June 8 2004

The Common Minimum Programme

Atul Cowshish*

The buoyancy in India’s economy, it must be admitted, has left vast sections in the country untouched. What does this multitude expect from the government? Briefly speaking, the basic needs of food, shelter and clothes, equal opportunities and social harmony. If the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has generated some interest, this is because it has tried to give those very assurances to the people of the country, especially the section that was not feeling very good lately.

The CMP can be viewed as a template for policy-making and governance, and possibly provide answers to most of the queries. But the importance of the 5700-word CMP lies in its delineation of a course for establishing a welfare state in India, a goal without which no nation, even if rich and powerful, can call itself developed. The six basic principles of governance that the government has promised to pursue have been outlined with a view to improving the lot of the lesser privileged sections in the rural and urban areas who constitute the large force of the unorganised sector in the country.

The CMP has drawn much attention because of its pledge of higher investment in education, healthcare, irrigation, social security and farm productivity. There is a proposal to impose a 2 per cent cess on all Central Government taxes to boost the spending on education. The amount that may be needed for better education—education for all—will run into thousands of crores of rupees. But the goal of apportioning 6 per cent of the GDP to education—half of it for primary and secondary school education—deserves praise.

With unemployment remaining a serious problem in the country, it is significant that the government will immediately enact a National Employment Guarantee Act which will provide a legal guarantee—the right to work— for at least 100 days of employment to begin with every year for at least one able-bodied person in every rural, urban poor and lower middle-class household. In the interim a massive food-for-work programme will be started. These programmes can transform the very face of India. But the task is enormous. For nearly 100 million unemployed rural workers alone an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore will be needed.

The CMP has spoken of pursuing an independent foreign policy, in keeping with the past tradition of the country, and promoting multipolarity in world relations, opposing all attempts at unilateralism. In recent past, there was a feeling in the country that India’s foreign policy was disrespecting the traditional independent line that had stood the country well. But there will be no let up in defence. A credible nuclear weapons programme will be maintained while evolving a demonstrable and verifiable confidence-building measures with our nuclear neighbours.

Tensions in the domestic scene, which had crept in lately, are to be removed by a series of measures outlined in the CMP. The POTA will go but not the determination to fight terrorism. The 15 parties that constitute the UPA have unequivocally vowed to preserve, protect and promote social harmony and firmly deal with all obscurantist and fundamentalist elements who seek to disturb social harmony. The government will enact a comprehensive law to deal with communal violence and encourage the States to adopt that law. It will not come a day too soon as the country has to fast erase all impressions of weakening its commitment to pluralism and secularism.

While talking about a growth of at least 7 to 8 per cent a year, stress has been laid on the fact that it would be achieved in a manner that each family is assured of a safe and viable livelihood. Women, a majority of whom have known nothing but oppression in homes and work places, can look forward to full empowerment. But a significant move will be to activate Panchayats as effective instruments for implementing poverty alleviation and rural development schemes. The Panchayats may also be credited with funds directly if the States agree. The government will ensure that the Gram Sabha is empowered to emerge as the foundation of the Panchayat Raj.

India cannot shine without the rural India shining first by eliminating, or at least minimising, rural unemployment and hunger. The CMP has assured that the government would present in the next three months a comprehensive medium-term strategy for food and nutrition security and, if found feasible, move towards universal food security. The public distribution system will be lifted out of its morass with special schemes to reach foodgrain to the destitute and infirm and set up Grain Banks in chronically food-scarce areas. With agricultural production threatening to stagnate, the need for enlarging irrigation facilities can hardly be overemphasized. India has an irrigation potential of over 140 million hectares, but only 65 million hectares have irrigation facilities. Public investment in agriculture has been down to about 10 per cent of the GDP in recent years. A revitalized Panchayati Raj system can rejuvenate rural India and considerably help uplift the agriculture sector. Reforms taken up with the help of the Panchayats have a greater chance of success as direct stakeholders will take genuine care to spend money wisely.

