Array Networks Appoints HCL as the System Integrator Across India and SAARC Countries

July 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

MILPITAS, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
Array Networks Inc., a global leader in secure application delivery, today
announced it has appointed HCL Comnet (HCL), a global IT service provider and
subsidiary of HCL Technologies, as its National System Integrator (NSI). HCL
will be the tier-1 reseller for Array Networks in India and SAARC countries.

HCL Comnet is a well known system integrator with a diversified network. It has
built large highly redundant and scalable network infrastructure for many
customers in the enterprise sector and the BFSI vertical. Today, it delivers
services in 550 cities in India through a direct support presence of over 2000
certified engineers. HCL Comnet has been delivering high-uptime services to
customers; with the ability to meet sub-4 hour response / resolution SLAs. HCL
and Array Networks will work as joint solution sets for the domestic marketplace
targeting telecom, defense, enterprise and government as the key sectors.

Array Networks is a worldwide leader in enterprise secure application delivery
architecture and universal access solutions for the rapidly growing SSL VPN and
application delivery markets. Array continues to advance its product line to
meet challenges faced by enterprises, which need to provide secure application
delivery and mobile connectivity to employees, partners, customers, and
outsourced services in a fast, secure and scalable fashion.

Mr. Bhanu Panda, vice president of international sales and business development
at Array Networks said, “Within our first year of operating in India, Array has
been ranked fourth in the region by Frost & Sullivan in both the application
delivery and SSL VPN markets. Our partnership with HCL Comnet will greatly
increase our visibility in India – a key enterprise market. We are excited to
work with HCL Comnet to continue meeting challenges faced by enterprises -
especially in telecom and BFSI sectors by delivering high-value networking and
security solutions to the Indian marketplace.”

Mr. Rajesh Thakur, associate vice president, India Business, HCL Comnet said,
“We are delighted to partner with Array Networks. Array Networks is global
leader in secure enterprise application delivery and is known to have an
innovative product portfolio built on advanced technology. This association will
not only strengthen our enterprise security and access offerings, but also help
us in reaching out to new customers across varied verticals. We will also be
approaching the telecom companies in partnership with Array Networks and offer
them a host of managed VPN and managed SSL/VPN service offerings. We aim to make
a positive impact on the growth and footprint of Array Networks.”

HCL Comnet began its SI journey with system integration for network connectivity
in 1993 and moved on to deliver network integration services in 1996. HCL Comnet
pioneered security services in India in 1997 and grew to be the undisputed
leader of remote infrastructure management in 1999-2000. HCL Comnet, today, is a
world leader in this space with an unrivalled experience of transitioning
complex real time IT infrastructure and applications operations environment.

About Array Networks

Founded in 2000, Array Networks is a global leader in enterprise secure
application delivery and universal access solutions for rapidly growing SSL VPN
and application acceleration markets. More than 3,500 customers worldwide -
including enterprises, service providers, government and vertical organizations
in healthcare, finance, insurance and education – rely on Array to provide
anytime, anywhere secure and optimized access. Industry leaders including
Deloitte, Gartner, Red Herring, and Frost and Sullivan have recognized Array as
a market and technology leader. Website: www.arraynetworks.net

About HCL Comnet

HCL Comnet is a leading IT services company and a subsidiary of HCL Technologies
Ltd. (also known as HCL ISD in the global market). A focused player in the IT
services arena, HCL Comnet seeks to provide simplified infrastructure solutions
through delivering high-performance management services for complex, distributed
infrastructure environments encompassing the Internet, Client and legacy based
infrastructures. HCL Comnet addresses the growing demand for the cost-effective
management of technology infrastructure across geographically dispersed
locations. With a mission to develop innovative solutions for enterprises
worldwide, the company has developed a unique model for Remote IT infrastructure
management that enables customer organizations to achieve superior
infrastructure performance and significantly reduced costs through a global
delivery model. For more information, please visit www.hclisd.com

