Wednesday, February 29, 2012

International conference on innovations in public employment programme and sustainable inclusive growth
Labour Ministers from 32 countries to attend
             Union labour and Employment  Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge will inaugurate  the International conference on innovations in public employment programme and sustainable inclusive growth on March 01, 2012 at New Delhi . Labour Ministers from 32 countries will be attending this conference.
The objectives of the three day conference organised in collaboration with ILO are :

·         To build capacity and to share knowledge between countries on the innovations around convergent holistic frameworks and to assess the strategic entry points for different contexts which can lead to an overall better cohesion for inclusive growth with equity, linking employment and social protection to productive works.

·         To use the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) as a case study for public policy to share insights on the linkages and convergence, as one of the internationally recognized large scale public employment programmes – highlighting the innovations, but also the challenges faced in supporting sustainable development

·         To better appreciate the range of policy issues relevant to public work programmes / employment guarantee schemes and to obtain guidance on the design of effective public employment programmes.

·         To highlight how public work programmes / employment guarantee schemes can be effective and efficient  active labour market programmes.

            Based on ILO’s experience in countries such as India, South Africa and Ethiopia, many countries have established or are in the process of establishing new PEPs / Employment Guarantee Schemes (EGS). Various countries are already proposing some aspects of an employment guarantee:  Honduras, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and South Africa to name a few  If we take the example of labour standards, which has been a key source of debate over the years, India’s first-of-its-kind ‘employment ‘guarantee’ has actually helped shift this debate.  If an employment guarantee offers work at the minimum conditions at which it would considered ‘acceptable’ to offer work – and displaces work below this level – then a social goal has been achieved – reducing vulnerability and overall poverty, providing regular and predictable work, and enhancing  human dignity – all central to the mandate of the ILO. Also, UNDP global mandate is “to help countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable human development by helping them to build capacity giving first priority to human alleviation”.
 The Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) in the ILO promotes the orientation of infrastructure investments towards the creation of higher levels of productive employment and improved access to basic goods and services for the poor. The EIIP is also working closely with practitioners from MGNREGA to highlight the innovations in designing and implementing large scale public employment programmes. Some of the key features of ILO collaborative work have been:
  • The continued debate on productive and full employment amongst key practitioners and the many ways to achieve this, especially after a crisis, but mainly with a long-term vision for creating the needed fiscal space. 
  • The capacity development of national practitioners and decision-makers involved in policy development in different ministries ( labour & Employment ,Rural Development, public works, planning, local government, gender, youth, etc.) since these initiatives had an impact on changing the ways of working, by encouraging more inter-ministerial work needed to have a larger impact on employment and on the economy as a whole
  • The creation of networks of key people involved in international policy development, including academics, country-level experts, UN research and policy developers, and International financing institutions.
  • Contributing to the debate on MDG acceleration and joint collaboration between                 various partner agencies.

            Over the past few years, the need for collaborative partnership for a wide range of national / international  experiences and best practices and taking these discussions to a more practical level has been discussed among various members of the international networks. Following informal discussions between a few key members, ILO undertook to develop the Policy Paper and a South-South Learning Package with the idea of allowing the solution developers (India, South Africa and Ethiopia) to showcase their public employment programmes for the benefit of other countries currently in the process of designing their own public employment programmes - contributing to south-south capacity development and focusing on the particularities of each country.  The Innovations in Public Employment Programmes (IPEP) places full and productive employment and decent work at the centre of economic and social policies which are most adequate for each country, also pursuing to strengthen partnerships with relevant national experts / practitioners in this field and expanding dialogue with relevant international organizations and development banks to facilitate their implementation
                              The Government institutions and implementing agencies of participating countries implementing large scale public employment programmes interested in exchanging experiences and innovations will bring together a mix of policy and decision makers from different ministries and technical specialist, responsible for implementing and administering public employment programmes.

