Wednesday, May 30, 2012

WHO raises alarm over tobacco industry’s tactics

30 May 2012, New Delhi: On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, WHO is urging governments to beware of the tobacco industry’s interference in tobacco control programme. As countries move to meet their obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the tobacco industry is becoming more aggressive in its attempts to undermine the treaty by acting against the policies contained in it.
 The industry is targeting the youth through increased advertising budgets in several countries of the WHO South-East Asia Region. One in ten school students are offered free samples of tobacco products. The tobacco industry has sued central and local governments over the pictorial warnings on cigarette packets claiming that they infringe on the industry’s rights to use their legally-registered brands and freedom of speech. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey shows that health warnings are effective and a large number of tobacco users noticed the warnings and thought of quitting. Similarly, lawsuits have been filed against smoke-free laws against the Ministries of Health. The apex courts later rejected these contentions and upheld the regulations.
 “Governments must protect people’s health from tobacco use and be vigilant about the tobacco industry’s interference in tobacco control measures” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia. ”WHO will enhance its support to government initiatives to fight the tobacco industry” he added.
India and Indonesia are among the top ten tobacco leaf producers in the world. In addition the Region is one of the largest producers of smokeless tobacco products. Ninety percent of global smokeless tobacco users live in the Region. Sale of smokeless tobacco products in India  increased by over 25% between 2005 and 2010.
 Ten out of 11 Member States in WHO’s South-East Asia Region are party to WHO FCTC and nine counties have adopted comprehensive tobacco control legislations. Many countries have established smoke-free public places and banned cigarette advertisements. Sale of tobacco to minors is prohibited in most Member States. Global Tobacco Surveillance has been implemented in ten Member States and nationwide Global Adult Tobacco Surveys have been conducted in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Thailand.
Nepal recently prohibited smoking and chewing tobacco in public places, mandated graphic health warnings and provisions for health funds from tobacco taxation.  Thailand has declared all public places 100% smoke-free and banned display of cigarette packs at sale counters. Eight cities were declared smoke-free in Indonesia in spite of the strong influence of the tobacco industry.
Though tobacco and tobacco products are in the sensitive list in South-Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA), the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) aims to eliminate tariff barriers within the Region including tobacco. Tobacco companies in the Region are taking advantage of these liberal cross-border trade areas to the best of their advantage.
 WHO is urging governments to protect public health from the tobacco industry’s interference. Nongovernmental groups and academia must monitor and denounce this interference and the community must remain vigilant.

Suu Kyi ask Myanmar workers in Thailand to be back home

Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi  met  migrant laborers in Thailand asked them to return home and help build the country as it moves towards democratization.Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday on her first trip outside Myanmar in twenty four years. She will join leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the World Economic Forum on East Asia, due to open on Thursday.
On Wednesday, she visited an area in the outskirts of Bangkok where many migrant workers from Myanmar are working at seafood factories and other facilities.More than 2 million people from Myanmar are said to be working in Thailand.Aung San Suu Kyi said she wanted to see the actual conditions of migrant workers outside Myanmar.She told enthusiastic supporters that she hopes to help the migrants to return home as soon as possible.Aung San Suu Kyi will deliver a speech at the World Economic Forum meeting on Friday.

