Archive For The “General” Category
Mumbai, Sep 18 : Global anxieties along with rising imports and persistently high crude oil prices will weaken the Indian rupee in the coming week.
Experts opined that US FOMC meet will instil tapering fears, at the same time, imports are expected to rise on weaning impact of Covid 2.0.
Any timelines for tapering measures in the US can potentially drive FPIs (Foreign Portfolio Investors) away from emerging markets such as India.
Significantly, the recent sizeable inflow of FPI funds has been credited to have lifted the domestic markets to record high levels.
"Rupee is expected to weaken on the back of rising crude oil prices to over (Dollar) 75 per barrel and increasing bond yields in India and nervousness building in the US will impact the rupee," said Sajal Gupta, Head, Forex and Rates at Edelweiss Securities.
"Besides, rising domestic vaccination speed will accelerate imports, however, robust equity flows would counter the impact to some extent."
Last week, rupee closed at 73.48 to a USD before oscillating between 73.30 to 73.60.
"US Fed is going to announce outcome of its FOMC meeting this week, which will sway currencies around the globe," said Devarsh Vakil, Deputy Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities.
"Spot USDINR is expected to consolidate in the range of 73.25 to 73.65 ahead of next week's US FOMC meeting and swirl according to outcome of FOMC meeting."
Gaurang Somaiya, Forex and Bullion Analyst, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said: "Investors will be awaiting for announcement of the inflation and growth of the US economy, which means any hawkish statement could support the dollar at lower levels.
"Apart from the Fed policy meeting, the Bank of England will also release its policy statement and that could provide trigger to the GBPUSD pair that has been getting support at lower levels.
*For the week, the USDINR (Spot) is expected to trade with a negative bias and quote in the range of 73.05 and 74.20."
(Rohit Vaid can be contacted at rohit.v@ians.in)
--IANS
rv/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Experts opined that US FOMC meet will instil tapering fears, at the same time, imports are expected to rise on weaning impact of Covid 2.0.
Any timelines for tapering measures in the US can potentially drive FPIs (Foreign Portfolio Investors) away from emerging markets such as India.
Significantly, the recent sizeable inflow of FPI funds has been credited to have lifted the domestic markets to record high levels.
"Rupee is expected to weaken on the back of rising crude oil prices to over (Dollar) 75 per barrel and increasing bond yields in India and nervousness building in the US will impact the rupee," said Sajal Gupta, Head, Forex and Rates at Edelweiss Securities.
"Besides, rising domestic vaccination speed will accelerate imports, however, robust equity flows would counter the impact to some extent."
Last week, rupee closed at 73.48 to a USD before oscillating between 73.30 to 73.60.
"US Fed is going to announce outcome of its FOMC meeting this week, which will sway currencies around the globe," said Devarsh Vakil, Deputy Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities.
"Spot USDINR is expected to consolidate in the range of 73.25 to 73.65 ahead of next week's US FOMC meeting and swirl according to outcome of FOMC meeting."
Gaurang Somaiya, Forex and Bullion Analyst, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said: "Investors will be awaiting for announcement of the inflation and growth of the US economy, which means any hawkish statement could support the dollar at lower levels.
"Apart from the Fed policy meeting, the Bank of England will also release its policy statement and that could provide trigger to the GBPUSD pair that has been getting support at lower levels.
*For the week, the USDINR (Spot) is expected to trade with a negative bias and quote in the range of 73.05 and 74.20."
(Rohit Vaid can be contacted at rohit.v@ians.in)
--IANS
rv/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Panaji, Sep 18 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded a visually impaired post-graduate student's ambition to become an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, wishing her well in her pursuit, while expressing hope that he would be able to utilise her services as a bureaucrat soon.
Modi was speaking to Sumera Khan, the student studying for her Masters in English literature at the Goa University, during a virtual interaction with health workers, ruling politicians, administrative officials and a cross section of people from Goa.
Modi first enquired about Khan's battle with her impairment, about whether she had been visually impaired from birth, before asking her about her ambition.
"You have been a topper in your class.
Now you are studying for an MA in Eng literature. This is an inspiration in itself. What is your plan ahead?" Modi asked Khan during the interaction.
When the student said that she was preparing for civil service examinations and her ambition was to become an Indian Administrative Service officer, the Prime Minister said: "You become an IAS officer soon, so that I will be able to use your help in my work."
Modi's interaction had been planned against the backdrop of the state achieving 100 per cent coverage of the first Covid vaccine dose.
--IANS
maya/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Modi was speaking to Sumera Khan, the student studying for her Masters in English literature at the Goa University, during a virtual interaction with health workers, ruling politicians, administrative officials and a cross section of people from Goa.
Modi first enquired about Khan's battle with her impairment, about whether she had been visually impaired from birth, before asking her about her ambition.
"You have been a topper in your class.
Now you are studying for an MA in Eng literature. This is an inspiration in itself. What is your plan ahead?" Modi asked Khan during the interaction.
