Deglamourising Air Travel
Moshumi Chakraborty
The entire aviation industry is being made to adapt new rules because the driving paradigm of the aviation market has shifted from status to price. Ten years ago, it mattered less on account of providing quality services by the only existing airlines such as food, delayed flights or conduct of airhostesses. Today it matters a lot because customers have a choice between airlines. And because customers have a choice, a government owned airline also has to go out, market itself, and when need be, change the value of marketing. Three years ago it was convenient to think of air travel as a mode of transport for the elite. A Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram - Delhi economy class ticket would make a residents wallet thinner by Rs. 25,000. For that sum, he could go to London and return. In fact, planes would take off with empty seats rather than offer cheap fares and fill them.
As a result of this anomaly, for a nation of one billion people, India clocks an average of only 40,000 air travellers a day. In the US three million people fly every day compared to 15 million people in India who travelled by air in the year ended March 2004. Today, India operates four hundred flights a day compared to 40,000 in US, with an Indian fleet having a strength of just 150 aircrafts.
Only recently, private Indian airlines were willing to fly only the time-tested sectors where they were making money. There was no way anyone could fly from Mumbai to Belgaum or from Chennai to Rajahmundry. A large number of air strips dotting rural and semi-urban interland were being maintained only for occasional visits of senior politicians in special air crafts or choppers.
Now all this is changing. Feeder airlines are becoming viable. The Airports Authority of India offers discounts to aircraft below 21 tons. This discount helps slash landing, navigation and baggage charges by 50 per cent for airlines who cater to feeder routes. Today, feeder flights are already flying a number of short routes in south and west India connecting Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Tirupati, Hyderabad, Rajahmundry, Vijaywada, Belgaum, Hoogly, Mangalore, Cochin and Madurai.
Discounting and apex fares have also changed the contours of the aviation industry forever.
The scenario first began changing when airlines started offering special discount fares if seats were booked in advance upto a week. The fares were slashed by over 50 per cent. The bookings were cancelable only at a steep cost. There was one problem though. Airlines earmarked only a few seats in select routes for concessional fares. Once that quota was filled, booking in advance offered no price benefit. Now, because of competition and more flights, many more seats are available on the apex fare.
‘No frills airlines’ is another trend that is capturing imagination. No frill service has been made possible by cutting costs drastically and by multi-tasking. The pilot himself welcomes passengers at the entrance. Cabin crew brings in trolleys selling cookies, munchies and drinks. Reliance on on-line booking has done away with infrastructure cost in setting up booking offices. Discount Airlines have first-come first-served seating; no business class; and no frequent flier mileage bonuses.
Air travel in the country is finally getting de-glamourized. The focus is on the basic objective of getting from point a to point b in the quickest, cheapest and safest way possible.
This is a way of the future. The government is soon starting Air India Express the no frills airlines, which will cater to the large traffic especially to the Middle East and southeastern countries. It is also examining the possibility of converting the existing Alliance Air into a discount airline to cater to the price-sensitive segment. To make more people travel, the entire civil aviation sector needs to be restructured which also means developing the infrastructure facilities including airports of world class standard. Compared to India UK is a small country. Yet 70 billion people pass through Heathrow Airport every year. The same should happen in India, once private public partnership take share in India’s premier airports. The aviation sector can boost tourism activity throughout the country - not just for urban business and leisure travel but also for the rural traveller. More so because the majority of leisure trips in India are for religious and social purposes. Tirupathi is the hottest destination, followed by Puri and Vaishno Devi. What’s more, most travelers in India are not from urban India. According to a study conducted by NCAER, only 61 million trips out of the 230 million trips undertaken in 2003 were by urban Indians. The rest were by rural residents. The civil aviation sector in India needs to think outside the box if they wish to tap into these new opportunities. Age old conventions and rules must be broken and new thought processes along newer lines must be initiated to make air travel accessible to all.
UAE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST TAKES AIM AT SPORTS LEADERSHIP
Sheikh Ahmed calls for fairer funds allocation at Sportex
Photo caption: Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Al Qasimi, Chairman of Dubai based Liberty Investment Company (L.L.C) and Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Hasher Al Maktoum, winner of the UAE’s first Olympic gold medal at Sportex Middle East 2004
Dubai - Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Hasher Al Maktoum, winner of the UAE’s first Olympic gold medal, said today he would like to defend his men’s double trap shooting title in Beijing, China in 2008 but added his decision depends on the level of official support he receives.Speaking at Sportex Middle East and Gulf Stadia 2004 – the region’s premier sports and leisure show underway at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre - said the UAE’s governing sports bodies could do more to boost individual sports.
‘Now that I have won, I am in a position to talk about the problem with sports leadership. Our governing bodies complain about lack of money but I have seen more funds being allocated to football,” Sheikh Ahmed said.“I have nothing against football but there should be fair allocation to all sports, especially individual sports.”
Urging the UAE’s governing sports bodies to assist individual sports, Sheikh Ahmed said: “Sport is treated as a hobby. It needs to be taken seriously.”
