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FOCUS NEWS NEW DELHI, Saturday 13 June 2015
Delegation from the
“Naga Hoho” calls on PM
New Delhi, A six member delegation from the Naga organization – Naga
Hoho – called on the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The delegation was led
by Mr. Chuba Ozukum, President of Naga Hoho. The members appreciated
the Prime Minister’s vision of development of the North-East. They emphasized
their commitment to peace in the entire Northeastern region.
Indonesian Parliamentarians Visit
Election Commission of India
New Delhi, A high-level Parliamentary
delegation from the Republic of Indonesia
led by H.E. Mr. Fadli Zon, Vice Chairman
of the House of Representatives, called
upon the Election Commission of India
today. The delegation included two
Members of Parliament, as well as senior
officials from Parliament and Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador of
Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Rizali Wilmar
Indrakesuma and senior Embassy officials
accompanied the delegation. The delegation
met the Chief Election
Commissioner, Dr. Nasim Zaidi and
Election Commissioner, Mr. A. K. Joti.
Dr. Nasim Zaidi, Chief Election
Commissioner and Sh. A. K. Joti, Election
Commissioner interacting with visiting
Indonesian Parliamentary Delegation
Election Commissioner, Mr. Joti, in his
welcome remarks, talked about the close
relations between India and Indonesia,
and briefed the visiting
delegation
about the innovations
and initiatives
introduced by the
E l e c t i o n
Inauguration of Academic and
Hostel Blocks of CIPET, IMPHAL
New Delhi, The newly constructed Academic and
Hostel Blocks at Central Institute of Plastics
Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Imphal were
jointly inaugurated by Union Minister of
Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Ananth Kumar and
Chief Minister of Manipur Shri Okram Ibobi
Singh at a function in Imphal, Manipur today. In
his address, Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers
Shri Ananth Kumar informed that CIPET, Imphal
will be further expanded at a cost of Rs.13.00
crores which includes creation of additional hostel
facility (Rs. 9.00 crores) and enhancing the technical
infrastructure facility (Rs.4.00 crore). He
requested the State Govt. to provide 5.00 acres of
additional land to CIPET, Imphal to initiate expansion
of the centre. He further added that such
expansion will result in doubling the present
intake capacity of students at CIPET, Imphal.
Chief Minister of Manipur in his address appreciated
the services rendered by CIPET, Imphal in
promoting the plastics industries in the State of
Manipur as well as enriching the living standards
of unemployed youth through gainful employment.
Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers
assured the State Government to extend support
from Govt. of India for initiation of Plastics Park
and requested the State Government to provide
500 acres of land. Chief Minister of Manipur
assured to provide all the support for expansion of
CIPET, Imphal and establishment of Plastics Park
in Manipur.
CIPET is an ISO 9001:2008 QMS, NABL,
ISO/IEC 17020 accredited premier national
Institution under the Dept. of Chemicals &
Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals &
Fertilizers, Govt. of India devoted to Academic,
Technology Support & Research (ATR) activities
for the growth of Polymer & allied industries in
the country. CIPET operates on hub & spokes
model with 23 locations spread across the country
having uniform state-of-the-art infrastructural
facilities. CIPET Centre at Imphal was established
during 1987-88 to cater to the needs of plastics
and allied industries in the State of Manipur in
particular and North Eastern Region in general.
CIPET, Imphal has been significantly contributing
in encouraging and assisting the local entrepreneurs
in Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland through
organising training programmes in different disciplines
of Plastics Engineering & Technology. The
centre has been equipped with the state-of-the-art
equipments and machineries, which include conventional
as well as Micro processor controlled
processing & tool room machinery for manufacturing
different types of products.
New long term Diploma programmes and short
term vocational skill development programmes
will be initiated at CIPET Imphal with help of
this additional infrastructure to generate
employment opportunities for the unemployed/underemployed
youth in the State of
Manipur in particular and NE region in general.
