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India eyes global aviation outsourcing pie; invites majors BANGALORE, Feb 9: As global aviation firms eyeing the multi-billion dollar civilian and military market showcase their hardware at the Aero India Air ....more Dragon,
is now eyeing NEW DELHI, Feb 9: The dragon is now eyeing the humble bamboo! Hitherto giving competition to Indian goods that ranged from crackers, bulbs ....more Surjeet
asks CPI not to KAMARHATI (WB), Feb 9: CPI-M general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet today asked CPI not to go for ‘bargaining’ on the .....more Manikchand’s sponsporship discontinued for filfare awards MUMBAI, Feb 9: The owner of filmfare magazine Bennett Coleman and Co Ltd has .....more |
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Amby Valley, Sahara lake city to host Mrs World contest NEW DELHI, Feb 9: After Sydney, San Jose, Jerusalem, Moscow, Las Vegas and Hawaii, Mrs World contest is coming to India for the first time, . ....more "Modern" SA is a new discovery for India: Natwar Singh NEW DELHI, Feb 9: Asserting a "modern" South Africa was a new discovery for India, ....more Plan panel for discontinuation of seven Central schemes NEW DELHI, Feb 9: The Planning Commission has in principle agreed on the discontinuation .......more Pranab invites foreign companies to explore JVs with India BANGALORE, Feb 9: Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today invited foreign companies to explore possibilities of having joint ventures with .......more |
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| SC terms attack on Geelani
"disturbing", seeks probe report ...... CYSI to give cyber law compliance certificate to cyber cafes ..... |
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India eyes global aviation outsourcing pie; invites majors BANGALORE, Feb 9: As global aviation firms eyeing the multi-billion dollar civilian and military market showcase their hardware at the Aero India Air Show that took off today, India invited aerospace companies to leverage its low cost, high talent workforce and infrastructure for building aircraft and systems for the world market. "We can, together, reduce the development and marketing costs, jointly develop state-of-the-art aviation products and do joint marketing," Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at the fifth edition of the Aero India 2005 at the Yelanhanka Air Base on city outskirts which has attracted over 352 aerospace firms from India and abroad. He said the presence of a significant number of foreign companies is testimony to the opportunities that India offers for joint ventures, technology transfer and co-production for the global market. 225 foreign aircraft and defence systems firms including boeing, airbus, lockheed martin, bae systems, MiG and dassault have a significant presence in the five-day show, as Indian air force gears up to buy 126 supersonic fighters to replace its ageing MiG fleet and Air India plans to add 50 passenger jets worth USD seven billion to fly long routes. "It (Aero India) is an ideal forum to explore business opportunities, as well as to facilitate joint ventures, collaborations, tie-ups for mutual benefit," Mukherjee said. About 80 aircraft including the Sukhoi30 MK-I, Jaguars, Mirage 2000, the US F-15 Eagle, India’s home grown Tejas, the light combat aircraft, intermediate jet trainer and Sarang, the advanced light helicopter team displayed their prowess at a scintillating airshow. "The near doubling of participation by Indian firms reflects the coming of age of the Indian Defence Industry. There is tremendous scope for outsourcing from India in areas where the companies are competitive," Mukherjee said. Indian participation has jumped to 126 this year from 74 in 2003, comprising firms which build systems, software and components for Indian defence programmes, besides foreign aerospace majors. He said the Indian aeronautical industry is not only focusing on military aircraft production, but also has dedicated facilities for civil aircraft manufacture and maintenance. "In view of the rapid growth of civil aviation in this country and Asia, the Indian aeronautical industry is pro-actively considering diversifying in the field of civil aviation aircraft, manufacture and overhaul," Mukherhee said. The entry of low-cost carriers like Air Deccan and private carriers like Jet and Sahara, besides favourable Government policies has seen a spurt in passenger traffic in India, forcing rival aircraft makers boeing and airbus to revise upwards their estimate for aircraft demand here in the next 20 years. India’s passenger traffic is growing at 20 per cent per annum, one of the fastest growing in the world. Some multi-million dollar deals are expected to be announced in the show by aviation majors, including Franco Italian aircraft maker ATR, boeing corp and Lockheed Martin, officials indicated. (PTI) |
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Dragon, is now eyeing the humble bamboo NEW DELHI, Feb 9: The dragon is now eyeing the humble bamboo! Hitherto giving competition to Indian goods that ranged from crackers, bulbs to electronics, the Chinese industry is now invading the indigeneous bamboo-craft markets — long considered to be the fortress of Indian artisans. "The Chinese openly ask international customers to get the price quoted from India, and offer the same products at a much cheaper rate," complains Neeraj, a Delhi-based craftsman. Quoting a price to the same tune is not possible for the Indian craftsmen, who incur far more manufacturing costs than their Chinese counterparts, he says. Neeraj is not alone in feeling intimidated by the ‘dragon threat’. Many bamboo and cane craftsmen, who were recently here to showcase their artefacts, feel helpless despite various Government schemes to promote the craft. Voicing their concerns, they say though the Government does