary session – will focus on how and what role religious leaders can play in the construction of a world based on tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation.

The second and concluding day will focus on three issues – (1) Moral and cultural wealth, world ethics (2) Dialogue and cooperation and (3) Solidarity, especially in times of crises.

On the sidelines of the Congress, President Nazarbayev will have separate interactions with world religious leaders and guests of honour such as Sheikh Mohammed Saud Tantaui, the Supreme Imam of the University of Al-Azkhar, Mohamed Ahmed Sherif, the Secretary-General of the World Islamic Call Society, Cardinal Jean-Luis Tauran, the President of the Papal Council on Inter-religious dialogue, Yona Metzger, Israel’s Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi, Israel President Shimon Peres, representatives of the UN Secretary General and the OSCE, besides others.

Historically, Kazakhstan has always been a crossroad for dialogue of various religions, cultures and civilizations of the East and West.

The country and its leadership emphatically believes that the cultural and ethical traditions of the Kazakhs has served and will continue to serve as a reliable foundation for maintaining peace, religious freedom and promotion of dialogue.

That it believes in spiritual tolerance is reflected in the co-existence of over 40 religious confessions and denominations, besides 130 nationalities and ethnic groups.

Today, in Kazakhstan, there are 4,173 religious associations (as opposed to 670 in 1990 when it was approaching independence), 2,441 Islamic associations (as opposed to 46 in 1990), 293 Russian Orthodox Church parishes (as opposed to 62 in 1990) and 86 Roman Catholic Church associations (as opposed to 42 in 1990). Jehovah’s Witnesses associations have gown from 27 to 78 and Protestant alliances have grown from 13 to 540.

Currently, there are 340 missionaries from 20 foreign countries working in Kazakhstan as opposed to 12 in 1990.

Kazakhstan hopes that this Third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions will take the next step in “strengthening relationships between confessions and contribute to a global dialogue of civilizations. (ANI)

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