When the student said that she was preparing for civil service examinations and her ambition was to become an Indian Administrative Service officer, the Prime Minister said: "You become an IAS officer soon, so that I will be able to use your help in my work."
Modi's interaction had been planned against the backdrop of the state achieving 100 per cent coverage of the first Covid vaccine dose.
--IANS
maya/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Panaji, Sep 18 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday displayed his customary wit while speaking to a Goan senior citizen during an online virtual interaction with health workers, ruling politicians, administrative officials and a cross section of people from the coastal state.
During his brief interaction with Shashikant Bhagat, a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Modi mentioned his penchant for telephoning persons who have influenced him in his life on his birthday and said that on Friday he rung an elderly gentleman to seek his blessings.
Modi had asked Bhagat his age, to which the senior citizen had replied saying he was 75-years-old.
"Yesterday, I was looking up some people who I had known in the past.
I had tracked down a phone number of an elderly gentleman I had known and urged him to give me blessings.
He is older than me and and is cut off from the world of television and newspapers. He lives in his own world," the Prime Minister said.
"He asked me, 'how old are you?' I told him that 'I have 30 years left'. He laughed and said 'you have not changed at all. You are doing exactly what you were doing when you were young'.
"You too do not mention that you are 75 years old.
Instead, just say you have 25 years more (to live)," Modi added.
The Prime Minister celebrated his 71st birthday on Friday.
--IANS
maya/ksk/.
Source: IANS
During his brief interaction with Shashikant Bhagat, a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Modi mentioned his penchant for telephoning persons who have influenced him in his life on his birthday and said that on Friday he rung an elderly gentleman to seek his blessings.
Modi had asked Bhagat his age, to which the senior citizen had replied saying he was 75-years-old.
"Yesterday, I was looking up some people who I had known in the past.
I had tracked down a phone number of an elderly gentleman I had known and urged him to give me blessings.
He is older than me and and is cut off from the world of television and newspapers. He lives in his own world," the Prime Minister said.
"He asked me, 'how old are you?' I told him that 'I have 30 years left'. He laughed and said 'you have not changed at all. You are doing exactly what you were doing when you were young'.
"You too do not mention that you are 75 years old.
Instead, just say you have 25 years more (to live)," Modi added.
The Prime Minister celebrated his 71st birthday on Friday.
--IANS
maya/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Panaji, Sep 18 : The Central government is taking steps to reopen India to foreign tourists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, adding that Goa, with its 100 per cent coverage of the first Covid-19 vaccine dose, could play a big part in the revival of the country's tourism industry.
"The Central government is taking steps to welcome foreign tourists back.
The government has taken a decision to give five lakh tourists free visas. Travel and tourism stakeholders will be given loans up to Rs 10 lakh with a 100 per cent guarantee by the government.
"Tourist guides are being given the facility of taking a loan of up to Rs 1 lakh..In the future too, the Central government will be ready to help those who take the tourism sector forward," Modi said during a virtual interaction with health workers, ruling politicians, administrative officials and a cross section of people from Goa.
"India's vaccination drive is not a cover for health, but a cover for livelihood too.
It is important that tourism destinations open as soon as possible. The 'Char Dham' yatra will begin soon in Uttarakhand.
"Goa's 100 per cent vaccination will become important to revive the tourism sector.
If hotel industry workers, taxi drivers, hawkers, shopkeepers are vaccinated, it will give peace of mind to the visiting tourists.
"Goa is a part of a select group of tourist destinations where people are vaccinated," the Prime Minister added.
While encouraging the revival of tourism, Modi however said that the pandemic should not be taken lightly.
"Domestic and international tourists can take pleasure in coming here..Numbers have come down, but we still cannot take this virus lightly. You will get as many tourists and travellers depending on how much importance you give to safety and hygiene."
Speaking to reporters after the virtual interaction with Modi, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that tourism and tourism-related activities were the key to the revival of the state's economy.
"When I say the economy should be revived, it is not just the casino industry, but the hotel industry too.
We should refer to them (casinos) as tourism related activities. Sometimes people only mention casinos. We will resume all these activities as soon as possible after the government takes a decision," he said.
--IANS
maya/ksk/.
Source: IANS
"The Central government is taking steps to welcome foreign tourists back.
The government has taken a decision to give five lakh tourists free visas. Travel and tourism stakeholders will be given loans up to Rs 10 lakh with a 100 per cent guarantee by the government.
"Tourist guides are being given the facility of taking a loan of up to Rs 1 lakh..In the future too, the Central government will be ready to help those who take the tourism sector forward," Modi said during a virtual interaction with health workers, ruling politicians, administrative officials and a cross section of people from Goa.
"India's vaccination drive is not a cover for health, but a cover for livelihood too.
It is important that tourism destinations open as soon as possible. The 'Char Dham' yatra will begin soon in Uttarakhand.
"Goa's 100 per cent vaccination will become important to revive the tourism sector.