try to provide a platform to them in form of exhibitions across the country, the underlying "lack of entrepreunuership" in these endeavours defeats the whole purpose. "Chinese quality and costing gives us a beating in the world markets. There is no industrial set-up to back up the Indian crafts industry and the Government’s policy is such that it asks the craftsman to market his products," elaborates Neeraj while offering a penny for your thought — a good craftsman need not be a good trader! Echoing Neeraj’s sentiments, Mohammad Bashid Ali, another bamboo artisan from Guwahati says not all the artisans are lucky enough to be registered with the Department of Handicrafts with the result that they have practically no platform to showcase their craft. He also rues the fact that most of the visitors do not appreciate the labour that goes in the manufacturing of an artifact. "Many a times people like my breadboxes but when I tell the price, the reaction often is that similar boxes in plastic are available at cheaper rates...They do not understand the hard work and intricacies involved in the manufacturing process," he says. "At the same time the foreigners who are willing to pay good money might not buy the products as they are cumbersome and difficult to carry," adds bashid. While the Government officials do not deny the threat from the Chinese bamboo exporters and feel the need for some kind of a copyright law to protect the Indian heritage, they also blame the artisans. "Though we have set up regional centres to promote the craft, the craftsmen are reluctant to learn the modern techniques which would be cost-effective," says a senior official with the office of Development Commissioner, Handicrafts. He, however, says, requesting anonymity that there is no documentation or data available on the Indian bamboo market or its potential in the world markets. "Indian bamboo products are in great demand abroad," says Sahar Afif, a Pakistan based dealer, who sells these artefacts in Dubai. She, however, has to take a whirlwind tour of the capital as there is no one-stop-shop for these artefacts — unlike China where the state buys artefacts from the craftsmen and markets them internationally. Any takers! (PTI) |
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Surjeet asks CPI not to go for bargaining on question of unity KAMARHATI (WB), Feb 9: CPI-M general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet today asked CPI not to go for ‘bargaining’ on the question of unification of two Communist Parties and said that they could come and join if they so feel. In an obvious reference to CPI, Surjeet said, "once those who had called us splitters, are now insisting on communist unity. But I say why go for bargaining. If you feel, you may come and join." Inaugurating 21st State Conference of the party here, Surjeet in his opening remarks said that CPI-M wanted an independent line. Many people talked of deviation but any deviation should be judged on the basis of its practice. "Communist Party can be based only on principle. Marxism is not a Dogma, it is science. We should study ourselves and decide what is correct and what is wrong," he said. Surjeet who dwelt at length on the communist movement in the country and the split in the party in 1964, said that they (CPI) had propounded different theories. ‘But theories have to be put into practice.’ Surjeet also referred to the party’s success in west bengal and said that it proved ‘we are on the correct path’. Stating that socialism was being built in China in a different way, he said that CPI-M did not follow anybody but adopted an independent line. Apart from Surjeet, CPI-M politburo members Jyoti Basu, Prakash Karat, biman Bose and Anil Biswas were present among others. Earlier, CPI general secretary A B Bardhan had stated that the two communist parties should come together, if not merge. "The two should work unitedly to fulfil objectives of establishing socialism. They are like two rivers Ganga and Yamuna and the two streams should meet at some point," Bardhan had said. (PTI) Manikchand’s sponsporship discontinued for filfare awards MUMBAI, Feb 9: The owner of filmfare magazine Bennett Coleman and Co Ltd has decided to discontinue the sponsorship of Dhariwal Industries Ltd for the annual filmfare awards this year. The step has been taken in view of the interpol issuing red corner notices to Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal, owner of the Manikchand brand Gutkha, for his alleged underworld links, the Times Group said here today. The Times Group said it has been hosting filmfare awards since last 50 years and it has been sponspored by Dhariwal Industries Ltd since 1999 under the title ‘Manikchand Filmfare Awards’. "This year also we would have continued with this association but for the circumstances causing deep concern to us," the group said. Dhariwal is wanted by Mumbai Police under MCOCA for his alleged underworld links and a local court has issued non-bailable warrant against him. "The Times Group said "filfare is a magazine of great repute and so are the filmfare awards. We believe that this association of filmfare awards with Manikchand as its sponsors would tarnish the clean image of filmfare and the Times Group," the group announced. "We have been receiving several telephone calls and enquiries from viewers, business associates, well wishers and the film fraternity expressing their strong reservation on the continuance of the Manikchand group as the sponsor of the filmfare awards," the announcement said. "Without any reflection on the proceedings, which are going on against Rasiklal Dhariwal, the establishment of Bennett Coleman and Co Ltd has decided to discontinue the sponsorship of Dhariwal Industries Limited," the Times Group said. (PTI) |