The following countries are attending the conference:
Asia -  India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Africa – Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria, Uganda, Zambia
South America – Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Guatemala, Dominican Republic
 In addition, a large number of participants from various Indian government institutions, employers and worker’s representatives and civil society organizations will participate in this International conference. 
 On the first day of the conference , Round Tables Discussion IBSA /South-South Cooperation on “Employment and Social Protection Centered Development Strategies”will be held. Presentations on India’s key employment and social protection policies including its employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGA),   key components of some of India’s flagship programmes such as National Health Insurance Scheme (RSBY), Skills Development Initiative (SDI), National Rural Livelihood Mission and the synergies found through their convergence for sustainable development, highlighting the replicable sustainable livelihood models to test the efficacy of some of the best practices will be made.  
 On the second day, presentations and discussions around various thematic themes important in properly designing a public employment programme which can support synergies and convergence will be held besides sharing of similar experiences from South Africa, Brazil and other countries on following  topics:   
·         Employment and Social Protection – a Human Investment
·         Asset creation – the use of public and private assets
·         Social Auditing. -  transparency and accountability,
·         Platforms for Convergence – policy cohesiveness and fiscal space
·         Impact assessments and empirical analysis
·         Adaptation to Climate Change
·         Contributing to the Green Economy through Mitigation

On the last day of the conference, delegates will be taken for field visits of various MGNREGA  sites.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

List of 84th Academy Award winners:

1. Best Picture: The Artist
2. Actor: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
3. Actress: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
4. Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
5. Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, The Help
6. Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
7. Foreign Language Film: A Separation, Iran
8. Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, The Descendants
9. Original Screenplay: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
10. Animated Feature Film: Rango
11. Art Direction: Hugo
12. Cinematography: Hugo
13. Sound Mixing: Hugo
14. Sound Editing: Hugo
15. Original Score: The Artist
16. Original Song: Man or Muppet from The Muppets
17. Costume Design: The Artist
18. Documentary Feature: Undefeated
19. Documentary Short: Saving Face
20. Film Editing: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
21. Makeup: The Iron Lady
22. Animated Short Film: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
23. Live Action Short Film: The Shore
24. Visual Effects: Hugo

“Mobile Web Initiative in India”


W3C India office (http://www.w3cindia.in) and IAMAI(Internet & Mobile Association of India) is organizing a Focused Conference on “Mobile Web Initiative in India” on 15 March 2012 at New Delhi. The Conference would deliberate about the potential challenges in implementation of mobile applications in Indian languages .
The special focus of conference will be on multilingual requirements in Mobile Web area and capturing the requirements for Indian languages as per W3C Mobile Web Standards including the support of Indian languages on mobile devices.
The details of the conference may be referred at: (http://w3cindia.in/mobile/indexnew-update.html).
We solicit your active participation in the conference for which you can register( http://w3cindia.in/registration_mobile.aspx ) on line. You may also send your willingness to speak on the particular topic (http://w3cindia.in/mobile/topics.html) mentioned in the website or any other related topic. You may also recommend any of the experts who would be interested to deliver a presentation during this conference.
For any other further queries kindly mail us to : w3cindiaoffice-dit@nic.in
Please note that there is no registration fee for this conference.
Thanking You
Yours faithfully
Swaran Lata,
Country Manager, W3C India

Monday, February 27, 2012

 The Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre
cordially invites you to a lecture
SIR AUREL STEIN
The Archaeologist in India
by
Rita Jeney
M.A. Archaeology and Indology and Lecturer at the
Bhaktivedanta College
on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 6:00 pm
at 1/A Janpath, New Delhi 110 011
(Near Hotel Claridges)
Please join us for tea after the release
R.S.V.P.
hicc.delhi@gmail.com
delhi.balassiintezet.hu
Visit our new website for the latest happenings
The lecture will emphasize on Sir Aurel Stein's (1862-1943) archaeological
work on the Indian Subcontinent. Sir Aurel Stein was a Hungarian
archaeologist, primarily known for his explorations and archaeological
discoveries in Central Asia. He was also a professor at various Indian
universities. An extraordinary man, who advanced human knowledge on
many fronts, Sir Aurel Stein pursued dramatic adventure with scientific
purpose.


You are cordially invited to a lecture by Rita Jeney titled "Sir Aurel Stein - the archaeologist in India" on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 6:00 pm at the Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre.

BRICS to Develop – Putin

Russia will push for the BRICS bloc of countries, which also includes Brazil, India, China and South Africa, to develop a coordinated stance on global affairs, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said.
“When the BRICS ‘five’ really gets going, its influence on the global economy and politics will be quite significant,” Putin wrote in a campaign article on foreign policy in Moskovskie Novosti published on Monday. Putin, 59, plans to return to the Kremlin after the presidential elections next month.
BRICS, which has a combined population of 3 billion people and is responsible for more than 25 percent of the world’s GDP, will have to work together more closely in the United Nations, Putin said.
He added that Russia will continue to prioritize its relations with the bloc, which he called “the most telling symbol of transferring from a uni-polar to a more just world order.”
RIA Novosti
Obama - Biden
Naresh --

As you may have noticed, we've asked you for a donation a few times now.