If hotel industry workers, taxi drivers, hawkers, shopkeepers are vaccinated, it will give peace of mind to the visiting tourists.
"Goa is a part of a select group of tourist destinations where people are vaccinated," the Prime Minister added.
While encouraging the revival of tourism, Modi however said that the pandemic should not be taken lightly.
"Domestic and international tourists can take pleasure in coming here..Numbers have come down, but we still cannot take this virus lightly. You will get as many tourists and travellers depending on how much importance you give to safety and hygiene."
Speaking to reporters after the virtual interaction with Modi, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that tourism and tourism-related activities were the key to the revival of the state's economy.
"When I say the economy should be revived, it is not just the casino industry, but the hotel industry too.
We should refer to them (casinos) as tourism related activities. Sometimes people only mention casinos. We will resume all these activities as soon as possible after the government takes a decision," he said.
--IANS
maya/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Chennai, Sep 18 : Even as their morale is down with job loss staring at their faces, workers at the Chennai plant of Ford India Private Ltd have restarted production of EcoSport for exports, said an official.
The company has an export commitment of about 30,000 units which has to be completed by the end of this calendar year.
The workers union has also asked for a meeting with the top officials of Ford Motor Company involved in the decision of closing down three of the four plants in India.
"Production at the Chennai plant is going on as per schedule.
The per day count of vehicles rolled out would differ as it depends on the production schedule," the workers union official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.
"The company has to export about 30,000 cars by the end of this year.
So, the management has cajoled the workers to restart production while holding talks relating to the plant closure," another worker told IANS preferring anonymity.
A day before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival on September 9, Ford India announced that it will wind down vehicle assembly in Sanand by the fourth quarter of 2021, and vehicle and engine manufacturing in Chennai by the second quarter of 2022.
Ford India has four plants in the country -- vehicle and engine plants in Chennai and Sanand.
The company makes the EcoSport models at Chennai, while Figo and Aspire models are made at Sanand.
Ford India's Chennai plant is the sole manufacturer of the Ecosport model sold in the US; and the Aspire and Figo models sold in Mexico and South Africa.
Earlier Ford India used to make Endeavour models at Chennai but it stopped production recently.
"The workers involved in the making of Endeavour have been asked not to come to the plant for a week," a senior worker told IANS.
Ford India has decided to continue operating the engine plant in Sanand manufacturing the powertrains for Ranger models sold in Asia Pacific region (excluding China), Middle East and Africa.
Meanwhile the management and the worker union had two rounds of discussions on the plant closure.
The workers have insisted on job security but are also alive to the situation that the management can stop sourcing components, stop production and close the plant.
They are of the view that Ford India would like to send off its work force first and then sell the plant to an interested buyer.
"The wage agreement with the worker's union at the Chennai plant was recently concluded.
The agreement is valid for one year. The wage talks in Sanand got stopped with the company announcing its decision to close down the plants," union officials said.
According to the union officials, there is a wage difference between the workers in the Chennai plant and those in Sanand.
"Further, the company has decided to continue running the engine plant at Sanand.
So, the impact of plant closure is more in the case of Chennai than in Sanand."
Ford's 'quit India' decision will result in an uncertain future for about 5,300 employees - workers and staff, the officials said.
Ford India's Chennai plant has about 2,700 associates (permanent workers) and about 600 staff.
"In Sanand, the number of workers will be about 2,000," Sanand workers' union General Secretary Nayan Kateshiya told IANS
Ford India had said more than 500 employees at the Sanand engine plant, which produces engines for export, and about 100 employees supporting parts distribution and customer service, also will continue to support Ford's business in India.
According to Ford India, about 4,000 employees are expected to be affected by its decision.
The union officials are also studying the settlement packages offered by other companies and to avoid other pitfalls so that they can secure a good compensation package if they are not able to protect their jobs.
(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
--IANS
vj/ksk/.
Source: IANS
The company has an export commitment of about 30,000 units which has to be completed by the end of this calendar year.
The workers union has also asked for a meeting with the top officials of Ford Motor Company involved in the decision of closing down three of the four plants in India.
"Production at the Chennai plant is going on as per schedule.
The per day count of vehicles rolled out would differ as it depends on the production schedule," the workers union official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.
"The company has to export about 30,000 cars by the end of this year.
So, the management has cajoled the workers to restart production while holding talks relating to the plant closure," another worker told IANS preferring anonymity.
A day before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival on September 9, Ford India announced that it will wind down vehicle assembly in Sanand by the fourth quarter of 2021, and vehicle and engine manufacturing in Chennai by the second quarter of 2022.
Ford India has four plants in the country -- vehicle and engine plants in Chennai and Sanand.
The company makes the EcoSport models at Chennai, while Figo and Aspire models are made at Sanand.
Ford India's Chennai plant is the sole manufacturer of the Ecosport model sold in the US; and the Aspire and Figo models sold in Mexico and South Africa.
Earlier Ford India used to make Endeavour models at Chennai but it stopped production recently.