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Pranab invites foreign companies to explore JVs with India BANGALORE, Feb 9: Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today invited foreign companies to explore possibilities of having joint ventures with India on technology transfer and co-production for the global market. Inaugurating the fifth edition of the International Aerospace Exposition Aero India at the Yelahanka Airbase, about 25 km from here, he said the presence of a significant number of foreign companies bore testimony to the opportunities that India offered. "We can together, reduce the development and marketing costs, jointly develop state-of-the-art aviation products and do joint marketing as well," he exhorted. He said with high degree of skill and relatively lower manpower cost, India provided an excellent opportunity for all buyers and sellers to source cost effective goods and services from the industry. Mr Mukherjee said the research and development work done in some of the defence laboratories were being made available to the private sector for productionisation. The country’s achievement in scientific, technological and industrial capabilities were significant and the Defence Ministry had recently taken steps to enter into cooperative partnership with the industry in private sector. International collaborations that were in conformity with India were welcome, he added. Stating that there was tremendous scope for outsourcing from India in areas where the companies were competitive, the minister said this event would provide ample number of opportunities for exploring such possibilities. Mr Mukherjee said during the last five decades, the Indian aviation industry had grown into one of the largest aeronautical complexes in Asia by achieving total capability in manufacturing and maintaining aircraft, helicopters, engines, accessories and avionics. The near doubling of the participation of the Indian companies reflected the coming of the age of the Indian defence industry, he pointed out. The minister said the Indian aeronautical industry was not only concentrating on military aircraft production, but also had dedicated facilities for civil aircraft manufacture and maintanence. In view of rapid growth of civil aviation in the country and Asia, the industry was proactively considering diversifying into the field of civil aviation aircraft, manufacture and overhaul, he informed. Minister of State for Defence B K Handik, in his address, hoped that new colloboration programmes, including procurement of machines and display of items of strategic interests, as well as opportunity for export by Indian companies followed the event. Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh said India could explore the international potential, besides meeting domestic needs in such events. The inauguration was followed by a 30-minute scintillating display of aircraft which was witnessed by the dignitaries. In all over 350 Indian and foreign companies from over 30 countries, including the United States, Britain and Russia, were participating in the five-day event. (UNI) |
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SC terms attack on Geelani "disturbing", seeks probe report NEW DELHI, Feb 9: Terming as "disturbing" the murderous attack on S A R Geelani, the Supreme Court today asked the Delhi Police to submit after a week its report regarding the progress made in the probe even as his counsel sought a CBI investigation into it. The order came from a bench comprising Justice P V Reddi and Justice P P Naolekar which is hearing cross petitions filed by the two convicted and sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case and the petitions filed by the state challenging the acquittal of Geelani and Navjot Sandhu. Right at the beginning of the hearing of the case pending in the Supreme Court for last more than a year, counsel for Geelani senior advocate Ram Jethmalani said the Delhi University lecturer had expressed apprehensions about threat to his life from Delhi Police as far back as March 2004. "The prophecy of the person almost came true as he is battling for his life after a murderous attack last night," he said and requested the court to handover the probe into the case to CBI. The bench directed the Delhi Police, represented by senior advocate Gopal Subramnaiam, to file the progress report of its investigations into the incident after one week. Assuring the court that a thorough probe would be conducted into the matter, he said that "the Commissioner of Police is personally monitoring the investigations into the case." Jethmalani severely criticised the Delhi Police for not allowing the wife of the injured lecturer to visit him last night and said "the police threw a cordon of armed personnel around Geelani at All India Institute of Medical Sciences and did not allow the wife to be by his side". "Only after the media started reporting the incident and asked questions that the Delhi Police relented and allowed the wife near him," he alleged. When the court enquired about the condition of Geelani, Jethmalani said his intestine has been ruptured at 10 places but the doctors have not lost hope of saving him. Geelani was rushed to AIIMS after he was shot outside his lawyer Nandita Haksar’s residence in Vasant Enclave locality at around 2100 hours last night. Geelani was among the four people who were accused of masterminding the December 13, 2001 Parliament attack. However, he and Navjot Sandhu alias Afsan Guru were acquitted by the Delhi High Court. Geelani and two others Mohd Afzal, Shaukat Hussain Guru had been sentenced to death by a trial court on December 18, 2002. However, the High Court had acquitted Geelani while maintaining the convictions and sentence of the other two. (PTI) CYSI to give cyber law compliance certificate to cyber cafes CHENNAI, Feb 9: Cyber Society of India (CYSI), a Chennai-based voluntary organisation, today said it would undertake audit and certification of cyber cafes in Tamil Nadu to ensure that the internet cafes follow