Shocked by the fate and treatment of refugees who risk crossing thousands of miles from war zones to reach the EU, an Egyptian billionaire has put forward an unusual offer: he wants to buy an Italian or Greek island to accommodate the migrants.

“Greece or Italy sell me an island, I’ll call its independence and host the migrants and provide jobs for them building their new country,” Egyptian television industry billionaire Naguib Sawiris proposed via Twitter.

Naguib SawirisVerified account‏@NaguibSawiris

Greece or Italy sell me an island,ill call its independence and host the migrants and provide jobs for them building their new country

Austria and Germany have taken in thousands of migrants who crossed the border after days stuck in Hungary. After being welcomed at the Austrian frontier by volunteers, many went directly to Vienna and on to Munich in southern Germany. The plight of the migrants has highlighted the EU’s struggle to deal with a surge of asylum seekers. Earlier this week there were chaotic scenes in Budapest as Hungary blocked them from travelling onwards.
Hungary laid on trains bound for Austria for hundreds more migrants who set off on foot towards there from Budapest’s main railway station yesterday. The last train from the Austrian border town of Nickelsdorf going to Vienna has departed, but more will be put today.

Deep divisions over how to cope with a flood of migrants from the Middle East, Africa and Asia pose a threat to the European Union’s values and global standing and may diminish its ability to act jointly to reform the euro zone and ease Greece’s debt. With harrowing images of drowning children, refugees being herded on and off trains and beaten by police, and barbed wire fences slicing across Europe, the migration crisis is the moral equivalent of the euro zone crisis. In both cases, the principle of solidarity is being sorely tested. By making the EU look ineffective, disunited and heartless, pitting member states against each other and fuelling political populism and anti-Muslim sentiment, the latest crisis is undermining the ideals of European integration.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said last week that if Europe fails on the refugee question, its tight bond with universal human rights will be destroyed, and it will no longer be the Europe we dreamed.

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Modi inaugurates Badarpur-Faridabad Metro

September 6, 2015

PIB India ‏@PIB_India 3h3 hours agoNew Delhi, Delhi

PM Shri @narendramodi interacting with the co-passengers while travelling by Delhi Metro to Faridabad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the much-awaited Badarpur-Faridabad Metro that will connect the national capital with the satellite town and hoped that it would give impetus to economic growth in the region.

Prime Minister also highlighted how the newly built section is using clean energy in the form of solar power to generate Peak electricity of around 2 Megawatts to help run its operations. He said, in the coming days, how clean and environment-friendly railway stations can be created, is the direction in which

the Metro is running a successful campaign. He said, at a time when the entire world is worried about global warming, Delhi Metro is making its contribution to the green movement.

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OROP withdrawal of hunger strike

September 6, 2015

Welcoming the government’s decision to implement OROP, agitating ex-servicemen today announced withdrawal of their hunger strike. However, they will continue their protest till all the sticky issues are resolved.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, leader of the association leading the agitation, said the protest will continue till four specific points raised by the ex- servicemen are not accepted by the government.

The ex-servicemen said revision of pension after a gap of five years as announced by the government is not at all acceptable to them, besides appointment of a one-man judicial commission to examine various aspects of one rank-one pension (OROP). He urged all those who are on hunger strike to withdraw it as the prime minister has clarified on the issue of premature retirement.