Sheikh Ahmed, who was at Sportex Middle East and Gulf Stadia 2004, said he hoped his gold medal winning performance would have a positive impact on the development of sport, not only in the UAE but also the wider Middle East.
“We have excellent facilities but we need to work harder. My own success has come only after a lot of hard work, determination and effort. We have waited so long to reach this level. I started at Gulf level, then Asian, World and finally the Olympics. If we are to progress further we need the right people in the right position and to be more proactive.”
Sheikh Ahmed said his next goal is the World Cup Final in Slovenia at the end of next month. “Only the top ten shooters in the world will participate. I will defend the title I won last year. I have been in training for more than three weeks.”After touring Sportex Middle East and Gulf Stadia 2004 Sheikh Ahmed praised the organisers International Expo-Consults (IEC). “This is the first show of its kind that I have attended. It looks great.”
Abdul-Rahman Falaknaz, Board Member and Director of Finance of the UAE National Olympic Association and President of IEC paid tribute to Sheikh Ahmed’s historic Olympic achievement. “Sheikh Ahmed is an inspiration to a new generation of sportsmen and women. He has brought glory to himself and his country. We are very proud of him.
“I hope his victory in Athens will have a positive impact on the development of sport, both at an individual and team level throughout the region.”Exhibitors at Sportex Middle East and Gulf Stadia 2004 are targeting the region’s multi-million US dollar sports and leisure market that is demonstrating 23% annual growth. In the UAE alone the sector is valued at US $41 million.
Among the countries represented at the exhibition is China with its first Sportex Middle East and Gulf Stadia national pavilion housing nine companies. Other countries participating are South Africa, making its debut at the event, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Belgium, Lebanon, Pakistan, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Iran and the UAE.
Sportex Middle East 2004 and Gulf Stadia will run until September 9 in Hall 4, at the DIEC. Opening times are from 10am to 1pm and 4.30pm to 8.30pm. Tuesday and Wednesday are restricted to trade visitors. On Thursday the event will be open to the general public. Entrance is free.
SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY TO ORGANISE DISABILITY REHABILITATION CAMP IN TANZANIAN CAPITAL DURING PRESIDENT’S VISIT
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is organizing an Aids and Appliance Distribution camp for persons with disabilities in the Tanzanian capital Dar-Es-Salam during the President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s visit to Tanzania. Persons with disabilities would be screened on the spot at the camp for determining suitability of aids and appliances, which would be distributed to them for their rehabilitation. These include wheel chairs, tricycles, calipers, prosthetics, other orthotics appliances, mobility aids like crutches and calibrated walking sticks. Aids and appliances would also be provided to persons suffering with visual and hearing handicaps. These aids and appliances have been manufactured by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) working under the aegis of Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry.An exhibition of products and tools available with ALIMCO is also being held at the one-day camp on September 14, 2004. Other organisations participating in the camp are National Institute for Rehabilitation, Training & Research (NIRTAR) and National Institute for Visually Handicapped (NIVH).
Ten computers with talking software, braille text books for English learning from class II to Class X and miscellaneous leisure books on audio tapes are being gifted to the UHURU School for the disabled where the camp is being held. The computers and talking software etc. are being gifted at the desire of the President.
The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is leaving New Delhi on an eight-day tour of Tanzania and South Africa on September 11, 2004. He is accompanied by the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Smt. Meira Kumar and a high level delegation of MPs and officials.
BEA to unveil Liquid Computing at GITEX Dubai 2004September 09, 2004 BEA will unveil its new products and services that support Liquid Computing, BEA's vision of a fluid enterprise designed to help change IT responsiveness from "months to minutes" during GITEX Dubai 2004. The concept of Liquid Computing will be symbolically represented by a sail boat. The company will use the strategy of direct sales, through one-to-one meetings between existing and potential customers and partners. The key partners supporting BEA at Gitex Dubai 2004, will include Intel, Documentum, Mobileaware, CIT, Intervoice, LogicaCMG, HP, Attachmate,Vignette, eDoc and eArts Consulting.
The BEA stand will be designed to accommodate four meeting rooms to facilitate increased and focused interaction with business executives, technical attendees and developers, in order to provide them insights into the company's innovations and industry leading solutions, with a special focus on Liquid Computing.
"BEA's goal is to reduce complexity and cost while at the same time be innovating on behalf of our customers. We have made dramatic inroads in the Middle East market and our aim is to further improve business efficiency with Liquid Computing", said Diyaa Zebian, Regional Manager, Middle East & Egypt, eSolutions BEA. "In this region, where IT market is on a high growth track, businesses are increasingly willing to invest in Web-based enterprise solutions. We are sure BEA will literally make waves with Liquid Computing at GITEX 2004."
BEA will demonstrate how Liquid Computing builds on a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) foundation, with the ultimate objective of aligning enterprise interactions with real-time business goals to help companies become service-driven enterprises, ultimately achieving enterprise compatibility, active adaptability and breakthrough productivity.
