Republic Day Special

The tableau of Kerala on the theme 'Pooram'  the temple festival connected with the elephants passing through Rajpath during the Full Dress Rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade  in New Delhi on January 23, 2001.

 

Marching Camel Contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) which guards the Indian Frontiers in Rajasthan & Rann of Kachchh, the elite Para-Military Force passing through Rajpath during the Full Dress Rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 23, 2001.

 

Hyperlink Successfully Implements World-Leading Oracle  Initiative Project for Dubai Technology, E-commerce and Media Free Zone Authority 

   24 January 2000

 

MALAYALIS WHO WON THE POLICE MEDAL FROM THE INDIAN PRESIDENT DURING THE 52nd REPUBLIC DAY

  •  T K  VENUGOPALAN, DY SP, MALAPPURAM, KERALA
  •  C L OUSEPH,  AC, KAP 5 BN, R.V. PURAM, KERALA
  • W K JOSEPH, DY S P, VACB,TRIVANDRUM, KERALA
  •  R MOHAN KUMAR, DY S P, VACB SPL CELL, ERNAKULAM KERALA
  • M SUGATHAN, DY S P, VACB SIU, TRIVANDRUM, KERALA
  • SMT. T J SARAMMA, S.I. 
  •  SECURITY WING, CIAL, NEDUMBASSERY, ERNAKULAM,  KERALA
  •  K M KUMARAN, HEAD CONSTABLE,SB CID THRISSUR KERALA
  • V G SASIDHARAN, DY SP, PALA, KERALA
 

Hyperlink, a leading consultant firm specialised in providing total integrated IT solutions in the Middle East, has successfully implemented the leading state-of-the-art Oracle Financial Suite for Dubai Technology, E-commerce and Media Free Zone Authority. The project, conducted by Hyperlink, a sister company to Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Computers, represents one of the fastest implementations of Oracle in the world and the first in the Middle East involving controlled release software.

The milestone implementation of Oracle's Enterprise Resource Planning Application (ERP) suite, a core financial system which will automate back office operations for the Authority, was completed within just six weeks and represents one of the most aggressive implementations of a project of this kind. As a result of Hyperlink's record-breaking completion of the challenging initiative, Hyperlink has earned certification as an Oracle 11I Training Partner, making the company the first and only Oracle 11I implementation partner in the Middle East to attain this certification. As part of the initiative Hyperlink was required to provide a multi-organisational setup, which also involved elements of training and customisation, and a specialised team of consultants who implemented core financials and property management systems in order to install the leading-edge technology specially designed to run the infrastructure of the whole operation. During the project, Hyperlink's expertise and knowledge was called on to deal with two different platforms NT and Tru64 UNIX and set up of the prototype/training system, in addition to combining end-user and project team training and operations analysis.

Hani Harik, President, Hyperlink said: "The agreement to adopt this specialised technology and the stringent time period allotted for the project's implementation is a benchmark for technical competence and a prime example of a 'zero-time' organisation. By awarding this important initiative to a young and dynamic Emirates-based company, the Media Free Zone Authority has not only adopted a system which will effectively facilitate its business, the Authority has also shown its support for the growth of the local IT industry and proves that these companies can viably compete with the best in international IT practices." 

Hyperlink, set up two years ago, was established as a joint UAE / Lebanese business venture in order to provide fully integrated and enterprise wide solutions for major companies in the Middle East. The organisation has also announced the planned relocation of its Middle East operations to Dubai Internet City with its partner Oracle.Since its inauguration, Hyperlink has succeeded in establishing over 50 sites in the Middle East and remains one of the few companies in the Arab World to export talent. Hyperlink specialises in business analysis and consultancy, enterprise application implementation, e-commerce strategies and solutions, technical support, training and technology transfer.

 

U.S. Company Schemes to Dump Used Mercury in India

An American company plans to export 118 tons of used mercury, a highly poisonous metal, to India. Despite attempts by citizens' groups in the U.S. to prevent the export, the company intends to go ahead with the shipment to an undisclosed location in India. The U.S. government has refused to intervene. The federal government and U.S. companies have routinely used India and other developing countries as dumping grounds for their unwanted products, hazardous wastes and dirty and obsolete technologies. This is the latest manifestation of ongoing toxic imperialism.


