K E R A L A M O N I T O R N E W S P O R T A L June 29 2004

 

INDIA AND UNITED STATES TO COOPERATE IN AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY India and United States have decided to increase cooperation in agricultural bio-technology research and development. A Letter of Intent to this effect was signed by the Minister for Science and Technology and Ocean Development Shri Kapil Sibal and the Ambassador of the United States to India Mr. David C Mulford here today. The Department of Biotechnology of the Government of India and the United States Agency for International Development of the United States of America are the coordinators of the two countries respectively. The programme will encourage the creation of partnership to bring together India and US institutions to pursue agricultural biotechnology research projects of mutual interest including technology development, technology diffusion, biosafety and related policy activities. The programme is also expected to include joint workshops, conferences, scientific exchanges and training of the scientists. Collaborative activities shall be subject to the laws and regulations of each country and funding may come from a variety of sources on both sides. The overcharging objective of the programme is to increase the range of safe and environmentally sound technological options available to the producers and consumers of agricultural products. The focus of this collaborative effort will be on improving productivity as well as nutritional quality of our crops. Currently drought salinity and extreme temperature conditions are experienced by crops grown in arid and semi-arid regions and these are some of the most critical factors affecting agricultural production. Specific research projects to address these issues will be developed. The technologies to be used to achieve the goals will be an appropriate mix of traditional plant breeding approaches and modern biotechnologies. It is envisaged that the specific programmes to be developed will be guided by the policies and practices recommended by the National Agriculture Biotechnology policies of the partner countries with emphasis on the interest of farmers, consumers and the environment. Shri Sibal said that the main objective of this agreement is to develop pest resistant agricultural produce and to improve food production in the country. The critical focus will be on the production of rice and wheat. Mr. Mulford highlighted the relationship between the two countries and said that this comprehensive agreement will go a long way in helping India to increase its food production. HERTZ, EMIRATES AIRLINE GIVE TRAVELLERS MILES AND MORE Dubai, UAE, 29 June, 2004: Skywards members in Yemen can take advantage of 15 per cent discounts available from Hertz Yemen as the car rental company joins forces with Emirates Airline.Valid during the months of July and August, the promotion also entitles Skywards members renting vehicles from Hertz to 500 Skywards Miles towards free flights as well as free car upgrades. In addition, the offer gives Skywards members the chance to win one of two economy class tickets from Sana'a to a destination in Europe or the Middle East and is available from the car rental company's three branches in Sana'a, at Sana'a International Airport and in Aden. "This promotion represents a wonderful opportunity for Skywards members to get the best vehicles at the best prices," said Badr Abbas, Area Manager, Emirates Airline, Yemen."If you are not a Skywards member, this is a perfect moment for you to join in by simply registering with us when you hire your vehicle at any Hertz location in Yemen," he said. "Partnerships like this one are part of our overall marketing strategy, which aims to capitalise on the economic growth that Yemen has been experiencing for some time," said Saleem Sheikh, General Manager of Universal Rent A Car, the Hertz international franchisee in Yemen which is part of Universal Group, one of the major players in Yemen's travel and tourism industry. Gulf Extrusions expands Thermal Break Profiles capacity with innovative Swiss Technology June 29, 2004 Gulf Extrusions, the UAE-based pioneer and market leader in aluminium extrusion for the GCC region, has invested in an innovative Swiss Technology to expand its Thermal Break Profiles capacity. The innovating thermal break crimping technology, which has been launched in the global markets by Muller AG of Switzerland, combines the crimping process of two profiles, and can offer user companies a significant increase in profits through cost-reduction of energy. "Gulf Extrusions has registered increased demand for thermal break profiles, from both the GCC and European markets," said Robert Holtkamp, Director of Sales and Marketing, Gulf Extrusions. "With the view to meeting this demand, Gulf Extrusions decided to invest in the latest available technology, which will increase our capacity to deliver thermal break profiles, as well as provide economies of scale so that the new investment does not have to reflect in increased prices. Gulf Extrusions will be the first Extruder in the GCC region to implement this technology in its production process." "With the mission of providing world class aluminium profiles to our customers, Gulf Extrusions has made a strong commitment to the technological excellence of its production process," said Holtkamp. "This new technology will add considerable value to our deliverable profiles, as well as introduce the region to a premium quality of thermal break profile. With a construction base in the UAE, Gulf Extrusions will be able to ensure extremely competitive prices in comparison to the manufacturers based in Europe." Gulf Extrusions has an existing capacity of 30,000 MT (Mega Tonnes) of aluminium profiles. Of this, 5% per cent are thermal break profiles supplied primarily to the regional construction industry. The investment in the new technology will increase the production of thermal break profiles by 25% per cent.