"The workers involved in the making of Endeavour have been asked not to come to the plant for a week," a senior worker told IANS.
Ford India has decided to continue operating the engine plant in Sanand manufacturing the powertrains for Ranger models sold in Asia Pacific region (excluding China), Middle East and Africa.
Meanwhile the management and the worker union had two rounds of discussions on the plant closure.
The workers have insisted on job security but are also alive to the situation that the management can stop sourcing components, stop production and close the plant.
They are of the view that Ford India would like to send off its work force first and then sell the plant to an interested buyer.
"The wage agreement with the worker's union at the Chennai plant was recently concluded.
The agreement is valid for one year. The wage talks in Sanand got stopped with the company announcing its decision to close down the plants," union officials said.
According to the union officials, there is a wage difference between the workers in the Chennai plant and those in Sanand.
"Further, the company has decided to continue running the engine plant at Sanand.
So, the impact of plant closure is more in the case of Chennai than in Sanand."
Ford's 'quit India' decision will result in an uncertain future for about 5,300 employees - workers and staff, the officials said.
Ford India's Chennai plant has about 2,700 associates (permanent workers) and about 600 staff.
"In Sanand, the number of workers will be about 2,000," Sanand workers' union General Secretary Nayan Kateshiya told IANS
Ford India had said more than 500 employees at the Sanand engine plant, which produces engines for export, and about 100 employees supporting parts distribution and customer service, also will continue to support Ford's business in India.
According to Ford India, about 4,000 employees are expected to be affected by its decision.
The union officials are also studying the settlement packages offered by other companies and to avoid other pitfalls so that they can secure a good compensation package if they are not able to protect their jobs.
(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
--IANS
vj/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Shimla, Sep 18 : The state governments will take serious note of advice made by an institution like the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), which will positively impact the public service delivery standards, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Saturday.
Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of Indian Audit and Accounts Service officers at the National Academy of Audit and Accounts here, he said the past 18 months have been very trying for the country.
"Economy was badly disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government has taken various fiscal measures to alleviate distress and for welfare of the poor. These are often financed through money, which may be said to have been borrowed from our children and grandchildren," he said.
"We owe it to them that these scarce resources are put to best possible use and are most effectively used for welfare of the poor and needy.
The CAG has a very important role in this.
"While performing oversight function you need to be aware of opportunities of providing inputs for systemic improvements.
"Audit engagements provide a unique opportunity of gaining deep understanding of system and place you in a good position of suggesting improvements," he added
During the ceremony, 38 officer trainees of 2018 and 2019 batches were awarded induction training completion certificates in the presence of Kovind, state Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, CAG of India Girish Chandra Murmu, among other dignitaries.
The National Academy of Audit and Accounts in Shimla is the apex training institute of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.
Since its establishment in 1950, it has plays a vital nurturing role in helping the institution of the CAG discharge its constitutional mandate.
Favouring greater flexibility in scheme implementation by consulting states and implementing bodies, the President said: "This is likely to improve programme outcomes.
However, this needs to be accompanied with strengthened financial reporting and accountability framework at local governance levels."
For citizen-convenience, he said, government processes are increasingly getting digitalized.
Fast expanding technology frontier has reduced distance between the state and citizens.
"Through direct benefit transfer, money can reach the poorest citizen in the most remote corner of the country at the push of a computer button.
From audit perspective this is a 'small challenge' and 'huge opportunity'. Using advanced analytics tools, information from large volumes of data can be weaned out without travelling afar.
"This can make the audit engagements more focused and efficient.
Systemic red flags can be raised at an earlier stage. I have been informed that all of you have been extensively trained in these tools.
"You must put your training to best use.
It must be added that we have to keep pace with evolving technology landscape. I am certain that CAG is seized of the matter," the President said.
Saying that the CAG has been chosen for audit responsibility of various important multilateral bodies such as UN, Kovind said: "This is in recognition of India's soft power and I commend professionalism of the department for these achievements.
"Such engagements also provide an opportunity to look closely at global best practices.
I will urge CAG to examine the possibility of adopting some of them in Indian context."
Impressed by sylvan surroundings of the National Academy of Audit and Accounts in his maiden visit, the President said these surroundings also "teach us of a very onerous responsibility of leaving same pristine nature for our future generations to enjoy".
"Despite India's developmental needs we have undertaken significant responsibility to address global climate change challenge and environmental protection.
I have been informed that CAG has taken measures to build capacities in the area of environmental audit.
"For our future this is a very welcome step.
We must always remember that constraints of resource finiteness can only be partly addressed by human innovation.
"For the rest sacrifice by our generation is the only recourse.
The CAG has a big role to play in making us aware of sacrifices we need to make for our future generations."
Reminding the newly-inducted officers their role while serving the nation, he said: "As public servants you will derive greatest satisfaction in being able to serve the poorest and bring a smile on her face.
"While performing our Constitutional duty we must always be mindful of this common responsibility assigned to all functionaries.