The BEA stand will display new products and services that help deliver on BEA's Liquid Computing vision, designed to allow companies to increase responsiveness and reduce IT complexity and costs. The products will include BEA WebLogic Server Process Edition and support services which build upon and expand the industry-leading BEA WebLogic Platform. BEA will once again highlight its WebLogic Enterprise Platform that provides the application infrastructure foundation that converges application development and integration, simplifies the flow of information, decreases the costs of managing applications, and makes an enterprise more agile, productive, and connected. BEA's platform is also the de facto standard for more than 1,600 systems integrators (SIs), independent software vendors (ISVs), and application service providers (ASPs) who partner with BEA to ensure the successful deployment of your solution.
VICE PRESIDENT INAUGURATES WORLD DENTAL CONFERENCE
The Vice President, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has said that Dentists are engaged in a noble profession doing great service to the humanity. A dentist deals with the most valuable and precious part of the body, it has rightly been said that `every tooth of man is more valuable than a diamond’. While the research should be on to find cure for every disease, greater importance needs to be accorded to preventive medicines, he added. A doctor’s role is not only in curing and alleviating diseases but, more importantly, in preventing the diseases. Doctors indeed have unique opportunity to provide solace and better health to the society and thus making this world a better place to live in. Serving the humanity is indeed the greatest service and worship of the God. He was speaking after inaugurating the `World Dental Conference’, here today.
Following is the text of the Vice President’s speech:
`I am glad to be here amidst this galaxy of eminent dental surgeons of the world. My warm greetings to all of you. Indeed, I feel honoured to have been invited to inaugurate this first ever World Dental Conference organised in India.
I have always felt very close to the fraternity of doctors. One important reason is that I have been patient to many a doctor. Famous poet Rudyard Kipling had said, "There are two classes of man-kind in the world – doctors and patients". The class of doctors is indeed important; to me especially the dentists are very important. Among other ailments, I also suffer from dental problems. You may not notice, but I do have a few false teeth. Thanks to my dentist, these look and function like the real teeth. Contrary to a popular Indian saying Hathi ke dant khane ke aur dikhane ke aur which means an elephant has two sets of ivory teeth, one to show off and the other to bite, my denture serves both the purposes very effectively; though I do not show off or bite anybody, I use my teeth only to chew my food.
Friends, public life of politicians is also a profession. I have been in the profession of politics for over 50 years. I, therefore, have great respect for fellow professionals in the medical field and particularly the practising dental surgeons. As professionals, both of us do our practice. The politician practices with his tongue; the dental surgeon practises in the close proximity but carefully protecting the tongue. The two professions are, indeed, so very close and intimate.
Dentists are engaged in a noble profession doing great service to the humanity. A dentist deals with the most valuable and precious part of the body; it has rightly been said that ‘every tooth of man is more valuable than a diamond’. The famous writer Hugh Wheeler had once said, "To lose a lover or even a husband or two during the course of one’s life can be vexing. But to lose one’s teeth is a catastrophe". Of all the pains in life, the suffering of pain in the tooth is perhaps the most unbearable. I am reminded of what Shakespeare had said, "There was never yet philosopher that could endure the toothache patiently". When a dentist with his soothing touch calms down this pain, the patient looks upon him as a God with ever abiding respect.
Friends, times are changing fast. In earlier times, a dentist was one to cure toothache, do tooth extraction and finally give a denture. However, nowadays dentists are solicited more and more by the fashion lovers who want to look more charming and beautiful and wear a smiley face. Today, dentists are creating a world with better looks. They do not any more provide denture of false teeth; they provide new teeth that look completely real and even better.
Today, the world is changing fast. New inventions in science and technology are providing ways and means for controlling diseases and constantly improving the quality of healthcare. We should take full advantage of new emerging opportunities. While we must strive to achieve excellence in healthcare and ensure availability of the best of facilities for treatment, my greater concern and anxiety is to ensure that the poor and the deprived ones are also able to have access to basic healthcare.
Recently I was reading a report on the oral health scenario in our country. I was disappointed to know that more than 80 per cent of dental surgeons are catering to the needs of 20 per cent of the population in urban areas while almost no dental care facilities are available to the 80 per cent of the population living in the rural areas. I am very happy to inform this august gathering that our Government has now launched a unique health project that will ensure providing oral health care to the rural population down to the village level through mass oral health awareness campaigns and mobile clinics covering the remote rural areas. This innovative project should be of great relevance and interest to all the developing countries.
Friends, in my long public life I have seen the misery of the common man from hand-shaking distance; I have seen the pain of deprivation of the poor having no access to basic services of health or education. My uppermost concern throughout has been for programmes for alleviation of poverty and overcoming under-development. I always look up to researchers to provide solutions for reduction in cost of basic services making them affordable to the common man.
While the research should be on to find cure for every disease, I believe greater importance needs to be accorded to preventive medicines. A doctor’s role is not only in curing and alleviating diseases but, more importantly, in preventing the diseases. I am reminded of a Chinese proverb that says: the inferior doctor treats actual sickness; the mediocre doctor attends to impending sickness; the superior doctor prevents sickness. The poor and the deprived ones would certainly be blessed if they are served more by the superior doctors.
