NEW DELHI, Feb 2: Primary healthcare provider Bharat Family Clinic has said it would invest Rs 60 crore to open up to 30 clinics by 2015.
“We will be opening around 30 Bharat Family Clinics by end of 2015. We will be investing Rs 60 crore for this,” Bharat Family Clinic Chairman and MD Pradeep Handa told PTI.
This is part of the company’s long-term plans to establish a large network of outpatient primary care clinics across India, he added.
When asked how the company plans to raise the finances for the expansion, Handa said: “Entire operation and expansion of these clinics in India would be financed through internal accruals.”
The company has also tied up with Johns Hopkins Medicine International for an advisory role in developing clinical programmes, assistance with facility design and operation of the clinics besides training of physicians.
“The new facilities will adopt the outpatient primary care procedures and protocols of Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, and will feature diagnostic equipment and highly trained teams of health care providers,” Handa said.
Areas of speciality will include general internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, pediatrics, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology among others, Bharat Family Clinic said. (PTI)
Bharat Family Clinic to open 30 clinics by 2015
‘WTO members should adopt step-by- step approach, no big-bang’
NEW DELHI, Feb 3: World Trade Organisation chief Pascal Lamy has asked members of the multi-lateral body to adopt a “step-by-step” plan to conclude Doha round of talks, instead of a “big-bang” approach to open up global trade.
“We have to move step-by-step (to conclude negotiations). We have reached at about 80 per cent and the overall deal, which could not conclude, because of the missing 20 per cent,” he told PTI in an interview.
The Doha Round is going to conclude on the back of small steps, instead of a big-bang approach which is clearly is not available at the moment, he added.
The proposed deal has remained inconclusive for years due to differences between rich and developing nations on issues like subsidies in agriculture and fisheries, tariff cut in industrial goods and market access for services.
Lamy said, it would be difficult to conclude the talks for for “the Doha Round as a single package” on the “principle that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” for a variety of reasons.
Therefore, he suggested, that World Trade Organisation (WTO) member nations could move forward on issues like trade facilitation and matters related to agriculture on a priority basis, which would benefit all.
“This is a part of the Doha Round that can be concluded as early harvest,” Lamy said, adding that every member should agree on this if it has to be concluded this year.
Under the early harvest, rich nations, including the US, want India and other emerging economies to be part of the four major sectoral pacts -trade facilitation (TF), information technology (IT), environmental goods and international services agreement.
Ahead of the Ministerial Meeting in Bali in December this year, key members of WTO including India, USA and China may take stock of the Doha Round.
The Doha talks, launched in 2001, have missed several deadlines for its conclusion due to divergent views on some of the issues between developed countries like the US, and the developing nations such as India. (PTI)
Assocham asks govt to fast-track clearance for Jet-Etihad deal
NEW DELHI, Feb 3: Industry body Assocham today asked the government to expedite mandatory clearances to give effect to the proposed Jet-Etihad deal and launch fresh efforts to revive the grounded Kingfisher Airlines.
The government should “ensure that all the mandatory clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board and even from RBI should be given expeditiously so that a refurbished entity takes off with a renewed vigour,” it said.
Assocham said: “After the Etihad-Jet deal, fresh efforts should also be made to revive the grounded Kingfisher Airlines.”
“After all, public money worth several thousands of crores of rupees is locked and the stakeholders – be it banks, employees and promoters – all are the losers,” it said.
Observing that Indian aviation industry was witnessing early signs of revival, Assocham said the proposed deal for Etihad Airways to pick up stake in Jet Airways would “infuse new lease of life” in the troubled Indian aviation sector.
The industry has been navigating headwinds from the economic slowdown that led to slump in passenger traffic and spike in operational costs, it added.
“Induction of capital by Etihad, one of the most efficient airlines of the world will not only improve the financial position of Jet Airways, but would also bring several operational benefits as well as give an extended reach to the Indian carrier,” Assocham said.
The two airlines are expected to clinch the deal soon and apply for approval of the stake sale deal to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) of the Finance Ministry.