An approach laden with mutual empathy will ensure that we reach our national goals, much faster."
The President arrived in Shimla on Thursday on a four-day visit to Himachal Pradesh.
--IANS
vg/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of Indian Audit and Accounts Service officers at the National Academy of Audit and Accounts here, he said the past 18 months have been very trying for the country.
"Economy was badly disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government has taken various fiscal measures to alleviate distress and for welfare of the poor. These are often financed through money, which may be said to have been borrowed from our children and grandchildren," he said.
"We owe it to them that these scarce resources are put to best possible use and are most effectively used for welfare of the poor and needy.
The CAG has a very important role in this.
"While performing oversight function you need to be aware of opportunities of providing inputs for systemic improvements.
"Audit engagements provide a unique opportunity of gaining deep understanding of system and place you in a good position of suggesting improvements," he added
During the ceremony, 38 officer trainees of 2018 and 2019 batches were awarded induction training completion certificates in the presence of Kovind, state Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, CAG of India Girish Chandra Murmu, among other dignitaries.
The National Academy of Audit and Accounts in Shimla is the apex training institute of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.
Since its establishment in 1950, it has plays a vital nurturing role in helping the institution of the CAG discharge its constitutional mandate.
Favouring greater flexibility in scheme implementation by consulting states and implementing bodies, the President said: "This is likely to improve programme outcomes.
However, this needs to be accompanied with strengthened financial reporting and accountability framework at local governance levels."
For citizen-convenience, he said, government processes are increasingly getting digitalized.
Fast expanding technology frontier has reduced distance between the state and citizens.
"Through direct benefit transfer, money can reach the poorest citizen in the most remote corner of the country at the push of a computer button.
From audit perspective this is a 'small challenge' and 'huge opportunity'. Using advanced analytics tools, information from large volumes of data can be weaned out without travelling afar.
"This can make the audit engagements more focused and efficient.
Systemic red flags can be raised at an earlier stage. I have been informed that all of you have been extensively trained in these tools.
"You must put your training to best use.
It must be added that we have to keep pace with evolving technology landscape. I am certain that CAG is seized of the matter," the President said.
Saying that the CAG has been chosen for audit responsibility of various important multilateral bodies such as UN, Kovind said: "This is in recognition of India's soft power and I commend professionalism of the department for these achievements.
"Such engagements also provide an opportunity to look closely at global best practices.
I will urge CAG to examine the possibility of adopting some of them in Indian context."
Impressed by sylvan surroundings of the National Academy of Audit and Accounts in his maiden visit, the President said these surroundings also "teach us of a very onerous responsibility of leaving same pristine nature for our future generations to enjoy".
"Despite India's developmental needs we have undertaken significant responsibility to address global climate change challenge and environmental protection.
I have been informed that CAG has taken measures to build capacities in the area of environmental audit.
"For our future this is a very welcome step.
We must always remember that constraints of resource finiteness can only be partly addressed by human innovation.
"For the rest sacrifice by our generation is the only recourse.
The CAG has a big role to play in making us aware of sacrifices we need to make for our future generations."
Reminding the newly-inducted officers their role while serving the nation, he said: "As public servants you will derive greatest satisfaction in being able to serve the poorest and bring a smile on her face.
"While performing our Constitutional duty we must always be mindful of this common responsibility assigned to all functionaries.
An approach laden with mutual empathy will ensure that we reach our national goals, much faster."
The President arrived in Shimla on Thursday on a four-day visit to Himachal Pradesh.
--IANS
vg/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 17 : At 84, Sitaram Srivastava is delighted to be enrolled in the Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University to pursue a bachelor in law course.
A retired official of the Provident Fund department, it was Srivastava's desire to study law which has finally been approved by the university.
When Srivastava expressed his desire to study law, it was approved by Vice Chancellor Professor Vinay Pathak even though Srivastava had completed his BA course in 1962.
Srivastava will now be taking admission in the VSSD Degree college to pursue LLB.
"I retired in 1995 and in 1998, I lost my wife due to medical negligence.
I filed a case in this regard in the Consumer Court and it took me 20 years to win the case when the Supreme Court ruled in my favour.
"From the Consumer Forum to Supreme Court, my fight for justice continued for 20 years. It finally ended in 2018 when I won the case against the hospital. It is in these 20 years, my interest in law developed and now I finally decided to pursue LLB," said Srivastava.
Prof Pathak said that he was happy to see the commitment in Sitaram Srivastava for wanting to study even at this age.
"Age is just a number.
When Sitaram Srivastava told me that he wanted to pursue LLB, I immediately agreed to it, keeping in mind his eagerness, commitment and passion towards it," the vice chancellor said.
Srivastava, meanwhile, said that since he was free all day, he would like to devote his time to studies.
--IANS
amita/dpb.
Source: IANS
A retired official of the Provident Fund department, it was Srivastava's desire to study law which has finally been approved by the university.