In September 2000, HoltraChem, a chlorine and alkali factory in Maine closed down. More than 118 tons of mercury, a highly toxic metal, was recovered from the factory's equipment. Due to a growing concern about the deadly environmental and health effects associated with mercury, industrialized countries including the U.S. have been phasing out the use of mercury in many applications. However, this stockpile of used mercury is to be exported to India. Citizens' groups in Maine protested on December 17 outside HoltraChem's factory demanding that the used mercury and its associated environmental liabilities should not be exported to India or any other country. The activists demanded that the mercury should be safely stored within U.S. borders. However, both the company and the federal government were approached by the Governor of Maine to take responsibility for the mercury. But both refused. As a result, this deadly shipment may be sent to India. The mercury stockpile has been purchased by Illinois-based D.F. Goldsmith & Metal Corp., and is temporarily being stored in Albany, New York at Mercury Waste Solutions Inc. The shipment is likely to be imported into India via the port of Mumbai. No details about the proposed date of shipment or arrival are available yet.

Mercury's Toxic Effects :Mercury is a known nerve poison that is persistent and accumulates in the environment and human body. Mercury affects the human brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. The liquid metal, which most of us know as the silver liquid inside thermometers, is particularly dangerous to women of childbearing years, pregnant women and young children. A recent study by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences warned that at least 60,000 babies per year in the U.S. could be at risk for lower IQ and learning disabilities because their mothers have eaten mercury-contaminated fish and seafood. The metal is considered a global pollutant because it travels around the world, carried by wind and rain. Mercury does not break down; it accumulates in the fat of animals, concentrating as it moves up the food chain.

LIKELYHOOD OF CHEAPER IMPORT OF MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS NOT CORRECT

    Reports in the press that imported milk and milk products on cheaper rates, adversely affecting domestic milk products, will flood the country after removal of all the bans imposed on the import of the milk in the country from April 2001 is not correct. The press report, that milk will be sold at Rs.7-8 per litre by the multinational companies is totally baseless, the government said in a statement. The ruling party has been an ardent advocate of Swadeshi economics, which implies self reliance on locally availbale resources. The controversy over cheap import of milk products, a common man business in India, is a severe jolt to the Swadeshi image of ruling party.

" The imposition of quantitative and tariff quota duties will well safeguard the interest of the Indian producers even if multinational companies import their subsidised milk and milk product in the country. It is estimated that the cost of the tetra pack itself will be approximately Rs. 10 therefore imported milk can not be sold at Rs.6-8 per litre in the market," the statement said.

    Similar mis-reporting in a few section of the press had earlier been noticed specially in the State of Punjab and Haryana, wherein it was reported that butter oil and skimmed milk powder is being imported in the country in large scale, which would displace the dairy industry in the country. However, the facts were on the contrary. The international prices of Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP) and butter oil is much higher than the domestic prices in the country and imports during 1999-2000, of these products were in fact less than the previous year.

    The Government of India has already taken adequate measures to protect the interest of the milk producers of the country. Tariff on both SMP and Whole Milk Powder (WMP) was bound at the zero level since inception of GATT. SMP was removed from the Restricted List of imports and placed on Open General License in 1995. WMP continues to be on the Restricted List. Despite free importability and zero import duty on SMP, imports of this item were not significant, until the latter half of 1999-2000, when a sudden surge in imports was noticed. This was attributed to the fall in international prices of the product and heavy subsidies on production and exports of dairy products by some developed countries like USA and EU. Under Article XXVIII of GATT, negotiations were held with concerned trading partners, viz. US, EC and Australia, which concluded in December, 1999. It was agreed to enhance the bound rate of duty on both items to 60 per cent with Tariff Rate Quota of 10,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) on both lines together, on a global basis at 15 per cent duty. Accordingly the effective rate of duty was raised to 60 per cent with a tariff rate quota of 10,000 MTs for both lines on a global basis at 15 per cent duty, by issue of a notification on 12 June 2000. Surcharge has been exempted but SAD of 4 per cent will be levied, bringing the total duty on imports to 66.4 per cent on the out-of-quota quantity and 19.6 per cent on the in-quota quantity. The Tariff Rate Quota will be administered by APEDA under Ministry of Commerce.