But according to our records, you haven't yet made an online donation to this campaign at this email address. (If our records are wrong, I apologize and thank you!)

I'm not writing to ask you for money again. I'm actually writing to ask your opinion about why you haven't given, and what you think would inspire you or other Obama supporters like you to decide to take the leap and donate.

We have two quick questions for you. Can you take a minute to answer them?

There's a good reason we're asking for your feedback: The kind of organization we all decided to be a part of only works if people like you pitch in to build it.

It's also the reason no other candidate has been able to match our level of grassroots support. This isn't the easiest way to run a campaign -- but we know it's the right way.

That's why we want to know what you're thinking.

Please take a minute to answer these two questions today:

http://my.barackobama.com/Your-Support-In-2012

Thanks so much,

Rufus

Rufus Gifford
National Finance Director
Obama for America

P.S. -- Of course, if you'd like to become one of our million-plus grassroots donors today, by all means, please make a donation of $3 or whatever you can afford.
Paid for by Obama for America
Contributions or gifts to Obama for America are not tax deductible.
This email was sent to: Nksagar_1@yahoo.com

Sunday, February 26, 2012

London Olympic berth final India beat France 8-1

London Olympic berth final India beat France 8 -1

India stupendously made its entry to London Olympic winning  matches with substantial margins.
 In Olympic qualifiers final  India beat France 8-1, India win in this tournament   proves their mettle.
Sandeep Singh magic play four goals put  India a 5-1 lead against France early in the second half of the final of the six-nation men's Olympic hockey qualifiers in New Delhi.Sandeep Singh carried his good run in the summit clash as he scored his fourth. Sunil scored India's fifth goal in the 43rd minute after as Sandeep completed his hat-trick in the 38th minute soon after the lemon-break. Sandeep scored hat-trick through penalty corners to lead the Indian attack. Team India scored their first goal  by Birendra Lakra's 17th minute thereafter Simon MARTIN-BRISAC scored a stunner in the 23rd minute to put back France in the game.

20TH NEW DELHI WORLD BOOK FAIR

20TH NEW DELHI WORLD BOOK FAIR
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fair Timings
• 25 February to 04 March 2012
• Daily 11.00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Special Pavilions
• Theme Pavilion Hall No. 7E
• Delhi Pavilion Hall No. 7D
• Rights Table Hall No. 14
(Mezzanine)
• Tagore Pavilion Hall No. 6
(Mezzanine)
• Children's Pavilion Hall No. 14
(Mezzanine)
Programme Venues
• Conference Room -1 Hall No. 6
(Mezzanine)
• Conference Room -2 Hall No. 6
(Mezzanine)
• Conference Room -3 Hall No. 14
(Mezzanine)
• Seminar Hall Hall No. 8
(First Floor)
Participants
The category-wise bifurcations of the
participants are given below:
• Hall No.1 to 6 Publishers & Distributors of
English Books
• Hall No. 7B-C Foreign Participants
• Hall No. 8-9 Books on Social Sciences
& Humanities
• Hall No. 10 Books in Regional
Languages
• Hall No. 11 Books in Hindi Language
• Hall No. 12 Educational Aids, CDs,
Games & Miscellaneous
• Hall No. 12A Books on Science &
Technology
• Hall No. 14 Books for Children &
Educational Books
To,
Mr. NK Sagar                                                                                                                           Date: 9th February 2012
Chairman
Enkay Sagar Holdings Pvt. Ltd
Sub: Invite: A National Workshop “Violence Against Women: Contemporary Issues and Challenges: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls”
Dear Mr. Sagar,
MAITRI is a Delhi-based humanitarian and developmental NGO established in 2005. Maitri strengthens communities through individual and community empowerment with advocacy, education, community-based program, development and networking.
Maitri is unique in being one of the few NGO's globally, which is committed to the health and welfare concerns of Uniformed Personnel and their families. Violence against women and domestic violence in the Uniformed Services is a key focus of Maitri Initiatives. Uniform constitutes Military, Air Force, Navy, Paramilitary Forces and all State Police Forces. One of Maitri’s key areas of work is to address all aspect of violence against women, particularly domestic violence (Intimate Partner Violence and sexual violence), creating public awareness, advocacy for better policy and legal framework and the need for necessary support services.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2012 is “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.” What is known in Indian context is that despite the fact that India is seen as a strong knit community, support for a woman surviving domestic violence is still very low within the cultural and social spaces. Secondly, it is vital to focus on the issues of violence against girls/women on timely basis since the knowledge of the subject produced is based on social and economic factors that are generational, shifting and always changing.
Maitri is organizing a National Workshop on “Violence Against Women: Contemporary Issues and Challenges: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls“ on 07th March 2012 at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. 
Expression of interest, academic and non-academic papers are invited from individuals, practitioners, researchers, service providers and policy makers. Participants are requested to submit papers based on empirical evidence, biographical/autobiographical approaches or reviews on one or more aspects of issues associated to Domestic Violence mentioned in the themes above. (The Concept note of the Consultation is attached herewith).
We would like to invite you to participate as observers and add value to the conference.
The main Aims and Objectives of the workshop are:
              Expand understanding of the issues of domestic violence and its ramifications
              Understanding intersectional dimensions of domestic violence
              Increase the need to address health issues, institutional and support services
Participation to the workshop is free of charge. However, due to space limitation, participation will be on a first-come first-served basis. We would appreciate it if you could confirm your presence at the earliest.
For any clarifications please contact Anita Gupta at +91-991-1809761 email: anita.gupta@maitri.org.in
I look forward to your acknowledgement and confirmation at the earliest.
With Best Regards, 
Mrs Winnie Singh
Executive Director
MAITRI
Contact us: + 91-981-013-2908
Telephone: + 011-241-22692
--
Anita Gupta