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September 6, 2015

​

present
Session on Globally Connected UniversitiesThe Future of Higher Education Landscape ​
EVENT DETAILS
DATE		Tuesday, September 8, 2015
TIME		11:30 AM  – 1:00 PM (Registration: 11:00 am)
LOCATION		WWF Auditorium, 172-B, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi – 110003
SPEAKERS		Professor (Dr) C Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor,O P Jindal Global University Dr Joanna Newman,Vice Principal International, King’s College London Rt Hon David Willetts, Former Minister of Science and Universities at UK and Former Member of Parliament
CHAIR		Mr Arun Maira, Chancellor, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Former Member, Planning Commission of India, Former Chairman, Boston Consulting Group, Scenarist and Author
ABOUT THE EVENT
Higher education globally faces seismic shifts in its influence and structure. Over the next 20 years:  what are the models of universities that will emerge?  What does a globally connected university mean for the country and for the global community? What benefits can globally connected universities bring to the countries, regions, groups – and the people – that fund them?
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SPEAKERS   Professor (Dr) C Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of O P Jindal Global University ​ Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar was appointed as the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University ( JGU) in India at the age of 34  in 2009 and the Dean of the Jindal Global Law School. Professor Kumar is also a Member of the National Legal Knowledge Council (NLKC) and Member of the Steering Committee, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India. He was an Associate Professor at the School of Law of City University of Hong Kong, where he taught for many years. Professor Kumar was a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, UK and obtained a Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.); a Landon Gammon Fellow at the Harvard Law School, USA and obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) and a James Souverine Gallo Memorial Scholar at the Harvard University. He holds a Doctor of Legal Science (S.J.D.) from the University of Hong Kong. He has a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Delhi, India; and a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) from the Loyola College, University of Madras. Professor Kumar’s areas of specialisation, include, human rights and development, terrorism and national security, corruption and governance, law and disaster management, comparative constitutional law and legal education. He has over hundred publications to his credit and has published widely in journals and law reviews in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan and USA. Professor Kumar has held consultancy assignments in the field of human rights and governance. He has been a Consultant to the United Nations University (UNU), Tokyo; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and the International Council for Human Rights Policy (ICHRP), Geneva and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Sri Lanka. Professor Kumar is an Attorney at Law and is admitted to the Bar Council of Delhi, India and the Bar of the State of New York, USA.   Dr Joanna Newman, Vice-Principal International, King’s College London Dr Joanna Newman is Vice-Principal (International) at King’s College London. She has responsibility for leading on, and promoting, all international matters internally and externally at the College. Dr Newman joined the College in February 2014 having been Director at UK Higher Education International Unit (IU) which represents the UK HE sector internationally. She was responsible for driving the delivery of the UK higher education sector’s international agenda by shaping national policy, identifying and providing opportunities, and delivering programmes and research-based policy analysis. Prior to her role at the International Unit, Dr Newman was the Head of Higher Education at the British Library from January 2007 to March 2011. She has taught history at University College London and Warwick University after receiving the Parkes PhD studentship at the University of Southampton and an Institute of Commonwealth Studies fellowship at the University of London. She is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Southampton and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.In 2014, Dr Newman was awarded an MBE in recognition for her work in promoting British higher education internationally.   Rt Hon David Willetts, Former Minister of Science and Universities at UK and Former Member of Parliament The Rt Hon David Willetts is Visiting Professor with the Policy Institute at King’s College London. He served as the Member of Parliament for Havant from 1992 to March 2015. From May 2010 to July 2014 David served as Minister for Universities and Science, and he was appointed as a Privy Councillor in June 2010. While in government, David held the positions of Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Universities and Science) (2010-14), Paymaster General (HM Treasury) (1996), Parliamentary Secretary (Duchy of Lancaster Office) (1995-96), Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip) (1995), Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) (1994-95). In opposition he was Shadow Minister (Education) (2007-10), Shadow Secretary of State for Education (2005-07), Shadow Secretary of State (Trade and Industry) (2005), Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (2001-05), Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1999-01), Shadow Secretary of State for Education (1998-99). He is a Visiting Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, a Governor of the Ditchley Foundation, a member of the Council of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, a member of the Global Aging Commission, a member of the Advisory Board of the British Council, and Visiting Professor at King’s College London and the Cass Business School. David has written widely on economic and social policy, and his published works include Modern Conservatism (1992), Civic Conservatism (1994), Blair’s Gurus (1996), Why Vote Conservative? (1997), Welfare to Work (1998), After the Landslide (1999), Browned-Off: What’s Wrong with Gordon Brown’s Social Policy (2000), Tax Credits: Do They Add Up? (2002), Left Out, Left Behind (2003), Old Europe? Demographic Change and Pension Reform (2003), Conservatives in Birmingham (2008), and The Pinch: how the baby boomers took their children’s future and why they should give it back (2010). ​ CHAIR   Mr Arun Maira, Chancellor, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Former Member, Planning Commission of India, Former Chairman, Boston Consulting Group, Scenarist and Author Any discussion on policy and the future of India is enriched with Arun Maira’s views, and not just because he was a member of the Planning Commission of India for five years till June 2014. Arun is one of those rare people who have held leadership positions in both, the private as well as the public sector, bringing a unique perspective on how the two can work together to foster growth for India. He has led three rounds of participative and comprehensive scenario building for the future of India: in 1999 (with the Confederation of Indian Industry), 2005 (with the World Economic Forum), and 2011 (with the Planning Commission). In his career spanning five decades, Arun has led several organisations, including the Boston Consulting Group in India. In the early part of his career, he spent 25 years in the Tata Group at various important positions. He was also a member of the Board of Tata Motors (then called TELCO). After leaving the Tatas, Arun joined Arthur D Little Inc (ADL), the international management consultancy, in the US, where he advised companies across sectors and geographies on their growth strategies and handling transformational change. Another decade later, Arun was back in India, this time as the Chairman of the Boston Consulting Group, a position he held for eight years till 2008. The other leadership positions he has held include being the chairman of Axis Bank Foundation and Save the Children, India, and Chairman, Quality Council of India. He was also board member of the India Brand Equity Foundation, the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, and the UN Global Compact, and WWF India. Recognising his astute understanding of both macro as well as micro policy issues, Arun has been involved in several government committees and organisations, including the National Innovation Council. He has been on the board of several companies as well as educational institutions and has chaired several national committees of the Confederation of Indian Industries.In 2009, Arun was appointed as a member of the Planning Commission, which is led by the Prime Minister of India. At this minister-level position, he led the development of strategies for the country on issues relating to industrialisation and urbanisation, and drove the formulation of policies and programmes in these areas. He also advised the Commission on its future role. Arun Maira is a Member of the Advisory Board of the Global Economic Symposium, and is Chairman-designate of HelpAge International.With his vast experience and expertise, Arun is indeed a thought leader. He is invited to speak at various forums and has written several books that capture his insights. His most recent book, published in September 2015 is An Upstart in Government: Journeys of Change and Learning. His earlier books include Redesigning the Aeroplane While Flying: Reforming Institutions; Remaking India: One Country, One Destiny; Transforming Capitalism: Improving the World for Everyone, and Shaping the Future: Aspirational Leadership in India and Beyond.