a benchmark level of cyber law compliance. The CYSI would also offer ‘cylawcom certification’ services based on the audits conducted by Cyber Law College, a constituent member of the society, for web publishers, said Na.Vijayashankar, secretary, CYSI. "Under the programme, trained cylawcom auditors will undertake audit of cyber cafe facilities and assist them in setting up suitable systems in place to ensure a benchmark level of cyber law compliance," he told reporters here. Upon confirmation, a certificate ‘certified e-bridge centre’ would be given to the internet cafes, recognising their greater role in acting as an e-bridge for people to access the benefits of cyber society, Vijayashankar said. He said the events following the bazee.Com event, where an obscene picture was allegedly shown on the auction website, have shown that cyber cafes must realise that "they may have to face liabilities arising out of cyber crimes happening through their network," Viyashankar said. However, a majority of cyber cafes are not aware of the existing cyber laws and even those who are aware do not know how to demonstrate the observance of due diligence, said R Ramamurthy, vice-chairman of CYSI. States such as Maharashtra and Karnataka have passed separate legislations to register cyber cafes and impose mandatory production of photo identity cards for visitors. "Despite appreciation for the need to identify cyber cafe users, the measures introduced in these states were yet to prove successful," said Ramamurthy. "The effort is to educate the internet cafe owners about the prevailing cyber laws in India and to guide them in taking steps in voluntary compliance of cyber laws," he said. Regarding the web publishing aspect, Vijayashankar said the e-group forum or blocks, which operate on the internet, should also get themselves audited as any objectionable material on the group may land them behind the bars, under the cyber laws. "We would audit the sites and give a certification, which will help them remove or prevent such materials," he said.(PTI) New method to predict onset of monsoon over Kerala MUMBAI, Feb 9: A new method developed by the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUST) would be able to derive prediction methods about onset of monsoon over Kerala with greater accuracy, according to cust Professor Emeritus Dr P V Joseph. "The IMD has been using subjective methods to declare Monsoon Onset over Kerala (MOK) while the cust has shown an objective method which includes a detailed study of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)," Joseph, who was the former Director, India Meteorological Department (IMD), told a gathering of weathermen here yesterday. With an aim to rectify the confusion, the weathermen sometimes face in predicting the MOK due to "bogus" onset or "pre-monsoon rain peak" phenomenon, the CUST scientists have developed a method which can objectively decide about the MOK, analysing 40 years of `onset’ data, Joseph said. The method evolved after a four-year study (funded by the Indian Space Research Organisation) uses longer time series data and data from satellite derived cloud patterns, winds measured by satellites and balloons and outgoing long-wave radiation data of US satellites, he said. Elaborating the science behind the new objective methodlogy, Joseph said monsoon phenomenon is intimately associated with the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) with its associated deep clouds and rainfall. "MOK occurs when the ITCZ cloud band (occupying almost half of the globe — global oceans, atmosphere and landmass) moves north from south of equator and reaches Kerala latitudes," Joseph said. "This northward motion was found by CUST to be occurring not as a total movement of ITCZ northward but occuring in steps over different regions," he said. CUST found that from about 70 days before MOK, ITCZ band moves across equator over western Pacific, Joseph said adding, at 40 days before MOK, an ITCZ cloud band forms over the equatorial area south of Bay of Bengal. This cloud band then moves and reaches southeast Asia bringing monsoon rains over Thailand and south China sea area. "The western edge of this rain band, in some years particularly in delayed MOK years, gave heavy rainfall for few days over Sri Lanka, Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu," he said. However, this is not the real onset of Indian monsoon but a "pre-monsoon rain peak" (coined by Joseph) or "bogus onset" (recently coined by US meteorologists). About 15 days before MOK, the ITCZ cloud band forms over equatorial area south of Arabian Sea. "It is this cloud band moving northeast wards that brings about the MOK," Joseph asserted. In the ITCZ cloud band, there is lot of rain produced by deep clouds, the conversion of water vapour into water and consequent release of huge latent heat into the atmosphere, the atmosphere gets heated in a deep column which lowers the atmospheric pressure below the ITCZ cloud bands. "This results in the drawing away moisture-rich air of the south Indian Ocean across the equator near the east African coast," he said. "This airflow turns to the right due to earth’s rotation and brings a strong monsoon and current of south-westerly wind to India," he explained. This monsoon current is generally six to seven kms deep in the atmosphere with maximum speed of winds at about 1.5 km above sea level (a typical speed at 1.5 km equals to 60 to 80 km per hour), Joseph said. The meteorologists named this flow as ‘low-level jet stream’. Thus, the ITCZ clouding and consequent wind flow induced can be monitored by satellites and by the conventional meteorological observatory balloon methods of measuring wind speed. "The changes observed are systematic and thus there is hope to derive prediction methods for the onset phase of monsoon in India," the Professor added. (PTI) |
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