Julian Assange of WikiLeaks to be extradited to Sweden

 
Britain’s Supreme court  approves the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to Sweden over alleged sex crimes.The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld lower court rulings, calling Swedish authorities’ extradition request lawful.Julian Assange of  WikiLeaks  is accused of sexual misconduct against two women in Sweden. He was arrested in Britain in December 2010.
Julian Assange  had always denied the accusations during lower court hearings. He said his arrest was made for political reasons because his whistle-blowing website disclosed thousands of sensitive US diplomatic documents. Hence Assange was released on conditional bail and is staying at a friend’s house in Britain, wearing an electronic monitor so authorities can track his whereabouts.
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SportzPower Daily www.sportzpower.com
May 30 Vol 01, Issue 939
TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES
BCCI, PCB look to short cricket series in Dec-Jan
Possibility reportedly opens of BCCI, PCB squeezing in either three One Day Internationals, or two ODIs and a Twenty20 match between 23 December and 10 January.
Good Time For Srinivasan And BCCI To End 'Conflict Of Interest' In IPL
SPORTZPOWER VIEW - The biggest problem with the IPL remains the conflict of interest part where N Srinivasan, BCCI president, is also the owner of a franchise, the Chennai Super Kings.
Refurbushed Ntl Motorcycle Racing C'ship kickstarts 1 June
This year’s national championship sees introduction of 165CC Group C class for Open category riders & also start of manufacturer's championship for all classes.
ManU world’s most popular club: Survey
The largest global football follower survey ever conducted has named Manchester United the world’s most popular club, with 659 million followers worldwide.
Barclays not to renew title sponsorship of Singapore Open golf
Barclays' support since 2006 pivotal in turning the $6 million Singapore Open into a global event that attracted some of golf's biggest names.
AFC, Makita sign new 4-year deal
AFC announces that Japanese power tool company Makita has extended its commercial engagement with Asian football for a further four years.
Feature – Illicit Chanting and Strict Liability
Chanting by fans, often referred to as the ‘12th man’, has been recognised as an integral part of sport and is often seen as entrenched in sports culture. Clubs and teams encourage fans to create an atmosphere that encourages the team they support, but also intimidates the opposition and affects player performances

FROM THE HOME PAGE
 
INTERVIEW

'WSH 2 will be bigger, better and grander'
- YANNICK Colaco, COO Nimbus Sport and frontman for World Series Hockey,

SPECIAL FEATURES

Monaco Grand Prix: Webber Becomes 6th Driver To Win In 2012

PIT STOP PUNDIT - India’s budding racers Aditya Patel and Sailesh Bolisetti have done India proud by scoring victories in their racing categories in Europe.
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
Zuckerberg Drops Off Billionaires Index as Facebook Falls (Bloomberg)
Moily says Reebok not cooperating in probe, case referred to SFIO(Business Standard)
CRICKET
A short India-Pakistan cricket series likely in December-January(DNA)
IPL5
Another multimillion betting racket busted after bookie held in Chennai(SportzPower)
IPL ends in style, but loses sheen(Hindustan Times)
IPL: The Dirty Picture(India Today)
IPL auction is bad economics(Hindu Businesss Line)
Brand, baaja, baaraat: IPL-V is a superhitTimes of India)
FOOTBALL
Racism and Euro 2012: Football’s Ongoing Struggle(TIME)
OLYMPICS 2012
Indian arrow-dynamics: Top archers left high and dry ahead of qualifiers(Hindustan Times)
Tokyo sees best chance for Olympics in 2020(AFP)
MOTORSPORT
Parth for Formula Pilota(The Hindu)
F1 looks for a pattern in the unpredictable(Reuters)
McLaren F1 Developer Designs New Auto Driving 100 MPH on 96 MPG(Bloomberg)
F1 looks for a pattern in the unpredictable(Reuters)
HOCKEY
Pak fed fines 8 players for playing in World Series Hockey(SportzPower)
TENNIS
Mirza welcomes boom in Asian women's tennis(AFP)
POKER
World Series of Poker opens in Las Vegas(KFVS)

KALPAVRIKSH THE TREE OF DESIRE


An exhibition of sculptures

BY
PRADEEP B JOGDAND
Preview : 5:30 pm, 30 May ,2012 Wednesday
On view till 5 June, 2012
from 11 am to 7pm
(Open on Sunday)
at
JEHANGIR ART GALLERY A/C II
 M.G.Road, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai
Contact
09892784116, 09869113788
“Enlightenment”
Size : 25” x 15” x 5”
Medium : Black Stone
“Under The Shelter”
Size : 20” x 14” x 6”
Medium : Black Stone
 “Untitled”
Size : 25” x 19” x 9”
Medium : Black Stone

Monday, May 28, 2012

India extends USD 500mn line of credit to Myanmar


Embarking on a new journey of bilateral cooperation, India on Monday extended a USD 500 mn line of credit as part of 12 agreements on sectors like trade and energy signed with Myanmar, which vowed that its territory will not be allowed to be used by terrorists to target India.