MAITRI
J-92 A.R.D. Complex
R.K. Puram, Sector 13
New Delhi 110066, India



Paswan backs Katju on media freedom "violation" in Bihar

Backing the PCI chairman over his remarks on media freedom in Bihar, LJP chief Ram Bilas Paswan on Sunday made a scathing attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying those who claim to have fought press censorship during Emergency are now undermining freedom of the fourth estate.

"We welcome what PCI Chairman Justice Markandey Katju has said. He has brought the reality of Bihar government before the people," Paswan said alleging that mediamen are not free to express their views openly in Nitish Kumar's regime.
He said that a delegation of Lok Janshakti Party will also meet President Pratibha Patil shortly over the issue of "violation of media freedom" in Bihar.
"The Bihar government is obstructing the work of mediamen who write against it and forces their transfers. Ironically, it is being done by the same people who claim to have fought against media censorship during Emergency," the LJP chief said.
He also criticised Bihar's deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi for his comments against Katju.
"The deputy CM ridiculed the Chairman of an important body like the Press Council of India. Such a thing has never happened in Bihar politics and it is a matter of shame," he said.
Katju had on Friday targeted the Bihar government, alleging the media in the state was harassed if it wrote against it.
"... there was freedom of the press during Lalu's rule... but press doesn't enjoy freedom at present," he had said at a function in Patna University.
"The information I have gathered about the media in Bihar is not good...whatever is happening here is not good," he added.
He said that Katju's observation on the problems being faced by people in Bihar is an eye-opener.
The LJP chief also demanded action against the principal of a Patna college who raised objections while Katju was making his remarks against the Bihar government during an interaction session at the Senate Hall in Patna University.
Paswan claimed that the principal's wife was an MLA from JDU.
"Such political persons should not be made principals," he said.
Katju had also said that information he had gathered about the media in Bihar is "not good" and reminded the Nitish Kumar government that its alleged action against the press was a violation of the Constitution.
A three-member PCI team would be sent to Bihar soon for an investigation, he had said.
"I have been told that people don't muster courage to write against the Bihar government or its officials," Katju said at a function, adding that any attack by the state government on the freedom of press was a violation of Section 19 of Constitution.
"The Constitution is being violated by such people and they don't want the Constitution to function. You are a government, but you are not above the Constitution ... you are below it," he had added.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had declined to comment on the PCI Chairman's statement. "I am not required to offer any comment," Kumar told reporters on Saturday.



The CIO Show Asia 2012
The CIO Show Asia - Leaderchip

20 - 22 March 2012

Grand Copthorne Hotel, Singapore


Press Invitation - Complimentary 10 tickets up for grab!
For Immediate Release | 21 February 2012

Technology innovation, strategy & integration for enterprises

With IT spending in Asia estimated at US$15.6 billion for 2011, information technologies will make a greater strategic value contribution to their respective industries in the near future. As demands of business increase in the highly competitive landscape in Asia Pacific, this comes with a whole new realm of challenges.

