India inks defence cooperation pact with Mongolia

• Giving a fillip to its ties with Mongolia, India on Thursday signed a defence cooperation agreement with the northeast Asian country and announced that it would extend a $20 million Line of Credit for a joint IT, education and outsourcing centre to be set up here.
• India and Mongolia also inked two pacts on media exchanges and cooperation between their planning commissions in the presence of President Pratibha Patil, who is here on a three-day visit.
• New Delhi will extend a Line of Credit of $20 million for the 'India-Mongolia Joint Information Technology, Education and Outsourcing Centre' to be established here.
• The two countries also discussed ways to further cooperation in the peaceful use of radioactive minerals and nuclear energy.
• Mongolia is celebrating the "Year of Anniversaries", including the 805th anniversary of the establishment of the Great Mongolian State under the leadership of Genghis Khan and 90th anniversary of the Mongolian Independence and Sovereignty.
• Ms. Patil stressed on reviving Mongolia's contacts with Nalanda University, which is being rejuvenated as a regional seat of learning and excellence, in particular of Buddhist studies.
• Mongolia is spread in an area of 1.565 million square km and has a population of about 2.7 million. About 92 per cent of its population follows Buddhism and the country shares its border with China and Russia.
• India and Mongolia are good trading partners. India exports pharma products, veterinary medicines, automobiles and their parts to this country and the bilateral trade has touched $16.9 million.
• India has also decided to increase the number of slots available to Mongolia under the Indian Technical Education Cooperation (ITEC) Programme to 150.
• "The number of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships available to Mongolia will be increased to 50. India will assist in human resource development and capacity building efforts of Mongolia," Ms. Patil said.
• Extending her support to Mongolia "in any way," she thanked the country for backing India's bid for the permanent membership of an expanded United Nations Security Council.

National Social Security Fund for Unorganised Sector Workers

• The Union Cabinet has approved the constitution and operation of a National Social Security Fund for unorganised workers with an initial allocation of Rs.1000 crore to support schemes for weavers, toddy tappers, rickshaw pullers, beedi workers etc. 
• This follows the announcement made by the Finance Minister in his budget speech for 2010-11. 
• This Fund will support social security schemes for various segments of unorganised workers as most of these workers (around 433 million) do not have any social security cover in the form of life and disability insurance, health care and pensions. This would facilitate formulation of social security schemes for unorganized workers. The Fund will also facilitate evolution and funding of schemes by various Departments which are currently involved in the welfare of these segments of workers. 
• The Ministry of Labour & Employment will be the nodal Ministry for the operation of the Fund. 

Background:

More than 94% of the workforce is in the unorganized sector. Recognizing the need for providing social security to these workers and as a follow up to the Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act, 2008, the Finance Minister in his Budget Speech for 2010-2011, announced setting up a National Social Security Fund for unorganized workers. 

First Trojan asteroid circling sun in Earth's orbit discovered

• NASA's Wide—field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission has discovered a long—hidden companion of the Earth — the first Trojan asteroid circling the sun in the Earth's orbit.
• Trojans are asteroids that share an orbit with a planet, locked in stable orbits by a gravitational balancing act between a planet and the Sun. Neptune, Mars and Jupiter are known to have Trojans.
• Two of Saturn's moons share orbits with Trojans. Scientists had predicted Earth should also have Trojans, but they have been difficult to find because they are relatively small and appear near the sun from Earth's point of view.
• "These asteroids dwell mostly in the daylight, making them very hard to see," said lead author Martin Connors of Athabasca University in Canada. "But we finally found one, because the object has an unusual orbit that takes it farther away from the sun than what is typical for Trojans. WISE was a game—changer, giving us a point of view difficult to have at Earth's surface," he added.
• The team identified a small asteroid named '2010 TK7' as an Earth Trojan after follow—up observations with the Canada—France—Hawaii Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
• The asteroid is roughly 1,000 feet (300 meters) in diameter. It has an unusual orbit that traces a complex motion near a stable point in the plane of Earth's orbit, although the asteroid also moves above and below the plane. The object is about 50 million miles (80 million kilometers) from Earth.
• The asteroid's orbit is well—defined and for at least the next 100 years, it will not come closer to Earth than 15 million miles (24 million kilometers).
• "It's as though Earth is playing follow the leader. Earth always is chasing this asteroid around," said Amy Mainzer, the principal investigator of NEOWISE at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif.

Saturn’s water mystery finally ‘solved’

A team of scientists have found that giant jets of vapour from the planet's moon Enceladus are responsible for Saturn's water.

• Planetary scientists claim they have finally solved a 14—year mystery by discovering the source of the water in Saturn's upper atmosphere.
• A team, led by Paul Hartogh of Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany, says that the Herschel space observatory has found that giant jets of vapour from the planet's moon Enceladus are responsible for Saturn's water.
• The latest discovery around Saturn has revealed that the planet's sixth—largest moon Enceladus is covered with ice and is providing water to Saturn, creating a rain—showering halo, the 'International Business Times' reported.
• The water vapours are visible as tiger—like stripes of gas and ice that escape at the southern pole of the moon and become a main water—source vapour for Saturn's upper atmosphere, say the planetary scientists.
• In fact, the ring is 10 times greater than Saturn's radius, and Enceladus continues to feed the ring of water vapours during its orbit.
• The findings also show that Saturn's moon is the only one which carries influence in regard to the chemical composition toward its parent planet, says the team.
• Enceladus consists of icy geysers that release water into space, forming a donut—shaped region. Only a small percentage of water from Enceladus actually reaches Saturn while the rest freezes or falls onto nearby moons.
• Due to the incremental amount of water entering Saturn's lower levels, clouds are not observable after it condenses. The result of water landing on Saturn produces carbon dioxide, say the scientists.

Govt declares ammonium nitrate as explosive

Concerned over its frequent use by terror groups in making bombs, the government has declared fertilisers having more than 45 per cent of ammonium nitrate as an explosive substance.

The notification said that fertiliser from which either ammonium nitrate or any of its combination cannot be extracted would not be classified as explosive.