Marking a historic visit to Myanmar, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 25 years, Manmohan Singh held extensive talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein, drawing up a roadmap for future course of bilateral ties.

After their talks, the two countries signed a raft of agreements to boost energy supplies from resource-rich
Myanmar to energy-hungry India, enhance trade and cross-border rail, shipping and road links that go beyond bilateralism to cover Thailand.

After being greeted with a ceremonial guard of honour, Dr. Singh first held restricted talks with President Sein and then the two leaders led their sides to a larger format of discussions that saw them undertaking a comprehensive review of the bilateral ties and outlining a roadmap for the future.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Export-Import Bank of India and Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank, India will extend to Myanmar a concessional credit line of USD 500 million which will be utilised in infrastructure development projects, including in agriculture, irrigation, rail transport and power in Myanmar, said a joint statement issued after Singh-Sein talks held at the Presidential Palace.

During the meeting, Dr. Singh also announced an annual assistance of USD 25 million over the next five years for all-round economic development of border areas in Naga Self Administered Zone and Chin province of Myanmar bordering northeastern Indian states of Nagaland and Mizoram.

Indian officials said meeting the developmental needs of
Myanmar's border areas will go a long way in addressing Indian security concerns as several northeastern Indian insurgent groups, including ULFA, NSCN (K), operate out of the territory of Myanmar.

Briefing media persons, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said the Prime Minister raised the insurgency issue in the context of
India's security concerns, to which the Myanmar President vowed that no Indian insurgent or terrorist would be allowed to use his country's territory to target India.

The joint statement said "both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to fight the scourge of terrorism and insurgent activity in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised the need for enhanced cooperation between security forces and border guarding agencies for securing peace, security and stability in the border areas
."

Sunday, May 27, 2012

First visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Myanmar after 25 years.

First visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Myanmar after a gap of 25 years.

India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Myanmar, which is a close friend and neighbour. Recent years have witnessed significant strengthening and expansion of our bilateral relations. My visit to Myanmar will provide an opportunity to review the progress in the implementation of decisions taken during the highly successful State Visit of the President of Myanmar to India in October last year. We will also consider new initiatives and define a roadmap for the further development of our cooperation in the years ahead.

Stronger trade and investment links, development of border areas, improving connectivity between our two countries and building capacity and human resources are areas that I hope to focus on during my visit. We also hope to sign a number of Agreements/MOUs to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation in these areas, besides promoting people-to-people contacts.

India welcomes Myanmar’s transition to democratic governance and the steps taken by the Government of Myanmar towards a more broad based and inclusive reconciliation process. We stand ready to share our democratic experiences with Myanmar.

In Yangon, I will have an opportunity to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I also look forward to addressing a cross-section of Myanmar society and interact with the Indian and Indian-origin community.

Our shared history and culture provides a strong basis for the enhancement of contacts between the people of our two countries. I look forward to visiting the historic Shwedagon Pagoda, a testament to 2600 years of Buddhist heritage, and the Mazar of the last Emperor of India, Bahadur Shah Zafar, in Yangon.

We remain committed to a close, cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership with the Government and people of Myanmar.

India, Myanmar to explore new initiatives to boost ties: PM



Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Sunday India and Myanmar would explore new initiatives and define a roadmap for further boosting of bilateral ties with focus on trade, investment and connectivity as he begins a three-day visit to that country.

