Delhi,,

Based on scientific findings on the cause of ozone layer depletion, international community has catalysed global action to protect the ozone layer resulting in the adoption of the Vienna Convention in 1985 and Montreal Protocol in 1987. India became the party to the Vienna Convention on 19th June, 1991 and to the Montreal Protocol on 17th September 1992 and ratified all its amendments.

As per the scientific studies, it is expected that the ozone layer will be fully recovered to the pre-1980 level by 2050. Although, the production and consumption of major Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) responsible for depletion of ozone layer have already been phased-out, still some of these chemicals which were released globally earlier are still active in the stratosphere because of their long atmospheric life, thus this necessitates some time for complete recovery of the ozone layer. The size of Antarctic ozone layer hole measured in October 2010 was 22.2 million square kilometer, while the size reported in 2009 and 2008 were 24 million square kilometer and 27 million square kilometer respectively. This clearly indicates that the global efforts made including by India through the Montreal Protocol for the protection of the ozone layer are in the right direction and the Ozone Layer is on the path of recovery.

A number of research institutions and individual scientists both from within the country and non-resident Indian scientists have made contributions towards the phase out ODSs and recovery of Ozone layer. Indian industry has played a key role in phasing-out the production and consumption of major ODSs like Chloroflurocarbons (CFCs), Carbontetrachloride (CTC) and Halons with effect from 1.1.2010.

A number of steps have been taken including the fiscal and regulatory measures for implementation of the Montreal Protocol for the phase out of ODSs in the country. The technical and financial support for ODS phase-out activities to the Industry are directly provided by the Montreal Protocol.

The next task ahead is the phase-out of production and consumption of next category of chemicals known as Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) with an accelerated phase-out schedule adopted by the Montreal Protocol.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan

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NCR,,

Oxigen Launches a new generation point of sale(POS) GPRS terminal

The growth in telecom subscribers is gradually and surely shifting to the rural locations. While rural telecom revenue is a mere 24% of total revenues as of 2011, it is set to grow to 30% by 2013. This has spawned rapid scale up Telecom Retail in Tier II and Tier III locations as well as in small towns and villages.Connectivity for mobile Recharges and DTH recharge has posed a challenge with poor landline  connectivity and electricity. GPRS has emerged as a viable option. The difficult part had been the capital cost of the POS device.

Oxigen has been engaged in for last 12 months in developing a suitable cost effective solution. The new terminal called Oxismart has many superior functionalities which make it a preferred choice for a Retailer. Primary among these are a portable facility as the terminal has a battery backup and customised printing which reduces cost of consumable all very important for the retailer.

Based on valuable feedback from the retail market to provide them with Point of Sale terminals, which are wirefree (do not have any telephone line connected for them to conduct their business), have good battery back up (as rurral india has tremendous electricity outages), and are mobile ( can be moved from one location to another easily), Oxigen decided  to develope a cost effective GPRS PoS terminal.

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Delhi,,

216 coal blocks with geological reserves of about 50 billion tonnes have been allocated to eligible public and private companies under the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973. Out of that, 24 coal blocks have been de-allocated. Out of de-allocated coal blocks, two coal blocks were re-allocated to eligible companies under the said Act. In view of above, the net allocated blocks are 194 coal blocks with geological reserves of about 44.44 billion tonnes. Out of these 28 coal blocks have come into production. The rest of the blocks are in various stages of development. This information was given by the Minister of Coal, Shri Sriprakash Jaiswal .

The Minister said that development of coal blocks involves a gestation period of 3 to 7 years for reaching the production stage and another two to three years for reaching the optimal production capacity. the responsibility of developing the coal block as per the prescribed guidelines and milestones rests entirely with the allocattee company. In the terms and conditions of the allocation letters, it is categorically mentioned that in the event of willful delay in the development of coal blocks and in setting up of the end use project, the Govt. would take appropriate action to de-allocate the said block. Government periodically monitors and reviews the development of allocated blocks as well as end use plants by the allocattee companies in the review meetings. Wherever delays are noticed, Government issues show cause notices and advisories to such allocattees cautioning them to bring the coal blocks into production as per the guidelines/milestones chart. The Coal Controller’s office also monitors on regular basis the achievement of different milestones. Based on the recommendations made by the Review Committees from time to time, 24 coal blocks have been de-allocated till date, the minister added.