Joint Statement following meeting between the Minister of External Affairs of India and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan

The Minister of External Affairs of India, H.E. S.M. Krishna and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, H.E. Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar met in New Delhi on July 27, 2011.

The Ministers reviewed the status of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on the holding of meetings on the issues of Counter-Terrorism (including progress on Mumbai trial) and Narcotics Control; Humanitarian issues; Commercial & Economic cooperation; Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek; Siachen; Peace & Security including CBMs; Jammu & Kashmir; and promotion of friendly exchanges.

The Ministers affirmed the importance of carrying forward the dialogue process with a view to resolving peacefully all outstanding issues through constructive and result oriented engagement, and to establish friendly, cooperative and good neighbourly relations between Pakistan and India.

The Ministers underlined the need for sustained effort by both countries to build a relationship of trust and mutually beneficial cooperation in conformity with the determination of the people of both countries to see an end to terrorism and violence and to realise their aspirations for peace and development.

The Ministers agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security and reiterated the firm and undiluted commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate this scourge in all its forms and manifestations. Both sides agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism including among relevant departments as well as agencies to bring those responsible for terror crimes to justice.

The Ministers noted with satisfaction the fact that since the resumption of dialogue earlier this year, the process of release of prisoners and fishermen from both sides has continued. In this regard, the Ministers agreed with the recommendations of the Judicial Committee on Prisoners regarding (a) early repatriation of the prisoners who have completed their sentences and whose travel documents are available; (b) adoption of a humane approach in dealing with cases of fishermen, women, elderly, juvenile prisoners, prisoners terminally ill or suffering from serious illness or physical / mental disability and (c) need to monitor the welfare of prisoners in order to ensure their humane treatment.

The Ministers attached importance to promoting peace and security, including Confidence Building Measures, between India and Pakistan and agreed to convene separate meetings of the Expert Groups on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs, in Islamabad in September 2011.

The Ministers held discussions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to the need for continued discussions, in a purposeful and forward looking manner, with a view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.

On Cross-LoC trade and travel facilitation for Jammu & Kashmir the Ministers decided the following:-

CROSS–LoC TRADE:

i) List of 21 products of permissible items for Cross-LoC trade will be respected by both sides. The Working Group will review the trading list with a view to further specifying permissible items to facilitate intra-Jammu &Kashmir Cross-LoC trade.
ii) Both sides will provide adequate facilities at the trade facilitation centres on each side.
iii) The number of trading days stand enhanced from 2 to 4 days per week. Truck movements shall take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, both on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot routes.
iv) The Designated Authorities will resolve operational issues concerning cross-LoC trade through regular interaction.
v) Regular meetings between the Chambers of Commerce and traders of both sides will be facilitated.
vi) Existing telephone communication facilities should be strengthened.
vii) The meetings of the Designated Authorities will be held alternately at the Terminal of the Crossing Points on both sides of the LoC every quarter or as and when deemed necessary.

CROSS-LoC TRAVEL

i) Cross-LoC travel would be expanded on both sides of the LoC to include visits for tourism and religious pilgrimage. In this regard, the modalities will be worked out by both sides.
ii) Facilities including waiting area, terminal and clearing procedures at the operational crossing points will be streamlined by both sides for smooth Cross-LoC travel.
iii) The Cross-LoC bus service between Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot routes will henceforth run on every Monday.
iv) Application forms and requisite documentation in respect of travel across LoC will be exchanged by email between Designated Authorities of both sides. Such email transfer of application forms will be backed up by hard copies.
v) Both sides will expedite the processing time for applications, which shall not be more than 45 days.
vi) Six month multiple entry cross-LoC travel permits will be allowed by the Designated Authorities after completion of the required formalities at an early date.
vii) Coordination meetings between the Designated Authorities will be held at the Terminals alternately on both sides of the LoC every quarter or as and when deemed necessary.

It was agreed that the Joint Working Group will henceforth meet on a bi-annual basis to review existing arrangements and suggest additional measures for Cross-LoC travel and trade.

The Ministers agreed that increase in trade and economic engagement between the two countries would be mutually beneficial. In this context, they emphasized the importance of early establishment of a non-discriminatory trade regime between the two countries, including reduction/removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers. They also emphasised the need for facilitating trade and redressing trade imbalance. The Ministers noted with satisfaction that during their meeting held in Islamabad in April 2011, the Commerce Secretaries of the two countries had decided on a number of important steps to realize the full potential of bilateral trade.

he Ministers agreed that discussions will continue on Siachen, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project and Sir Creek to find a mutually acceptable solution to these issues. They reiterated their commitment to seeking early and amicable solutions to all these issues. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty.

The Ministers also agreed that people of the two countries are at the heart of the relationship and that issues of people-to-people contacts and humanitarian issues should be accorded priority and treated with sensitivity. They noted with satisfaction the progress made towards finalization of a revised Visa Agreement which would help liberalise the visa regime and facilitate people-to-people, business-to-business and sports contacts.

The Ministers also emphasized promotion of cooperation in various fields including, facilitating visits to religious shrines, media exchanges, holding of sports tournaments and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other.

The Ministers decided to resume the work of the India-Pakistan Joint Commission and agreed that the Technical Level Working Groups should hold their meetings to identify avenues of further cooperation in these fields.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the goals and objectives of SAARC and agreed to make joint efforts to promote cooperation for regional development in the SAARC framework.

It was also decided that the Foreign Ministers will meet again in Islamabad in the first half of 2012 to review progress in the dialogue process.

The Ministers agreed to the continuation of the dialogue process and to the convening series of Secretaries level meetings on Counter-terrorism (including progress on Mumbai trial) and Narcotics Control; Humanitarian issues; Commercial and Economic cooperation; Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek (at the level of Additional Secretaries/Surveyors General); Siachen; Peace & Security, including CBMs; Jammu & Kashmir; and Promotion of Friendly Exchanges. Dates of all these meetings will be decided through diplomatic channels and will be held prior to the next Ministerial meeting.

The Ministers noted that Shri Anand Sharma, Hon'ble Minister for Commerce and Industry of India, has extended an invitation to his counterpart, H. E. Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister of Commerce of Pakistan to visit India at a mutually convenient date.