 

BELGIAN GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

The Belgian Government has announced three scholarships for Indian Nationals residing in India. These scholarships are being offered for post-graduate studies in Agronomy, Environmental Science and in Technical Metallurgy. They will be for ten months from October 1st, 2001 to 1st August, 2002.

Applicants should have obtained a first class post-graduate degree with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in the relevant subject. Candidates with Ph.D. degrees will not be considered as they cannot have a student status at Flemish universities. These scholarships are only valid for studies at 29 institutions of higher education recognised by the Ministry of the Flemish Community. The applicants should not be more than 30 years old and should have a sound knowledge of English or any other European language.

The accepted scholars will receive (i) A monthly grant of 27.200 BEF during one academic year (10 months); (ii) Tuition fee upto a maximum of 18.800 BEF and an extensive medical and third party liability insurance. Travelling expenses from India to Belgium and back have to be borne either by the candidate or his/her employers or sponsors.

 

THIRD ROAD SHOW FOR NELP-II BLOCKS HELD IN USA

MAJOR GLOBAL OIL COMPANIES URGED TO INVEST IN THE INDIAN HYDROCARBON SECTOR

   Shri Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, who is heading a high level Government delegation to promote the exploration blocks offered under the second round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-II), invited the oil and gas companies in the United States to avail of the highly attractive investment opportunities under NELP-II. Speaking at the Third Road Show being held in Houston (USA) the Minister said, "Not only are the fiscal and contract terms amongst the best in the world but acreage were available under NELP for the first time in West Coast deep water areas of India and the states of Assam and Gujarat." Shri Ram Naik is accompanied by Minister of State Shri Santosh Gangwar, Secretary of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri P. Shankar and other officials and technical members of the delegation. The Road Show was attended by the representatives of leading international oil and gas companies, financial institutions, consultants, etc.

    Underlining the bright prospects of finding oil in India, Shri Ram Naik informed that Cairn Energy, plc, U.K. have recently discovered oil and gas in the CB-OS/2 block in Cambay Offshore of the West Coast of India, awarded to them in the earlier rounds. Named "Gauri", the discovery well flowed gas at 1.1 million standard cubic metres a day (MMSCMD) and oil at 1,039 barrels per day. Cairn Energy has had a series of successes in exploration in India in the past few months in their blocks in India. Cairn Energy have earlier made two other discoveries in the same exploration blocks. The first of these discoveries, announced in May 2000, named "Lakshmi", flowed gas from one well at the rate of 0.8 MMSCMD. The second discovery "Ambe" also flowed gas at the rate of 1.1 MMSCMD from one horizon which was announced in first week of January, 2001. Earlier Shell-Cairn consortium had made an oil discovery in the Rajasthan block RJ-on-90/1. To add to this, ONGC made a gas discovery in the Krishna-Godavari Basin in deep water at a depth of 844 metres. Being the first deep-water discovery in India, it has opened a new exciting frontier for the oil companies in India and abroad to look for investment opportunities in India.

    As part of the efforts to achieve the objectives envisaged in India Hydrocarbon Vision 2025 for complete phased appraisal of India's sedimentary basins, Government has offered 25 blocks under NELP-II. These include 8 deep water blocks on West Coast and 8 shallow water blocks both on East (5 blocks) and West Coasts (3 blocks) and 9 on land blocks with 2 blocks each falling in the States of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and 1 block each in Assam, Orissa and Rajasthan. These blocks are located in proven and promising sedimentary basins. The last date for submission of bids would be 31st March 2001.

    The Minister stressed, for the second round, Government is aiming to cut down the delays even further and to conclude the contracts most expeditiously. NELP is an important plank of India’s strategy for achieving oil security for the country.     Government of India had signed 27 PSCs for exploration blocks in the last one year alone including 24 PSCs under the first offer of NELP. This compares very well against 23 PSCs signed in the last 10 years. The process of award and negotiations of PSCs for the First Round of NELP was completed in record time of seven and a half months. Notice Inviting Offers (NIO) for the Second Round was issued on 18.12.2000.

    The main highlights of NELP-II as compared to the NELP-I are:

    Availability of adequate geo-scientific data and upgradation of data through reprocessing and reinterpretation, prospectivity of basin and presence of likely exploration ‘plays’ have been kept in view while identifying blocks. Concurrence of State Governments has been taken before offering on-land blocks in the respective States.