About HCL Technologies

HCL Technologies is a leading global IT services company, working with clients
in the areas that impact and redefine the core of their businesses. Since its
inception into the global landscape after its IPO in 1999, HCL focuses on
`transformational outsourcing`, underlined by innovation and value creation, and
offers integrated portfolio of services including software-led IT solutions,
remote infrastructure management, engineering and R&D services and BPO. HCL
leverages its extensive global offshore infrastructure and network of offices in
26 countries to provide holistic, multi-service delivery in key industry
verticals including Financial Services, Manufacturing, Consumer Services, Public
Services and Healthcare. HCL takes pride in its philosophy of `Employee First`
which empowers our 58,129 transformers to create a real value for the customers.
HCL Technologies, along with its subsidiaries, had consolidated revenues of US$
2.6 billion (Rs. 12,048 crores), as on 31st March 2010 (on LTM basis). For more
information, please visit www.hcltech.com

Vantage Communications for Array Networks
Robert Adler, +1 415-984-1970 ext. 104
radler@pr-vantage.com
or
Adfactors PR for HCL Technologies
Kunal Takalkar
Mob: +91 9810073217
kunal.takalkar@adfactorspr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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Bhutan SAARC declaration for working together to tackle climate change

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimphu (Bhutan) April 30 (ANI): With South Asia prone to the ill-effects of climate change, leaders attending the 16th SAARC Summit, which ended here on Thursday, have decided to tackle the issue of climate change.

With climate change being the main theme of the Summit, held in Bhutan, member nations have also decided to establish an Inter-governmental Expert Group on Climate Change to develop a clear policy direction for regional cooperation as envisaged in the SAARC Plan of Action on Climate Change.

They also resolved to commission a study, for presentation at the 17th summit, on ”Climate Risks in the Region: ways to comprehensively address the related social, economic and environmental challenges”.

Seeking a fresh approach to global climate talks, the SAARC leaders sought observer status for the regional grouping at the Cancun conference in Mexico on global warming to be held later this year.

All SAARC countries will undertake advocacy and awareness programs on climate change promote the use of green technology and best practices to promote low-carbon sustainable and inclusive development of the region.

It has also been decided to plant 10 million trees over the next five years to build a “green and happy South Asia” and enhance trade cooperation.

The statement also stressed on evolving national plans, and where appropriate regional projects, on protecting and safeguarding the archeological and historical infrastructure of South Asia from the adverse effects of Climate Change.

A SAARC Inter-Governmental Marine Initiative will be commissioned to strengthen the understanding of shared oceans and water bodies in the region and the critical roles they play in sustainable living to be supported by the SAARC Coastal Zone Management Center.

The member-states also resolved to commission a study, for presentation to the 17th summit, on ”Climate Risks in the Region: ways to comprehensively address the related social, economic and environmental challenges”.

They further decided that the Inter-governmental expert group on Climate Change shall meet at least twice a year to periodically monitor and review the implementation of this statement and make recommendations to facilitate its implementation and submit its report through the senior officials of SAARC to the SAARC Environment Ministers. (ANI)

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SAARC Summit: Peace imperative for regional development, says Gilani

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimpu, Apr.28 (ANI): Stressing that peace is imperative for regional development, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that stabilising the region and establishing peace were his countries top priorities.

Addressing the 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit here, Gilani called for both individual and collective efforts for poverty alleviation, establishment of peace, promotion of health and education in the region.

Gilani said terrorism has become an international phenomenon and it has affected South Asia the most, and pointed out that the SAARC countries will have to fight the menace of terrorism together.

He said that the region can become a global economy engine, but for that to happen a greater coordination for inter-regional trade among the countries is required.

Gilani also called to redouble efforts to conserve eco resources of the region, and said that area-wise mitigation of issue must be assessed in the summit.

Highlighting the need of water conservation, Gilani emphasizedon the role of regional cooperation over the issue. (ANI)

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Climate issue could bring SAARC countries closer

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimphu (Bhutan), Apr.28 (ANI): Keeping aside regional and bilateral differences, SAARC leaders are working out a “common position” for the forthcoming Cancun climate summit in Mexico.