India will impart dynamism into ties with Mongolia: President

• India will explore new avenues to impart more dynamism into its relations with mineral-rich Mongolia especially in coal, steel and infrastructure sectors, President Pratibha Patil.
• Ms. Patil, who is on three-day visit here, said that the country will further ties with its North East nation through 3 Es -- Enterprise, Economics and Education.
• The President asked Indian diaspora to contribute towards the strong relationship of both the countries.
  

India inks tax treaty with Lithuania

India on Tuesday inked a protocol and double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) with Lithuania to prevent fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital and facilitate exchange of banking information between the two countries.

According to a Finance Ministry statement here, the DTAA with Lithuania — the first such with a Baltic nation — provides that business profits will be taxable in the source country if the activities of an enterprise constitute a permanent establishment (PE) there.

Indian Media

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2230638.ece

German researchers turn skin cells into stem cells

• German medical researchers have cured serious liver disease in mice using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in an important first that shows promise for use in people with liver metabolism ailments.
• The researchers took skin cells from the mice, returned them to an embryonic state and subsequently corrected a gene defect in the cells. The cells were then used to create healthy mice.
• "For the first time, a living organism has been cured of an illness using iPS cells repaired using genetic methods," researcher Tobias Cantz told the German Press Agency dpa
• They noted that research using iPS cells is broadly seen as ethically unproblematic, as embryos are not needed to provide a source for them.
• Using a method known as tetraploid embryo complementation, the researchers were able to produce healthy mice from the treated iPS cells.
• According to the Max Planck Institute, the long—term aim of the research is to take cells from patients, reverse them into iPS cells in the laboratory, correct them genetically and ultimately to induce them into the patient to effect a cure.
• The cells acquired in this way would not suffer the kind of rejection from the body that usually causes problems with donated tissue.

quiescent

quiescent

qui·es·cent

adj.

Being quiet, still, or at rest; inactive. See Synonyms at latent

he 'water issue' between India and Pakistan, which has been relatively quiescent for a while, is becoming prominent once again

Public Private Partnership Approval Committee (PPPAC)

The Cabinet  Committee on  Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its  meeting of 27th October, 2005 approved the procedure for approval of public private partnership (PPP) projects. Pursuant to this decision, a  Public Private Partnership Approval Committee (PPPAC) has been set up comprising of the following:

• Secretary, Department  of Economic Affairs (in the Chair)
• Secretary, Planning Commission
• Secretary, Department of Expenditure;
• Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs; and
• Secretary of the Department sponsoring a project
  

The committee would be serviced by the Department of Economic Affairs, who will set up a special cell  for servicing such proposals. The Committee may co-opt experts as necessary.

The procedure approved by the CCEA for the approval of the PPP projects is enclosed at Annex-I.

India achieves major breakthrough in solar thermal cooling system technology

The new 100 kw Solar Air-Conditioning System, in Solar Energy Center Gurgaon,  works at 30% higher efficiency than the current available systems and has several unique features. It is based on the new triple effect absorption cooling technology. The system has indigenously built medium temperature high efficiency parabolic troughs for collection of solar energy and effective solar thermal energy storage in the form of Phase Change Materials.

The present system will cater to air-conditioning needs of 13 rooms of solar Energy Centre. To achieve this, 288 sq mtr of Solar Collector area has been installed which generates nearly 60 kW of 210 °C Pressurized hot water. This heat is used in Vapour Absorption Machine to generate 7 °C Chilled water which in turn circulates through the Fan coil unit installed in the thirteen rooms. The major attraction of this system is that the hottest days have the greatest need for cooling and simultaneously, offer the maximum possible solar energy gain.

The system has been developed in joint collaboration by Solar Energy Centre with M/s Thermax Limited, Pune and is expected to meet the growing demand for air-conditioning in India in highly efficient and cost effective way through use of direct solar energy.

Amendment to Article 243 D of the Constitution of India for enhancing reservation for women in Panchayats

• The Cabinet approved the proposal for moving an official Amendment to the Constitution (One hundred and Tenth Amendment) Bill, 2009 for enhancing reservation for women in Panchayats at all tiers from 1/3rd to at least 50%. The Constitution (One hundred and Tenth Amendment) Bill, 2009 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 26.11.2009.
•  The official Amendment proposes to add word 'rural' before the word 'population' as and where the same occur in 1st Proviso of Clause (2) (iii) of the Constitution (One hundred and Tenth Amendment) Bill, 2009. This Provision will apply to the total number of seats filled by direct election, offices of Chairpersons and seats and offices of Chairpersons reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

All States / UTs are parts thereof to which Part IX of the Constitution applies would be covered (Part IX does not apply to Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram, tribal areas of Assam and Tripura and hill areas of Manipur).

Background

The Constitutional Amendment Bill for enhancing reservation for women in Panchayats at all tiers from one third to one half was introduced in Lok Sabha on 26.11.2009 with the approval of Cabinet in its meeting on 27.08.2009. The Bill was referred to Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development by Hon'ble Speaker on 21.12.2009. The Committee has recommended that word 'rural' be added before word 'population' occurring in Clause 2 (iii) of the original Amendment Bill in order to maintain better demographic representation to SCs and STs class. In view of this, it has been decided to make official amendment accordingly in the Bill already under consideration of Lok Sabha.

Great speech by PM on environment

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=73441

Indira Awas Yojana

http://zpraichur.kar.nic.in/iay.htm

New Gorkhaland body to be formed through direct election

The Centre, the West Bengal government and the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) leadership have agreed to the formation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), an autonomous body, "keeping on record the demand of the GJM for a separate State of Gorkhaland."

The autonomous body will be formed "through direct election," the agreement states.

While under the provisions of the Constitution "transfer of legislative powers to the new body is not possible, the power to frame rules and regulations under the State Acts, to control, regulate and administer the departments and offices and subjects transferred to the new body will be conferred upon the new body," according to the agreement.

The GTA will comprise the sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong with extended areas of Kurseong sub-division.