When Srivastava expressed his desire to study law, it was approved by Vice Chancellor Professor Vinay Pathak even though Srivastava had completed his BA course in 1962.
Srivastava will now be taking admission in the VSSD Degree college to pursue LLB.
"I retired in 1995 and in 1998, I lost my wife due to medical negligence.
I filed a case in this regard in the Consumer Court and it took me 20 years to win the case when the Supreme Court ruled in my favour.
"From the Consumer Forum to Supreme Court, my fight for justice continued for 20 years. It finally ended in 2018 when I won the case against the hospital. It is in these 20 years, my interest in law developed and now I finally decided to pursue LLB," said Srivastava.
Prof Pathak said that he was happy to see the commitment in Sitaram Srivastava for wanting to study even at this age.
"Age is just a number.
When Sitaram Srivastava told me that he wanted to pursue LLB, I immediately agreed to it, keeping in mind his eagerness, commitment and passion towards it," the vice chancellor said.
Srivastava, meanwhile, said that since he was free all day, he would like to devote his time to studies.
--IANS
amita/dpb.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, Sep 17 : In the last 24 hours, India reported 34,403 new Covid-19 cases and 320 fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry's latest report on Friday.
With the new fatalities, the country's cumulative death toll increased to 4,44,248.
The fatality rate has remained at 1.33 per cent for the last few days.
This is the second consecutive day that the number of single-day cases were above the 30,000 mark.
On Thursday, the figure was 30,570 cases on Thursday.
With a reduction of 3,867 active cases in a span of 24 hours, the overall number stood at 3,39,056, which is 1.03 per cent of the total Covid infections reported in the country since early 2020.
In the same time span, a total of 37,950 Covid-infected patients recovered, pushing the country's total recoveries to 3,25,98,424.
The Covid recovery rate in the last 24 hours remained at 97.64 per cent.
The weekly positivity rate, which currently stands at 1.97 per cent, has been less than 3 per cent for the last 84 days.
A total of 54.77 crore Covid sample tests were conducted in the country, according to the Union Health Ministry.
Till date, the country has administered over 77.24 crore (77,24,25,744) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 63,97,972 jabs were given in the last 24 hours, the data showed.
Kerala, which has been reporting the highest daily Covid cases for the last few weeks, has registered 17,681 new infections, while Maharashtra reported 3,783 new cases, according to the Health Ministry's report.
On Thursday, the Ministry insisted on extra caution for the upcoming festival season.
"Covid safe festivities this year will be a determining factor in our fight against the pandemic," Covid task-force's V.K.Paul said.
--IANS
pd/niv/ksk/.
Source: IANS
With the new fatalities, the country's cumulative death toll increased to 4,44,248.
The fatality rate has remained at 1.33 per cent for the last few days.
This is the second consecutive day that the number of single-day cases were above the 30,000 mark.
On Thursday, the figure was 30,570 cases on Thursday.
With a reduction of 3,867 active cases in a span of 24 hours, the overall number stood at 3,39,056, which is 1.03 per cent of the total Covid infections reported in the country since early 2020.
In the same time span, a total of 37,950 Covid-infected patients recovered, pushing the country's total recoveries to 3,25,98,424.
The Covid recovery rate in the last 24 hours remained at 97.64 per cent.
The weekly positivity rate, which currently stands at 1.97 per cent, has been less than 3 per cent for the last 84 days.
A total of 54.77 crore Covid sample tests were conducted in the country, according to the Union Health Ministry.
Till date, the country has administered over 77.24 crore (77,24,25,744) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 63,97,972 jabs were given in the last 24 hours, the data showed.
Kerala, which has been reporting the highest daily Covid cases for the last few weeks, has registered 17,681 new infections, while Maharashtra reported 3,783 new cases, according to the Health Ministry's report.
On Thursday, the Ministry insisted on extra caution for the upcoming festival season.
"Covid safe festivities this year will be a determining factor in our fight against the pandemic," Covid task-force's V.K.Paul said.
--IANS
pd/niv/ksk/.
Source: IANS
Hyderabad, Sep 17 : September 17 is commemorated as the World Patient Safety Day, and this year the World Health Organization has come forward with "Safe Maternal (and) Newborn Care" as the theme to promote better maternity and childcare across the world.
Indian healthcare too must take a pledge to overcome this burden and strive towards arresting the problems that cause neonatal mortality, say the healthcare professionals.
India contributes to one-fifth of global child births, and the country is also a large contributor to the neonatal deaths.
In 2020, infant mortality rate for India was 29.07 deaths per thousand live births, which is considered a quarter of total global fatalities.
It is also the highest in absolute numbers for any country in the world, and this depicts a poor image for a nation that intends to emerge into a global superpower.
Dr.
Satwinder Singh Sabharwal, COO, Aware Gleneagles Global Hospital, believes that availability of better-quality healthcare at affordable rates will ensure reduce neonatal mortality rate in India and around the World.