SAARC leaders are expected to sign the convention on environment.Infact, the 32nd Council of Ministers meeting has discussed in great detail the common areas in which these ecologically sensitive nations could cooperate.

There is a general feeling among the SAARC leaders here that common problems like flooding ,glaciating , overflowing of rivers are the common problems staring the region, which is facing serious climate challenges could be overcome by coordination and collabaration.

Infact, SAARC nations like Bangladesh and the Maldives are literally open to climate change related disasters

India supports “a fresh SAARC position on Climate Change for COP (Conference of Parties) 16 in accordance with the UNFCCC principles and Bali Action Plan,” External Affairs minister S M Krishna said at the SAARC Council of Ministers.

The Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has said that he is looking forward to discussing regional cooperation and strategies for tackling the effects of global warming in the region.

“Ours is a particularly vulnerable region, which demands a coordinated and well thought out response cutting across sectors,” he said.

SAARC countries will also be pitching for observer status at the Cancun conference on global warming that would enable them to articulate their collective concerns more effectively. (ANI)

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Manmohan Singh arrives in Bhutan for SAARC Summit

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Paro (Bhutan), Apr.28 (ANI): Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived at the Paro International Airport on Wednesday on a three-day visit to participate in the XVIth SAARC Summit that begins today.

He was received at the airport by the Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley and India”s Ambassador to Bhutan Pawan K Varma.

Singh was given a warm reception and accorded a guard of honour at the airport.

The summit will be inaugurated in the second half of the day.

During his stay here, Dr.Singh is expected to meet his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani and also hold interactions with leaders of other SAARC countries.

He will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Thinley on April 30. India and Bhutan are expected to sign bilateral agreements on a wide range of subjects.

Ahead of his departure for Bhutan, Dr.Singh reiterated India’s commitment to play its role in the resurgence of South Asia.

In a statement on the eve on his departure, Dr. Singh said: “The winds of change are blowing across the world. South Asia cannot be immune to the trend of greater integration, both at the regional and global levels. If we as South Asians work together, there is nothing that we will not be able to achieve. India will play its part in the resurgence of South Asia.”

With the theme of this year””s SAARC Summit being Climate Change, Dr. Singh said that he was looking forward to discussing regional cooperation and strategies for tackling the effects of global warming in the region.

“Ours is a particularly vulnerable region, which demands a coordinated and well thought out response cutting across sectors. We all stand to benefit by learning from each other””s experiences and strengths,” Dr. Singh stated.

Describing the establishment of SAARC in 1985 as a visionary step for the South Asian region, Dr. Singh said: “During this period the region has witnessed major transformation, and the idea of regional economic cooperation has taken firm roots.”

“This Summit has special significance as it takes place on the 25th anniversary of SAARC. This is also the first time that Bhutan will be hosting a SAARC Summit,” Dr. Singh further stated in his statement.

“ We have established a robust institutional framework for cooperation in diverse areas such as food security, poverty alleviation, terrorism, communication links, trade and economic, and a range of social issues impacting lives of our people. The South Asian Free Trade Agreement, the SAARC Development Fund and the South Asian University are some concrete examples of regional projects that will enable greater economic inter-linkages, and promote people to people contacts within the region.”

“The Summit will provide the countries of this region an opportunity to collectively reflect on where we are, what more we can do together to meet the developmental aspirations of our people, and how South Asia can play its rightful role in the international arena,” Dr. Singh said.

Stating that India enjoys close relations with Bhutan which are based on complete mutual trust and understanding, Dr. Singh said: “I look forward to holding bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister of Bhutan H.E. Jigmi Y. Thinley to build upon these solid foundations.”

“I also look forward to my meetings with leaders of other SAARC countries,” Dr. Singh added. (ANI)

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Thimphu Summit will open new areas of economic cooperation in SAARC: Krishna

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimphu, (Bhutan), Apr 26 (ANI): Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Monday expressed confidence that the 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit would open new areas of economic cooperation among member countries.