Ladies & Gentlemen, doctors indeed have unique opportunity to provide solace and better health to the society and thus making this world a better place to live in. Serving the humanity is indeed the greatest service and worship of the God. Swami Vivekanand had said, I quote: "the poor, the illiterate, the ignorant, the afflicted – let these be your God. Know that service to these alone is the highest religion". Unquote. I would urge you not only to strive for excellence in your profession, but also serve the cause of providing basic healthcare to the poor and the deprived.
Friends, with these words, I have great pleasure to inaugurate this World Dental Conference. I do hope the deliberations here by eminent dental luminaries of the world would enhance international understanding in the sharing of scientific achievement and knowledge for the benefit of man-kind; that these would go a long way in promoting the cause of affordable healthcare for all and also promoting globalisation of humane values comprising attributes of care and compassion and fellow feeling, thus weaving a web of life full of happiness, peace and tranquility. I wish the Conference all success.’
Pakistan Peoples Party Fears Benazir Bhutto monitored by Targetted Killers?
2-Sep-2004 KARACHI, Sept 1: The Pakistan People's Party on Wednesday claimed that two people who were taking pictures of the seaside residence (Bilawal House) of the Bhuttos \"in a suspicious manner\" were apprehended and handed over to police, but they were allegedly allowed to go free. This was stated in a news conference at the Bilawal House by Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Senator Farooq Naek and Agha Siraj Durrani. Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that Mohammad Aslam of Mastung and Umair Ansari had been apprehended by PPP activists, responsible for the security of Bilawal House, on August 28 while they were taking pictures of the residence and the adjoining ground used by Bilawal, son of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari, for horse-riding during his stay in
the city.He said that when the two were spotted taking pictures from an apartment across the road, they locked themselves in and erased the pictures. However, the PPP leader said that the suspects later admitted in writing that they had not realized that security around Bilawal House was so stringent. He said that the PPP considered it a warning to the Bhutto family and part of a conspiracy against them and other party leaders especially at a time when the law and order situation was bad and there were apprehensions about target killings.
He pointed out that the PPP was especially concerned because both the brothers of Ms Bhutto, Murtaza and Shahnawaz, had been victims of targeted attacks. PPP leader Abdullah Murad and Munawwar Suhrawardy were eliminated in a similar manner. Senator Farook Naek, who is also lawyer of Ms Bhutto and Asif Zardari, pointed out that the incident took place at a time when Bilawal and Asfa were in the town and staying in the house. He termed it an indirect threat to Ms Bhutto, a warning against her return to the country. He pointed out that life of Mr Zardari was also in danger.
DUCATI MARLBORO MEN PROVE THEIR METTLE
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss enjoyed inspired rides in today's Marlboro Portuguese Grand Prix, both charging through the field to finish seventh and eighth after difficult starts from the fourth and fifth rows of the grid. Incredibly Capirossi got the holeshot into turn one, using the awesome horsepower of his Desmosedici GP4 to storm past ten bikes in just a few hundred metres, only to get taken out by a rival before lap one was over. He restarted from last but one to take seventh. Bayliss also shone, running tenth during the first laps, then getting the better of two former World Champions to take eight Full Report
MS&L Dubai Announces Management Change
Dubai, UAE, September 7, 2004 - Manning Selvage & Lee, an entity of the Leo Burnett Group of Companies (MENA) and one of the region's fastest growing public relations firms, today announced the appointment of Mazen Hayek as managing director of the Dubai regional office, replacing Sheila Kaur, a major contributor to the firm's development since its inception in 2001. Kaur leaves to pursue other interests.Hayek, 34, a Lebanese national, is a 12-year veteran of the regional marketing and communications industry. Prior to joining MS&L, he served four years as co-partner in a strategic public relations consultancy. Between 1998 and 2000, he was a member of the Leo Burnett account management team.
"Sheila was pivotal in helping make MS&L a force to be reckoned with in the GCC. Today we are on the threshold of great achievement for our clients, who are our partners. Mazen is well positioned to take the firm forward in this next phase of growth, building strength upon strength," said Raja Trad, CEO of the Leo Burnett Group of Companies.
For his part Hayek added, "We at MS&L understand the strategic importance of public relations to our clients and to the Leo Burnett Group as a whole, which strongly believes in providing an integrated approach to communications. We will spare no effort to further develop our capabilities, with a primary focus on adding value and making a difference to our clients' businesses."
Trad added, "Our client-partners are the cornerstone of all that we do and how we do it. This shift has been planned to coincide with other regional changes that seek to extend the overall offerings of the Leo Burnett Group. Sheila will remain with us in Dubai until the transition is complete."
In May 2001, MS&L opened its regional headquarters in Dubai. The headquarters is supported by five full-service and support offices in Riyadh, Jeddah, Cairo, Beirut and Kuwait City. MS&L MENA offers a full range of public relations capabilities, including strategic media relations, crisis communications, government relations, issues management, community relations, product launches and event management.