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Delhi,,

There are 1571 to 1875 tigers in India today which constitutes about 60 to 65 % tiger population of the world. According to the detailed report on the All India Tiger Estimation-2010 released here today, there is increase in number of tigers in Tiger Reserves and Protected Areas. The census of 2010 covered the areas of Sunderbans, some areas of North-East, Jharkhand etc which were not covered during last census. Along with this, Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves was also released today.

A detailed report on the 2010 assessment relating to status of tigers, co-predators and their prey is a sequel to the outcome released in March this year. This study reports a country wise increase of 20% in tiger numbers in 2010 with an estimated number of 1706 (1571-1875). The 2006 estimation was 1411 (1165-1657) tigers. This country level assessment is done once in every four years, and is a collaborative initiative between the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Institution of India (WII), and tiger States and outside expertise. There is a decline of 12.6% in tiger occupancy from connecting habitats. This has happened in peripheral and dispersal areas having low densities outside tiger reserves and tiger source populations.

The increase in tiger numbers is due to the fact that tiger populations in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown an increase in tiger density. The inclusion of Sunderbans, some portions of North East and parts of Maharashtra have also contributed to the increase. The methodology consisted of a double sampling approach – Phase I by Forest Departments generate indices of abundance, Phase II – Remotely sensed information on landscape characteristics in a Geographical Instruments System (GIS), Phase III – research biologists sample areas with remote cameras and modern technology to determine tiger abundance. There has been an unprecedented effort of about 4,77,000 man days by forest staff, and 37,000 man days by professional biologists. A total effort of 81,409 trap nights yielded photo-captures of 635 unique tiger from a total camera trapped area of 11,192 km2 over 29 sites.

Tiger occupied forests in India were classified into 6 landscape complexes: (a) Shivalik Hills and the Gangetic Plain , (b) Central India (c) Eastern Ghats , (d) Western Ghats, (e) North-Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Plains, and (f) Suderbans. The report is not about tiger numbers alone and gives invaluable information on connectivity, corridors and habitats.

The second report which was also released today on ‘Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves’ (MEE) contains the second round of independent assessment based on refined criteria done in 2010-11 for 39 tiger reserves. This assessment is based on the globally used framework, as adapted to Indian conditions. Five independent teams conducted the evaluation using 30 indicators. The framework consists of 6 elements; context, planning, inputs, process, outputs and outcomes.

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Zakir Hussein

INVC,,

Delhi,,

The Human Development Index (HDI) is directly dependent on two main parameters: Per Capita Electricity Consumption and Female Literacy. Delivering his keynote address on ‘Energy Technologies, Energy Securities and Climate Change’, Dr R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India and DAE-Homi Bhabha Professor, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, said, “For India to become a ‘developed’ country, the per capita electricity consumption has to increase manifold. Nuclear has to play an important role in this increase as India looks for a low-carbon path for its electricity production growth. India is aiming for an electricity capacity of over a million MW by 2050. Expanded use of nuclear technologies offers immense potential to meet important development needs. In fact, to satisfy energy demands and to mitigate the threat of climate change – two of the 21st century’s greatest challenges – there are major opportunities for expansion of nuclear energy in those countries that choose to have it.” Dr Chidambaram said that there should not be any fear related to nuclear energy. Lessons will be learnt from the recent Fukushima accident and more stringent security measures are being taken in the country and all over the world. Explaining three Stage Indian Nuclear Programme, Dr Chidambaram said, “In the first stage, we have Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) which uses natural UO2 fuels and SEU/MOX fuels, the second stage there are Fsat Breeder Reactors(FBRs) which use MOX/MC/ metallic fuel and the third stage uses thorium with TH-U233 closed cycle.

Explaining the Indian Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR-Pu) he said, it is a 300 MWe vertical pressure tube type, boiling light water cooled and heavy water moderated reactor using 233U-Th MOX and Pu-Th MOX fuel. Its Major design objectives are 65% of power from Th. Its several passive features include 3 days grace period, No radiological impact , Passive shutdown system to address insider threat scenarios , Design life of 100 years and coolant channels can be Easily replaceable. This is an innovative Technology demonstrator for the closed thorium fuel cycle.” Closing the nuclear fuel cycle is essential if nuclear is to be a sustainable mitigating technology in the context of the climate change threat. This is in coherence with India’s three-stage nuclear programme, Dr R Chidambaram explained.

