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Tabu, SHARES BEST ACTRESS AWARD WITH SHOBHANA best Actress Tabu, Shobhana.
- Rs. 300 crore price stabilisation plan for Rubber, Coffee
- Indian Railways in $300 million loan deal from ADB
- India joins select group of CBM Countries; Ram Naik
- India's Share in World Trade in Services just 1.4 per cent.
- Ayurvedi herbal Exports to get Marketing Assistance
- Exhbition ‘Green Waves’ at Central Cottage Emporium
- Lagaan and Chandni Bar sweeps 49th National Film Awards for 2002.
- Development scheme for tribals in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- 840 lakh Indian families below poverty line
- Rs. 53.35 Crore Development Funds for Andhra Pradesh
- MInimal Access Surgery, a major evolution in Medical Science.
- Bishnupur : The heritage tourism destination
- Jayalalitha Did not request an invitation card to participate in Abdul Kalam's swearing in Ceremony, says Government.
Advanced purchase of Railway Ticekts,TopIndian Railways in $300 million loan deal from ADB
RAJYA SABHA
KERALAMONITOR.COM NEWS BUREAU
Indian Railways will be launching a pilot project for developing of Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) in Delhi area shortly . Presently, passengers are required to purchase tickets from the booking offices at the journey originating station. After implementation of this pilot project, the passengers will have the facility of purchasing tickets from booking office of any of the stations where computerized UTS facility is being provided. Moreover in future, such facility may be extended at non-station locations also, Bandaru Dattatraya Minister of State for Railways said in a written reply to a question by Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Rajya Sabha today.
Indian Railways are currently holding discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for sanction of a loan of US$ 300 million during the current financial year. The details of projects to be funded are under finalisation, the minister said in another written reply to a question by R.P.Goenka in the Rajya Sabha today.
The World Bank has recently approved a loan of US$ 364.9 million for the rail components of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase-I. These works are expected to be completed by December 2007, depending upon the availability of funds.,Top
India joins select group of CBM Countries; Ram Naik.
KERALAMONITOR.COM NEWS BUREAU
Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas announced that Government of India has signed 5 contracts for exploration and production of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) in the country. The contracts were signed here today where among others, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of State for Coal and Law and Justice, S.K. Gangwar, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Parliamentary Affairs, N.K. Sinha, Secretary (Coal) and B.K. Chaturvedi, Secretary (Petroleum & Natural Gas) were also present. The 5 blocks are located as follows – 2 blocks in Jharkhand, 2 blocks in Madhya Pradesh and 1 block in West Bengal.
Naik mentioned that CBM is found in the coal bearing areas and production of CBM would provide a new source of natural gas to the country and it will also make coal mining safer and reduce environmental hazards. The CBM resource base in the 5 blocks for which contracts were being signed is about 235 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM). CBM being a low pressure gas could be utilised locally for power generation, industry as well as domestic use and would help to boost the local economy. The initial investment in these blocks is estimated to be about Rs. 200 crores and further investments would then depend upon the results of assessment of commerciality of CBM available.
The signatories to the 5 contracts were – a consortium of Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited and Indian Oil Corporation Limited for the 2 blocks viz Bokaro and North Karanpura, both in Jharkhand, Reliance Industries Limited for the 2 blocks viz East and West Sohagpur, both in Madhya Pradesh and Essar Oil Limited for the 1 block viz East Raniganj in West Bengal.
Naik further mentioned that all issues pertaining to jurisdiction as well as the legal position regarding CBM had been resolved before the blocks were offered under CBM-I. CBM being a natural gas is covered under Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act (ORDA), 1948 and Petroleum & Natural Gas Rules (PNGR), 1959.
Naik pointed out that by taking steps to explore and produce CBM, India has joined a select group of nations such as USA, South Africa, Poland, Australia, Russia and U.K., which are engaged in CBM operations.