The speculation that the new government may not be very friendly towards the business community is sought to be dispelled with a commitment to unleash the creative energies of not only entrepreneurs and businessmen but also scientists, engineers and all other professionals and productive forces of society.

Since the UPA government began its innings with forebodings by certain sections that it would not be enthusiastic about economic reforms, the CMP has reiterated its ‘abiding commitment’ to these reforms but with a human face, a phrase often emphasized by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, who can rightfully take credit for initiating India’s economic reforms way back in the early 1990s. What it implies is that reforms would be such that stimulate growth, investment and employment. The UPA’s economic reforms will be oriented primarily to spreading and deepening rural prosperity, to significantly improving the quality of public systems and delivery of public services, to bringing about a visible and tangible difference in the quality of life of ordinary citizens of our country, says the CMP.

The labour policy of the new government rejects the concept of quick hire and fire even as the need for some changes in labour laws is acknowledged. But it has been clearly stated that labour laws that create ‘Inspector Raj’ need to be re-examined. Similarly, the government will continue with the policy of privatisation of public sector units, but not extend it to companies that are making profits. A nation cannot finance its budget by selling its family silver, so to say. The CMP, however, has clarified that public sector units would not be supported if they lead to the emergence of a monopoly that restricts competition. There has to be a direct link between privatisation and social needs.

The ardent champions of privatisation and liberalisation need not despair with the installation of a government that will lean heavily on the Left for survival. In a paper Dani Rodrik of Harvard University has argued that ‘wholesale liberalisation will not light a country’s entrepreneurial fire; it may indeed snuff them out. Policy tinkering, which clears the way for entrepreneurs to do better without entirely changing the ground beneath them, might be more successful,’ he says. If it is true that India is fast emerging as an economic power then the credit to a large degree has to go to the Prime Minister who, as Finance Minister in a previous government, had demonstrated his abilities by pulling India out of its worst debt crisis and pushed through strong economic reforms. The sceptics need not rush to scoff at promises held out in the CMP which will be implemented under the Prime Ministership of Dr. Manmohan Singh.

*Senior Freelance Writer

 

The Nokia 7610 camera phone starts shipping

Nokia leads the mobile imaging evolution with the most comprehensive megapixel phone for GSM markets

Nokia today announced that the Nokia 7610, its most advanced imaging device, has started shipping in the Middle East. Nokia is the first company to introduce camera phones that have the essential ingredients for a complete imaging experience, including the ability to capture, as well as print, edit, store and send images and videos. These elements, combined with the slim and stylish design and a wide range of smartphone features, make the Nokia 7610 the most comprehensive camera phone available today.

With full e-mail, Internet browser and thousands of downloadable utility and software packages available, from map and navigation to golf training, the Nokia 7610 offers pocket computer functionality in a stylish package. Consumers can use the integrated megapixel camera in the Nokia 7610 to capture photo-quality images with the click of a button. Photos can be easily printed in just a few seconds via a Bluetooth connection to a compatible printer or by using a printer kiosk available in Nokia branded retail locations or other photo shops.

Using the phone's Kodak Pictures application, pictures can be uploaded to a virtual photo album on the web and shared online with others or ordered as prints via an online service. Users can also enjoy the possibility of sharing images with friends, family and colleagues alike via Multimedia Messaging (MMS) or e-mail.

"The slim and stylish Nokia 7610 brings the most complete imaging experience to consumers, whether you want to capture high-quality images, share them with friends, print them for family members or store them to relive the experience at a later date," says Juha Putkiranta, Senior Vice President, Imaging Business Unit, Nokia. "Full e-mail, Internet browser, video and music player, and thousands of downloadable software packages make the Nokia 7610 also a powerful pocket computer. From now on, you only need to take one device with you when you leave the house - the Nokia 7610!"