"In regard to transfer of additional areas of Siliguri, Terai and Doaors to the new body a high power committee will be formed, comprising four representatives of the GJM, three of the State government, the Director of Census Operations representing the government of India and the Chairman of the Committee to be appointed by the State government," it states.

The Committee which will be expected to give its recommendations "within a short period, preferably within six months" of its constitution will look into the "question of identification of additional areas in Silguri, Terai and Doaors that may be transferred to the new body, having regard to their compactness, contiguity, homogeneity, ground level situation and other relevant factors."

There will be a GTA Sabha to consist of 45 elected members and five members to be nominated by the Governor. The executive body shall consist of a chief executive who will nominate 14 members out of the elected or nominated members as executive members.

"The Centre and the State will provide all possible assistance to the GTA for the overall development of the region. The Centre will provide Rs. 200 crore per annum for three years for projects to develop the socio-economic infrastructure in the GTA over and above the normal plan assistance to West Bengal."

A total of 59 subjects have been transferred to the GTA, according to the agreement. They include agriculture, information and cultural affairs, school, college and adult education, fisheries, food and civil supplies, transport and urban development.

The Large Hadron Collider

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a gigantic scientific instrument near Geneva, where it spans the border between Switzerland and France about 100 m underground. It is a particle accelerator used by physicists to study the smallest known particles – the fundamental building blocks of all things. It will revolutionise our understanding, from the minuscule world deep within atoms to the vastness of the Universe.

Two beams of subatomic particles called 'hadrons' – either protons or lead ions – will travel in opposite directions inside the circular accelerator, gaining energy with every lap. Physicists will use the LHC to recreate the conditions just after the Big Bang, by colliding the two beams head-on at very high energy. Teams of physicists from around the world will analyse the particles created in the collisions using special detectors in a number of experiments dedicated to the LHC.

There are many theories as to what will result from these collisions, but what's for sure is that a brave new world of physics will emerge from the new accelerator, as knowledge in particle physics goes on to describe the workings of the Universe. For decades, the Standard Model of particle physics has served physicists well as a means of understanding the fundamental laws of Nature, but it does not tell the whole story. Only experimental data using the higher energies reached by the LHC can push knowledge forward, challenging those who seek confirmation of established knowledge, and those who dare to dream beyond the paradigm.

Article 136 of Constitution

The limits of power exercised by the Supreme Court when it chases injustice are the sky itself, a Bench of the apex court has said.

"It is plenary power exercisable outside the purview of ordinary law to meet the demand of justice. Article 136 of the Constitution is a special jurisdiction. It is residuary power. It is extraordinary in its amplitude. The limits of Supreme Court when it chases injustice are the sky itself," said the Bench of Justice J. M. Panchal and Justice H. L. Gokhale.

Stopping illegality

"The appellate power vested in the Supreme Court under Article 136 of the Constitution is not to be confused with the ordinary appellate power exercised by appellate Courts and appellate Tribunals under specific statutes. The powers under Article 136 can be exercised by the Supreme Court in favour of a party even suo motu when the Court is satisfied that compelling grounds for its exercise exist," it said.

Writing the judgment, Justice Panchal said: "Where there is manifest injustice, a duty is enjoined upon this Court to exercise its suo motu power by setting right the illegality in the judgment of the High Court as it is well-settled that illegality should not be allowed to be perpetuated and failure by this Court to interfere with the same would amount to allow illegality to be perpetuated."

Rejecting the contention that the Supreme Court should not do anything which was not prayed for or challenged, the Bench said: "When an apparent irregularity is found by this Court in an order passed by the High Court, the Supreme Court cannot ignore substantive rights of a litigant while dealing with the cause pending before it. There is no reason why the relief cannot be and should not be appropriately moulded while disposing of an appeal arising by grant of special leave under Article 136 of the Constitution."

The Bench was of the view that the power under Article 136 "is meant to supplement the existing legal framework. It is conceived to meet situations which cannot be effectively and appropriately tackled by the existing provisions of law."

Bangladesh's highest honour for Indira Gandhi

• Bangladesh will confer the 'Swadhinata Sammanona,' the highest state honour, to the late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the country's war of liberation in 1971.
• Mrs. Gandhi, who threw the full weight of her government behind the Bangladesh war, earns the highest honour 40 years after Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan.
• The recognition of her contribution to the Bangladeshi cause was endorsed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
• Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman will formally hand over the posthumous award to Indira Gandhi's daughter-in-law, Sonia Gandhi, the Congress president, at the President's House 'Bangabhaban' on July 25. Invited by Ms. Hasina, Ms. Sonia Gandhi is coming to Dhaka to attend a seminar on autistic and disabled children.
• The Cabinet also decided to honour 47 foreign personalities and organisations to accord them formal recognition for their roles in Bangladesh's independence.

Atlantis leaves space station for last time

Atlantis will join Discovery and Endeavour in retirement after this 13-day journey, the 135th for the shuttle programme. All three will become museum displays.

'Prahaar' missile successfully test-fired

• A new surface-to-surface missile called "Prahaar" was successfully test-fired on Thursday for the first time from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Orissa.
• The launch took place at 8.20 a.m. from a road mobile launcher, which is essentially a big truck. The missile traversed its entire range of 150 km in 250 seconds before impacting on the targeted area in the Bay of Bengal with an accuracy of few metres.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed Prahaar (meaning "to strike") in two years, to specifically bridge the gap in the range between the unguided Pinaka rocket, which has a range of 45 km, and the guided Prithvi missile variants, that can take out targets 250 km to 350 km away.
• Prahaar carries a 200-kg conventional warhead.
• A few Prahaar missiles could do the job of many Pinaka rockets, in devastating wide areas, Dr. Saraswat said. It is an all-weather missile that can be launched from canisters. Since it can be fired from a road mobile launcher, it can be quickly transported to different places. It can be deployed in various kinds of terrain such as snow-bound areas or jungles. With its range of 150 km, it is comparable to the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) of the United States, he added.
• Prahaar can carry different types of conventional warheads. Six Prahaar missiles can be launched in salvo mode in different directions. The missile has a quick reaction time, that is, it can be launched within a few minutes. It has sophisticated inertial navigation, guidance and electro-mechanical actuation systems. Its onboard computer helps it to home in on the targets with an accuracy of 10 metres.
• Prahaar is a single stage missile, propelled by solid fuel. It is 7.3 metres tall, has a diameter of 42 cm and weighs 1.3 tonnes. The missile reaches a height of 35 km before reaching the targets 150 km away.