Talking about other nuclear options, Dr Chidambaram said Accelerator-driven sub-critical reactor, using the spallation nuclear reaction are there. The second option is Thermonuclear fusion – Magnetic Confinement Fusion (Tokamak) and Inertial Confinement (Laser-Induced) Fusion and the third option is for energy as reactors or for energy amplification and fissile material breeding as hybrids. Referring to Eight Missions outlined in the National Action Plan on Climate Change, he clarified that Nuclear Energy is not in the group of eight missions because the Department of Atomic Energy is itself a Mission – oriented Agency. He disclosed that a new, 9th Mission on Clean Coal (Carbon) Technologies is being considered.

Regarding Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, he said the target capacity of Grid-connected Solar Power Projects by the year 2022=20,000 MW which will be split equally between Photovoltaic and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). He said that BARC has established a 6300 m3/day (6.3 MLD) Nuclear Desalination Demonstration Plant using hybrid Multi-Stage Flash-Reverse Osmosis (MSF-RO) technology integrated to existing PHWR at MAPS (Kalpakkam). It is the largest nuclear desalination plant in the world based on hybrid technology.

Research involves generation of new knowledge and Innovation requires adding economic value to knowledge. The border between Applied and Innovation, when developing cutting-edge technologies, becomes fuzzy. Referring to The Prime Minister’s announcement of the present decade as the ‘Decade of Innovation” and the year 2012-13 as the year of Science, Dr Chidambaram said, research and innovation are strengthened by collaboration, particularly between scientists who have mutual respect. Also any international collaboration is sustainable only if it is mutually beneficial. We need connectivity – both physical and electronic. Today’s India seeks international scientific and technological collaboration on an ‘equal partner’ basis e.g. LHC, ITER.

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Mumbai,,

The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that by announcing a 50 basis point increase in the policy repo rate, raising it from 7.50 per cent to 8.0 per cent, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sought to give a strong signal to further moderate inflation and check inflationary expectations. The Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee was reacting here today to the 50 basis points increase made in the policy repo rate under Liquidity Adjustment Facility(LAF) by RBI in its First Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2011-12 which was announced today in Mumbai.

The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that he expects that with this policy adjustment, we will be able to get back to a more comfortable inflation situation that takes us to the year end inflation level of 6 to 7 per cent.

The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that in recent months, inflation has softened, particularly so in case of food inflation, but due to the hardening of non-food manufacturing inflation, headline inflation continues to be around 9 per cent. Shri Mukherjee said though this is consistent with the RBI assumption for the first half of 2011-12, medium-term concerns on growth require that we bring it down to more acceptable level at the earliest. The Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee said that notwithstanding some slowdown of GDP growth in the first quarter of 2011-12, as reflected in the some indicators including the IIP and moderation in the growth of interest-sensitive sectors, the overall GDP growth for 2011-12 so far is in line with the momentum attained in 2010-11.

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Mascow,,

Dmitry Medvedev held a joint session of the Council for Culture and the Arts and the Council for Science, Technology and Education devoted to preparations for celebrating the 1150^thanniversary of Russian statehood. The meeting also addressed issues of preserving cultural heritage and teaching history in schools and universities.

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Balasore, Orissa,,

DRDO successfully flight tested its latest surface to surface Missile `PRAHAAR’ from Launch Complex III, off Chandipur Coast, ITR, Balasore, Orissa today. The Missile with a range of 150 kms, comparable to ATACMS Missile of United States of America, fills the vital gap between Multi Barrel Rockets and Medium Range Ballistic Missiles. The Missile capable of carrying different types of warheads, operates as battle field support system to the Indian Army.

The Missile with a length of 7.3 meters and diameter of 420 mm weighing 1280 kgs, and a single stage solid propulsion system went to a height of 35 kms before reaching the targets of the range of 150 kms in about 250 seconds. Equipped with state of the art high accuracy navigation, guidance and electro mechanical actuation systems with latest onboard computer, it achieved terminal accuracy of less than 10 meters.