In a statement made soon after his arrival at Thimphu, Krishna said the summit would give member countries an opportunity to introspect on the past and chart a course for the future.

“An Agreement on Trade in Services will also be signed during the Summit, thereby opening up new vistas of economic cooperation among SAARC countries,” Krishna said.

Bhutan has chosen ‘Climate Change’ as the theme of the summit.

He said as the Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration has been entitled ‘Towards a Green and Happy South Asia,’ foreign ministers of all member countries are likely to sign a charter on environment co-operation,

“The theme is expected to be reinforced by the signing of a SAARC Convention on Cooperation in Environment by the Foreign Ministers in the presence of the Heads of State and Governments of SAARC Member States,” Krishna said.

He said that over the years, the SAARC has made visible strides and achieved many milestones.

“It has created the institutional and legal framework for regional cooperation through agreements and programmes covering almost every area of importance to the region, ranging from poverty alleviation and food security to terrorism and women’s empowerment,” Krishna said.

“Its focus on grassroots development is designed to cater to the welfare of the people of South Asia and to bring about an improvement “in their quality of life,” he added.

Krishna said that with the depth of challenges facing the region, the transformation of SAARC within a quarter of a century to a dynamic vehicle of regional economic cooperation is indeed remarkable.

“The asymmetric and non-reciprocal participation by India has been an important factor in this process. This has inspired other SAARC member countries to take similar initiative on regional projects,” Krishna said.

In his address, Krishna described the SAARC as a vehicle for regional development, and said the SAARC member countries have committed themselves to strengthening regional economic cooperation through the SAARC, particularly over the three years since the New Delhi Summit in April 2007.

“It is to the credit of the SAARC, that despite the global financial recession, trade under the SAFTA since its implementation in 2006 amounted to USD 689 million,” Krishna said.

“Moreover, the basket of tradable items is also quite diverse from manufacturing to agriculture products. All Member States have also reiterated their resolve to facilitate greater trade liberalization measures and greater tariff reductions,” he added. (ANI)

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Pakistani editor Rehana Hakim voices pessimism on ensuing SAARC meet Pakistani editor Rehana Hakim voices pessimism on ensuing SAARC meet

April 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 21 (ANI): Rehana Hakim, Editor of Newsline Pakistan, sounded pessimistic about the outcome of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Bhutan.

Addressing the media here on Tuesday, Hakim said there were several stumbling blocks which affected the healthy functioning of SAARC.

“I have been quite sceptical about it (SAARC meet) because, I feel, 25 years down the road, we have not even managed to get basic things like you know, easing the Visa regiment between the SAARC countries, and, getting each other”s publications across the border. These are very basic things,” she said.

“I think there are two issues. One, it gets hijacked by India and Pakistan each time. I think they are the stumbling blocks. Number two, I feel that whenever they have a set of resolutions at the end of the day, they have about 30 to 40 resolutions and I feel that everything gets filtered and everything gets lost. So I feel if you are to focus on a couple of goals, four or five and work towards that, I think that would be a better idea,” she added.

To a poser on the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan, she observed that unless both the countries drop their conditions, fruitful dialogue is not possible.
“If both countries drop all these conditionalities and just talk, I think we can move forward. The political governments also have the will to move forward in improving their relations,” she said.

Mehbooba Shiraz, a journalist from Afghanistan, who is a part of the delegation hailed India”s role in Afghanistan and said that India has been playing an extremely constructive role in Afghanistan.

“The help of India in Afghanistan, the way I see it, has been extremely constructive. I do appreciate very much and all of the Afghans will appreciate very much the help of this giant neighbour (India) of ours,” Shiraz said. (ANI)

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SAARC members should play role in counter-terrorism efforts: Pak Minister

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep.10 (ANI): Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Thursday said greater cooperation among South Asian nations would be helpful in countering terrorism in the region.