INDIA FOR SHARING OF TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES AMONG SAARC COUNTRIES MARAN ADDRESSES SAARC COMMUNICATION MINISTERS MEET AT ISLAMABAD 13:27 IST India has called for the need to optimise the use of telecom infrastructure for intra-regional communication with a view to bring down the costs of telecom services. This was stated by the Union Minister of Communication and Information Technology Shri Dayanidhi Maran, while addressing the 2nd SAARC Communication Ministers Conference at Islamabad, Pakistan today. Shri Maran said that “Using each others infrastructure for intra-regional communication can prove to be economically advantageous, but with the added benefit of the resources circulating within the region, besides lower tariffs to the consumer”. For more effective regional co-operation , Sh Maran stated that it would also be necessary to digitalise inter-country links within the region in a time bound manner. “On our part, we have digitalised all our telephone exchanges” he added. Shri Maran called upon the Member countries for an urgent need for setting up of a high bandwidth hub for extension of leased circuits. He stated that with the increase of economic activity, demand for leased bandwidth is also likely to multiply. Shri Maran said “The setting up of a high bandwidth hub for extension of leased circuits , using the infrastructure of Member countries, can give us a competitive advantage over the rest of world. Cooperation at the regional level will enable us to harness the benefits of this sector” He further stated “Given a common content and a common need, it should not be difficult for us to develop a common vision and goals.” Shri Maran urged the Member countries to set up a Task Force to continuously the monitor and map the developments in the Communication sector. This task force could perhaps be set up under the SAARC Secretariat and can perform such other functions as a member country may assign to it, Shri Maran added. He stated that “development today is more and more a function of information flow and information availability in turn is a function of world class connectivity. The nexus between development and communication makes this sector vital in our quest towards greater economic prosperity as well as economic security of our region. A continuous dialogue and exchange of information on technologies, growth as well as projects will greatly serve this cause”. Shri Maran stressed the need for reducing the digital divide between the rest of the world and our regions, between the countries in our own region and between the different sections of society in our own countries. “This task demands that we should address the element of access, quality and value added services” he added. Recognizing that a larger segment of our population in the region does not have access to effective communication facilities, he emphasised the need for quickly increasing the tele-density levels. Keeping in view the future development as well as utility of the Communication facilities, Shri Maran emphasised the need for widening their scope beyond voice. He said “Internet and Broadband facilities need to be provided. This will not only help in bridging the digital divide but will also facilitate the rural population to benefit from e-education, e-health, e-agriculture, e-governance, and even e-commerce. Along with education, it is information that has the greatest potential to fight the scourge of poverty .” Sh Maran called for the cooperation in developing technical specifications of telecom equipment to be deployed in the SAARC region. He offered India’s cooperation in devising a Regional Standard Body. With a view to avoid duplication of approvals, Sh Maran stated that there should mutual recognition of approvals granted by various SAARC countries. Among the member countries, there should be free flow of telecom equipment, cables and accessories, he added. In this direction, Sh Maran said that a preferential utilisation of telecom equipment manufactured within SAARC countries should be considered. Expressing the need for a strong cooperation for development and promotion of R& D in the Telecommunications Sector among member countries , he stated that specialised institutions of SAARC countries can be engaged in the joint development of specific products to be utilised within the SAARC region and for exports. Regarding development of human resources in the information and Communication sector, Shri Maran said our young men and women have helped the shape this sector across the world. Shri Maran extended an offer to provide the facilities to any member country for training in Research as well as Management of technology. Shri Maran informed the member countries about the work done by the institutions in the telecom sector in India like Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Telecom Engineering Centre and Centre for Development of Telematics. He said India would be willing to offer to share the experience and several technologies developed by them.

Mina appeals to the Senses with beach massage Reflexology tent allows peace of mind - and Sole

(Dubai, May 2004) : Sunbathing at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina just got even easier, with the addition of a SoleSenses massage tent just yards from the sea and sunloungers.There's no need to stroll too far from the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf, thanks to the discreet tent, which is veiled with flowing muslin for privacy.On offer are reflexology treatments, Indian head massages, back massages and other relaxation methods to help ease the pressures of every day life while you unwind in the sun.