India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue Joint Statement

India's Minister of External Affairs Shri S.M. Krishna and the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met in New Delhi on July 19, 2011, for the second annual meeting of the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue. The leaders recognized the achievements made since the inaugural Strategic Dialogue in June 2010 and President Obama's historic visit to India in November 2010 in advancing our two countries' shared interests. They committed to continuing to broaden and deepen the India-U.S. global strategic partnership.

As a testament to the relationship's extraordinary breadth and depth, Secretary Clinton was accompanied by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, the President's Advisor for Science and Technology Dr. John P. Holdren, Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman, Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute, and other senior U.S. government officials.

Minister Krishna was joined by Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Prime Minister's Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation Advisor Sam Pitroda, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, and other senior officials.

Minister Krishna was also joined at the working lunch by Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Minister for Human Resource Development and Information Technology Kapil Sibal.

As part of Secretary Clinton's visit to India, she met with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, and National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon.

Secretary Clinton offered her prayers and sympathies to the victims of the despicable attacks in Mumbai on July 13. The American people stand with the Indian people in times of trial, and offer support to India's efforts to bring the perpetrators of these terrible crimes to justice. Minister Krishna welcomed the expressions of support from the Secretary, the President, and the U.S. Congress. The two leaders resolved to strengthen cooperation between their governments to fight against terrorism.

Since the inaugural Strategic Dialogue in 2010, the India-U.S. partnership has resulted in advances in nearly every area of human endeavor. The two sides have expanded their strategic consultations to cover all major issues and regions of the world. They have increased counterterrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing, and law enforcement exchanges. They have continued to expand their defence cooperation. They have expanded their growing partnership on export controls and non-proliferation. They have witnessed an expansion of the already robust people-to-people ties; scientific, space, and technology collaboration; clean energy cooperation; and connections among entrepreneurs and social innovators.

The two leaders emphasized our countries' shared values – pluralism, tolerance, openness, and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights. They reiterated Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's and President Barack Obama's pledge to harness these shared strengths and to expand the India-U.S. global partnership for the benefit of their countries; and, for peace, stability, and prosperity in Asia and the world.

Today, the two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral relations and set new goals to further strengthen the India-U.S. Global Strategic Partnership.

Global Stability and Prosperity

• Marking the expansion of strategic consultations, the two sides launched a Central Asia Dialogue in June 2011 in New Delhi and a West Asia Dialogue in July 2011 in Washington DC. The two sides intend to expand strategic consultations to other regions, including Latin America and Caribbean, and plan to hold the fourth round of the East Asia Dialogue in September 2011.

• India, the United States, and Japan plan to commence a trilateral dialogue at senior official level.

• They welcomed the launch of bilateral dialogue on United Nations matters in New Delhi in March 2011. The two sides intend to continue this dialogue and meet next in Washington in early 2012, while continuing regular consultations between capitals and in UN cities as appropriate.

• Following on the successful meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on UN Peacekeeping Operations in March 2011 in New Delhi, the two countries hope to conduct their 10th meeting of the JWG in early 2012.

• The two sides reaffirmed their commitment for consultation, coordination, and cooperation on Afghanistan, and to work jointly in Afghanistan in capacity building, agriculture, and women's empowerment, expanding on work already underway. Both sides agreed to Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and inclusive reconciliation.

• The two sides acknowledged that increased trade, transit, and commercial linkages across South and Central Asia will benefit Afghanistan and contribute to the region's long-term peace, stability, and prosperity.

• The two sides intend to promote food security in Africa through a triangular cooperation program with Liberia, Malawi, and Kenya. A promising area of potential collaboration includes the participation of Africans at Indian universities and research and technical institutes in mutually agreed capacity building programs. The two sides agree to explore additional areas based on requests from the three African countries.

• As part of the India-U.S. Dialogue on Open Government launched in November 2010, the two countries have committed to jointly create an open source "Data.gov" platform by the first quarter of 2012 to be taken to interested countries globally. Leveraging the high-technology strengths and institutional expertise of both India and the United States, the "open source" platform is intended to provide citizens access to Government information via a user-friendly website and a package of e-Governance applications to enhance public service delivery.

• The two sides reiterated their commitment to work together to strengthen election management capacity in interested countries. They welcomed the technical collaboration between the Indian International Institute of Democracy and Election Management and the Washington DC-based International Federation of Electoral Systems.

• Secretary Clinton recalled President Obama's statement that, in the years ahead, the United States looks forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member.

Enhancing the U.S. – India Bilateral Relationship

Defence, security and counter-terrorism

• The two sides launched the Homeland Security Dialogue in May 2011 in New Delhi, and have decided upon on a program of cooperation in global supply chain management, megacity policing, combating counterfeit currency and illicit financing, cyber security, critical infrastructure protection, and capacity building and technology upgrading.

• They reiterated their commitment to further strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, including through intelligence sharing, information exchange, operational cooperation, and access to advanced counter-terrorism technology and equipment. The two sides had their ninth meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism in March 2011 in New Delhi.

• The two leaders reiterated that success in Afghanistan and regional and global security requires elimination of safe havens and infrastructure for terrorism and violent extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Condemning terrorism in all its forms, the two sides confirmed that all terrorist networks must be defeated and called for Pakistan to move expeditiously in prosecuting those involved in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

• The two sides reiterated their commitment on comprehensive sharing of information on the investigations and trials relating to the November 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

• The two countries held cyber consultations on July 18, led by their two National Security Councils, at which they exchanged views on a broad range of cyberspace issues and coordinated bilateral cooperation on cyber issues. The United States and India signed on 19 July 2011 a Memorandum of Understanding between our Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT-IN and US-CERT) to exchange information on cyber attacks and mutual response to cybersecurity incidents, to cooperate on cybersecurity technology, and to exchange information on cybersecurity policy and best practices and capacity building and exchange of experts.

