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India to build more highways than any other country in the world: Kamal Nath

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Zurich (Switzerland), Sep 17(ANI): Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath on Thursday said that in the next two years India will build more highways than any other country in the world.

Inaugurating “Building India: Road Infrastructure Summit” at Zurich, he also invited European investors to invest in the road and highways sector in India, and said that India as a nation is determined to build a comprehensive high quality infrastructure.

Nath also said that the next decade would belong to infrastructure sector, as the last decade had been the decade of IT.

Stressing on the strong fundamentals of the Indian Economy, he said India is a safe destination for investment even in the times of recession and showcased the opportunities and potential of the Indian road sector to investors from across Europe.

Addressing a strong gathering of investors, developers and financial institutions, Nath said that the Government is back with enhanced mandate and building infrastructure is one of its important focus.

Elaborating on the new vision on road sector, he said that Government is committed to increase the pace of highway development to 20 kms per day, which would unleash huge business and investment opportunities, amounting to 70 billion dollars over the next 3-4 years.

In addition, it would also lead to an inclusive growth and provide connectivity to all stakeholders in socio-economic development.

Inviting investors to be a partner in building road infrastructure in the country, the minister said that out of total investment required, 40 billion dollars are expected to come from private sector. (ANI)

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Pak wants relationship with India on ‘equal footing’: Gilani

September 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Karachi, Sep.6 (ANI): Stressing the need for resumption of bilateral talks with India, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said Islamabad wants relations with New Delhi on an equal footing.

“We want relations with India on an equal basis and it is our resolve that we will not allow our soil to be used for terrorism. Therefore, we want a proper dialogue to be resumed as in the present situation, the terrorists are getting benefit of the situation,” Gilani said.

Interacting with media persons at the Governor’s House here, Gilani said tensions between India and Pakistan would benefit the militants, so it was important for both countries to restart the peace process as soon as possible.

“We want relations with India on the basis of equality. If Pakistan and India do not enter into negotiations for the betterment of the region, then someone else would get the benefit. If there will not be bilateral talks, the terrorists will take advantage of it,” The News quoted Gilani, as saying.

Commenting on the massive reshuffle in the bureaucracy, Gilani defended his action saying it was important to ensure efficiency, integrity and quality in the system.

Gilani has revamped the top bureaucratic posts, replacing over a dozen federal secretaries in several ministries with over 50 civil servants.

In what is being touted as the single largest grade-22 promotion in many years, secretaries of interior, information, industries, privatisation commission, labour, and special secretary of finance are among those who have been replaced with the newly promoted officers.

However, the move has being criticized by many civil servants, as they believe the reshuffle reeks of nepotism and favouritism. (ANI)

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Whole grains can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer

August 30, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, Aug 30 (ANI): Stressing on the importance whole grains, experts have claimed that incorporating them in the diet can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and certain cancers.

Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says that it’s important for people to keep whole grains in their daily diet.

“Research shows that whole grains are good for your heart, lower risk of diabetes and stroke, and may help prevent certain cancers. They also help in managing weight,” she said.

Sandon said that whole grains are chock full of good-for-you nutrients including fiber, folate and niacin, vital B vitamins, and magnesium.

“The phytochemicals found in whole grains have been shown to have health promoting and disease prevention benefits,” she added.

Sandon recommended that adults aim for three servings, or 48 grams, of whole grains a day.

She advised that people should by rule look for the words “Made with whole grain” and “100 percent whole grain” on packages.

She gave other going-with-the-grain tips, which include swapping whole wheat breadstuffs for white rolls and breads, using whole wheat bread crumbs for stuffing.

Adding wild rice or brown rice to dishes as well as serving whole wheat crackers with hors d’oeuvres can also ensure that there is a good amount of whole grains in your diet. (ANI)

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TERI, IMF join hands to encourage glacier studies in India

April 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 8 (ANI/Business Wire India): The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and IMF (Indian Mountaineering Foundation) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to study, preserve and safeguard the Himalayan glaciers under the National Mission of Sustaining the Himalayan Eco- system (NAPCC).

Present on the occasion were Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director- General TERI, Prof. Syed Iqbal Hasnain, Padmashri and Senior Fellow TERI and Major HPS Ahluwalia, President IMF among other distinguished guests.

Stressing on the need to study the Himalayan belt, Dr. R.K.Pachauri said, “We wish to study more on glaciers as we are very dependent on them and our work till now has been negligible. We need to understand the drivers and implications of the changes happening in the Himalayan belt.”

IMF along with TERI will encourage glaciologists and researchers to take training in mountaineering without which the study of the Himalayan region is incomplete. In order to carry out a detailed and successful research activity, IMF will be training young TERI scientists at the Mountaineering Institutes in basic and advanced mountaineering skills to work in high altitude regions.

To conduct glaciological studies in the Himalayan region the researchers require high level of physical fitness, technical climbing skills, mental alertness and first aid knowledge.