TRANSFER AND POSTINGS OF SENIOR IAS OFFICERS 22:8 IST The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the following appointments: - Shri Dipak Chatterjee, IAS (WB: 66), presently Secretary, Department of Commerce, hold full additional charge of the post of Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, till further orders, vice Shri S.B. Mohapatra, IAS (OR:67) on his retirement on 30.6.2004. Shri B.S. Baswan, IAS (MP:67), presently Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, as Secretary, Department of Secondary and Higher Education, vice Shri S.C. Tripathi, IAS (UP:68). Shri Ajai Vikram Singh, IAS (UL:67), presently Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, as Secretary, Ministry of Defence, vice Shri Ajay Prasad, IAS (HP:69). Shri S.C. Tripathi, IAS (UP:68), presently Secretary, Department of Secondary and Higher Education, as Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, against the post vacated by Shri B.K. Chaturvedi, IAS (UP:66). Smt. Reva Nayyar, IAS (HY:68), presently Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, as Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, vice Smt. Kasturi G. Menon, IAS (WB:69). Shri Dhanendra Kumar, IAS (HY:68), presently Secretary, Department of Culture, as Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, vice Shri Ajai Vikram Singh, IAS (UL:67). Shri Dhirendra Singh, IAS (KN:68), presently Secretary, Department of Disinvestment, as Home Secretary vice Shri Anil Baijal, IAS (AGMU:69). Shri A.K. Rastogi, IAS (TN:68), presently on compulsory wait with the Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs to the vacant post of Secretary (Border Management) in the same Ministry. Shri A.N. Tiwari, IAS (AP:69), presently Secretary, Department of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, as Secretary, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, vice Shri Arun Bhatnagar, IAS(MP:66) on his voluntary retirement on 29.6.2004. Shri Anil Baijal, IAS(AGMU:69), presently Home Secretary, as Secretary, Department of Urban Development vice Shri N.N. Khanna, IAS(PB:66) on his retirement on 30.6.2004. Shri Ajay Prasad, IAS(HP:69), presently Secretary, Ministry of Defence, as Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, vice Shri K. Roy Paul, IAS(BH:67) on his retirement on 30.6.2004. Smt. Neena Ranjan, IAS(UP:69) presently Secretary, Department of Official Language, as Secretary, Department of Culture, vice Shri Dhanendra Kumar, IAS(HY:68). Smt. Sarita Prasad, IAS(HP:69), presently Special Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, as Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, vice Shri B.S. Baswan, IAS(MP:67). The post of Special Secretary will revert to its original level of Additional Secretary. Smt. Chitra Chopra, IAS(RJ:69), presently Secretary, National Commission on Backward Classes, as Secretary, Department of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, vice Shri A.N. Tiwari, IAS(AP:69). Smt. Kasturi G. Menon, IAS(WB:69), presently Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, as Adviser, Planning Commission, in the rank and pay of Secretary, against the post vacated by Shri Mano Ranjan, IAS(UP:69). Shri P.M.A. Hakeem, IAS(MH:69), presently Chairman and Managing Director, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC), Department of Commerce, as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, against the post vacated by Shri S. Regunathan, IAS(AGMU:68) on reversion to his cadre. The resultant vacancy of CMD, ECGC will revert to its original level of Additional Secretary. Shri A.K. Jha, IAS(AP:69), presently Chairman and Managing Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation, as Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, vice Shri Lakshmi Chand, IAS(UP:69). Shri Lakshmi Chand, IAS(UP:69), presently Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, as Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, vice Smt. Reva Nayyar, IAS(HY:68). Shri Anupam Dasgupta, IAS(MH:70), presently Additional Secretary, Department of Urban Development, as Secretary, Department of Official Language, vice Smt. Neena Ranjan, IAS(UP:69). Shri R. Poornalingam, IAS(TN:70), presently Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, as Secretary, Department of Disinvestment, vice Shri Dhirendra Singh, IAS(KN:68). Shri Lalit K. Joshi, IAS(MP:70), presently Member (Administration), National Highways Authority of India, be re-notified in his present post in the rank and pay of Secretary by temporarily upgrading the post. Shri Priyadarshi Thakur, IAS(RJ:70), presently Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of External Affairs, as Chairman, Tariff Commission, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, in the rank and pay of Secretary against the post vacated by Shri V. Lakshmi Ratan, IAS(TN:67).