DUBLIN, Feb 15: Irish composer Raymond Deane chafes at what he sees as a lack of recognition in his homeland for classical composers in a country better known for traditional fiddling and rock supergroup U2 than for notes on staves. “Classical music means Mozart and Beethoven and when you say Irish classical music their eyes just widen,” Deane, who recently turned 60, told Reuters over lunch at a French-style bistro in Dublin. (agencies)
Silver futures down 0.17 pc on global cues, weak spot demand
NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Silver prices fell by 0.17 per cent to Rs 56,532 per kg in futures trade today, taking weak cues from the global market amid subdued domestic demand.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, silver for delivery in March fell by Rs 98, or 0.17 per cent to, Rs 56,532 per kg in business turnover of 2,223 lots.
In a similar fashion, the white metal for delivery in May declined by Rs 86, or 0.15 per cent to Rs 57,913 per kg in business volume of 161 lots.
Market analysts said besides weak demand at domestic spot markets, a subdued trend in the global markets attributed fall in silver prices at futures trade here.
In the international market, silver fell marginally to USD 30.37 an ounce in Singapore. (PTI)
State policy for senior citizens
Vikram Gour
For the last couple of years Association for Welfare of Senior Citizens and other NGOs have been requesting the J&K Govt both directly and through media to evolve specific policy for senior citizens and adopt the GOI enactments for the welfare of Senior Citizens but the State Government headed by a young Chief Minister who seems to have ignored all such requests and is treating the Senior Citizens in a manner in which some of the youngsters treat their elders.
It needs to be added here that before coming in of the present Government,(under the Governor Rule)the Governor vide G.O. No. 1428-GAD of 2008, had constituted ‘State Level Advisory Council’ to address the problems of senior Citizens of the state which are over 10-lacs in number in the State . This was done on the request of the NGOs. Immediately after that the so called ‘popular government’ under Omar Abdullah took over. Inspite of several requests both written as well as oral, right from governor downwards, not a single meeting of the council has been held so far.
Several requests have been made through media by NGOs for formulating State Policy on the basis of National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) adopted by GOI for the country in Jan. 1999 for the Older Persons in the state as well as adoption of maintenance of Parents/Elders Act 2007(GOI) by the J&K state. It may be of interest to know that both NPOP as well as Parents/Elders Maintenance Act 2007 of GOI has already been adopted by 24- states in the country and the Tribunals for settling cases under the Act have already been constituted in all these states. Our neighboring state H.P. has already circulated detailed ‘Draft Policy for Senior Citizens’ for public comments after carrying out district-wise survey about the elders above 60-years of age.
The Senior Citizens’ NGOs have been demanding from the Government especially the Social Welfare Department of J&K some basic facilities absolutely essential for the older persons but it appears that state government has ignored this sizable part of the state’s population and have left them at the mercy of God and their children. Some of the demands are listed as under:-
HEALTH CARE.
Separate Units covering all facilities be established for Senior Citizens in all government hospitals. 10% beds be earmarked for senior citizens. Health Insurance for SC with affordable premium. For SC below poverty line premium should be paid by the Government. Facility of trained nurses for needy ailing SC at their residences may be introduced on the patron being followed by Rajasthan Government. For Retired Govt. servants medi-claim facility be revived.
PROVISION OF SHELTERS
There is urgent need to provide adequate institutional care (day-care and residential) for SC as the existing old age homes are overcrowded and choked. Separate allocation of funds needs to be made for the purpose. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment GOI has number of schemes for financing NGOs for establishment of such care homes which needs to be exploited by the state government.
MAKING PUBLIC SERVICES USER FRIENDLY.
The existing services by the Government need to be made accessible, client oriented and user-friendly for older persons particularly in the field of shelter, health and transport.
UTILISAING EXPERIENCE
A mechanism needs to be devised to take benefit of the skills and experience of SC in all fields.
ENCOURAGING NGOs.
The NGOs working for the welfare of SC be encouraged through financial and non-financial measures. State should make arrangements for providing working accommodation for offices etc.
There were a couple of more demands including security and safety of the SC.
Since the Finance Minister is in the process of pre next Budget for the state (he himself being a senior citizen) should ensure that enough funds are specifically allocated for the benefit of senior citizens and the Ministry of Social Welfare takes some pains to understand that senior citizens of the state are also their responsibility.