    In addition to the data-viewing centre for NELP at New Delhi, two more centres have been opened at the Indian High Commission in London and Indian Consulate in Houston for inspection of data on Exploration Blocks and for providing clarifications to the investing companies.

    To meet the increasing need for hydrocarbon which are imported up to 70 per cent of our requirements, Shri Ram Naik said a new impetus is being given to increase the domestic production. Major policy changes and deregulation of hydrocarbon sector is being carried out in a phased manner. Private investment is being encouraged in the oil and gas exploration and production in India. One of the fastest growing economies, India’s energy requirement is increasing in pace with the growth of the economy. At present hydrocarbon sector meets about 43% of the primary energy requirement of the country which is expected to increase further. Petroleum import bill of India, which was US$ 12.3 billion in 1999-2000, is expected to reach US$ 17.5 billion in 2000-2001.

    To keep up the momentum gathered during the three Road Shows held so far, the delegation would further visit Tokyo and Singapore in the East in the first week of February, 2001. The first Road Show took place at New Delhi on January 10, 2001 and the response was overwhelming. The second Road show in the series to promote NELP-II was held in London on 18-19 January 2001.

 

INDIA CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE ENDEAVOUR TO TAKE SAARC FORWARD

India has called for pooling the vast resources, high quality manpower and huge raw materials of the South Asian Region to make SAARC not only economically self sustaining but also globally competitive. In fact, the region could become one of the strongest segments in the world in terms of science and technology. The countries of the region should chalk out a common strategy soon to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of the people of the area. This was emphasised by the Minister of State for science and technology Bachi Singh Rawat while inaugurating the 17th meeting of the SAARC technical committee on science and technology here today. He said it would be time consuming and expensive for each country to achieve the goals of development independently. But for SAARC collective effort would be ideal and India is prepared to share her expertise with all the member countries for the advancement of the region.

Elaborating on the need to further cement the ties among member countries, Rawat suggested the creation of a separate fund for implementing the projects identified under the SAARC technology initiative, as proposed at the SAARC summit in Colombo in 1998. Recalling the last summit’s decision to expand cooperation in Biotechnology within the SAARC Rawat said that one full day would be devoted to this subject to identify projects and draw up action plans for quickening the cooperation. Making out a case for accelerated development of the SAARC region, Rawat said, this is a vital priority for overcoming poverty and ensuring a better quality life for its people. Development through the application of science and technology must receive special attention in the national planning of these countries to facilitate industrial progress and economic development. Despite shortcomings, the South Asian countries possess certain common positive elements which can be gainfully used through judicious application of scientific and technological knowledge. He expressed the confidence that this meeting will come out with several important projects relevant to the SAARC region as a whole, for implementation during the next year.

The Secretary, Department of Science and Technology Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy said that a number of projects have already been selected for collaboration. These include commercialisation of indigenous technologies, telemedicine, protection of intellectual property and traditional knowledge and enhancement of investment on Research and Development. The Secretary, Department of Biotechnology Dr. Manju Sharma told the meeting that several specific areas have been identified for collaboration. These include plant tissue culture, medicinal and aromatic plants, plant biotechnology and vaccines and diagnostics. An institutional framework for pursuing cooperation in these areas would also be evolved, she said.

COMMISSIONING OF FIRST LIQUID CHEMICAL PORT AT DAHEJ

The Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs and Shipping, Arun Jaitley will inaugurate the country’s first liquid chemical port at Dahej, in Bharuch district of Gujarat on January 25, 2001 at a function there to be presided over by the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The Minister of State for Shipping, Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav will be present, among other dignitaries, on the occasion. The liquid chemical port was built at a cost of Rs. 850 crore under the aegis of Gujarat Chemical Port Terminal Company Limited, a joint venture between Gujarat State Government and Indo-Petro Chemicals Ltd. (IPCL). This port will enable thepromoter companies to access the raw material requirements at international cost and also enable the chemical industries located in the region to access their feedstock and intermediates at internationally competitive rates. This is also intended todecongest Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Kandla Port considerably.

IBSD TO HAVE MOST MODERN RESEARCH FACILITIES

   The Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) being set up at Imphal, Manipur will have the state-of-the-art biotechnology research facilities, to study and document the unique bio-diversity of the region. It will try and evolve biotechnological interventions for the sustainable development and utilisation of bio-resources in the area. It will also generate technological packages for employment opportunities and economic progress of the north-eastern region.    The institute will collaborate with various organisations and universities for furthering research pursuits in bio-resources as well as undertake capacity building. The main aim behind setting up this institute in the area is to spur sustainable development through biological interventions thereby contributing to the socio-economic growth of the region.

