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

India, New Zealand to foster greater cooperation in Education & Food Processing Sector

Agreed minutes of India-New Zealand JTC signed

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 India and New Zealand have agreed to foster greater cooperation in the education sector through an Educational Exchange Programme (EEP). Both countries have welcomed in-principle the concept of EEP and decided that discussions would be encouraged between counterpart agencies on this subject. In the food processing sector, India has stated that it would examine whether apple imports could be facilitated during off-season, especially in south Indian markets, in response to request from New Zealand side for the reduction in tariff on apples,. This is indicated in the Agreed Minutes of the 8th India-New Zealand Joint Trade Committee, which was signed here yesterday evening by Shri Vinay Bansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, who led the Indian delegation and Dr.Richard Grant, Deputy Secretary, Foreign Affairs & Trade, and leader of the New Zealand delegation.

Both sides noted that the present level of bilateral trade (US $ 144 million in 2002-03) does not reflect the true potential and agreed to make joint efforts to raise it to new levels. On the issue of market access, Indian side requested New Zealand for reduction in tariffs on textiles, clothing and footwear in which there had been negative growth in exports to New Zealand. The New Zealand side informed that its tariff policy review outcome would provide positive results for these items. The New Zealand side reiterated its request for reduction in tariff on apples, sawn timber, fibreboard, food processing equipment, dairy machinery and commercial refrigerators and freezers. The two sides agreed to give due consideration to each other's requests on tariff.

The two sides exchanged views on regional trade and economic developments, including India's growing economic engagement with ASEAN and New Zealand's involvement in the AFTA/CER Closer Economic Partnership. Both sides also discussed WTO issues. Both sides noted that though progress had been made in bilateral trade, the present level still did not reflect the true trade potential between the two countries. Regarding supply of New Zealand food products to Indian market it was agreed that the representatives of New Zealand Safety Authority would meet their counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture to clarify the certification procedures.

The two countries recognised the need of greater two-way investment flow since both the countries had an open and transparent foreign investment regime. The cumulative investment from New Zealand has reached US $ 99.9 million from 1991 till June 2003. The Indian side invited participation of New Zealand in the prestigious multi-product international trade fair scheduled at New Delhi in November 2003 as also in the INDIASOFT 2004 in February 2004. It was agreed that the next meeting of the JTC would be held in New Zealand on a mutually convenient date.

The principal products of Indian export include cotton yarn, fabrics, made-up etc., gems & jewellery, drugs, pharmaceuticals & fine chemicals, inorganic, organic and agro chemicals etc. The major products of Indian import include wool raw, coal, coke and birquities, raw rides and skins, leather, wood and wood products, newsprint etc.

Tunisian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs calls on Shri S.S. Dhindsa, Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers

Tunisian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Saida Chtioui called on the Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa in New Delhi today. The meeting lasted for twenty minutes. The Tunisian Minister discussed the possibility of investing in downstream phosphatic fertilizer sector in India to secure Indian market for its rock phosphate and phosphoric acid. Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa assured the visiting Minister full cooperation from Indian side.

Tunisia is a moderate Arab country with fast changing economy. The bilateral trade was US$ 160 million with Tunisian exports of rock phosphate playing a prominent part. Possibility of Indian export of textiles, garments and transport equipment to Tunisia are bright. KERALAMONITOR.COM

Global cooperation must to ensure security in Aviation Sector - Rajiv Pratap Rudy

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 The Civil Aviation Minister Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy has called for global partnership to make air travel fully secured. He was addressing the EU-India Civil Aviation Safety and Security Conference here today. Shri Rudy said that aviation security which underwent a sea change following the attack on World Trade Centre in New York and the Indian Parliament, has put enormous pressure on the agencies involved in aviation security. This has also pushed up the cost which adds to the passenger fare. The Minister said, aviation security can no longer be looked at in isolation but as a part of the national security and global security as nations can become targets due to extraneous factors. Part of the problem could be tackled through technology which demands large resources. Therefore, pooling of resources should be actively considered for meeting the security needs.