Talking to Maldivian Home Minister Mohammad Shahab, Malik underlined the importance of greater and prompt intelligence sharing.

According to the Dawn, he said this would help SAARC countries overcome the menace.

Pakistan and Maldives also agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of security. (ANI)

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India, best implementer of clean development mechanism: Jairam Ramesh

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 1 (ANI): Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday urged the SAARC countries to develop a combined mechanism to mitigate problems of green house gas emission leading to climate change.

Addressing SAARC Clean Development Mechanism Conference here today, he said the, environment has trans-border implications, and hence, the issue has to be dealt with in the same manner.

He said India is ready to share its experiences with the SAARC countries on the issue. India has taken credible action on the issue by creating carbon syncs and taking clean and green energy initiatives’” he added.

Ramesh said, according to an international survey, India is the best implementor of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to curb the problem of climate change.

He also urged the SAARC countries to stand united on the issue of CDM so that carbon emission leading to reduced substantially in the south Asian region.

The delegations from member countries Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal are participating in the deliberations. (ANI)

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South Asian artists display their best works in Dhaka

April 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dhaka, April 17 (IANS) ‘Who are we… we are us,’ says the caption to a painting by Anoma Wijewardene, a Sri Lankan painter who is among the South Asian artists displaying their best works at an exhibition here.

The 15-day exhibition of 25 leading artists from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations was inaugurated at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, New Age newspaper said Friday.

Indian High Commission, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the academy have jointly organised the exhibition.

Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty was present at the opening.

Visitors to the gallery were welcomed with artist Murtaja Baseer’s acrylic painting titled Unity.

His art defines the strength of SAARC in the form of a girl wearing a crown embedded with national flowers of the SAARC countries.

Indian artist Anupum Sen has produced Deity, another acrylic piece at the exhibition which represents divinity in human.

Painters from India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have worked together in the spirit of friendship, trust and understanding, the newspaper said.

The artworks produced at the exhibition are outcomes of a camp organised at Jaisalmer in India Jan 14-23, 2007.

Information minister Abul Kalam Azad, while inaugurating the event, said: ‘This exhibition will strengthen the cultural bonds of the SAARC region and we are proud to host the show.’

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SAARC nations to meet in July to discuss slump

March 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar. 14 (ANI): To deal with a slump in exports, the eight South Asian nations, including India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will meet in July to finalize the modalities of trimming the list of sensitive items to step up regional trade.

“Officials of the SAARC countries will meet in July and would deliberate on the modalities of decreasing the sensitive list,” a senior commerce Ministry official said.

The sensitive list include those products which are not freely tradable and does not attract any tariff benefit, he said, while adding that the venue for the meeting is yet to be finalized.

“Efforts would be made to reach a consensus to prepare a common sensitive list,” he said.

In February, commerce secretaries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations had resolved to cut the list by 25 per cent in next one year.

After the February meeting, Commerce Secretary G K Pillai had said that sensitive list would be reduced by about 25 per cent, within another year to ensure an increased trade.

India’s trade within South Asia was 11.72 billion dollars in 2007-08. It was 5.91 billion dollars in the first six months of the current fiscal. (ANI)

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BSNL slashes its call rates to the SAARC countries

November 4, 2008 By Leave a Comment

BSNL slashes its call rates to the SAARC countries State owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) slashed its ISD rates by 15-35 percent to some of the member countries of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The new prices will be operational from Saturday onwards.

BSNL mobile and landline owners will be able to make a call to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Bhutan at lower rates.

In ‘post paid plan 725’, the users will make calls at Rs. 9 per minute instead of at present Rs.10 and under ‘post paid’ and ‘pre-paid’ plans the prices will be slashed to Rs.9 per minute from Rs.12 per minute whereas the BSNL fixed line users can call at Rs.9.60 per minute instead of present Rs.12 a minute.

The telecom industry also proposes to cut call rates to Middle Eastern countries.

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