"Proving easy access to best-in-class doctors and super-specialty healthcare is critical for financially backward and less privileged sections of the society will ensure more mothers do not have to face the heartburn of losing their newborn to ill-fate.
Multi-specialty hospitals like ours, which offer best-in-class care at affordable rates are providing a possible solution to this problem," he said.
Dr.
Pradeep Panigrahi, Medical Director, SLG Hospitals pointed out that super specialty or modern healthcare is not just expensive but is also physically located at a distance from the common people.
"More multi-specialty healthcare facilities need to come up in non-prime, and semi-urban settings to ensure more and more economically backwards sections take benefit of it.
We are a hospital which is not located in the most prime localities, and we are easily accessible to those coming even from far-off locations like other districts and from locations with poor healthcare infrastructure.
India needs more hospitals like ours to ensure best-quality treatment is available to all at all times," he said.
According to Gaurav Khurana, CEO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals the first 24 hours is the most critical phase for every child after birth.
"Cutting of umbilical cord ends child's dependence on mother (placenta) for oxygen and nutrition; and from this stage to the child turning one year old is the most crucial phase.
Ensuring right medical care at child's birth will play a big role in child's long life, and the medical fraternity in our country must take a pledge to make sure neonatal mortality is arrested, thus ensuring more children live-on to make India great," he said.
The Ministry of Health (and) Family Welfare, Government of India has developed the India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) in response to the global Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) in 2014.
INAP aims to significantly reduce preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths and to bring down the neonatal mortality rate and still born rate to 'single digits' by 2030.
Focus of INAP is on pre-conception and antenatal care; care during labor and childbirth; immediate newborn care; care of healthy newborn; care of small and sick newborn; and care beyond newborn survival.
Indian healthcare fraternity hopes that their effort and the measures taken by the government together will help the country overcome this problem.
--IANS
ms/in.
Source: IANS
Indian healthcare too must take a pledge to overcome this burden and strive towards arresting the problems that cause neonatal mortality, say the healthcare professionals.
India contributes to one-fifth of global child births, and the country is also a large contributor to the neonatal deaths.
In 2020, infant mortality rate for India was 29.07 deaths per thousand live births, which is considered a quarter of total global fatalities.
It is also the highest in absolute numbers for any country in the world, and this depicts a poor image for a nation that intends to emerge into a global superpower.
Dr.
Satwinder Singh Sabharwal, COO, Aware Gleneagles Global Hospital, believes that availability of better-quality healthcare at affordable rates will ensure reduce neonatal mortality rate in India and around the World.
"Proving easy access to best-in-class doctors and super-specialty healthcare is critical for financially backward and less privileged sections of the society will ensure more mothers do not have to face the heartburn of losing their newborn to ill-fate.
Multi-specialty hospitals like ours, which offer best-in-class care at affordable rates are providing a possible solution to this problem," he said.
Dr.
Pradeep Panigrahi, Medical Director, SLG Hospitals pointed out that super specialty or modern healthcare is not just expensive but is also physically located at a distance from the common people.
"More multi-specialty healthcare facilities need to come up in non-prime, and semi-urban settings to ensure more and more economically backwards sections take benefit of it.
We are a hospital which is not located in the most prime localities, and we are easily accessible to those coming even from far-off locations like other districts and from locations with poor healthcare infrastructure.
India needs more hospitals like ours to ensure best-quality treatment is available to all at all times," he said.
According to Gaurav Khurana, CEO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals the first 24 hours is the most critical phase for every child after birth.
"Cutting of umbilical cord ends child's dependence on mother (placenta) for oxygen and nutrition; and from this stage to the child turning one year old is the most crucial phase.
Ensuring right medical care at child's birth will play a big role in child's long life, and the medical fraternity in our country must take a pledge to make sure neonatal mortality is arrested, thus ensuring more children live-on to make India great," he said.
The Ministry of Health (and) Family Welfare, Government of India has developed the India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) in response to the global Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) in 2014.
INAP aims to significantly reduce preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths and to bring down the neonatal mortality rate and still born rate to 'single digits' by 2030.
Focus of INAP is on pre-conception and antenatal care; care during labor and childbirth; immediate newborn care; care of healthy newborn; care of small and sick newborn; and care beyond newborn survival.
Indian healthcare fraternity hopes that their effort and the measures taken by the government together will help the country overcome this problem.
--IANS
ms/in.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, Sep 16 : The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), a non-profit organisation representing the cause of millions of farmers and farm workers of commercial crops, has lauded the steps taken by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to promote digital technology in the farm sector.
It has expressed gratitude to the government/concerned Ministry for taking a whole range of agriculture-friendly steps that will give added impetus to the pace of major farm sector reforms in the country and help in increasing farm income.
FAIFA believes that the move to foster technology adoption in the agriculture sector will enable farmers, especially smallholder farmers (SHF), to make informed decisions on crops to grow, seed variety to use, and adoption of best practices.
Additionally, it will provide a framework to farmers for future dealings while selling their products and help them navigate the market easily while also reducing the risk of uncertainty.