Literacy - A vital Force of Freedom
Tariq A. Rather*
They know enough who know how to learn. And Literacy is all about learning. It makes one confident, self-reliant and enlightened.Literacy certainly includes reading, writing and arithmetic skills, but it is something bigger and deeper than the mere mechanical skills of reading and writing. Literacy is a potent form of consciousness, which makes people and human beings free from ignorance, prejudice and exploitation besides enabling them to make choices, to participate and to exercise their rights.
The United Nations has already launched the UN Literacy Decade in January 2003, an initiative agreed by all member countries to energize work towards reaching the goal of increasing literacy levels by 50 per cent by the year 2015. In 1965, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated September 08 as International Literacy Day. Each nation celebrates it and pledges to fulfill its commitment and promise to meet the challenge of illiteracy. This year the world is celebrating 39th International Literacy Day.
Challenges
While significant progress has been achieved in some countries, illiteracy is still with us in the 21st century, in both the developing and the developed countries, despite the extension of primary schooling.
Hundreds of millions of individuals, particularly women do not have access to the basic right to education. A large number of people due to their deteriorating economic and social status are losing their command over even the basic concepts they had acquired, and find themselves relapsing to the functional illiteracy. Poverty and exclusion are main hurdles. To be useful and functional, literacy must be directly related to improving economic and social status.
School drop-outs are a big challenge. Certain environmental and socio-political factors lead to this phenomenon. Strong motivation and infrastructural cushion are important tools to rope in drop-outs
Action Plan
The UNESCO has already prepared an International Plan of Action aimed at stimulating and harmonizing action by national governments, local communities, non-governmental organizations, universities, public and private organizations and civil society. The Action Plan while serving as a "blueprint for change" gives priority to policy development, programmes, capacity building, research, community participation and monitoring and evaluation. It also stresses the need for special and urgent attention for women (who constitute 2/3rd of world’s illiterates), ethnic and linguistic minorities, indigenous populations, migrants, refugees, people with disabilities, the elderly and pre-school children, especially those with little or no access to early childhood care and education.
To complement the Plan of Action and support the initiatives of governments and all those involved in literacy work, the UNESCO has launched the Non-Formal Education Managing Information Systems (NFEMIS) programme which is developing new systems of data gathering, monitoring and evaluation to better measure the impact of literacy and education activities to provide more reliable information on illiteracy.
The UNESCO promotes literacy as both a basic human right and necessity for overall development, which has been endorsed by almost all the governing constitutions of member states. Since long it has been in the sphere of developing effective strategies for eradicating illiteracy and promoting basic education with the aim to empower disadvantaged sections of population besides alleviating their poverty.
National Initiatives
With literacy rate at 5.3 per cent at the beginning of the 20th century, dramatic improvements were made between 1951 and 1961 through the Gram Shikshan Mohim (Village Literacy Movement) which covered 25 districts in India over a period of 4 months. In a clear recognition of the necessity to link formal and non-formal education (National Policy on Education 1986), emphasis was placed on vocational skills and continuing education through means of rural libraries, some rural newspapers and distance courses, and through programmes on health and community leadership.
The National Literacy Mission (NLM) established in 1988 while concentrating on rural areas, women and particularly SCs/STs, aimed at achieving functional literacy for 80,000,000 illiterates aged between 15-35 years, in combination with awareness-building for national integration, conservation of the environment, women’s equality and family planning, training of skills related to living standards and development related empowerment. Motivation and safeguarding participation were seen as fundamental elements of the Literacy programme as well as the institutionalization of post literacy and continuing education. It includes Total Literacy Campaigns (TLCs), Post Literacy Campaigns (PLCs) and Continuing Education Programmes (CEPs) implemented in several parts of country.
Total Literacy Campaign combines elements of mass campaign, participatory and voluntary approaches. Typical features include special training camps for the volunteers, a close-to-field joining of all social forces in one organizational context, limited implementation size, a flexible approach to time management according to the actual context and a built-in monitoring system. TLC requires vast human resources, the first task is to mobilize and motivate different groups of individuals and social institutions like media coordinators, resource persons, master trainers, government machinery, educational authority’s social workers and voluntary agencies in the programme of social change and eradication of illiteracy.
As per its commitment to the Common Minimum Programme, the Central Government is majorly focusing on strife torn States such as Jammu and Kashmir and North-East. The Central Government has approved an outlay of Rs 10.84 crore for 2004 to impart functional literacy to nearly 8.50 lakh children, adults and other disadvantaged groups, in six districts of Kashmir Valley.
The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has urged stepped up efforts to close the education group, which he calls "a fundamental inequality in our globalizing world". He urges for rededication to play our full part in the mission. Therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility to support the policies and programmes of literacy while taking into account all aspects of region, topography, language, comprehension, weakness and threats besides peculiar circumstances of the target groups.
Australian Super Chef heads to Mina Seyahi
Brahimi in residency at Retro from September 17-20
(Dubai, September 2004): Australian super-chef Guillaume Brahimi will take up an exclusive four-day residency at Retro at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, from Friday September 17 to Monday September 20.