The Missile with a pay load of 200 kgs has a fast reaction time, which is essential for the battle field tactical missile. The Missile was launched from a Road Mobile System, which can carry six missiles at a time and can be fired in salvo mode in all directions covering the entire azimuth plane.

The Missile system is developed to provide Indian Army a cost effective, quick reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battle field support tactical system. The development of Missile was carried out by the DRDO Scientists in a short span of less than two years.

The flight path of the Missile was tracked and monitored by the various Radar systems and Electro Optical systems located along the coast of Orissa. An Indian Naval ship located near target point in Bay of Bengal witnessed the final event.

The launch operations were witnessed by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri and Secretary Defence R & D, Lt Gen Vinod Nayanar, AVSM, Director General of Artillery, IHQ of MoD (Army). A team of scientists headed by Shri Avinash Chander, Chief Controller R&D, DRDO coordinated the entire launching operations.

Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has congratulated the Scientists of DRDO for the successful maiden launch of the new Missile.

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Delhi,,

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology solutions provider, announced that it has unveiled a number of new switches (series S7700, S6700, S5700, S3700, S2700, and S1700) for enterprise users. These switches leverage the industry’s best switching technologies and offer innovative, environmentally friendly, power-efficient solutions in addition to providing enriched functions and features. The innovative designs of these switches help accommodate the diverse demands of enterprise users, offering a new, future-proof IT network architecture.

Driven by the fast-growing IT application demands of enterprise users, Huawei developed these new switches to include powerful processing capabilities as well as state-of-the-art reliability, security, and environment-awareness technologies. Due in part to their easy installation, these innovative switches allow for facilitated network planning, buildout, and maintenance. Running on the versatile routing platform (VRP) of Huawei’s network operating system, these new switches offer enterprise users superb future-proof scalability. In addition, these switches employ an array of innovative technologies to reduce power consumption, enabling enterprises to operate in a more energy-efficient manner.

 “The increasing use of virtualization, VoIP, video and Web 2.0 applications is changing traffic patterns on enterprise networks, requiring greater reliability, performance and flexibility from LAN switches.  At the same time, the need for greater power efficiency and lower TCO is driving a new generation of switching architectures,” said Paula Musich, senior analyst at Current Analysis.  “In the healthy Ethernet switching market, vendors that provide the right mix of performance, price and feature richness will end up on enterprise buyers’ short lists as they prepare for network upgrades,” she added.

Liu Shaowei, president of Huawei’s Enterprise Networking Business Unit, said, “The IT system of an enterprise is becoming increasingly important, and associated IT applications are undergoing dramatic changes. Due to its extensive experience in the data communication segment, Huawei recognizes the growing importance of the IT system and has anticipated its evolution. In light of this, the launch of Huawei’s new switches coincides with the growing willingness of enterprises to set up a next-generation IT network architecture. In order to offer enterprise users premium products and services, Huawei will continue developing innovative enterprise networking products and solutions.”

To date, Huawei has delivered more than four million sets of switches and nearly one million sets of routers, which are widely used in the telecommunications, finance, transportation, power supply, education, and oil industries. Huawei switches and routers provide services for two billion users around the world.

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Kochi – Kerala,,

Union Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee has said that the capabilities against money laundering and terrorist financing should be strengthened by all nations to ensure an effective, efficient and more productive crusade against this menace. He said that left unchecked, money laundering can undermine the integrity of any financial system and embroil individual financial institutions in share-crippling financial scandals. Shri Mukherjee was speaking at the inaugural session of plenary of Asia Pacific Group at Kochi in Kerala today.

Shri Mukherjee said that the 20th century was characterized by a number of structural changes in the world economy. He said that the main pillars of this process were liberalization and deregulation of national economies and these developments together, created both opportunities and risks for the society. Shri Mukherjee said that while exponential technological breakthroughs in telecommunication and information sciences made knowledge, health care systems, agro technology, investments, and entertainment global, it also made, among other things, money laundering a global problem.

Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee said that the phenomenon of money laundering takes a myriad of dimensions, and therefore, its impact on the society are enormous and multi-dimensional. It has socio-economic, political as well as security implications on any nation. He said that the socio-economic effects of money laundering are crippling: illicit funds generated from criminal activities such as fraud, corruption, extortion, gun running, drug and human trafficking, and other forms of organised crime are laundered into clean currency, and in turn are used to fund new criminal operations or expand existing ones. Shri Mukherjee said that this translates into more fraud, more corruption, more drug trafficking and dealing, more illegal firearms, more violent crimes, and – most disconcertingly – more international terrorism. Moreover, the quantum of money generated from criminal activities and laundered throughout the world is believed to be several billions of dollars – up to as much as 2 to 5 % of global GDP, although it is not possible to produce a reliable estimate of the amount of money laundered, he said. The Finance Minister said that this gives the beneficiaries of money laundering a lot of muscle, and certainly enough means to threaten political stability worldwide. He stated that cross-border linkages of money laundering make it increasingly necessary for us to make collective efforts in dealing with it ruthlessly.

Shri Mukherjee said that the global menace of money laundering cannot be contained by any nation alone. He said that this was realized way back in 1989 and a co-operative and global policy response to the threats posed by money laundering was made in the form of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He added that since 1989, the FATF and FATF-Style regional bodies like APG are committed to the effective implementation and enforcement of internationally accepted standards against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee said that the Asia Pacific Group (APG) which was established in 1997 has been growing in membership and now consists of 40 active members making it the largest FATF-Style regional body in the world. Shri Mukherjee complimented the APG in achieving this milestone. However, having regard to the challenges which are peculiar to this region, APG has to continuously pursue its role in bringing more countries into its fold, the Minister said.

Shri Mukherjee said that the APG has been successfully carrying out its role in the Asia Pacific region in assessing APG members’ compliance with the international anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML & CFT) standards through its programme of mutual evaluations; by supporting implementation of the international AML/CFT standards, through technical assistance and training; by conducting research and analysis into money laundering and terrorist financing trends and methods. He said that the APG has a robust technical assistance and training function in the region. Congratulating the APG for being the first FATF-Style Regional Body to have formal institutionalized processes for technical assistance and training coordination relating to AML & CFT issues, Shri Mukherjee expressed confidence that the member countries would be making full use of the knowledge and expertise available with APG in augmenting their AML & CFT regimes. The Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee said that in 2005 India underwent its first APG mutual evaluation. He said that India also underwent a joint APG & FATF mutual evaluation in 2009. India became a member of the APG in March 1998 and 34th member of the FATF in June 2010.

The Finance Minister, Shri Mukherjee reiterated that India is fully committed to implement the international standards to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism and has taken a number of measures to improve the AML/CFT regime, in accordance with the FATF standards. This has been well acknowledged in the recent FATF plenary conducted in Mexico in June 2011, he said. The Minister further stated that India is strengthening its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism system as per its commitment to APG and FATF. He said that India has enacted anti-money laundering and terrorist financing legislations. The anti-money laundering legislation, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, presently covers 156 offences under 28 different statutes as predicate offences, said the Minister. Shri Mukherjee said that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act deals with terror and combating funding of terror. He said that in order to make the legislations more effective to deal with money laundering and terror funding, India is in the process of making suitable amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to bring them in line with the core and key recommendations of the FATF. Shri Mukherjee said that India has established a Financial Intelligence Unit which includes a system for reporting suspicious financial transactions. India’s money laundering investigations are spearheaded by the Directorate of Enforcement of the Ministry of Finance and we have recently augmented its manpower threefold, he said.

Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee said that India as a member of FATF has also accepted enhanced responsibility as Asia Pacific Regional Review Group (AP RRG) Co Chair. He said that as part of India’s commitment to global fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism, India has become a member of the Eurasian Group on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (EAG), wherein India is leading the project ‘Money laundering through securities Market’. India also participated in the joint FATF – EAG high level mission to Tajikistan with regard to its asset repatriation program, he said.

Shri Mukherjee said that India has ratified the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime in May 2011 and also the UN Convention Against Corruption. We have constituted a Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC), which is also tasked with inter-regulatory coordination to ensure compliance with India’s international obligations.