The rising costs of rapidly changing technology, IT integration, managing emerging technologies, and collaborating with other C-level executives have made it incumbent upon CIOs and IT leaders to uncover more cost effective strategies that deliver competitive advantages, innovation and opportunity for the enterprise.

The CIO Show Asia 2012 will be a dedicated and comprehensive platform in the Asia Pacific region where CIOs and IT leaders evaluate and strategise how they use information and technology to manage business processes to drive efficiency, revenue and customer satisfaction.

Listen and gain insights to CIOs and experts from industries with the most robust IT implementation as they share best practices at The CIO Show Asia 2012.

We are extending 10 complimentary press passes to the press. Email mavis.ng@terrapinn.com to register.

Hear from the distinguished speakers speaking sharing innovative strategies and best practices.
  • Tomasz Smaczyn , CIO and Director, Information Management, Cathay Pacific Airways
  • Warren Ritchie , CIO, Volkswagen Group of America
  • Arif Siddiqui , CIO, Standard Chartered Bank and CEO, Scope International
  • Tham Yee Wern , CIO, Infocomm Development Authority Singapore
  • Miguel Angel Ferrer , VP & CIO, Volvo Construction Equipment Company
  • Diane E. Jurgens , VP & CIO, General Motors International Operations
  • David A. Lim , CIO and COO, Asia Pacific Metals Refiner
  • John Lee , CIO & Lean Leader (Asia Pacific), GE Healthcare
  • Max LJ Chan , VP IT (Asia) Building Efficiency, Johnson Controls
  • Sanjeev Kumar , Group CIO & Group President, Adhunik Group of Industries
  • Daya Prakash , CIO, LG Electronics
For full speaker list and programme, visit: www.terrapinn.com/cioshowasia
*The programme and speakers may be subject to changes, and Terrapinn reserves the right to amend the programme as necessary .

Note: Press registration for this event is compulsory and advance scheduling for speaker interviews is recommended. The final issuance is subjected to Terrapinn management's discretion.

Register now for your complimentary press pass . Email mavis.ng@terrapinn.com to register.

The CIO Show Asia 2012 is proudly sponsored by:
1.    HCL
2.    CITIC Telecom CPC (Singapore) Pte Ltd
3.    myAsset

If you'd like to schedule interviews with them, contact Marilyn at marilyn.li@terrapinn.com for arrangements

About The CIO Show Asia: http://www.terrapinn.com/2012/the-cio-show-asia/


About Terrapinn: http://www.terrapinn.com/aboutus.aspx

Best regards,

Mavis Ng
Marketing Manager
The CIO Show Asia 2012
DID: +65 6322 2708
Email: mavis.ng@terrapinn.com

Make an enquiry
Download partnership prospectus

P.S.  Join us on Twitter today to meet other CIOs and IT professionals! Visit the C-suite blog to find out the latest trends and buzz among C-level leaders!
The CIO Show Asia 2012 is proudly sponsored by

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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Anirban Lahiri lift the SAIL-SBI Open 2012 trophy

Bangalore golfer bags second international title
New Delhi, February 25, 2012: India’s Anirban Lahiri outclassed Prom Meesawat of Thailand in a playoff at the Delhi Golf Club on Saturday to lift the SAIL-SBI Open 2012 trophy. Lahiri, who emerged triumphant on the first play-off hole, became the first Indian to win the SAIL-SBI Open.
Anirban Lahiri (65-69-67-73) and Prom Meesawat (72-64-68-70) had ended the regulation 72 holes with matching totals of 14 under 274 after Lahiri had fired a one over 73, punctuated by four birdies and five bogeys, and Meesawat shot a two under 70 in the final round. The two players thus headed for a play-off on the 18th hole.
Prom, who had overcome a three-shot deficit to take a share of the lead with Lahiri from the 16th hole in regulation play, hit his tee shot at the first play-off hole into the bushes on the right.
   
He had to take a penalty because of an unplayable lie and played the third shot to the left of the fairway from where his fourth shot just found the green, which left him with a 40-foot putt for par.
Lahiri meanwhile had a good tee shot and managed to reach the green in three. He came within three feet for his birdie putt. Prom then decided to pick up his ball and concede defeat.
  