For just Dhs199 per person, guests can enjoy five courses prepared exclusively by one of the southern hemisphere's brightest culinary talents.Paris-born Brahimi heads up Guillaume at Bennelong, the flagship restaurant at the iconic Sydney Opera House. Last year, he won the coveted restaurant of the year award from Australian Gourmet Traveller, and the outlet was named one of the top 50 new restaurants in the world by Conde Nast Traveller.
He has cooked for celebrities such as British band Coldplay, Hollywood stars Ewan McGregor, Keanu Reeves and Meryl Streep, and supermodel Linda Evangelista, as well as media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Brahimi has also added some French flair to sporting events, cooking for the launch of the Rugby World Cup last year, and for the French, Argentinian and South African rugby teams.The Frenchman, who became an Australian citizen in 1994, was responsible for Pond and Quay, two of Sydney's dining landmarks.
Before moving Down Under, Brahimi studied under the three Michelin-starred chef Joel Robouchon at Jamin in Paris.
He offers contemporary Australian cuisine with a classical French influence, which led one top food critic to announce: "Guillaume Brahimi has everything in his command. Though he is an innovator, there is much pleasure to be had in the consistency of his craft."Brahimi appears exclusively at Retro, courtesy of the National Food Industry Strategy of Australia.
CABINET APPROVES SIGNING OF AIR SERVICES BETWEEN INDIA AND TUNISIA
15:50 ISTThe Union Cabinet today has cleared the proposal for signing of Air Services Agreement between India and the Republic of Tunisia.The agreed text of an Air Services Agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Tunisia and India was initialled during the bilateral civil aviation consultations between the two countries on 13-14 February 2004 in Tunis. The main features of the Air Services Agreement are:
* Both countries shall have the right to designate one or more airlines for the purpose of operating the air services.
* The capacity to be operated by the designated airlines shall be determined by the aeronautical authorities.
* The agreed services shall be operated by the designated airlines of both countries on routes specified for them. The designated airline of Tunisia can operate to New Delhi and Mumbai and those of India can operate to Tunis and another point to be specified.
With the approval of the Cabinet, the Agreement will now be signed. The new arrangement signifies an important landmark in the Civil Aviation relations between India and the Republic of Tunisia and will pave the way for establishment of air links between the two countries.
INDIA’S NUCLEAR POWER OPTION NECESSARY TO ENSURE ENERGY AVAILABILITY, SAYS SAYEED
Power Minister, Shri P.M. Sayeed has said that India has kept all energy options, including nuclear power, open to ensure availability of electricity.In his keynote address at the ongoing World Energy Congress in Sydney, Shri Sayeed said India has kept the nuclear power option open because more than half of the country’s rural population does not have access to electrical power , and in the case of those who do, reliability and quality are matters of worry.
He said the country has an ambitious programme to increase nuclear power generation from the current 2800 MW to 10,000 MW by 2012 and about 20,000 MW by 2020.
Speaking on “The Path to Sustainability : Accessibility, Availability, Acceptability” Shri Sayeed said that India has been making major changes in the power sector, and this includes the passing of the Energy Conservation Act 2001 and Electricity Act 2003. He pointed out that all hurdles on investment had been cleared and India is now a level playing field for any investor in the power sector. Emphasising on sustainability, the Power Minister said developing nations ought to focus on alternative forms of capacity creation. Pointing out the global imbalance in energy consumption, he said a little more than one billion people consume 60 per cent of the total energy while the remaining five billion people in developing nations consume only 40 per cent. Shri Sayeed said the needs of the present have to be attended to but not at the cost of the future.
SRINIVASA RAMANUJAN CENTRE, KUMBHAKONAM ATTACHED TO A DEEMED UNIVERSITY
The Government has attached the Srinivasa Ramanujan Centre, Kumbhakonam as an Off -Campus Centre under the ambit of Shnmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy, (Deemed University), Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The Government has conferred this status by Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 on the advice of the University Grants Commission. The grant of Deemed University status to Srinivasa RamanujanCentre, Kumbhakonam is subject to the conditions that it will adhere to the guidelines/instructions issued by the UGC and AICTE from time to time as applicable to the Deemed Universities.
eSys Technologies sets up Middle East's first repair facility for faulty memory modules
Testing and repair of high speed DDR modules will soon be available to all resellers in the region
September 06, 2004 The Middle East's first repair facility for faulty memory modules has just opened its doors at Jebel Ali. Established by eSys Technologies Middle East, the new memory repair facility offers testing and repair of high speed DDR modules of all memory brands in its portfolio (HYNIX and eRam).
"Memory faults are amongst the most common complaints received by IT resellers. As a rule, the reseller will replace the memory module for the customer and send the faulty module to the manufacturer for testing and troubleshooting. Since none of the major memory manufacturers has a testing and repair facility in the Middle East, this can indicate a turn-around time of 3 weeks or more," explained Pavan Gupta, General Manager, eSys Technologies. "The objective of setting up the facility in the Middle East was to reduce the turn around time for the reseller, thereby adding value to the return-on-investment of our channel partners."