Commissioning of the Assam Gas Cracker
Project (AGCP) at Dibrugarh, Assam shortly
with an investment of Rs.9000 crores and consequent
development of downstream plastic and
its allied industries in the region will further
enhance the self-employment and employment
potential. Govindas Konthoujam, Minister of
Commerce & Industries, Govt. of Manipur; Dr.
Thokchom Meinya, Member of Parliament
(Lok Sabha) participated in the function. Shri
Surjit K.Chaudhary, Secretary, Department of
Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Govt. of India;
Shri P.C.Lawnkunga, Chief Secretary, Govt. of
Manipur were also present.
Dr Mahesh Sharma takes stock of
the World-bank aided pro-poor
Tourism Development project of UP
The Union Minister of State for Culture
(Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent
Charge), & Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma
today held a meeting with the Secretary, Tourism,
Government of UP, ShriAmritAbhijat along with
the World Bank team, which is developing a Propoor
Tourism Development Project in the state of
Uttar Pradesh. Shri Abhijat briefed Dr Mahesh
Sharma on the activities planned for the project and
the current status of the project. The project is being
developed with the help of international level
experts, explained Shri Abhijat. The above project
aims to contribute to improving living conditions
and increasing income opportunities for poor
through enhanced tourism development in selected
destinations in the Buddhist Circuit, Braj region
and Agra. The Project will leverage resources
through advisory and technical assistance and
financing for institutional strengthening, asset rehabilitation,
infrastructure and services along the
Buddhist Circuit and Braj Agra Corridor. Secretary
Tourism, Dr LalitPanwar and senior officers of the
Ministry of Tourism were present at the meeting.
Commission
of India in
managing the
I n d i a n
Elections. He
stated that the Commission, as part of its
sustained pursuit of excellence, had gradually
introduced technological innovations,
including the use of Electronic
Voting Machines. These machines had
been successfully used during the last
three general elections and their reliability,
authenticity and stability had been
proven beyond doubt.
Chief Election Commissioner of India,
Dr. Nasim Zaidi, in his welcome address,
referred to the age-old and strong relationship
between India and Indonesia, particularly
in the political, cultural and commercial
fields. He also spoke about the
close cooperation between the Election
Commissions of India and Indonesia, particularly
in the framework of the
Memorandum of Understanding signed in
2011 and their collaboration in the
Association of Asian Election Authorities,
currently chaired by India. He expressed
ECI’s desire for further strengthening of
the cooperation with the General Election
Commission of Indonesia through further
exchange of experiences and skills. A
power-point presentation was made to the
Indonesian Delegation about the structure,
role and work of ECI in managing
the largest election exercise in the world.
This was followed by screening of a short
film on conduct of the General Election
of 2014. The visiting delegates were also
given a hands-on demonstration of the
Electronic Voting Machine and Voter
Verifiable Paper Audit Trail equipment.
The delegates evinced particular interest
in the Electronic Voting Machine and
were impressed by the use of voting and
counting technology used by ECI.
New Delhi, Five new directors
of Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR)
Institutes have taken
charge.After taking
charge,these Director’s have
also come to attend the two
day CSIR Director’s conference
at the Indian Institute of
Petroleum, Dehradun. The
Minister for Science &
Technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan
complimented newly joined
Directors, in his opening
remarks at the CSIR Director’s
Conference. Speaking on the
sidelines of the conference Dr
S Chandrashekar who is now
appointed as the Director of
the Indian Institute of
Chemical Technology (IICT),
Hyderabad stated that his team
of researchers and scientists
will make efforts to make India
a disease free country. The lab
he is heading is working tirelessly
to develop medicines for
the common man at affordable
prices, which are also most
effective and advanced in
terms of tackling emerging diseases.