Shri Rudy said, the twin issues of safety and security are of paramount concern. He said, while the safety standards could be improved through a series of controlled measures like improvement of infrastructure, air traffic control and training of pilots, it is the unpredictable nature of the security threat that makes the task difficult. He said closely associated with the security issue is the immigration and border management where again we have to club together our resources. What makes the airport security vulnerable is the variety of people associated with the airlines business who have to be given access to the airport.

Speaking on the occasion the EU ambassador to India Mr. Michel Caillouet said that EU-India Cooperation in the aviation sector is to bring the industry and the regulatory authorities together. He said, the urgency of the security issue has been felt particularly during the last two years. He said air safety also demands effort to reduce human error.About 250 experts from Europe and India are attending the three day conference. They include experts from 70 companies and regulatory authorities. KERALAMONITOR.COM

 

Dr. G. Gopinathan is new Vice-Chancellor of Hindi Vishwavidhyalaya, Wardha

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 Dr. G. Gopinathan is the new Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha. The President, in his capacity as the Visitor of the University, has appointed Dr. G. Gopinathan, presently working as Professor & Head, Department of Hindi, Calicut University, Calicut, as the Vice Chancellor of Hindi Vishwavidylaya, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him under statute 2 of the statues of the Mahatama Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya Act.

Prof. G. Gopinathan is a distinguished Hindi scholar in the field of translation and comparative studies. He has a long teaching and research experience at various levels and has been associated with a number of national level Hindi organisations. KERALAMONITOR.COM

Department of posts releases commemmorative postage stamp on K. Shivarama Karanth

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 The Department of Posts (DoP) has released a commemorative postage stamp on K. Shivarama Karanth. The stamp is in the denomination of Rs.5/-

Dr. Kota Shivarama Karanth was an educationist, freedom fighter, social worker and reformer, artist, author, playwright, painter, musician, poet, environmentalist and a patron of the arts.

Born in 1902 in the little village of Kota, Karnataka, young Karanth, influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and the Arya Samaj, left college in 1922 to dedicate his life to the freedom struggle and then to society.

His experiment with education resulted in "Balavana" a nature school with a zoo at Puttur and a method of learning called "Oduva Aata" (Game of Reading). His prolific literary output, translated into Indian and European languages, included novels, plays, encyclopaedias, travelogues, art critiques and autobiographies. Two of his novels became subjects of movies, the film "Chomana Dudi" winning a national award. Supporting environmental movements, he educated the masses about environmental degradation.

His contribution to reviving Karnataka's vibrant folk art, Yakshagana, received national and international recognition. The Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Sahitya Akademi conferred Fellowships on him and he received the Jnanpith Award (1978) for his novel "Mookajjiya Kanasugalu". In 1975, he returned the Padma Bhushan conferred on him by the Government of India in protest against the imposition of emergency in the country. The First Day Cover alongwith the information sheet will be available on sale at all Philatelic Bureaux/Counters and at selected Post Offices. KERALAMONITOR.COM

 

Prime Minister calls for people -centered conservation approach for protecting wild life

Specialized cell to be set up to curb International Trade in Wild Life products from India

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 The Prime Minister has called for 'people-centered conservation approaches' for protecting the wild life in the country. Addressing the first meeting of the National Board for Wild Life here today, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee stressed the need for the participation of all stake holders in decision making. "While there is an urgent need to safeguard protected areas, it is equally important to demonstrate the economic benefits of protected areas for people living in and around them. This will ensure a golden bridge connecting our cultural ethos and economic benefit, creating a win-win situation for both people and the protected areas", Shri Vajpayee said.

The Prime Minister who is also the chairman of the Board, called for increased coordination among various ministries, departments and state governments. The ministries of Environment & Forests, Agriculture, Rural Development, Water Resources, Tribal Welfare, Tourism & Culture along with their counterparts in states have to recognize their joint responsibility in developing innovative strategies for bio diversity conservation, he said.

Expressing happiness over the activities of the Ministry of Environment & Forests and all those associated with wild life conservation, Shri Vajpayee noted that there was progress in implementing the Wild Life Action Plan but more actions were needed to be taken speedily.

