K E R A L A M O N I T O R

August 16, 2003

PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES MISSION TO MOON

The Chandrayan-1 mission, India’s first spacecraft to moon, announced by the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee yesterday during his Independence Day address, is expected to be ready for launch by 2008, said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today. Indigenously developed, it will provide a unique opportunity for frontier scientific research.

Chandrayan-1 is expected to be the forerunner of more ambitious planetary missions in the years to come, including landing robots on the moon, and visits by Indian spacecraft to other planets in the solar system.

The Chandrayan-1 mission envisages placing a 525-kg satellite in a polar orbit 100-km above the moon. It will be launched using a modified version of India’s indigenous Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The main objectives of Chandrayan-1 include obtaining imagery of the moon’s surface using high-resolution remote sensing. Furthermore, considering the interest expressed by the international scientific community, a provision has also been made to accommodate instruments from other countries.

Coca-Cola India welcomes positive results by Kerala Helth Department

Coca-Cola India welcomes the statement made by the Kerala Health Minister that "Coca-Cola does not contain toxic materials."

August 14, 2003, Mumbai: "The tests conducted by the Kerala State Health Department are an affirmation of our continued position that our products are safe and that they are manufactured to the highest quality standards," said D.S.Mathur, Vice President, Technical Operations, and Coca-Cola India.While we are working closely with different government agencies, we continue to believe that a consistent, professional testing protocol is necessary if the interests of consumers and the interests of beverage manufacturers are to be jointly served.

GOVERNMENT TO SHOWCASE INDIAN FASHION INDUSTRY: SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN

The Ministry of Textiles will organize a fashion week later this year to showcase the Indian fashion industry. This was announced by the Textiles Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain after inaugurating the "Weaving the World of India’s high Fashion" exhibition here today. The Minister said, the fashion week to be known as the NIFT India Fashion week will include the works of all big names in Indian fashion designing. It will also give an opportunity to the new and upcoming designers. Describing fashion as big business, the minister said, the show will also include Indian handlooms and handicrafts which has been the mainstay of Indian fashion through the ages.

Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said, the government will promote Indian brands in the global market as Indian garments command a premium in the world market. The multinational companies get it manufactured in India and market around the world, he said. For building Indian brands, he said, the government will support Indian fashion designers by holding shows abroad.

"Weaving the World of India’s high Fashion" features the works of 14 well known designers including Rohit Bal, Raghuvendra Rathore, Leena Singh, Vidhi Singhania, Kavita Bhartiya and Sonali Mansingka.