Bosnian Roma family plays itself in stark film
BERLIN, Feb 15: When Bosnian director Danis Tanovic learned about a Roma family refused emergency medical care because they could not pay for it, he not only decided to turn their story into a film but managed to convince the couple to play themselves. The result is “An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker”, a simple, powerful tale of one man’s struggle to provide for his partner and two daughters and of a society where money is apparently more important than human life. (agencies)
Gold futures down on global cues
NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Gold prices moved down by 0.26 per cent to Rs 30,383 per 10 grams in futures trade today after participants off-loaded partial positions, taking weak cues from the global market.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold for delivery in April declined by Rs 80, or 0.26 per cent, to Rs 30,383 per 10 grams in business turnover of 2,010 lots.
Likewise, the metal for delivery in June shed Rs 67, or 0.22 per cent, to Rs 30,859 per 10 grams in 180 lots.
Market analysts said a weak trend in the overseas markets after big investors cut stake in exchange-traded products, mainly put pressure on the gold prices at futures trade here.
Globally, gold fell 0.3 per cent to USD 1,630.60 an ounce in Singapore. (PTI)
Foundation stone for PAN-IIT Solar Thermal Proj next week
CHENNAI, Feb 15: The foundation stone for the ‘prestigious’ PAN-IIT Solar Thermal Project involving various Indian Institutes of Technology across the country will be laid near here next week.
The Rs 15-crore project is a research effort in which IITs together contribute towards establishment of a pilot solar thermal power generation system and funding to the tune of about Rs 15 crore will be provided by the Government of India through Department of Science and Technology (DST).
“Three major projects have been envisaged under this effort – namely establishment of a direct steam generation based solar thermal power plant, Liquid Dessicant based Solar Air Conditioning System and a Thermal Storage system,” B Nagarajan, Deputy Registrar (Training, Placement and Public Relations), IIT-Madras said.
The project on solar thermal power plant with direct steam generation is being coordinated by IIT Madras and IIT Roorkee, he said in a release here.
Liquid desiccant based AC system and that on storage of solar thermal energy using phase change materials and other sensible storage systems will be coordinated by IIT Bombay and IIT Guwahati, respectively, he added.
“All three projects will be integrated in a pilot solar thermal plant located at the Pathashaala, Vallipuram (Kanchipuram District), Tamil Nadu,” he said,adding foundation stone for this ‘prestigious’ project will be laid on February 17,2013 DST Secretary T Ramasami. (PTI)
Sugar futures remain weak on poor demand, ample supplies
NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Amid weak spot demand and rising higher supplies, sugar prices fell by Rs 17 per quintal to trade at Rs 3,119 in futures trade today as speculators engaged in reducing their positions.
At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, sugar for delivery in far-month April declined by Rs 17, or 0.54 per cent, to trade at Rs 3,119 per quintal, with an open interest of 19,700 lots.
The sweetener for delivery in March also shed Rs 14, or 0.45 per cent, to Rs 3,073 per quintal, in an open interest of 24,710 lots.
Marketmen said persistent fall in sugar futures prices was mostly due to poor demand against higher supplies in the physical markets. (PTI)
Prince to headline Montreux jazz with three pricey Concerts
GENEVA, Feb 15: Prince returns to the Montreux Jazz Festival in July to give three concerts at the 47th edition, the first after the death of founder Claude Nobs, organizers said on Thursday. The American singer and musician is booked to give three shows on July 13, 14 and 15, the Swiss festival said in a statement. (agencies)
Hollywood actors face new worry as reality commercials Rise
LOS ANGELES, Feb 15: For a recent TV commercial, H&R Block’s advertising agency passed on using actors and instead chose Riley Holmes, who works at the tax preparer’s Chicago office, to pitch the company’s free “second look service” that claims it can find new deductions from prior returns. “People bring in old tax returns and I’m like, ‘Who did this to you?'” says Holmes in the 30-second TV commercial. (agencies)
Laxmi Vilas Bank net up by 10 pc
MUMBAI, Feb 15: Private lender, the Laxmi Vilas Bank posted a ten per cent growth to Rs 31.31 crore for the quarter ended December 30,2012 against Rs 28.35 crore for the quarter ended December 30,2011.
The total business has improved to Rs 25830 crore from Rs 22625 crore, advancing by 14.17 per cent, year-on-year.
The total Deposits rose from Rs 13281 crore to Rs 14780 crore, registering year-on-year growth of 11.28 per cent, a statement issued by the bank said.
Gross Credit expanded from Rs 9344 Crs to Rs 11051 crore registering growth of 18.27 per cent.
The gross NPA was 4.41 per cent and Net NPA was 2.97 pc as of 31st Dec 2012.
The Bank has a national presence serving over 16 lakhs satisfied customers through its 291 branches and 631 ATMs, spread across 15 States and 1 Union Territory.
Bank has been permitted by RBI to open 71 branches across the country under the Branch Expansion Plan for FY14, it added. (UNI)