The Prime Minister expressed grave concern at the activities of wild life criminals and said that despite having adequate legal provisions to tackle poaching and illegal trade of wild life and its derivatives, success in this regard has been limited due to lack of effective enforcement of rules and provisions.

The Prime Minister had a word of praise for the Minister for Environment and Forests Shri T.R. Baalu for taking initiatives to protect the endangered marine species and for setting up the Marine Bio Diversity Institute at Kanya Kumari.

In his address the Minister for Environment & Forests Shri T.R. Baalu called for integration among various institutions and departments for managing issues relating to conservation of wild life. He proposed the constitution of an inter ministerial coordination committee for formulating policies and synergising the implementation activities.

Shri Baalu recalled the initiatives taken by his Ministry in the last two years in the area of wild life conservation. One such initiatives relates to recognizing the need for revival of symbiotic link between the community and the wild life. The Minister said that the aim is to bring 10% of the country's land mass under protected area net work through establishment of new categories of protected areas.

Shri Baalu referred to the recent spurt in instances of human killings particularly by leopards in the state of Maharashtra and Gujarat and said that there is a need to evolve innovative methods to prevent occurrence of such incidents in future. "Unless we find out a solution to this problem all our efforts for conservation would be negated because of people's ire".

The Board decided to establish a specialized cell on the basis of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to curb international trade in wild life products originating from India. The Cell will liaise with various international agencies including INTERPOL and TRAFFIC International. It will also create data base on wild life species, their products and derivatives that are in trade, the modus operandi of the wild life mafia and their international links in order to develop profiles of wild life criminals.

The board also decided to set up a task force on Natural Heritage Sites. The terms of reference of the task force include preparation of a tentative list of natural heritage sites having universal value. There are many natural sites in the country that exemplify major stages in the geomorphological history or represent ongoing ecological or biological processes or contain the natural heritage of endangered animals and plants or are of exceptional natural beauty. The Natural Heritage Division of the World Heritage Secretariat has expressed their desire that India should nominate such unique sites in the as World heritage Properties. Some of these include:-

a) The coastal and desert ecosystems of Runn of Kutch, Gujarat

b) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

c) Lakshadweep Island

d) Western Ghats

The Board also decided to develop a programme framework for involving the World Conservation Union (IUCN) in the conservation of wild life and international cooperation, constitute a committee on integration of wild life conservation with other sectoral programmes and constitute a task force on resource augmentation areas for conservation of wild life outside protected areas.

The Prime Minister gave away Rajiv Gandhi Wild Life Conservation Award (individual category) for the year 2002 to Shri A.Ramchandaran, Wild Life Warden, Nagapattinam for rescuing a stranded whale near Pachaikadu about 15 Kms west of Kodiakkarai, Tamil Nadu.

The Rajiv Gandhi Wild Life Conservation Award (institution category) was one by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai in recognition of their contribution in the field of wild life conservation.

India, S. Africa to cooperate in biotech, school education

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 The Minister for HRD, Science & Technology and Ocean Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi and the visiting South African Minister of Arts, Culture, Science & Technology today agreed to step up cooperation between the two countries in a number of existing areas and explore new areas for further cooperation. They agreed that special attention would be paid to cooperation in the field of bio-technology and school education. The two countries would work together in the area of intellectual property rights. India would also support South Africa in Golden Rice project.

The delegation accompanying the South African Minister is visiting a number of science labs and institutions. They have had official level discussions in the last few days. In the area of education, the South African side sought India's assistance particularly in school-level curriculum development and publication of school books. They appreciated the content and publishing quality of books brought out by the NCERT, especially in view of their very low price, and showed interest in getting books published in India. KERALAMONITOR.COM

 

7th ASEAN Regional Forum Meet of Heads of Defence Universities inaugurated

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 The security environment the world over is rapidly changing with resultant fallouts in the Asia-Pacific region. To cope with the challenges brought about by these dynamic realities, there is a need to evolve a consensual and complementary approach in tackling issues of common concern. This was stated by Lt. Gen. S S Chahal, Commandant National Defence College while inaugurating the 7th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Meet of Heads of Defence Universities, Institutions and Colleges in New Delhi today. He said this calls for synergising our actions and expressed the hope that this meet will significantly contribute towards developing military to military relations among the member countries of ARF.