Speaking on the collaboration, Major HPS Ahluwalia said, “IMF is delighted to join hands with TERI to facilitate further research in the Himalayan region. As environment, climate change and conversation have taken the centre stage, IMF aims to work towards protecting the Himalayan eco- system. To study the glaciers in the belt, one needs to go beyond 4000 mts. to conduct research and most of the scientists and students cannot go that high due to absence of mountaineering skills. Thus, IMF and TERI see it important to provide mountaineering trainings to researchers and students and involve skilled mountaineers in the team to facilitate cohesive research. This MoU is an important milestone to encourage the study and research on this belt.”

Elaborating on the importance of glaciology, Prof. Hasnain said, “Glaciological studies in the Himalaya is not feasible to conduct if one is not equipped with basic mountaineering skills as glaciers are located between 4000 and 6000 mts. Widening crevasses of shrinking glaciers is a huge challenge even for highly skilled mountaineers. A proactive support by the mountaineering fraternity on volunteer basis will give huge confidence to small glaciological community in India. Therefore the MOU between TERI and IMF will help in bridging the gap between highly skilled mountaineers and learning glaciologists.”

IMF will provide latest technologies and equipments to carry out the research on glacier dynamics, energy balance glacier hydrology and weather parameters that would help in modelling the glacier responses to global warming with great precision.

Field expeditions for data gathering will be done in a long term basis that will also involve skilled mountaineers as volunteers for installing and maintaining equipments at high altitude. (ANI)

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Slum kids of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ awarded scholarships for free education

March 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Mar 14 (ANI): Slum kid actors of Oscar winning film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, were awarded scholarships for free education.

The initiative by a self-help group called ‘We Love India’ in association with D.Y. Patil Institute of Engineering and Technology, will entitle these poor kids to free education up to graduation level or any other technical degree.

Stressing on the need for education, Bollywood director Subhash Ghai said every rich personality in the country should support the cause of free education for such poor kids.

“By initiating this project of providing free education to poor kids, we have sparked a movement. Education for poor kids is very important and every rich and influential achiever should do something for providing education to these kids,” said Ghai.

Expressing happiness at the opportunity of getting free education, Ismail said, “I want to make full use of this opportunity and study hard and when I grow up I want to become a successful actor like Salman Khan.”

The two child actors are also to receive new homes from the Indian authorities after the small budget movie swept the Oscars.

Ali currently lives in a tiny hovel in the same rubbish strewn slum near railway tracks where Ismail lives.

The child stars were feted like true celebrities in India after they returned home, post Oscars. (ANI)

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US, Pak mistrust hampering peace process in South Asia: Mullen

February 15, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, Feb.15 (ANI): The Chairman US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen has said both Pakistan and the United States don’t trust each other, and this is preventing the establishment of peace in the region.

In an interview given to a US daily, Admiral Mullen said the trust deficit is preventing both countries from chalking out a co-ordinate and comprehensive strategy against terrorism.

Stressing on the need for fresh policies to tackle terrorism, Admiral Mullen said the strategies must be inclusive of the threat that Pakistan and Afghanistan both face.

Commenting on the ‘War on Terror’ in Afghanistan, The Nation quoted Mullen as saying that it was necessary for Washington to find a way to protect the Afghan people and gain their trust.

“Lose the people’s trust, and we lose the war,” he said, adding, “The strategy reviews for Afghanistan recognize this and seek military, economic, political, diplomatic and informational approaches to regaining that trust.”

NATO forces, he said would continue their attempts to root out terror outfits from the region, but it was very necessary to establish trust among the Afghani people for a peaceful tomorrow, the top US commander said.

“We can send more troops. We can kill or capture all the Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders we can find – and we should. We can clear out havens and shut down the narcotics trade. But until we prove capable, with the help of our allies and Afghan partners, of safeguarding the population, we will never know a peaceful, prosperous Afghanistan,” Admiral Mullen said.

He also urged the Obama administration to review its strategies in Afghanistan.

“The insurgency won’t ever end if US forces accidentally kill civilians in the country or give people reasons to think badly of the United States,” Admiral Mullen concluded. (ANI)

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US urges India, Pakistan to cooperate in dealing with extremism

January 7, 2009 By Rajiv Gupta Leave a Comment

Washington, Jan 7 (ANI): Stressing the need for calming India-Pakistan tensions over the Mumbai attacks, the United States on Tuesday urged the two countries to cooperate in dealing with the common threat from violent extremism.

“I would look at one part of this exchange as encouraging, that there is an exchange of information here between India and Pakistan. Now, of course, tensions need to be managed,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

“Thus far, we have seen that the two sides have an interest in doing that,” he added in response to a question about Islamabad’s rhetoric and insinuations on Tuesday of some Pakistani complicity in the Mumbai attacks.

McCormack emphasised at the daily briefing that violent extremists were a common enemy for both countries, the Daily Times reported. (ANI)

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