What is usually perceived as a memory fault by the end-user can be the result of three major causes. The end-user can receive a memory error message due to Improper Configuration of the PC (The PC has the wrong part or the configuration rules were not followed); Improper Installation of the memory module (the memory may not be seated correctly, a socket is bad, or the socket may need cleaning); or Defective Hardware. Additionally, many computer problems manifest themselves as memory problems, making troubleshooting difficult. For example, a problem with the motherboard or software may produce a memory error message. Most of the hung-computer problems are also due to the memory.
Usually the reseller has no way of distinguishing between defective hardware and error messages due to improper installation or configuration. The module is shipped to the manufacturer through the distributor. The manufacturer tests, repairs or replaces the module. The entire process, due to long man-hours required for testing and repair, as well as the logistics of shipping the module to distant destinations, takes an average of three weeks to complete. With the setting up of the new memory repair facility in Jebel Ali, this turn around time will come down to as little as 4 days. Besides the faster turn around time for the reseller, this will also mean lower expenses of shipping faulty modules to manufacturers and an increase in memory sales revenues for eSys.
The new repair facility, which undertakes the testing and repair of high speed DDR modules, has many features that make it one of the best in its class based on price versus performance criteria. These include 2 different cartridges, using the same platform, to test up to 400MHz DDR; Simulators that can test up to 10 memory patters at a stretch (electrical, march, and base cell types); Open/Shorts, Quick Scan, Memory Scan, Checkerboard, Marching, March 17N Interleave Burst Scan, Sequential Burst Scan, Auto Refresh, Self Refresh Perform aging on the module before the test, run several loops of same test list.
"The objective of establishing this memory repair facility is to provide eSys Technologies' Middle East channel with an additional value-added service. This move will not only benefit our channel partners and customers, it will also help us gain market share in the region. This will also be a signal to global vendors that eSys has a clearly articulated channel strategy that can ensure loyal client base and consistently high revenues."
The memory repair facility is currently open exclusively to eSys channel partners. But due to high demand from third party resellers, eSys is considering plans to offer testing and repair services for all memory brands to all resellers in the region.
Hitachi Data Systems Challenges the Competition with Next Generation Storage Platform Delivering 500% Performance Advantage
Solomon Guggenheim Museum, New York City, New York. 8 Sept, 2004
Hitachi Data Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), today announced the revolutionary Hitachi TagmaStore™ Universal Storage Platform, which introduces a completely new paradigm of storage by featuring breakthrough technologies previously not available in enterprise storage systems.
The Universal Storage Platform changes the industry dynamics of data storage by powering an embedded virtualization layer capable of managing up to 32 petabytes of internal and external storage, logical partitions in both internal and external storage, and sophisticated storage-agnostic remote copy that greatly simplifies business continuity.
In addition to these ground breaking new business-enabling capabilities, the new Universal Storage Platform outperforms any storage system on the planet. With the third generation massively parallel crossbar switch architecture as its engine-the all new mega scalable Hitachi Universal Star Network™-the Universal Storage Platform delivers 2 Million IOPs (input output operations per second)-a 500% advantage over other storage systems in the market.
"We believe that the value of the Hitachi Universal Storage Platform will be immediately apparent to IT administrators looking for ways to mask the management complexity of existing networked storage environments while scaling their environments well beyond present boundaries," said John Webster, senior analyst and founder, Data Mobility Group. "The Hitachi Universal Storage Platform essentially blows appliance-based storage virtualization away."
With cached bandwidth being the limiting performance factor in any cache-centric high-end storage system, the new Universal Star Network architecture shatters through the bottlenecks inherent in existing legacy architectures by offering a massive 68 Gigabytes per second of cached bandwidth-an 850% advantage over other systems, as well as 256 concurrent memory operations, an additional 800% advantage.
"The Hitachi Universal Storage Platform is ideal for our environments," said Tom Fleissner, storage area network architect, Pacific Capital Bancorp, the largest independent banking company on the Central Coast of California, with $5.7 billion in assets. "With the ability to handle up to 32 Petabytes and 2 million inputs/outputs per second means the platform can manage and process the needed information today and expand to keep up with our very competitive business. The unique embedded virtualization and universal replication capabilities significantly reduce the cost and complexity of complying with government regulations and assure data integrity even in the worst of disasters."
"Every storage system on the market looks archaic by comparison," said Claus Mikkelsen, chief scientist, Hitachi Data Systems. "By leveraging research and development across multiple disciplines and utilizing proven cross-pollination R&D techniques, we have introduced a platform that features the best technologies from our enterprise server division, software division, and telecommunications division. There is no comparison."
Hu Yoshida, chief technology officer, Hitachi Data Systems, added "The problem with the proprietary boxes that are being delivered today by the competition is that they scale capacity faster than they scale performance. We, however, have taken a balanced system approach to scaling our platform. We have taken as much time to improve performance, cache management, and maintain quality of service in a highly consolidated, finely partitioned environment as we did with capacity. In addition, we have taken a virtual machine approach in that we have ensured secure multi-tenancy for individual applications-that's what comes from our systems expertise. You can try and take a 'kit builder' mentality to logical partitioning, but ultimately, it won't work."