Pointing out that India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Myanmar, a "close friend and neighbour", Dr. Singh said in a statement shortly before his departure for Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's new capital, that "recent years have witnessed significant strengthening and expansion of our bilateral relations" and his coming visit "will provide an opportunity to review the progress in implementation of decisions" taken during the "highly successful visit" of Myanmar President Thein Sein to India in October last year.
"We will also consider new initiatives and define a roadmap for the further development of our cooperation in the years ahead," said Dr. Singh who will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Myanmar in quarter of a century since Rajiv Gandhi's trip to that country in December, 1987.
The Prime Minister, who will hold talks with Sein on Monday at Nay Pyi Taw, said that during his visit to Myanmar he hopes to focus on "stronger trade and investment links, development of border areas, improving connectivity between our two countries and building capacity and human resources".
"We also hope to sign a number of agreements and MoUs to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation in these areas, besides promoting people-to-people contacts," Dr. Singh said.
Dr. Singh, who will also meet leader of the opposition and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon on Tuesday, said India welcomes Myanmar's "transition to democratic governance and the steps taken by the government of Myanmar towards a more broad-based and inclusive reconciliation process and offered to share "democratic experiences" with that country.
Since taking office more than a year ago, President Thein Sein has surprised many critics by releasing Suu Kyi from 15 years of house arrest and allowing her National League for Democracy (NLD) to contest and win parliamentary elections in April this year, freeing other political prisoners, opening talks with ethnic rebels and easing media censorship and restoring labour unions right to strike.
Dr. Singh said he was looking forward to address a cross- section of Myanmar society and interact with the Indian and Indian-origin community in Yangon on the final day of his visit.
The Prime Minister said the "shared history and culture" of India and Myanmar "provides a strong basis for the enhancement of contacts between the people of our two countries" and India remains "committed to a close, cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership with the government and people of Myanmar".
Dr. Singh said he is looking forward to visiting the historic Shwedagon Pagoda, a testament to 2600 years of Buddhist heritage, and the mazar (the grave) of the last Emperor of India, Bahadur Shah Zafar, in Yangon.
The Pagoda houses the hairs of Lord Buddha who had given them to two merchant brothers in return for a honey cake they offered to him.
High on Singh's agenda of talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein, a former army general heading a quasi-civilian government, will be deepening ties in energy, security, connectivity, trade and information technology.
The two countries are expected to sign a number of agreements in energy sector and connectivity during the visit.
The high-points among the slew of agreements will be the ones relating to an offshore gas block awarded to private Indian company Jubilant Energy in global competition and a passenger bus service between Imphal and Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city after Yangon
Syria rebels want air strikes on regime forces

The rebel Free Syrian Army called on Saturday for the Friends of Syria to carry out air strikes on the forces of President Bashar al-Assad after more than 90 people, including 25 children, were reportedly "massacred" in the town of Houla.

Turkey-based General Mustafa Ahmed al-Sheikh, head of the FSA's military council, called on the international community to take "an appropriate stance after the heinous crime committed by Assad's assassin regime in the Houla region."
"We are calling urgently on the Friends of Syria to create a military alliance, outside of the UN Security Council, to carry out targeted strikes against Assad's gangs and the symbols of his regime," Sheikh said.
This is not the first time the opposition has called on the Friends of Syria to intervene the 14-month-old conflict. On April 19, General Sheikh urged "the formation of a military alliance of countries friendly to the Syrian people, without UN Security Council approval, to carry out surgical strikes on key installations of the regime."
The United States, France, Britain, Germany, and Arab nations Saudi Arabia and Qatar are leading members of the Friends, which has held several meetings calling for tougher action against the Assad regime.
Describing Assad's regime as "one of the main causes of instability in the region and the world," Sheikh he also called on rebel fighters in Syria to carry out "targeted military strikes" against the forces of the regime.
And he called on Syrians, especially in Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo, to "demonstrate continuously."
Yesterday, government forces shelled Houla, in central Homs province.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 90 civilians were killed, while the opposition Syrian National Council put the figure at more than 110.
The SNC called on the FSA yesterday night to "prevent the regime and its armed militias from reaching residential areas by cutting off roads by any means necessary."
More than 12,600 people have been killed in Syria since a revolt against Assad's rule broke out in March 2011, including nearly 1,500 since a UN-backed truce took effect on April 12, according to the Observatory.