Creative individuals will also appreciate the possibility to record short films or even music videos of up to 10 minutes by shooting and editing the footage captured with their imaging device. The Movie Director application lets users turn video clips into personal movies by adding special effects such as music, text, new colors or moving objects. The application automatically combines multiple video clips into a single video vignette or optimizes the edited videos for MMS sending.

"The Nokia 7610 emphasizes Nokia's strengths in design and innovation. It is a welcome addition to our market leading portfolio," said Zsolt Ménesi, Marketing Manager, Nokia Middle East Middle East and North Africa.

The Nokia Lifeblog application, which adds an automatic digital diary to your life, allows users of the Nokia 7610 to record and organize digital content - such as images, videos or messages - creating a personal logbook or multimedia memo directly on the phone. When transferred to Nokia Lifeblog on the PC, people can browse and search their multimedia diary with an easy-to-use timeline or share diary items with friends or family via e-mail. Additionally, the Adobe® Photoshop® Album software included in the sales package allows Nokia 7610 phone users to organize and edit digital pictures on their PCs.

It is expected to retail, without subsidies or taxes, for approximately €500.

Other phone features
" Dimensions: 108.6mm x 53mm x 18.7mm
" Video streaming in both Realvideo and 3GPP video streaming formats
" Series 60 Platform smartphone features: mobile e-mail, calendar and contacts with PC synchronization, full HTML browser and Java 2.0., additional 3rd party applications
" Music player (MP3/AAC)
" 8MB user memory and reduced size 64MB MMC Card
" Up to three hours talk time and 250 hours of standby time
" Customizable dual-tone Xpress-onTM covers
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia is dedicated to enhancing people's lives and productivity by providing easy-to-use and secure products like mobile phones, and solutions for imaging, games, media, mobile network operators and businesses. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on five major exchanges.

CREATE A TOTAL LIFESTYLE SOLUTION IN RESORT TO APPEAL TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS, SAYS SCULLY

Le Meridien Mina Seyahi's general manager says an 'entire vacation solution' is provided by the 'Mina effect'

(Dubai, June 2004) : Seasoned international travellers require more than just a bed when on holiday - they are looking for a total vacation solution, according to Michael Scully, general manager of Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. The hip lifestyle resort, with 1,200 metres of private beach and marina, has long been the pioneer of this approach, which reaches through its sport, recreation and entertainment facilities, and into the resort's "personality", which has been dubbed 'the Mina effect".

According to Scully, the hotel's location unified with the renowned Dubai International Marine Club launched the evolution of the resort just five years ago. "Thanks to the hosting of the Formula One Powerboating races, we developed an immediate affinity with watersports events.

"Since then, we have added to our sporting facilities with an international training pitch, which was used by the UK Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur on a recent mid-season break."Turning to entertainment, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi launched the Mina Moon beach party, where international DJs played from sunset to sunrise. "We saw a gap in the market for parties that appeal to the European jetset, which is also right for Dubai's increasing expatriate community. "We have also hosted the Lifestyles event, centred around the Class 1 Powerboating and encompassing live music, fashion, sport."

Turning to food and beverage offering: Le Meridien Mina Seyahi has opted to extend its phenomenally successful outlets - which performed 25 per cent above previous highs in 2003."When we extended the beach and landscape, we made the unusual - but conscious - decision to create a smaller Barasti Bar, after listening to our customer feedback."F&B outlets on the beach tend to be full of in-house guests, rather than Dubai residents, but we feel that Barasti has really struck a chord with the locals. Having created a similar ambience at the opposite end of the beach, which is already doing well, we know we made the right decision."

According to Scully, creating the 'Mina effect' is a crucial part of guest satisfaction. "With such a vibrant 5 star hotel scene in Dubai, the market is highly competitive. We have to look at new ways to appeal to our guests, whether the local, regional or international market.