    The north-eastern region is a genetic treasure house of plants animals and microbial resources. It forms a distinct part of the Indo-Burma hot-spot which ranks the 6th among 25 biodiversity hot-spots in the world. The Indo-Burma hot-spot houses 13,500 plant species of which 7,000 are endemic and 2185 vertebrates of which 528 are endemic.    The institute which will be an autonomous body of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of science and technology will be registered under the Societies Registration Act. The institute would come up at an estimated expenditure of around Rs. 15 crore over a five-year period.

DOD’S BID TO POPULARISE SCIENCE THROUGH HINDI

    The Department of Ocean Development is one government wing which has been doing pioneering work in popularising Hindi, the official language and that too a subject like science. It was a tough preposition for the department to hold a National seminar in Hindi on "Samudra Vigyan Ke do Dashak", last Monday (22.01.2001). Fifteen articles were presented by prominent scientists from various organizations in Hindi during the day-long seminar. The topics covered included Integrated coastal and Marine area Management, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, Polymetallic Nodles, Antarctica expedition, Polar research and other topics related to ocean development in the last two decades.

    The Secretary Department of Official Language K.B. Saxena who presided , lauded the efforts being made by the DOD in popularising science through Hindi. He said all departments must try to provide information to the common man in his own language.    Prizes were given to best three articles presented by S. Rajan, Dr. M.P. Wakdlkar and . Subramanian.

GREEK GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

    The Greek Government is offering scholarships to Indian nationals residing in India. One scholarship each is being offered for Post-graduate studies or research in mathematics and Political Philosophy/ political thought. These scholarships are for 10 months from September 1st to July 1st, 2002.    The applicants for the scholarships for Post-graduate studies should have obtained at least a Bachelor degree with 60% or more marks in aggregate in case of mathematics and 55% or more marks in aggregate in case of Political Philosophy/ Political Thought as on March 1st, 2001. The applicants for the scholarships for research should have obtained at least a Master’s degree with 60% or more marks in aggregate in case of mathematics and 55% or more marks in aggregate in case of Political Philosophy/ Political Thought as on March 1st, 2001. The candidates applying for post-graduate studies in Greece should be fluent in Greek and to have to be admitted to a postgraduate course. The candidates applying for research must be fluent in Greek or English or French. They should be below 40 years as on September 1st, 2001.

    A monthly subsidy of One hundred and fifty thousand (150.000) drachmas will be given to post graduate or research scholars. A lump sum for establishment expenses of twenty thousand (20.000) drachmas for scholars who will reside in Athens and thirty thousand (30.000) drachmas for those who will reside in the province will be given. Scholars whose scholarships are renewed are not entitled to this sum. A lump sum of thirty thousand (30.000) drachmas will be given for transport expenses within the country to scholars who have to travel from their place of residence to perform the research programme approved by the Department provided there is a justified proposal of the supervising professor.

    If the post graduate or research scholars wish to attend Greek Language Courses, they will not be exempt from tuition fees which has to be paid to the Modern Greek Language College. Gratis medical care will be provided in the event of emergency, only in public hospitals.


ELECTRONIC LINK UP BETWEEN HIGHER JUDICIARY AND GOVERNMENT

The Central Government has planned computerized linkages between the Supreme Court and all the High Courts with the Department of Justice in the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs to facilitate electronic data transmission and online access to each other. This is intended to provide integrated coordinated approach to expediting disposal of cases. Besides, it is proposed to set up computerized enquiry and facilitation centres in all the High Courts on pattern of the Supreme Court. Funds for setting up such centres have been earmarked from the Centrally Sponsored Scheme at High Courts of Kerala, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Guwahati. Such centres have so far been set up at High Courts of Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and Calcutta. High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim do not require such facilitation centres.

The Centre has advised the State Governments to release required funds for setting up of computerized facilitation and enquiry centres in the respective High Courts. The proposed computerized facilitation centres will provide information relating to generation of cause lists, more transparency in posting of cases, case related information to litigants and advocates at one place, caveat and generation of processes and notices.