The Finance Minister said that India has been playing a pro-active role in the comity of nations in dealing with money laundering. Senior functionaries of Government of India have been part of the assessment teams of FATF and APG to assess the efficacy of anti-money laundering regimes of other countries and is also actively participating in the various Working Groups to meet the challenges of money laundering in its various dimensions. He said that recently, India was part of a high level mission to Bhutan which met with senior officials and Parliamentarians in the capital city of Thimpu in May 2011 to discuss Bhutan’s programme to implement AML & CFT measures and that India is extending all possible help to Bhutan to strengthen its FIU. He assured that India would continue to contribute significantly in the global efforts to prevent money laundering and in maintaining the integrity of financial systems.

In his concluding remarks, he said that global responses to the challenges of money laundering could be in the form of raising awareness about the phenomenon, especially its socio-economic impact; creating the necessary legal and institutional frameworks; and of course, effective law enforcement and international cooperation among others. Shri Mukherjee said that the need for mutual legal assistance, especially in extradition, and exchange of information and intelligence among enforcement agencies becomes imperative. Technical assistance and cooperation must be strengthened in a robust manner, he added. Shri Mukherjee said that the APG is the ideal multi-lateral body in the region for us to engage ourselves on these issues to enhance our capabilities and add to our tool box of new methodologies to deal with the complexities of money laundering. The Finance Minister expressed hope that APG will continue its good work and succeed in making the Asia Pacific region and the world at large, a better and safer global village devoid of its global problems. He hoped that the deliberations there would result in concrete suggestions and proposals in enhancing the capabilities to fight the war against the money laundering. Among others present on the occasion were Mr. K. Jose Cyriac, APG Co-Chair and Secretary to the Govt. of India, Mr. Tony Negus, APG Co-Chair and Commissioner, Australian Federal Police, Mr. Giancarlo Del Bufalo, President, FATF and Dr. Gordon Hook, APG Executive Secretary. Around 300 senior government officials from the Asia/Pacific region and the world are attending this event.

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Zakir Hussein

INVC,,

Delhi,,

India and US will work on some of the frontline areas for focused collaborative research. These include development of green technologies and collaborative research in addressing the challenges of climate change, monsoon and cyclone forecasting and analysis, weather forecasting and crop management, Wheat Genome Sequencing; Human Genetic-Genome Analysis; Stem Cell Research; Nano Biotechnology; Plant breading Technologies and Food Security; Micro-electronics and Material Science and Technology, Nano Science and Technology and Supercomputing.

Addreressing INDO-US Science and Technology Innovation Expo here today, Shri Ashwani Kumar, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences said, “ Larger objective of the cooperation between the two countries should be to ensure for people of both the countries better standards of life in larger freedom.” He said that those who believe in common values of human freedom, dignity, democracy, justice and the rule of law, must stand together, work together and triumph together in meeting the various challenges that we fare in common. Sh Ashwani Kumar said, “New opportunities for both the countries are fast emerging to nurture and foster a bi-directional entrepreneurial ecosystem by adopting some of the best practices and successful models based on the concepts of ‘mind to market’. Since its inception in March 2007 the India Innovation Growth Program has led to the synergy of more than 100 business transactions between India and USA with an estimated economic value of over Rs. 350 crores (US$ 77 million). Similarly, the Stanford India Biodesign program has resulted into 20 patents being filed and several proto-types of affordable bio-medical devises and technologies developed which are at various pre-commercialization stages.

National Innovation Council (NIC) whose focus is on equitable growth is facilitating the setting up of 40 industry and university innovation clusters across the country to seed innovations; it is working on creating a $ 1 Billion Inclusive Innovation Fund on a PPP model to drive and catalyse the creation of an eco-system of enterprise. Giving details of initiatives between the two countries, the Minister informed, “Concrete steps have been taken towards Indo-US Bi-national S&T Commission, Indo-US S&T Endowment Fund, Indo-US High Technology Cooperation Group, the DST – NSF Programme of Cooperation for Scientists and Engineers, Indo-US S&T Forum, Indo-US Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre etc.