"Today's business traveller is looking for a hotel experience that fits into his schedule and lifestyle as seamlessly as possible."The upscale resort has undergone a series of market-leading ventures, including significant landscape extensions in 2003. Mina Seyahi is already renowned for its exciting sporting calendar and for the choice of leisure facilities available. Key to these are the extensive watersport options, including a 145 berth luxury marina, deep sea fishing, PADI diving, windsurfing, water skiing, canoes and five swimming pools.

ICDL focuses on schools after overwhelming endorsement of its computer
literacy program by universities

The internationally recognised certification is being increasingly endorsed
by GCC education ministries

June 8, 2004
International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), the world's largest and fastest growing certification of Basic IT skills, is expanding its program further by accrediting public and private schools to deliver ICDL training
and testing to teachers and students, after achieving successful results and endorsements by all the major universities in the UAE and across the Gulf.

The leap of ICDL into private schools is reflected by the recent accreditation granted by ICDL UAE to Global Education Management Systems (GEMS), a global education management organisation with an extensive network of schools in the GCC region and the UK, authorising it to train and test its teachers on ICDL in GEMS schools in the UAE and Qatar.

Most of the education ministries in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) have endorsed the ICDL programme at the school level. The UAE Ministry of Education has prescribed the ICDL programme for all their teachers.
The Abu Dhabi Education Zone has already adopted the ICDL programme in
two of its schools and plans to have all fifty four of its schools accredited
for ICDL training. Kuwait and Oman have made it mandatory on all its teachers
to become ICDL certified and incorporated the ICDL syllabus in their curriculum.

"Educational authorities in the region are increasingly realising the benefits
of delivering proper IT education from an early age, starting at the school
level," said Rich MacLaren, Program Director, ICDL, UAE. "Over the past
few months, we have seen a dramatic increase in interest among school managements
to get ICDL certification for their teachers and students. The teaching
community is looking at ICDL not only as the means for acquiring higher
teaching skills but also as a tool to improve the quality of teaching and
learning through the use of computers. Teachers who successfully complete
the program will receive a certification that is recognized internationally
which will contribute in their future advancement & promotion."

"Making inroads into schools represents an important development for the
ICDL programme, having already achieved remarkable success at the university
level across the GCC and particularly in UAE," added MacLaren. "The ICDL
programme is geared to encourage and assist teachers to make use of computers
in today's classroom, regardless of their teaching subject matter. For
example, computer knowledge is equally beneficial to teachers of religion,
history, science or social studies. Our recent accreditation of GEMS schools
reflects the competence of ICDL programmes in delivering solutions at the
school level. The results delivered by the ICDL programme are driving some
educational institutions to integrate the ICDL programme with their curriculum.
The syllabus covers all aspects of computer training and its practical
applications, for use in the workplace. It consists of seven modules that
must be successfully completed before the ICDL certificate is awarded.
Some renowned universities in the Middle-East also offer credits for the
ICDL certification."

"One of the key objectives of seeking in-school ICDL training and testing
is the enhancement of our IT curriculum with an internationally recognised
IT certification," explained John Collins, Director of Training and Quality
Assurance, GEMS. "All our schools, whether they follow the British, American
or Indian curriculum, offer extensive IT education starting with students
as young as 3 years of age, all the way up to secondary school. It is,
therefore, logical that this intensive IT learning curve be capped by ICDL
through its market-acclaimed certification."

"GEMS is driven by a strategy that is focused on boosting the learning
process using best-of-breed technologies. Our pool of highly-qualified
teachers is supported by regular training programmes and refresher courses
to update their skills with the latest developments in the field of education,"
added Collins. "In order to optimise the benefits from the new tie-up,
we plan to place two ICDL trainers in each school, to provide our staff
with the requisite support for IT adoption as a learning aid. The programme
will be implemented initially in 15 schools."

ICDL is also gaining acceptance into the corporate sector, with several
organizations, public and private, embracing it as the standard for imparting
crucial IT skills to employees. Many organisations have made it mandatory
for all their employees, existing as well as new recruits, to have ICDL
certification, a strong endorsement of the efficacy of the programme.