Gen. Chahal said that two-day meet will discuss the role of the military in providing assistance to the civil administration during the times of distress and UN peace keeping operations which have assumed greater prominence since the end of the cold war.

He said that natural disasters continue to occur at almost regular intervals and their impact is not always confined to the national boundaries of a particular country. Gen. Chahal underlined the need to evolve a framework and contingency plan based on anticipation, accurate forecasting, preventive measures and a quick response to mitigate the sufferings of those affected by natural calamities. He said a great deal could be achieved in this field through mutual cooperation and sharing of experiences and technical expertise.

Referring to UN peacekeeping operations Lt Gen Chahal said that there could be no two opinions that by and large the forces deployed in this field have done commendable work. He said wherever aberrations have occurred we need to take note of them and draw lessons for the future. A wealth of experience is available amongst us which needs to be shared for mutual benefit, he added.

The meet is being attended by 19 countries, which includes 8 ASEAN members and 11 dialogue partners. The major participants are Australia, China, European Union, Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Myanmar. The ARF formed in 1994 with a view to fostering constructive dialogue and consultation of political and security issues of common interest. The forum also aims at making significant contributions towards instituting confidence building measures.

The 6th ARF Meet of heads of defence institutions was held at Moscow in September 2002 where issues related to development of military education in the 21st Century were discussed. The current meet is being conducted by National Defence College, Ministry of Defence. KERALAMONITOR.COM

 

Vice Admiral Yashwant Prasad, PVSM, AVSM, VSM

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 Vice Admiral Yashwant Prasad assumed charge of the Southern Naval Command with its headquarters at Kochi on 15 Oct 03. A specilist in Navigation and Direction, the Flag Officer is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad, and the General Staff Academy (Varashilov), Moscow, where he qualified the course with distinction.

Vice Admiral Prasad has commanded four frontline ships in the Indian Navy, namely IN SDB-T52, the Training Frigate INS Brahmaputra where he was also the Senior Officer of the First Training Squadron (TS I), the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvir and the Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat. On becoming Rear Admiral in Dec 94, he shouldered responsibilities as ACNS (Ops), Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command before assuming command of the prestigious Western Fleet. He was last posted at Naval Headquarters as Chief of Personnel since 10 Jan 03. For his distinguished services, the Flag Officer has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 1993, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1997 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2003.KERALAMONITOR.COM

 

Indian Navy Expedition - Saser Kangri I & IV

A nine-member Indian Navy team led by Cdr Satyabrata Dam attempted Saser Kangri I and IV through the west ridge during September 2003. The team reached Leh on 26th August. After few days of acclimatization, Base Camp was established and occupied at 4750 m on 4th September. It was located close to the confluence of North and South Phuk Poche Glaciers, on a grassy patch of flat land.

 

Advance Base Camp (ABC) was established at 5360 m on the South Phuk Poche Glacier, on a flat patch of ice from where the Saser I and IV massif could be seen in its entirety. No sooner had the first team occupied ABC on 8th September, the weather packed up and remained bad for the next few days. The next day's route opening to C 1 took place in complete white out condition through huge crevasses, seracs and ice fall. It took two days to tackle the ice section and three more days to fix the rock band above that till the shoulder was reached where C 2 was established at 6950 m and was occupied on 20th September. From there the team opened route to the Col between Saser Kangri I and IV, where the true summit ridge to Saser I started. Soon the weather packed up and anticipating further bad weather, which may prevent the team from making any further attempts, a team comprising of Lt Amit Pande (Dy Leader), Surg Lt Viking Bhanoo, CHERA Raj Kumar and Sherpa Sange Puri attempted Saser IV (7410 m) on 22nd September and summitted the peak around 9 a.m., while the other team led by Cdr S Dam continued route opening for Saser I, beyond the Col.