“I’m disappointed with the way I hit the ball as I’ve hit it much better the last three days. I found two bushes today which I had to chip out and that was something I haven’t done all week. I also dropped five shots which is not something you can get away with at this golf course, especially on the final day,” said Anirban, who bagged his second international title on Saturday.
He added, “I’ve changed my mental attitude towards golf. Practicing meditation has helped me stay in the moment. I was trying not to get ahead of myself and that was one of those few things that helped me to execute things rather than project and think into the future.”
Australia’s Scott Barr looked set to for a grandstand finish until a disastrous triple-bogey six on the 17th hole put paid to any hopes of a maiden win. The Singapore-based Australian had to settle for third place on 275.
Ben Fox of the United States closed with a 278 to take fourth place while PGTI member Md Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh was a further shot back in fifth place on 280.
Shankar Das (74-69-70-68), Ashok Kumar (74-68-69-70) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (68-69-70-74) had the next best finish among the Indians as the three of them shared sixth place at seven under 281.
“Golf is fast on its way to become a common man’s sport in India given the wide popularity it is enjoying amongst masses”, said Union Minister Subdh Kant Sahai, Union Tourism Minister at award presentation ceremony of SAIL-SBI Open, a major international golf event sponsored jointly by SAIL, SBI and Ministry of Tourism.
“The Ministry of Tourism will do everything to support the game of golf and increase golf tourism in the country. We need to build more courses across the country and make the sport accessible to many more sport lovers”, Mr Sahai added.
Anirban Lahiri won the event and became the first Indian to win the SAIL-SBI Open in the five year history of the event. Prom Meesawat from Thailand and Scott Barr from Australia were the first and second runners up respectively.
Mr C. S. Verma, Chairman, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) said, “We are glad to have once again staged this annual international event, which promotes sporting culture in the country. With SAIL increasing its global footprint steadily, we are happy that this event attracted participants from over 20 nationalities and an Indian has clinched the trophy this year.”
 
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BFI Youth Basketball Clinic - February 25, 2012
The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) conducted a youth basketball clinic, under the helm of India’s Senior Men’s coach Kenny Natt, India’s Senior Women’s coach Pete Gaudet and Zak Penwell (National Team Strength and Conditioning Coach) on Saturday, February 25th, from 10.30 am-11.45 am at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi.
Offered to all interested participants who were within the ages of 9 and 17, the clinic was designed to introduce the basic fundamentals of basketball along with teaching the technical aspects of developing essential skills such as; pre-practice preparation exercises; ball-handling; passing; shooting techniques, plus offensive and defensive footwork drills.  Additionally, youth participants received valuable knowledge for improving their overall mental and physical fitness by learning ways for developing a much healthier nutritional dietary regiment.  Young student-athletes who develop better eating habits have shown dramatic performances improvements both on and off the court, academically and athletically.
 “Under the guidance of Coach Kenny Natt, Pete Gaudet and Zak Penwell the youth basketball clinic and various other programmes initiated by BFI will play a critical role in helping us achieve our vision of growing basketball in India by developing and showcasing the best player and coaching talent in the country,” commented BFI spokesperson.
Parents were encouraged to bring their young hoopsters out to take part in a fun and exciting basketball learning experience which afforded them opportunities to meet and mingle one-on-one with the nation’s top senior men and women players.  It provided them excellent opportunity to take personal photos and signed autographs from the players.
India’s Senior Men’s Coach Kenny Natt said “This is an excellent platform to mould and shape future basketball talent in India as well as encourage teamwork skills and healthy living. “
Following the clinic, participants were invited to watch the Men’s U-18 FIBA Middle Asia Zone Qualifying Match for 22nd FIBA Asia U 18 Championship between India and Sri Lanka at 12:00 PM.


The programme included:
·         Introductions and lectures by both Kenny Natt, India’s Senior Men’s coach and Pete Gaudet  India’s Senior Women’s coach, on basketball and improving on and off the court
·         Basic fundamental drills (with instruction provided by current Senior Men and Women National Camp players)
·         Individual skills training (instruction provided by current Senior Men and Women National Camp players)
·         Participants were provided with BFI t-shirts, basketball notebooks and pens.

About Basketball Federation of India (BFI)
The Basketball Federation of India (BFI), which came into being in 1950, is the governing and controlling body of basketball in India, responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels. BFI oversees all the national level basketball operations in India. It is involved in organising camps, national tournaments, and preparing Indian teams for both men and women international competitions in several different age levels.

NASA : Search for Alien Life on Saturn’s Moon On Thursday NASA announced a mission to land a car-sized robot quadcopter on S...