Naik announced that preparatory work for finalisation of CBM blocks for the second round of CBM (CBM-II) is in progress in consultation with Ministry of Coal and CBM-II is expected to be announced in the first/second quarter of 2003. Naik informed that contracts for 2 blocks awarded to the consortium of ONGC and CIL would be finalised and signed shortly.,Top
India's Share in World Trade in Services just 1.4 per cent
KERALAMONITOR.COM NEWS BUREAU
India’s share in the world export of Commercial Services is 1.4% (in the year 2001). Necessary inputs for formulation of the Medium Term Strategy for Export of Services are being collected. In the proposed Medium Term Strategy for Export of Services, the potential sectors/markets would be identified by internal studies and discussions with exporters.This was stated by Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ayurvedi herbal Exports to get Marketing Assistance
The total value of Indian herbs/herbal ayurvedic products exported during each of the last three years are as under:
The government is extending Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) through Export Promotion Councils to all exporters including exporters of herbal products for competing in foreign markets through participation in overseas fairs, exhibitions, for mounting trade delegations and for conducting market surveys in foreign countries. Department of Indian system of Medicines and Homoeopathy under Government of India exclusively concentrates on all aspects of Indian system of medicines to redress various problems faced by the industry, said Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Year Exports (Rs. In lakhs)
- 1998-1999 40235.37
- 1999-2000 33647.68
- 2000-2001 57896.00
- [ Source: DGCI&S ],Top
Rs. 300 crore price stabilisation plan for Rubber, Coffee
New Delhi -July 26. 2002.KERALAMONITOR.COM NEWS BUREAU
There is a project worth Rs. 300 crore or more for price stabilization and other matters in relation to rubber, coffee, tea, spices, etc., under consideration of the government. Operation of a Price Stabilisation Fund is a new concept requiring in depth assessment of complexities in consultation with many agencies such as producers, processors, exporters and financial institutions like NABARD, commercial banks and economic experts. It will also depend upon participation by willing producers who will be required to contribute to the Fund when prices of commodities are favourable and who will benefit when the prices are low. This was stated by Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
In another reply, Rudy said the Tea Board has stressed the need for improvement in productivity of tea in Darjeeling with quality improvement through long-term development measures and through improved manufacturing techniques. A Techno Economic Survey of Darjeeling Tea Industry was undertaken by the Tea Board during 1998-99 to look into the various problems of Darjeeling Tea industry based on an on-the-spot study of suitably selected sample gardens. The main problems identified were over-aged bushes, low productivity, declining profitability, lack of uprooting and replanting, top soil erosion, lack of adequate finance etc.
The recommendations made in the Survey include extension of planting & replanting, suitable infilling programmes, uprooting and replanting programme in low yielding estates, rejuvenation and consolidation with inter – row planting, judicious application of herbicides, adoption of latest R & D in field and cultural practices for qualitative upgradation and growth of production, upgradation of processing and packaging machinery, measures to enhance labour productivity, greater emphasis on essential field operations specially in small tea estates and improvement of basic infrastructural facilities. It has also recommended that generic promotion of Darjeeling tea in India should be initiated to increase domestic consumption of such teas. A sample of 46 tea estates representing 54% of the total number of tea estates were chosen for the purpose of the Survey. The sample was done by statistical method with proportional representation of various holding sizes and status of ownership. The Survey revealed that on an average, 49% of the total grant area was available for cultivation.,Top
Rs. 53.35 Crore Development Funds for Andhra Pradesh
KERALAMONITOR.COM NEWS BUREAU
The Ministry of Rural Development has released Rs. 53.35 Crore to Andhra Pradesh under Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yozana (SGRY), Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) – Watershed Component. Besides this, foodgrains of the total value of Rs. 1561.19 lakhs (13.20 thousands tonnes rice at economic cost) is being allocated as adhoc first installment for the year 2002-03.
Under SGRY, the Ministry has released Rs. 24,71,32,000 as adhoc first installment of central funds and foodgrains to the 14 districts including six districts where funds deducted on account of shortfall in state share has been restored. This however, is subject to adjustment of amount to be released in future for implementation of SGRY.
The Ministry has sanctioned Watershed Projects for 2002-03, under Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) to eleven districts of Andhra Pradesh. The Ministry has released first installment of funds Rs. 9,82,12,500 for planning and development for 291 new projects under DPAP. The amount shall be utilized for meeting the costs of administration, community organization and training only.
The Ministry has also released Rs. 18,82,21,000 as central share of assistance under Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) – Watershed Component for the completion of ongoing watershed projects (taken up prior to April 1st, 1999) during 2002-03 to 12 districts in the State.,Top
840 lakh Indian families below poverty line
LOK SABHA KERALAMONITOR.COM NEWS BUREAU
The number of BPL families identified by the State Governments and the number of the BPL families as per the estimates of the Planning Commission on the population base of March 1, 2000 stands at 804.95 lakh and 652.03 lakh respectively.The Government has taken several steps for effective implementation of Antyodaya Anna Yojana, said Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution U.V. Krishnam Raju in reply to a questions of S/ T.T.V. Dhinakaran, Rajo Singh, Shankersinh Vaghela and Aditya Nath Yogi.