He said his team at the
lab is very particular about
developing technologies which
are environment friendly. Dr
(Mrs) Madhu Dikshit, the new
India to Lead the World in Science
& Technology : Dr. Harsh Vardhan
The Minister for Science & Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that India
has the potential to lead the world in Science & Technology. He was addressing
a two day Director’s Conference of CSIR being held at CSIR-IIP,
Dehradun. He said that 21st century belongs to India at the global stage, under
dynamic leadership of Shri Narendra Modi. Science & Technology should
work to take care of challenges of developing suitable technologies for bringing
improvements in living conditions of common man. He stressed the need
to align world-class infrastructure & excellent brain power of scientific community
under CSIR to contribute to Swach Bharat and other schemes
launched by the Government for welfare of the poor. Dr. Harsh Vardhan while
extending the wishes of the Prime Minister who is the President of the CSIR
Society, said Shri Narendra Modi wants to take the country ahead in a fast
manner and scientists should come forward now to successfully resolve various
challenges being faced by the country. The minister also urged scientists
to conduct in regular brainstorming sessions for identifying projects for welfare
of poor and be proactive in their approach. He said they should actively
engage their energy for the bright future of India as envisaged by the Prime
Minister. The Director General CSIR Shri M.O. Garg welcomed the participants
and made a presentation on the working of CSIR. Directors from CSIR
Institutes made presentations and discussed about upcoming projects. Dr
Girish Sahani, Director, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh a participant
at the Director’s Conference said that Dr Harsh Vardhan’s address has
enthused him to work relentlessly for an India whom the world looks forward
to lead in S&T in the near future. He also said that PM’s vision of India to be
the front runner of 21st century is the ideal which scientific community has
been passionate to convert into reality. Dr. (Mrs) Madhu Dikshit, Director
Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow said that the conference has been
an opportunity to look into the future and make commitments to deliver to the
high expectations of the end users.
Nominations invited for
National Communal
Harmony Awards 2015
Nominations for the National Communal Harmony Awards- 2015, instituted
by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), under the
Ministry of Home Affairs, are invited from eligible individuals and organizations
for their outstanding contribution for promotion of communal harmony
and national integration. The National Communal Harmony Awards, 2015
consist of a citation each and cash award of Rs. 5 lakh for the Individual category
and Rs. 10 lakh in the Organization category. Individuals will be
assessed over a ten year period while Organizations will be adjudged over a
five year tenure. Nominations from competent proposers may be sent to The
Secretary, National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), 9th Floor,
‘C’ Wing, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi-110003 by June 30,
2015. Details may be seen on the Foundation’s website www.nfch.nic.in or
obtained from the office of the Foundation.
New Directors of
CSIR take Charge
Director of the Central Drug
Research Institute, Lucknow
said that CDRI is into new
medicines development that
meets international standards
for diseases that are becoming
common place. She will strive
to bring the medicines from
research to availability for the
public in the least possible
time, yet meeting all safety &
efficacy parameters. Dr Ajay
Ghosh, new Director of the
National Institute for
Interdisciplinary Science &
Technology, NIIST,
Thiruvananathapuram said that
he feels excited on being designated
as the Director of the
Institute. He said that he was
fully aware of the excellence &
capabilities of Scientists &
world-class infrastructure of
the Institute. NIIST develops
molecules for photo devices
and techniques for making natural
mineral resources in
coastal areas. NIIST develops
technologies for the future &
contributes to strategic development
of technology in space
& defence applications. He
said that we are on the verge of
developing technology in
waste management which will
convert household waste into
7
wealth for the nation.
Dr Sanjay Kumar has joined as
Director of Institute of
Himalayan Bioresources
Technology, Palampur. He has
been associated with the institute
for over 25 years. He said
that Himalaya has a gold mine
of opportunities in terms of its
bio-resources. Institute under
his leadership is developing
technologies for industry &
environment. IHBT is committed
to develop floriculture &
enzyme discovery for furtherance
of human healthcare. His
institute is also working on
developing alternatives to
sugar as sweetners for diabetics.
Research related to climate
change in Himalayas will be
his priority as Director. Dr.
Alok Dhawan has also been
appointed as the Director of
Indian Institute of Toxicology
(IITR), Lucknow. The
Director General CSIR Shri
M.O. Garg welcomed the new
Directors. He said that these
appointments have been
approved by the Prime
Minister as the President of the
CSIR. Dr Garg said a few other
vacancies in CSIR are also
being processed in a speedy
manner now.