• India and the United States welcomed progress in bilateral defence cooperation. The Defence Policy Group met in March 2011 and plans to meet again in early 2012.

• The two sides noted India's defence orders from U.S. companies have reached a cumulative value of over USD 8.0 billion in the last decade. The two sides noted that these sales reflect strengthened cooperation. Both sides also affirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation through technology transfer, and joint research, development and production of defence items.

• They noted progress in defence bilateral exchanges, exercises, capacity building, information sharing, including in the areas of counternarcotics, counter piracy, maritime safety and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief. They affirmed the importance of maritime security, unimpeded commerce, and freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

• The United States and India agreed to continue consultations on maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region in existing forums such as Defense Policy Group and its appropriate sub-groups. They also agreed to exchange views on promoting regional security architecture that enhances maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

• The United States welcomed India's decision to chair a plenary of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia in 2012.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation

• The two leaders welcomed the continued commitment of the two governments for full implementation of the India-U.S. civil nuclear energy cooperation agreement. They reiterated their commitment to build strong India - U.S. civil nuclear energy cooperation through the participation of U.S. nuclear energy firms in India on the basis of mutually acceptable technical and commercial terms and conditions that enable a viable tariff regime for electricity generated. They noted that the United States has ratified the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) and India intends to ratify the CSC within this year. They further noted that India is committed to ensuring a level playing field for U.S. companies seeking to enter the Indian nuclear energy sector, consistent with India's national and international legal obligations.

• The United States looks forward to hosting a senior-level Indian delegation at the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group (CNEWG) next week at Oak Ridge Laboratory.

Membership of Export Control Regimes

• Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress we have achieved together towards India's full membership of the four multilateral export control regimes – Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group and the Wassennaar Arrangement – in a phased manner consistent with the core principles of these regimes, as the Government of India takes steps towards the full adoption of the regimes' export control requirements.

Export Control Cooperation

• India welcomed steps taken by the United States to remove Indian entities from the U.S. Department of Commerce's 'Entity List' and realignment of India in U.S. export control regulations. Both sides agreed to continue efforts to fulfill objectives of strengthening export control cooperation envisaged in the Joint Statement of November 2010 as well as on the basis of discussions in the High Technology Cooperation Group held earlier this month.

Nuclear Security

• The two sides looked forward to holding later this year the first meeting of the U.S.-India Joint Working Group to implement the MOU on Cooperation with India's Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnerships.

Strategic Security Dialogue

• Both sides view the Strategic Security Dialogue, the last round of which was held in Vienna on 14 June 2011, as a vital element in their dialogue architecture which has strengthened the common ground in promoting global non-proliferation objectives. Both sides also discussed key issues on the multilateral agenda, and looked forward to the commencement of negotiations of the Fissile Missile Cutoff Treaty in the Conference on Disarmament.

Prosperity

• The two sides welcomed increases of 30 percent in bilateral trade in 2010 over the previous year and the balanced and positive growth in services trade. They also welcomed the increase in foreign direct investment flows in both directions.

• The two governments plan to resume technical-level negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) in August in Washington D.C. A BIT would enhance transparency and predictability for investors, and support economic growth and job creation in both countries.

• The two sides reiterated their commitment to take steps to expand trade ties. The India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum plans to meet in October 2011, and on-going public-private discussions are to continue under the Commercial Dialogue.

• The two governments intend to participate in the first Consular Dialogue on July 25 in Washington DC for a full discussion of visa and other consular matters.

• The two governments signed a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) on July 18.

• The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Export-Import Bank, the U.S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA), and U.S. Agency for International Development, in coordination with multiple U.S. government agencies, are participating in the development of clean and renewable energy projects, energy-efficient buildings and Smart Grids in India. The two leaders welcomed the progress in the USTDA supported bilateral Energy Cooperation Programme, announced in November 2010, which works with Indian and U.S. businesses on deployment of clean energy technology in India. The bilateral Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center is accepting applications for its $100 million, five-year program that is stimulating new collaboration between the United States' and India's public and private sectors in solar energy, energy-efficient buildings, and advanced biofuels.

• The India-U.S. agriculture dialogue was launched in September 2010 to intensify collaboration with India on food security, including joint work with third countries. USTDA hosted a trade mission to the United States for business and government representatives from India in the cold storage field.

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Ministry of Earth Sciences have set up a "monsoon desk" to share the latest monsoon prediction models, which are now providing forecasts for the 2011 Indian monsoon season.

Women's Empowerment

• The Women's Empowerment Dialogue is planned for September 2011 in New Delhi.

Education, Innovation, Science and Technology

• The United States and India plan to host a Higher Education Summit in Washington D.C. on October 13 to highlight and emphasize the many avenues through which the higher education communities in the United States and India collaborate.

• The United States and India plan to expand its higher education dialogue, to be co-chaired by the U.S. Secretary of State and Indian Minister of Human Resource Development to convene annually, incorporating the private/non-governmental sectors and higher education communities to inform government-to-government discussions.

• As part of the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative (OSI), the two governments announced the publication of their requests for proposals from post-secondary educational institutions that support OSI's goals of strengthening teaching, research, and administration of both U.S. and Indian institutions through university linkages and junior faculty development.

• The United States created the Passport to India initiative to encourage an increase in the number of American students studying and interning in India. The leaders recognized the great bridge of mutual understanding resulting from the more than 100,000 Indian students studying and interning in the United States.

• The United States' Department of Energy and India's Department of Atomic Energy signed an Implementing Agreement on Discovery Science that provide provides the framework for cooperation in accelerator and particle detector research and development at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

• The India-U.S. S&T Endowment Board, established by Secretary Clinton and Minister Krishna in 2009, plans to award nearly $3 million annually to entrepreneurial projects that commercialize technologies to improve health and empower citizens. The two sides are strongly encouraged by the response to this initiative, which attracted over 380 joint India-U.S. proposals. The Endowment plans to announce the first set of grantees by September 2011.