Assocham said the proposed deal would also send positive signals among global investors who want to invest in different sectors of the economy.
It said Etihad has in the last two years picked up strategic stakes in several global carriers like Virgin Australia, Air Seychelles and Aer Lingus. “In a way, Jet would become part of the big Etihad reach all around the world,” Assocham said.
However, the chamber said, a lot more needs to be done both from the industry and from the policy perspectives. (PTI)
Free trade pact between US and Europe possible: Biden
MUNICH, Feb 3: Emphasising that Europe continues to be the bedrock of the United States’ global engagement, Vice President Joe Biden has offered the US government’s support to create a transatlantic free trade zone.
A comprehensive free trade pact between the US and Europe will not only raise transatlantic relations to a new level, but will also bolster the economies on both sides, create new jobs and strengthen global trading system, Biden said in his keynote address to 49th Munich Security Conference.
The idea of a free trade zone between the US and Europe was never pursued before because of long-running disputes over “difficult and complicated guidelines, standards and themes which divide and separate us,” Biden said.
However, “if there is a political will to overcome these difficulties, an agreement could be possible,” he told a gathering of around 400 participants on the second day of the three-day conference.
He suggested that the two sides should work for a new transatlantic partnership without being bogged down in long drawn-out negotiations.
“I think we can overcome the present differences. It must be done because the fruits of an agreement will be unlimited,” Biden said.
“Neither the United States nor any other nation can face the challenges in the future alone. Therefore, we must stay together. We need you exactly as you need us,” the US Vice President said.
The transatlantic relations have never been so deep, broad and important as at present, he added.
Europe is already the largest trading partner of the United States.
Exchange of goods and services between Europe and the US, estimated to be around USD 600 billion a year, contributes significantly to promote economic growth as well as to create and preserve employment on both sides of the Atlantic.
Biden assured European partners that transatlantic relations will be the main pillar of the United States’ global cooperation in spite of a shift in its foreign policy emphasis towards the Asia-Pacific region.
Countries such as India, Brazil, China, South Africa and Indonesia are playing an increasingly important role in the areas of global security and economic expansion.
“It is in our interest that they become fully integrated and responsible players on the world stage,” he said.
Asia is playing a prominent role in the US foreign policy.
However, this engagement is not at the cost of US relations with Europe, Biden said. (PTI)
Moving around for extra 10 mins can cut heart disease risk
WASHINGTON, Feb 3: Moving around for an extra 10 minutes each day may reduce the risk of heart disease by 50 per cent for people who have a sedentary lifestyle, experts claim.
“When I tell people that almost 80 per cent of heart disease is preventable, they are surprised,” said Mayo cardiologist Martha Grogan.
“Better yet, there are daily things we all can do that can make a big difference in our effort to keep our hearts healthy,” Grogan said.
Grogan encourages people to move 10 extra minutes each day.
“Moving even 10 minutes a day for someone who’s been sedentary may reduce the risk for heart disease by 50 per cent,” Grogan said in a statement.
A sedentary lifestyle may increase your risk of heart attack almost as much as smoking does, studies have shown.
Each day, make an effort to get up from your desk to go talk to a colleague instead of sending an email, or walk around the house as you are talking on the phone, she recommended.
Americans too often cheat themselves of sleep and their hearts can pay the price, said Virend Somers, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist and sleep expert.
Chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression.
Changes can make a difference, said Randal Thomas, a Mayo preventive cardiologist.
For example, a 53-year-old male smoker with high blood pressure has a 20 per cent chance of having a heart attack over the next 10 years. If he stops smoking, his risk drops to 10 per cent; if he takes high blood pressure medicine, it falls to 5 per cent, Thomas said.
“There’s a saying that heart disease is what nature gives you for breaking its rules. But you have a second chance. Healthy lifestyle habits can help you reduce a majority of your risks for heart attack,” Thomas added. (PTI)
Milk and yogurt promote healthy hip bones: study
WASHINGTON, Feb 3: Consuming milk and yogurt can give you healthier hip bones than cream, according to a new study led by an Indian-origin scientist, which found that not all dairy products are equally beneficial in promoting bone strength.