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Delhi,,

The bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between India and the U.S.A. has been signed by Dr. Nasim Zaidi, Secretary, Civil Aviation and Mr. J. Randolph Babbitt, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) here today. The signing coincides with the visit of US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton to India. The signing took place in the presence of Senior Officers from the Ministry, DGCA, AAI from the Indian side and FAA and USTDA from the US side.

BASA will facilitate reciprocal airworthiness certification of civil aeronautical products imported/exported between the two signatory authorities. Indian standards would be comparable to global standards and its aeronautical products would be accepted by the U.S.

The nascent aircraft manufacturing industry in India would be hugely benefitted and it would spur trade between the two sides. It would demonstrate that India has the capability to develop FAA certifiable aircraft articles/appliances. It would encourage the civil aeronautical products industry which will eventually lead to self sufficiency in the sector.

BASA would encourage indigenous aircraft and aeronautical products industry and the US acceptance of Indian products will help their global acceptance. It would lessen the economic burden imposed on the aviation industry and operators by redundant technical inspections, evaluations and testing.

The next stage is to sign the implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (IPA) which provides for airworthiness technical cooperation between FAA and its counterpart civil aviation authorities. The scope of IPA can be enhanced from time to time. The USA has signed BASA with 24 countries.

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Zakir Hussein

INVC,,

Delhi,,

Dr. Nasim Zaidi, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation launched “India Aviation-2012”, the 3rd international Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation here today. The event will be held at Begumpet Airport from 14-18th March, 2012. Addressing on the occasion, Dr. Zaidi said that it would be necessary to redefine the parameters of regulation in order to assure travelers the guarantee of safety. The ministry is considering restructuring the DGCA into a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). In order to prevent repetitive accidents, an Independent Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Committee has been set up within oversight of Ministry of Civil Aviation to coordinate and oversee the investigation into accidents and also effective follow up of compliance of recommendations. Steps are under way to set up a full-fledged Independent Accident Investigation Board. He announced that a land mark Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement has been approved by the Cabinet and will be signed with USA, during the visit of Ms. Hilary Clinton, US Secretary of State. The proposed agreement will open up huge market for export of aeronautical products manufactured in the country in USA and other regions of the world. This will open up huge potential for investment.

Emphasizing the passengers’ facilities and consumer protection, he said that the rights of the passengers need to be respected and protected at all times. The significant steps for consumer protection has been taken through CARs on disability related rights, refunds, cancellations, delays, over-bookings and denied boardings. He suggested that Airlines and Airports should compete with each other in offering to passengers better of facilities, services and protection of their rights. He announced that a task force is working in Ministry to prepare an outline to set up an Ombudsman institution in civil aviation sector. Ministry of Civil Aviation has also set up an Innovation Council to suggest primarily IT lead innovations to improve products, services and customer related matters by airlines, airports and air traffic management service providers.

Dr. Zaidi also announced that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is also proposing to declare 18th February every year as Civil Aviation Day.

On connectivity, he said that the Ministry is reviewing policy of route dispersal guidelines to enhance connectivity in inaccessible areas and islands of the country. With a view to increase regional connectivity, regulatory framework pertaining to schedule and regional operators is also currently being reviewed to ensure that regional connectivity gets boost with the support of Airports Authority of India and private sector participating in the development of Tier II and Tier III cities. A task force is also working to examine the ways and means required to cut transaction time, cost and various other measures to simplify procedures to improve business environment with regulatory authorities.

Highlighting the growth of Civil Aviation Sector that the Secretary said that the sector has registered phenomenal growth in India in past decade. Passenger traffic has grown at 18% year on year basis and the year 2010 closed at 90 million passengers both domestic and international. India is the fastest growing aviation market and expected to be within 4-5 big aviation markets by 2020 and 3rd in terms of domestic market after US and China. India will cross 450 million mark of domestic passengers by 2020. During the last two decades from a fleet of only about 100, the scheduled operators today have 435 aircrafts connecting the nation and the world. It is projected that the center of gravity in the aviation industry will be shifting to the Asia-Pacific region in the coming years. Considering the geographic position of India, it has the potential to become an aviation hub at the cross roads between Europe/ Middle East and Asia Pacific. He informed that T-3 Terminal at Delhi International Airport is already evolving into a hub. About 11000 passengers are transiting from various spokes to different destinations in the world by utilizing spoke and hub system. Air India is already contributing to this growth including Jet Airways. It is also proposed to develop Mumbai and Chennai as hubs in next 2 years.