Cdr Satyabrata Dam and Sherpa Pemba Norbu summitted Saser IV on the 23rd Sep around 5.30 a.m. Beginning the same night, the entire region closed up due to very heavy snow and blizzards. Temperature and barometer fell alarmingly and the team was hit by a proper storm. Several avalanches passed over the tents, almost collapsing them and threatening the climbers. It became an ordeal of survival for the second team to descend from C 2 through total white out and the storm. The entire team evacuated the upper camps and they retreated to ABC, where the gale nearly uprooted the tents and plastered everything with heavy snow. Temperatures dropped to below -30 degrees Celsius. With the weather showing no signs of letting up the team finally gave up the attempt of Saser I and descended to the Base Camp on 26th September. The team returned to Delhi on the 30th September.

Cdr Satyabrata Dam (Leader), Lt Amit Pande (Dy Leader), Lt Cdr A Kankan, Lt Prabhakar, Surg Lt V Bhanoo, Lt KS Balaji, CHERA R Kumar, RPO Kanna, LMA R Kumar attempted Saser I & IV. Following summitted 'Saser IV': Cdr S Dam, Lt A Pande, Surg Lt V Bhanoo, CHERA R Kumar, Sherpas Sange Puri and Pemba. About 7300 m was reached on Saser I.KERALAMONITOR.COM

GSI traces new mineral deposits

Backgrounder

Established in 1851, Geological Survey of India has the proud distinction of being one of the oldest Geological Survey in the world. This organisation which started with one officer and a writer, has grown up immensely and presently has staff strength of 17,094 belonging to scientific, technical and administrative streams.

 

The activities of GSI spread from the lofty peaks of the Himalayas to the icy continent of Antarctica and from the deserts of Rajasthan to the depths of the Ocean. GSI plays a vital role in the nation building activities through significant contributions in locating hidden mineral wealth and providing basic raw materials for varied industries. Substantial geoscientific and geotechnical inputs are given to hydroelectric, irrigation and communication projects. Environmental management plans and seismotectonic studies, vital for sustainable development of the country are also prepared by GSI.

The achievements of GSI during 2002-03 in tracing new mineral deposits in the country is given below:-An additional reserve to the tune of 3.548 billion tonnes of coal and 109 million tonnes of lignite have been estimated. With this, total geological reserve of coal in the country stands at 240.78 billion tonnes.

Provisional reserve of 0.8 million tonnes with 1% Cu and 1 g/t gold has been estimated in Bhani-basri area, Dausa district, Rajasthan. This find has opened a new arena for search of basemetal and gold in small inter-cratonic basins and shear zones within the Archaean Gneissic Complex in Rajasthan.

Provisional reserve of 5 million tonnes of copper ore has been estimated in Baniwala-Ki-Dhani and Dokan areas, Sikar district, Rajasthan.

Provision reserve of 0.53 million tonnes of base metal ore has been proved over a strike length of 225m in Mauriya block Betul district, Madhya Pradesh. Provisional reserve of 0.9 million tonnes of manganese has been estimated in Champasar-bharatbahal blocks, Bolangir district, Orissa.

Provisional reserve of 4 million tonnes ore with 60% Fe has been estimated in Pureibahal block, Sundergarh district, Orissa. Provisional reserve of 0.704 million tonnes of gold ore has been estimated in Delwara block, Banswara district Rajasthan. 0.273 million tonnes of ore containing 1.89 g/t Au has been estimated over 370 m-strike length in Bhukia East central block, Banswara district, Rajasthan.

Provisional reserve of 1.113 million tonnes of gold ore in Dona south block and 0.098 million tonnes in Dona North block have been estimated in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. Provisional reserves of 0.132 million tonnes ore containing gold in Dugocha North block and 0.216 million tonnes in Dugocha Central block have been estimated in Udaipur district, Rajasthan. An additional reserve of 2 million tonnes of combined residual and sedimentary clays of refractory grade has been proved in Kasargod district, Kerala.

In Jalaphet block, Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya a total of 230.10 million tonnes of probable reserve of limestone of all grades has been estimated. In Larket block, Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya a total of 420.735 million tonnes of probable reserve of limestone of all grades has been estimated.-KERALAMONITOR.COM