Keeping in view the extremely poor condition of the Antyodaya families, the Government of India has suggested to the State Government/UT Administrations to ensure that the end retail price at FPS is retained at Rs. 2 a kg for wheat and Rs. 3 a kg for rice.
The State Governments/UT Administrations have been requested to identify the Antyodaya families from amongst BPL families within their respective jurisdiction. They have also been advised to finalize the list of Antyodaya families by involving Panchayati Raj Institutions in rural areas and local bodies in urban areas.
The Guidelines issued by the Government of India with regard to the Antyodaya Anna Yojana specially provide that the allocation of foodgrains to the States will be linked to the receipt of Utilisation Certificates to the effect that the foodgrains already allocated have actually reached the Antyodaya families.
,Top
Development scheme for tribals in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
KERALAMONITOR.COM NEWS BUREAU
The total population of tribals in Andaman & Nicobar according to 1991 census was 26770.To preserve the identity of tribals of Andaman & Nicobar, the Union Territory Administration has restricted the entry of outsiders into the tribal areas without the permission of the U.T. Administration. Filming and photography in these tribal areas are also not allowed. The Anthropological Survey of India, Port Blair also prepares monographs on the tribes of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to document tribal culture, said the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram in a written reply to a question from J. S. Brar in the Lok Sabha today.
The tribals in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are still at different stages of social and economic development. Efforts are made both by the Government of India and the U.T. Administration through the implementation of various educational as well as other social and economic development programmes for the all-round development of the Scheduled Tribes in the islands, and to make modern facilities accessible to them.,Top
Exhbition ‘Green Waves’ at Central Cottage EmporiumKERALAMONITOR.COM NEWS BUREAU
A unique exhibition cum sale inspired by the color green entitled ‘The Green Waves’ was flagged off by Durgesh Shanker, Managing Director, Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India at Cottage Emporium, New Delhi today. The exhibition curates varied products in varied shades of the green color like pottery, hand made home décor, hand woven linen, brassware etc. Briefing the media persons, the Managing Director of CCICI Durgesh Shanker said that the green is the color of resurgence of life and grows within the caring shadow of Mother Nature.
He said that object of the Corporation is not to earn profit only but to provide decent return to the artisans and weavers. He disclosed that the target for the current year has been fixed at 72 crore and the Cottage Emporium is hopeful to achieve this target specially after the foreign tourists flow to India. He admitted that the emporium suffered a loss of Rs. 4 crores. The turn over during 2001-2002 was Rs. 53.4 crore as compared to Rs. 57.4 crore in the year 2000-2001. He said various factors like tension on the Indo-Pak borders, attack on Parliament House and above all attack on W.T.O. had been responsible for this decline. With the improvement in the situation, sale of the emporium would increase manifold, he hoped.
Durgesth Shanker urged upon the artisans to adopt new technology but at the same time they should not loose the ethnic character of the product.,Top
Murali bags Best Actor National Award, Shobhana, Tabu share Best Actress Award.
Lagaan and Chandni Bar sweeps 49th National Film Awards for 2002.
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Tabu Best Actress -
Murali Best Actor
Shobhana Best Actress.
New Delhi, Jul 26 - Malayalam actor Murali won the best actor award for his performance in Neythukaran. The best actress award was shared by Tabu for her role in Chandni Bar and Shobhana for her role in the film Mitr: My friend. Kannada film Dweep was selected as the best film of the year. This is the fourth time that a film by Girish Kasarvalli has won the prestigious award. Murali bagged the national best actor award for his performance in the film'Neyithukaran', directed by Priya Nandan. Murali's . His spectacular performance as 'Appa Mestiri' in 'Neyithukaran', has already bagged him the Kerala best actor award . Murali has acted in more than 300 films
B Lenin bagged the Best Director Award for his Ooruku Nooru Peru (Hundred People in a Hamlet) and Aamir Khan's Lagaan was selected as the best wholesome entertainer of the year.Prakash Jha's film Sonal bagged the best non-feature film award.Asomiya Chalachitrar Chha-Pohar by Apurba Sarma and Gangadhar Mahambare was selected the best book on Indian cinema. Hindi journalist Vinod Anupam was awarded the best film critic award.