HINDU UNITY DAY IN NEW YORK
SATURDAY – JULY 21, 2012
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND SAVE THE DATE

18th Annual
HINDU SANGATHAN DIVAS
(HINDU UNITY DAY)

Hindu Temple Society of North America and
Indian American Intellectuals Forum, in cooperation with Hindus of the Tri-State area celebrate the
18th Annual Hindu Sangathan Divas (Hindu Unity Day)

Date: Saturday, July 21st, 2012
Assembly Time:  3:30 PM
Program: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: HINDU TEMPLE AUDITORIUM
143-09 Holly Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355
(718) 478-5735 * (718) 271-1906 (718) 460-8484 *


Please  come and celebrate Hindu Unity Day in commemoration of the coronation of
Ch. Shivaji Maharaj, Hindu warrior king who, after demolishing Islamic domination,  established Hindu kingdom in India in 1674.

You are cordially invited with your family and friends to participate in this Yagna.
Our aim in organizing this celebration is to create a feeling of pride about our Hindu identity and heritage in our community.



Keynote Speaker: Dr. Subramanian Swamy,
President of Janata Party, former Law Minister, Govt. of IndiaTopic of Speech:  “Globalization of Hindu Unity”
Other Distinguished Speakers:

Pandit Jagdish Tripathi ji
Disciple of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Pt. Swasti Narayan Dubey
President & Priest of the Maha Lakshmi Mandir Inc.

Dr. Narinder M. Kukar, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Association of Indians in America (AIA)

Sheetal Shah, Senior Director, Hindu American Foundation

Patriotic songs and dances by reputed artists

More Info & to Sign-Up: www.nyganeshtemple.org

If any question, please do not hesitate to contact: 


NARAIN KATARIA
(718) 478-5735
ARISH K. SAHANI
(718) 271-0453
HINDU TEMPLE
(718) 460-8484, Ext. 112
INDIRA NARASIMHARAJAN
(917) – 374-7030
DR. RAJ GUPTA
(718) 539-5053
K. Ram
PATANJALI  RAMBRICH
(718) 496-0416
KRISHNA MURTHY
718) 461-6010
SURINDER VERMA
(516) 343-3636
PABITRA CHAUDHURY
(718) 853-3091
VASU CHIKKATUR MURTHY
(516) 209-4843
NAND RAMSINGHANI
(718) 651-9635
RADHA RAMAN UPADHYAYA
(718) 465-3953
CHAMPAK BHAI PARIKH
(718) 961-1123
SATYA DOSAPATI
(732) 939-2060
RAM SAKHRANI
(718) 445-3135
RAJU NANOO
(718) 740-7226
MANESH DAVE
(516) 775-8066
RAMESH GATHORIA
(718) 888-7804
BIDYUT SARKAR
(212) 673-5628
DR. SUDHAKAR REDDY
(212) 683-6592
P.R. MOHAN
(718) 279-0866
SHER B. SINGH
(718) 470-0345
LALIT SHOREY
(718) 343-0012
SATYA NIMANA
(732) 264-5756
SUBHASH ARORA
(718) 424-4204
MEENA GULATI
(212) 662-3151
RAVINDRA KOLHAPURE
PUSHAP CHURRA
(646) 322-3827
(718) 962-0180
RAJINDRA BHAGAT
(718) 591-1420
VIKRAM NAIR
(718) 343-1660
RAMANA MOORTHY
(516) 796-2735
KAMAL MALHOTRA
(347) 944-1481
KAMAL PANDEY
(347) 835-0438
KISHORE MALIK
(516) 798-4600
LATA SIDHWANI
(516) 728-2940
ARVIND SANT
(718) 979-6144
RATAN BIHARI PALOD
(718) 760-4035
PRASAD YELAMANCHI
(630) 418-1122
                

 *** Free Admission ****
Ligh Refreshment will be served at the end

Parking available at Flushing Hospital Garage:  one block from Hindu Temple auditorium at 146-01 45th Avenue, Flushing, NY – tel:  (718) 539-3375



--
Regards and best wishes,

JAGDISH SHETTY
Mobile Phone +919820052249

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