• The India-U.S. S&T Forum, now in its tenth year, has convened activities that have led to the interaction of nearly 10,000 Indian and U.S. scientists and technologists.

• As a follow up to the successful India-U.S. Innovation Roundtable held in September 2010 in New Delhi, the two sides agreed to hold another Innovation Roundtable in early 2012.

• India and the United States plan to host their third annual Women in Science workshop in September 2011.

Space

• The U.S. – India Joint Space Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation met in July 2011 in Bangalore. Building on the successful Chandrayan-1 lunar mission, NASA and ISRO reviewed potential areas for future cooperation in earth observation, space exploration, space sciences and satellite navigation. Both sides agreed for early finalization three new implementing arrangements for sharing satellite data on oceans and global weather patterns. Recognising the research opportunities available on the International Space Station, both sides agreed to explore the possibilities of joint experiments. NASA reiterated its willingness to discuss potential cooperation with ISRO on human spaceflight activities. The two sides also agreed to expand upon previous work in the area of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) with the goal of promoting compatibility and interoperability between the U.S. Global Positioning System, India's Navigation systems, and those of other countries.

Secretary Clinton thanked the Minister, the Government, and the people of India for their gracious hospitality, their warm welcome, and their hard work in making this year's Strategic Dialogue a success. Secretary Clinton thanked Minister Krishna for his strong support for the India-U.S. relationship.

Minister Krishna thanked the Secretary for her participation and engagement in this year's Strategic Dialogue and for the commitment and dedication she has given to the U.S. – India global partnership.

The next meeting of the Strategic Dialogue is planned for Washington D.C. in 2012.

GSAT 12

	Launch Date	15.07.2011
GSAT-12, the latest communication satellite built by ISRO, weighs about 1410 kg at lift-off. GSAT-12 is configured to carry 12 Extended C-band transponders to meet the country's growing demand for transponders in a short turn-around-time. The 12 Extended C-band transponders of GSAT-12 will augment the capacity in the INSAT system for various communication services like Tele-education, Telemedicine and for Village Resource Centres (VRC).

Mission	Communication
Weight	1410 kg (Mass at Lift – off) 559 kg (Dry Mass)
Power	Solar array providing 1430 Watts and one 64 Ah Li-Ion batteries
Physical Dimensions	1.485 x 1.480 x 1.446 m cuboid
Propulsion	440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motors (LAM) with Mono Methyl Hydrazine (MMH) as fuel and Mixed oxides of Nitrogen (MON-3) as oxidizer for orbit raising.
Attitude Orbit Control	3-axis body stabilised in orbit using Earth Sensors, Sun Sensors, Momentum and Reaction Wheels, Magnetic Torquers and eight 10 Newton and eight 22 Newton bipropellant thrusters
Antennae	One 0.7 m diameter body mounted parabolic receive antenna and one 1.2 m diameter polarisation sensitive deployable antenna
Launch date	July 15, 2011
Launch site	SHAR, Sriharikota, India
Launch vehicle	PSLV-C17
Orbit	Geosynchronous (83° longitude)
Mission life	About 8 Years

Official visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, H.E. Mr. Radoslaw Sikroski, is on an official visit to India from 11-12 July 2011. This is his first visit to a country outside Europe after Poland assumed Presidency of EU on 1st July, 2011. It became a member of EU in 2004 and of NATO in 1999.
• Poland's relations with India are rooted in history and have traditionally been characterized by goodwill and cooperation. Last September, the Prime Minister of Poland, H.E. Donald Tusk, had paid a highly successful visit to India, which had re-energized the bilateral ties.
• India and Poland enjoy a multifaceted mutually beneficial relationship and have a similarity of outlook on a host of matters of common interest. Poland has consistently supported India's aspirations for permanent membership of UNSC. She also endorsed our candidature for the non-permanent seat at UNSC for 2011-2012.
• EAM congratulated Foreign Minister Sikorski on Poland's taking over the Presidency of the EU on July 1, 2011, and observed that Poland's active role in EU had added a valuable dimension to the bilateral ties.
• EAM had in depth discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues with his Polish counterpart. It was agreed that an Agreement for visa exemption for diplomatic passport holder would be concluded at the earliest. Efforts would be made to speed up negotiations of all other pending agreements as well.
• Relations between India and Poland encompass cooperation in areas like Trade and Investment, Energy, Science & Technology, Culture, Security and Defence. The two Ministers agreed to expand and deepen the broad-based bilateral cooperation including people-to-people exchanges.
• India's exports to Poland increased 40 % to cross $ one billion in 2010 taking bilateral trade to an all time high of $ 1.4 billion. During the visit of Prime Minister Tusk in September 2010, both sides had agreed to double the trade volume by 2014, a target which seems to be well within sight. Over 20 Indian companies have already invested more than USD 2.25 billion in Poland in a number of sectors. Foreign Minister Sikorski stated that Poland was keen on enhancing its investment in India and welcomed Indian businessmen and skilled workers to Poland.
• Views were also exchanged on Counter Terrorism as well as on the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, West Asia and North Africa and the EU.
• Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikroski invited EAM to pay a visit to Poland at an early mutually convenient date. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.

Urban Development article

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2137115.ece

herculean and colossal

herculean

adj

1. requiring tremendous effort, strength, etc. a herculean task

2. (sometimes capital) resembling Hercules in strength, courage, etc.

co·los·sal

adj.

Of a size, extent, or degree that elicits awe or taxes belief; immense. Synonyms -enormous.

Moreover, the problem will come in reduplication of the structure. A register of more than 100 million identities sounds a distant dream. It's a herculean task to build such a colossal database.

edifice

–noun

1.a building, especially one of large size or imposing appearance.
2.any large, complex system or organization.
3. An abstract structure; a school of thought.


Truth must be the foundation stone, the cement to solidify the entire social edifice.

Apart from that, there is exactly no strong edifice of biometrics on which this mega-structure is to be constructed. Patterns of iris change with age, disease and health; fingerprints can easily be tapped and copied.