Hindi films Lagaan and Chandni Bar have dominated the 49th National Film Awards for 2001 by bagging 7 and 4 awards respectively, even though the Best Film award has gone to Kannada film 'Dweepa'. The jury headed by Sethu Madhavan declared the awards today. Chandni Bar won four awards including Best Actress Tabu, Best Supporting Stars - Atul Kulkarni and Ananya Khare, and the award for best film on social issues. Top
Jayalalitha Did not request an invitation card to participate in Abdul Kalam's swearing in Ceremony, says Government.
New Delhi -July 26, 2002 KERALAMONITOR.COM NEWS BUREAU
The BJP Government has said that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was not invited to attend the swearing in ceremony of president Abdul Kalam, who hails from Tamil Nadu, because she did not request an invitation card. The Tamilnadu chief minister had accused the Central government of discriminating states on the basis of sectarian considerations and it selectively invited a few chief ministers.
"It has been brought to the notice of this Ministry that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has expressed her anguish over the non-issue of an invitation card to her for participating in the swearing-in-ceremony of the President-elect. The Table of Precedence for formal Government functions/ceremonies held at Delhi is prepared in respect of only those dignitaries who are stationed in Delhi. They are invited as a rule. Dignitaries who are covered under the Table of Precedence but are stationed outside Delhi are invited only if they happen to be in Delhi and desire to witness the ceremony. This convention has been in vogue since Independence,' the government said in a statement.
' The Office of the Resident Commissioner, Tamil Nadu had made a telephonic inquiry about the procedure for issue of invitation cards to the Governors and Chief Ministers. That office was informed that invitation cards to Governors and Chief Ministers are issued on receipt of a specific request to this effect. The Special Resident Commissioner of Tamil Nadu did make a request for an invitation card for the Governor of Tamil Nadu. No such request for the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was received, the Vajpayee Government clarified in a press communique," it said.
'Besides the Governor of Tamil Nadu, invitation cards were also issued to Governor of Mizoram and Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Uttaranchal on receipt of a specific request to this effect," it said.,Top
Bishnupur : The heritage tourism destination
Prajesh Banerjee*
Bishnupur, now a sub-divisional town in the district of Bankura and 175 km. from the Kolkata was once a buzzing capital of ancient Malla dynasty. It is not only famous for its wonderful terracota temples but has a rich tradition of cultural heritage which has got its expression through the famous gharana of classical music. Musicians of Bishnupur ghararna enriched the sphere of classical music all over northern India for generations. Apart from the temples and music, art and craft flourished under royal patronage at Bishnupur.
Bishnupur is now a place of tourist attraction. But it was never destined to be so. A subtle change in the mindset of Birhambir, once a tyrannical ruler at the time of the Mughal emperor, Akbar, changed the whole scenario and it became a place for offering prayers for the Vaishnavs’. According to the legend Birhambir, who is regarded as the greatest king of the Malla dynasty was originally a ruthless ruler who thrived on robberies. In one such robbery in the forest of Bon-Bishnupur, the king came in contact with the renowned Vaishnava scholar of Chaitanya cult, Srinivas Acharya. This sudden meeting transformed him into a follower of Vaishnavism and inspired him to propagate this religious belief by building temples of Vaishnavite deities. From his time, successive Malla rulers had built many temples in honour of Lord Krishna in different incarnations. Temples built by Hambir may not exist, but a magnificient relic of a pyramydical structure Ras- Mancha, built by him withstood the ravages of his time.
From the structural viewpoint, the temples of Bishnupur can be classified into different groups such as ‘Deul’, ‘Chala’, and ‘Ratna’ styles. King Raghunath, successor of Hambir, built the temple of Syam-Rai, Kalachand and Jore-bangla, which depict the unique style of its architecture; the Lalji temple built by Bir Singha retains its original glory as a temple of ‘Ek Ratna’ style of architecture. His two wives most probably built two famous temples, namely Madan Gopal and Murli Mohan.Many of these temples are richly decorated with ornamental carvings which make them elegant and graceful.
Experts say the temples of Bishnupur represent the most complete set of specimens of the Bengal style of temple architecture. Bir Singha is still remembered as a benevolent ruler. He got eight large tanks excavated. These tanks locally known as bundhs still arouse interest not only in their pristine origin but also for the legends associated with each of them. Keeping the security of the capital in mind he built a huge fort. Though the fort stands ruined now, its entrance, a huge arched gate of laterite stone, still reminds one of the mighty ruler.