Fujitsu Siemens launches super stylish Pocket LOOX 700 Series in the Middle East market
Dubai, September 07, 2004. Fujitsu Siemens Computers has unveiled the Pocket LOOX 700 series, the latest in its handheld range, in the Middle East market. Tagged as a super-efficient mobile office that can be carried in the palm of the hand, the Pocket LOOX 710 and 720 offer high-performance mobile convenience to professional or private users.
"Professional users in the Middle East are looking for increasingly versatile handhelds that can keep pace with dynamic work requirements while away from the office. Due to its modularity and options of connectivity, the Pocket LOOX 700 series offers a full range of functionality to enhance the user's daily business," said Susanne Lewitzki, Product Marketing Manager, Fujitsu Siemens Computers. "The Pocket LOOX 700 series is designed as an open platform for mobility solutions and its expansion possibilities make it the ideal companion in every work scenario. Its small size and compact appearance, housed in a stylish 'cabinet', make it an extremely handy device, whether to reschedule appointments on the go, send and receive email or just read up on notes en route to an important meeting."
The handheld's flexible connectivity offers immediate data access wherever required. Bluetooth and Wireless LAN are integrated ex works and provide true mobility. GPRS functionality can be implemented via optional Compact Flash card. The application EASY2CONNECT allows an easy network-connection with the Pocket LOOX. It supports various types of network-connections via connection-type manager (Pocket PC 2003). The interactive user interface will help to find the right connection type whether it is Dial-In, GPRS, FSC GPRS-CF-card, WLAN or UMTS.
Two different versions of the Pocket LOOX 700 Series will be available. Pocket LOOX 720 users can capture high-quality images and video content on the integrated 1.3 megapixel camera, and view them comfortably, indoors or outdoors, on the handheld's generous 3.6 inch transflective TFT Touchscreen, with LED (light emitting diode) backlight adding to a picture-like computing experience. The 640x480 VGA resolution screen allows the Pocket LOOX to run standard PC applications, making it more versatile in business and entertainment environments. The Pocket LOOX 710 features a 3.5 inch screen with QVGA resolution with 320x240 pixels with a transflective TFT Touchscreen.
Both models use the new Intel PXA272 processor with 64 MB stacked memory, enhanced to address the needs of handheld users. Additional features include the Intel Wireless MMX technology to provide additional performance for 3D games and advanced video while improving battery life. Users can also benefit from the low power consumption, thanks to the Wireless Intel SpeedStep technology. The Pocket LOOX 710 comes with a 416 MHz processor, while the Pocket LOOX 720 features a 520 MHz processor.
In addition, the Pocket LOOX 700 Series is equipped with the latest operating system Microsoft Windows MobileTM Software 2003 for Pocket PC Second Edition. The software has been adjusted to the new processor for optimized performance. Programs can be started faster, applications run in an even smoother way.
Due to an integrated Compact Flash (CF) Card slot type I and II and SD I/O - MMCard slot the handheld offers several connectivity options. The wide range of available CF card solutions like, GSM/GPRS, GPS adapter, scanners, storage solutions and others enable a broad range of mobile applications. Together with the synchronous usage of SD I/O - MMCard Input/Output and storage solutions Pocket LOOX 700 Series offers utmost modularity in small form factor design.
Both models have an exchangeable battery concept for easy removal and replacement with a second main battery. Battery performance is an average of 12 hours operating time, thus combining high performance with long battery lifetime. Both models will be available at Gitex Dubai 2004.
Asteco Announces New Senior Management Appointment
Dubai, UAE: Asteco, the UAE's largest property management company announced today the appointment of John Stevens to Asteco's senior management team in the position of General Manager of the Sharjah office and Director of Property Management.
Mr. Stevens' mandate will include responsibility for developing local business opportunities across the Emirates, working to identify and implement strategic management solutions.Mr. Stevens brings a wealth of property management experience to Asteco. Having worked in South Asia for the last 10 years he is recognised as one of the premier real estate advisors in the region.
"I am excited to join the Asteco Property team, with whose support I can grow as a professional, lead by example, seek a new level of excellence and provide the very best service to my clients" said Mr. Stevens. He added, "The Asteco Property emphasis on bringing talented and likeminded professionals together and supporting them to develop creative and sound real estate solutions is where I believe our industry must go. I am proud to be part of this movement to strive for excellence and be responsible for the creation of a powerful Property Management operation around the Asteco Property philosophy and platforms."
Elaine Jones, Asteco's Managing Director commented that "We are all extremely excited that John has joined Asteco. His talent, experience and success represent a strong asset to Asteco at this stage in the company's development." She said, "We believe that Sharjah is entering a period of international appreciation with strong growth predicted over the next decade and John's involvement in our Sharjah office will be instrumental to realising Asteco's success in the Emirate."