The study by researchers at the Institute for Aging Research (IFAR) at Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School (HMS), has found that dairy intake – specifically milk and yogurt – is associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip, but not the spine.
Cream, on the other hand, may be associated with lower BMD overall.
“Dairy foods provide several important nutrients that are beneficial for bone health,” said lead author Shivani Sahni.
“However, cream and its products such as ice cream have lower levels of these nutrients and have higher levels of fat and sugar. In this study, 2.5 – 3 servings of milk and yogurt intake per day were associated with better bone density,” she said in a statement.
“More research is needed to examine the role of cheese intake (some of which can be high in fat and sodium), and whether individual dairy foods have a significant impact in reducing fractures,” she added.
Researchers based their findings on data collected from a food frequency questionnaire completed by 3,212 participants.
They then compared participants’ dairy intake with BMD measurement, which revealed the benefits of milk and yogurt versus cream in largely middle-aged men and women.
According to the study, nutrient composition varies among dairy foods. Choosing low-fat milk or yogurt over cream can increase intake of protein, calcium and vitamin D while limiting intake of saturated fats.
The study was published in the journal Archives of Osteoporosis. (PTI)
Four boys injured in mysterious blast
SRINAGAR : Four boys were injured in a mysterious explosion in north Kashmir district of Bandipora, official sources said here today.
They said a mysterious low intensity explosion occurred in a bonfire that was alighted by the boys in the fields of Aragam, Chatti Bandi while playing.
Four boys received injuries in the explosion who were shifted to hospital.
Among the injured two boys Momin Ahmad Rather and Amjad Ahmad Khan were later referred to Srinagar.
Police have initiated proceedings to ascertain the cause of the explosion. (AGENCIES)
Reliance Retail aims to have 20 Hamleys stores in next 3 yrs
NEW DELHI, Feb 3: Reliance Retail plans to increase the number of Hamleys toy stores to 20 in the country over the next three years.
“We should easily have 2O stores in three years time. That’s easily doable,” Reliance Brands Ltd President and CEO Darshan Mehta told.
Reliance Brands is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Retail.
UK-based toy store Hamleys entered the Indian market through an exclusive franchise arrangement with Reliance Retail in 2010. Reliance Retail opened its first Hamleys store in Delhi, the sixth in the country, yesterday.
As part of its expansion plans, the Mukesh Ambani-led firm in the near-term plans to open another five stores in the country by the end of the current year.
“We have two stores in Mumbai and the third one is under construction … We have stores opening in Chandigarh, Pune, Surat, so we’ll have about five more stores this year. We should end the calender year 2013 with 11 stores,” Mehta said.
The company aims to open two more stores in the National Capital by the end of this year.
“We plan to open another store in Vasant Kunj in Delhi. We have yet to freeze the location and another store in Gurgaon,” Mehta said.
He, however, did not share revenue targets and investment plans.
According to industry estimates the Indian toy market is pegged at Rs 13,000 crore, growing at a rate of 20 per cent per year. (PTI)
Blimps to bolster Washington’s air shield in test
WASHINGTON, Feb 2: A pair of big, blimp-like craft, moored to the ground and flying as high as 10,000 feet, are to be added to a high-tech shield designed to protect the Washington DC area from air attack, at least for a while. The bulbous, helium-filled “aerostats” – each more than three quarters the length of a football field at 243 feet – are to be stitched into existing defenses as part of an exercise of new technology ordered by the Defense Department. (agencies)
Space shuttle Columbia’s second life – as a cautionary Tale
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida, Feb 2: Space shuttle Columbia’s flying days came to an abrupt and tragic end on February 1, 2003, when a broken wing gave way, dooming the seven astronauts aboard. Although Columbia now lies in pieces, its mission is not over. (agencies)