After Bir Singha, Durjan Singha, Raghunath Singha-II, Gopal Singha and the last ruler Chaitanya Singha built various large and small temples. Historians say temple building was an obsession with the Malla kings. By this they tried to raise their social status. In between 16th and 19th centuries, the Malla rulers built many temples. According to a document of East India Company in 1789, there were 453 temples in and around Bishnupur.
One must not, however, conclude that the Malla kings excelled only in temple building and were devout Vaishnavites than rulers. Since the time of Birhambir the Malla kings fought many battles. They fortified the capital and manufactured indigenous firearms including canons. One large canon made of 63 hoops of wrought iron cylinders welded together and with a length of twelve and a half feet, still bears testimony to the military prowess of the Malla kings. One legend says that this canon named Dal-Madal or Dal-Mardan was fired by the family deity of the Malla kings, Madan Mohan, to repulse the Maratha invaders or Bargis.
To attract tourists the Government of West Bengal organizes Bishnupur Mela in December every year which showcases the rich tradition of the place and its adjoining areas. The temple town of Bishnupur can be reached by bus from Kolkata, Durgapur and Kharagpur. The Howrah–Purulia Express, Delhi-Puri Neelachal Express and Cochin-Patna Express can also bring one to Bishnupur. Local train service is also available from Kharagpur. There are a quite number of hotels and lodges where accommodation is available at a reasonable charge.
* Kolkata-based Journalist,Top
MInimal Access Surgery, a major evolution in Medical Science.
Dr. Pradeep K Chowbey*
Technological advances and surgical expertise have caused the evolution of minimal access surgery. It is a major evolution in medical sceince. Contributions from the industry came in the form of indigenous equipment, better resolution cameras, monitors and telescopes.
Minimal access surgery (MAS) has largely reduced trauma . The surgery can be performed using various approaches - Laparoscopic, thoracoscopic, endoluminal , intra-articular joint surgery and combined approaches.
Besides the cosmetic appeal with no large scars for patients, there are many more actual benefits of this technique. They include less tissue trauma, reduced hospitalization, less postoperative pain, faster recovery that lead to earlier return to normal feeding, mobility and work. The journey continued from surgical procedures within the preformed cavities like peritoneum and pleural cavity to artificially created spaces like retroperitoneum and neck.
The established minimal access procedures now being performed are lengthy and exhaustive. The list that includes laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gall bladder stones, hernia repair (inguinal, ventral, hiatus), neck surgery for thyroid and parathyroid gland, retroperitoneoscopic surgery for kidney, adrenal gland, ureter, bladder, lymph nodes, thoracoscopy and video-assisted thoracic surgery, laparoscopy in malignancy, cholecystoenteric fistulas and hand- assisted surgery. The list does not end here but also extends to the field of cardiac, neurosurgery and ENT surgery.
MAS is supposed to be a state-of-the-art surgical procedure for a variety of diseases including hernia, gall bladder problems, uterus disorders and others. In MAS usually images are shown on the television monitor. These images being two-dimensional, it becomes difficult for the surgeon to perform an in- depth surgery. In order to compensate for the missing dimension, proper training to the surgeon becomes all the more important. One can compare open surgery with driving a car and laparoscopic surgery with flying an aircraft. The challenge to the surgeons is to get training, purchase equipment and to reconstruct a three- dimensional interpretation of the anatomy from two-dimensional indirect image.
Instrumentation
Endovision camera is the electronic eye by which the visualisation of surgical site can be monitored and magnified on the screen to perform surgeries. With advances in technology endovision has moved from digitally processed analog camera to completely digital cameras which considerably improves the resolution. The cameras now being used are three chip which give a resolution of about 750 horizontal lines. Digital output facilitates direct recording on computer and high resolution monitors are used for visualization. The camera of the future looks set to replicate the human eye in terms of clarity, contrast and colour. The operating room of future reflects the expanding role of computers and robots. Such emerging surgical techniques permit greater surgical precision and may one day allow surgeons to perform operations from a distance. Remote surgery may be performed via ISDN lines or high speed digital phone lines with the help of a substantial bandwidth to be close to real time. But lots of matter from technical problems, cost, legal issues and doctor-patient relationship will have to be sorted out before this technique becomes a reality.
*Chairman, Department of Minimal Access Surgery,Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi,Top