This is besides maximising the yield thereby making the agriculture sector profitable.
The farmer's body understands that introduction of digital technologies in the farm sector will aid precise targeting of all subsidies, services, and policies to benefit the farming community.
This is in addition to modernising agriculture supply chains, enabling agri supply chain players to plan their procurement and logistics on precise and timely information.
It will also give a push to projects that use artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies" to modernize the country's agriculture sector.
FAIFA is of the opinion that the government's decision to partner with private sector enterprises establishes a common intention to educate and increase farmers' income between government, companies, and farming community to bring in revolutionary changes in the Indian agriculture sector.
This move will result in meaningful outcomes for smallholder farmers by increasing their income, protecting their produce, and encouraging future generations to also take up agriculture.
It urges the government to take appropriate steps for smooth implementation and execution of the digital agriculture mission, undertake its periodic review in consultation with farmers, and consider the inclusion of farmer representatives of FAIFA in crop-related stakeholders' meetings and decision-making processes.
Javare Gowda, President, FAIFA, said: "We welcome recent decisions of the government to promote usage of digital technology in the farming sector.
India is blessed to have a large pool of scientific human resources that are working relentlessly to address field-level problems and to evolve technological solutions.
In addition, there are many technologies and practices developed by individuals and corporate bodies in the private sector.
Despite this, all the technologies developed by these scientists have not always reached all the farmers.
It is heartening to see the government giving a big push to technology adoption in the agriculture sector which is currently underserved."
Yashwanth Chidipothu, National Spokesperson, FAIFA added: "Recent government moves to facilitate the adoption of digital technology in agriculture will go a long way in addressing India's agrarian crisis.
It will complement enabling policy measures introduced by the government to transform the agriculture sector.
We urge the government to ensure its implementation in all sincerity so that the benefit of technology reaches all farmers and ushers in another green revolution in the agricultural sector.
We also propose a periodic review of these measures in consultation with farmers to ensure they are able to fully benefit from it.
"We, the farming community believe that the above measures will transform the Indian agriculture sector and encourage future generations to also take up agriculture.
We wish and hope that your contribution to our farmer friends will continue and that our bond is strengthened further."
--IANS
san/ksk/.
Source: IANS
It has expressed gratitude to the government/concerned Ministry for taking a whole range of agriculture-friendly steps that will give added impetus to the pace of major farm sector reforms in the country and help in increasing farm income.
FAIFA believes that the move to foster technology adoption in the agriculture sector will enable farmers, especially smallholder farmers (SHF), to make informed decisions on crops to grow, seed variety to use, and adoption of best practices.
Additionally, it will provide a framework to farmers for future dealings while selling their products and help them navigate the market easily while also reducing the risk of uncertainty.
This is besides maximising the yield thereby making the agriculture sector profitable.
The farmer's body understands that introduction of digital technologies in the farm sector will aid precise targeting of all subsidies, services, and policies to benefit the farming community.
This is in addition to modernising agriculture supply chains, enabling agri supply chain players to plan their procurement and logistics on precise and timely information.
It will also give a push to projects that use artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies" to modernize the country's agriculture sector.
FAIFA is of the opinion that the government's decision to partner with private sector enterprises establishes a common intention to educate and increase farmers' income between government, companies, and farming community to bring in revolutionary changes in the Indian agriculture sector.
This move will result in meaningful outcomes for smallholder farmers by increasing their income, protecting their produce, and encouraging future generations to also take up agriculture.
It urges the government to take appropriate steps for smooth implementation and execution of the digital agriculture mission, undertake its periodic review in consultation with farmers, and consider the inclusion of farmer representatives of FAIFA in crop-related stakeholders' meetings and decision-making processes.
Javare Gowda, President, FAIFA, said: "We welcome recent decisions of the government to promote usage of digital technology in the farming sector.
India is blessed to have a large pool of scientific human resources that are working relentlessly to address field-level problems and to evolve technological solutions.
In addition, there are many technologies and practices developed by individuals and corporate bodies in the private sector.
Despite this, all the technologies developed by these scientists have not always reached all the farmers.
It is heartening to see the government giving a big push to technology adoption in the agriculture sector which is currently underserved."
Yashwanth Chidipothu, National Spokesperson, FAIFA added: "Recent government moves to facilitate the adoption of digital technology in agriculture will go a long way in addressing India's agrarian crisis.
It will complement enabling policy measures introduced by the government to transform the agriculture sector.
We urge the government to ensure its implementation in all sincerity so that the benefit of technology reaches all farmers and ushers in another green revolution in the agricultural sector.
We also propose a periodic review of these measures in consultation with farmers to ensure they are able to fully benefit from it.
"We, the farming community believe that the above measures will transform the Indian agriculture sector and encourage future generations to also take up agriculture.
We wish and hope that your contribution to our farmer friends will continue and that our bond is strengthened further."
--IANS
san/ksk/.
Source: IANS