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September 6, 2015

False claims On Sardar Sarovar Rehabilitation challenged

With 40000+ families yet to be rehabilitated.

corruption in rehabilitation can not be suppressed, Modi government can’t put up and close gates.

            Badwani | 4th September, 2015: The claims by the Gujarat officials in relation to Sardar Sarovar Project as reported in the Times of India (Gates of Narmada Dam are jammed by 3 saffron states:1st September, 2015) are seriously questionable. The decision by the Modi government, taken on June 12th, 2014 to raise the Sardar Sarovar Dam height from 122 m. to 139 m. has certainly been against law and Supreme Court’s own judgements. While there are a number of applications filed by the Sardar Sarovar affected persons before the Supreme Court, not just describing the ground reality but explaining violation of law by the submergence imposed on thousands of families, the concerned state and central government are filing false or incomplete information and mis-briefing the apex court.

            The fact about rehabilitation is that out of the 244 villages and one township, Dharmapuri, in Madhya Pradesh there are a few villages in the hilly areas that are vacated and the adivasis resettled; although with continued problems at resettlement sites too. What is more serious is that the large number of farmers, labourers, fish workers, traders who are in the agricultural villages are still without full and fair rehabilitation and neither their lands nor their houses can be submerged till six months after completion of resettlement and rehabilitation. This is not only against Narmada Tribunal Award but also against Supreme Court judgments. Almost every village has schools, dispensary, shops, Panchayats, rationing shops running along with agricultural fields on prime agricultural land and houses with which life is on! People are voters in the same village too. Gram Sabhas in the scheduled areas (where all villages lie) have passed resolutions during last many years! But who cares?

            The Supreme Court, the Social Justice Bench is no doubt taking review of the number of families with applications pending before the Grievance Redressal Authority but it has not yet been seized with the whole matter. When the decision to raise the dam and construction is illegal and will cause a great human tragedy, putting up the gates and closing doors will be a brutal act on the part of Gujarat as well as the Prime Minister. Hundreds of adivasis in Gujarat, some original villages like Mukhadi (next to the dam site) and the rest at Rehabilitation and resettlement site are yet to get their complaints redressed, about undeclared families or bad lands and problems of water supply and approach roads at many sites.

            In Maharashtra 1200 families await rehabilitation in MP not less than 40000 residing in the submergence area are to face drowning of homes and livelihoods, not replaced. This is the dam where 11000 families are resettled with alternative land but now the government of MP is unwilling and trying to dupe oustees with meager cash in lieu of land. Since the state government and its authority is fully trapped in massive corruption which is under inquiry by Justice Jha Commission, appointed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Not less than 2000 registries by the oustees showing purchase of land with cash are to be found to be fake. Corruption, in not this one alone but in five aspects, including house plots allotment as well as constructions at resettlement and rehabilitation sites has resulted in total derailing of policy costing the State Exchequer at least 1000 crores! Modi-Shivraj alliance is surely wanting to damn all evidence and make the inquiry report redundant.

            The water available today is not being used beyond 20% as the canal network is not ready. And whatever is lifted is used for industries rather than  for irrigating farms or satiating thirst. Raising the dam is therefore unjustifiable.

            It is in this background that the judicial propriety and honesty demands that the dam work is stopped immediately and the gates not erected nor closed. Thousands of oustees have been participants in the Jeevan Adhikar Satyagraha at Rajghat on the Narmada bank in MP. Although that may not be making news in Gandhinagar, the future will not forgive Mr. Modi for the genocidal attack on the oldest of the civilisations i.e. Narmada Valley.

Meera, Rahul Yadav, Devisingh Tomar, Medha Patkar.

Contact: 9179148973