The “India Aviation-2012”, the 3rd international Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation is being organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation jointly with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). It will witness participation of over 250 exhibitors comprising of Aircraft Manufacturers, Aircraft Machinery & Equipment Companies, Aircraft Interiors, Airlines, Airlines Services & Air Cargo, Skill Development, Airport and Infrastructure, MROs. The exhibition will be spread over as area of 20,000 square meters. UK is the partner country for the 2012 event with France as Focus country and USA as the Guest Country. The Host State is Andhra Pradesh and the Overseas Associate for the show is Famborough International Ltd.

Apart from the Exhibition, India Aviation-2012 will have a conference on policy issues and business aspects of the civil aviation sector, a CEOs Forum representing chief executives of leading aviation companies, Chalets, Static Display, Demonstration Flights and Media Conferences.

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Mumbai,,

A film maker who painted each frame in his mind with the touch of perfection and then carved it out effortlessly in each scene of his film is Guru Dutt.  Shemaroo Entertainment releases a Collectors DVD Pack of the documentary “In Search of Guru Dutt” directed by Nasreen Munni Kabir on the occasion of his 86^th birth anniversary of the legendary film maker and actor at Planet M, Churchgate. The occasion was graced by Shyam Benegal, known Director, Lalita Lajmi, well-known Indian painter, Kalpana Lajmi, the famous film maker Arun Dutt, Son of Guru Dutt and Hiren Gada, Director Shemaroo Entertainment.

“In Search of Guru Dutt” is a moving and haunting 85 minute film that has been greatly appreciated by audiences around the world. Presented through evocative film excerpts and insightful comments by colleagues and near ones like Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Abrar Alvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi, Johny Walker, Shyam Benegal, Atmaram, Kalpana Lajmi and many more. The collector’s pack also has a book along with the DVD which has few of the most rare photos of Guru Dutt and his close ones. In Search of Guru Dutt is a fine documentary that paints a fine and thoughtful portrait of an exceptional director of Indian cinema.

Nasreen Munni Kabir is an India-born television producer based in the UK, best known for producing an annual season of Indian films for the British terrestrial television channel - Channel 4. She has also recently published 3 well received coffee table books called “In Search of Lata Mangeshkar”; “A. R. Rahman : The Spirit of Music” and “ The Dialogue of Pyaasa”.

Shyam Benegal shares his thoughts on the occasion, “Nasreen Munni Kabir made this documentary film 20 yrs ago. This was the first comprehensive documentary film made about Guru Dutt on his work and continues to remain one of the best sources of information on Guru Dutt’s films, his technique and work”

Arun Dutt says “When I saw In Search of Guru Dutt for the first time, I was truly impressed by the portrayal of my father’s films, the interviews with the family and his co-workers, and the way in which Nasreen had visualized it. I consider it to be the best documentary today or in the future”

Nasreen Munni Kabir talks about her documentary “This is perhaps one of the first long documentaries on an Indian film personality, and I feel most fortunate to have recorded the many fine minds of Indian Cinema, many of whom have now passed away and whose contribution will always remain a vital part of Indian film history.”

Kalpana Lajmi speaks about the film “Its fascinating to know that Nasreen Munni Kabir, brought up in London had enough passion & vision to capture Guru Dutt by sheer watching him on screen. She has evolved herself as a film maker during the journey. She adds “Nasreen is an amazing film maker. Though she never met Uncle Guru Dutt but has portrayed him very well in the film. She has actually brought him to life again with this film. The film is very poetic and analytical and actually reflects the love and tenderness of a woman’s touch while the journey of Guru Dutt unfolds through his work and cinema.”

Hiren Gada, Director, Shemaroo Entertainment says, “In search of Guru Dutt is a fine documentary film that captures the essence of Guru Dutt’s personal life, his contribution to the industry and the different phases of his career. This film is made with a lot of passion and we are sure that it will evoke a feeling of admiration and nostalgia among audiences.”

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