Roshini project

The programme has been implemented to make the Rashtrapati Bhavan an eco-friendly estate. It includes recycling of waste and water, waste management, vermi-culture, use of new and renewable energy resources.

details as below

http://presidentofindia.nic.in/roshiniproject1.html

Why adopting smart grid makes sense for India

India is a fast-emerging economy where the demand for electric power is increasing by leaps and bounds. This can be visualised from the fact that while holding more that 17 per cent of the world's population, India currently consumes around 3 to 4 per cent of the world's electrical energy.

As India strides forward on her economic journey, the demand and consumption of electrical energy by its populace is going to increase dramatically. Yet, although 70 per cent of Indians live in villages, there are still thousands of villages with no or inadequate access to electricity.

In developing economies such as ours, energy efficiency enhancement technologies such as smart grids can leapfrog development by harnessing distributed energy resources, which nature has so generously bestowed on us.

Smart grids use a combination of digital communication and digital control technology to despatch power with minimum loss. Power may be generated either centrally in large power stations operated by utilities or by local, small generators using green and renewable energy resources.

Why smart?

The 'smart' digital components communicate and compute the most efficient routes to despatch power to loads, resulting in a better quality of supply. The digital communication elements notify all parts of the grid rapidly in case of breakdowns so that alternative routes for power despatch may be computed. This combination of computation and communication is where the 'smartness' of the smart grid lies.

For the average Indian city- or town-dweller, the development of the smart grid would mean better quality of power. Voltage and frequency fluctuations would be eliminated, especially the low voltage and frequency conditions of summer, making power outages and load-shedding relics of a dark past.

Lure with incentives

Deployment could be accelerated through incentives to consumers who install smart grid equipment. For example, consumers installing solar panels or micro wind turbines on their premises may feed the excess power generated into the regional grid, which the utility may buy at special rates called ' feed-in tariffs', thereby allowing the consumer to recover the cost of installation within a reasonable period.

A large percentage of India's rural population cannot afford to pay more than a few rupees per day on energy. Setting up smart mini/ micro-grids, which are self-contained energy grids based on local renewable energy resources, would bring low-cost electricity, enabling the country to leapfrog to total rural electrification.

Potentially, these grids could revolutionise lives in rural India. With the availability of low-cost electricity, working hours in a day would be extended, improving the quality of life. Electricity would be available for agriculture, animal husbandry, mobile communication, data connectivity and healthcare systems in villages.

Practical implementation of the smart grid in India will need a great deal of research, development and industrialisation to obtain designs optimised for cost, efficiency and reliability in our unique conditions. In addition, standardisation of equipment modules and operating procedures is necessary to ensure systematic proliferation.

Green energy

The Union Government has mandated generation and use of non-conventional green energy resources and formulated comprehensive policies in keeping with the mandate, so that our unique ecosystems are protected and marginalised populations in poverty-stricken communities can avail themselves of energy at low costs.

The smart grid technology goes a long way in addressing the technical complexities introduced by green energy resources-based generation as well as in increasing the efficiency of generation and distribution systems.

A new nation is born - Southern Sudan

• The Republic of South Sudan will join the community of nations. Foreign dignitaries will converge on its capital, Juba, to watch the new country raise its flag and inaugurate a first President, Salva Kiir Mayardit.
• For the more than eight million citizens of South Sudan, it will be a momentous and emotional day. In January, they voted in an historic referendum to separate from the rest of Sudan. That they did so peacefully is a credit to both the North and South Sudanese leadership. Yet nationhood has come at steep cost: a staggering number of lives lost and people displaced in a 21-year civil war that ended only in 2005. When the assembled presidents and prime ministers board their official planes to return home, the challenges that remain will be daunting indeed.
  

Reality

On the day of its birth, South Sudan will rank near the bottom of all recognised human development indices. The statistics are truly humbling. It has the world's highest maternal mortality rate. Estimates of illiteracy among the female population exceed 80 per cent. More than half of its people must feed, clothe and shelter themselves on less than a dollar a day. Critical issues of poverty, insecurity and lack of infrastructure must all be addressed by a relatively new government with little experience and only embryonic institutions.

An area of 6,20,000 square kilometres with less than 100 kilometres of paved road. Within this larger context, the risk of increased violence, harm to civilian populations and further humanitarian suffering is very real.

At the same time, South Sudan has remarkable potential. With substantial oil reserves, huge amounts of arable land and the Nile flowing through its centre, South Sudan could grow into a prosperous, self-sustaining nation capable of providing security, services and employment for its population.

North-South cooperation

Alone, South Sudan cannot meet these challenges nor realise its potential. Doing so will require partnership — a full (and on-going) engagement with the international community and, most especially, South Sudan's neighbours.

First and foremost, the new leaders of South Sudan should reach out to their counterparts in Khartoum. Strong, peaceful relations with the North are essential. A priority for both countries is agreement on their common border, sustainable relations to ensure both states can benefit from the oil revenues in the region, and cross-border arrangements to continue their strong historical, economic and cultural ties. Recent instability in Southern Kordofan and Abyei have strained North-South relations and heightened political rhetoric. Now is the time for both the North and the South to think of the long-term benefits of working together, not short-term political gains at the other's expense.

South Sudan must also reach out to its other neighbours. Across the globe — and in Africa, especially — the trend is towards regional partnerships. South Sudan will be strengthened by becoming an active participant in the regional organisations of East Africa and developing durable trade and political ties throughout the continent.

Finally, South Sudan must reach out to its own people. It must find strength in diversity and build institutions that represent the full constellation of its broad geographic and ethnic communities. The basics of any modern, democratic state must be guaranteed: free expression, full political rights, inclusive institutions that extend benefits to citizens of rural areas as well as regions affected by conflict.

In the 21st-century, the international community has increasingly come to recognise the responsibilities of governments to their citizens, including the protection of political space and democratic rights. The popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East have shown what can happen when governments are inattentive to the needs of their people.

The United Nations is committed to assisting the government of South Sudan meet its many responsibilities. That is why I have proposed a new United Nations mission in South Sudan: to help build the institutions that the country needs to stand on its own. In doing so, let us remember that the United Nations is only one part of a broader set of partnerships that the government should develop — with the North, with its neighbours in the region and beyond and, most importantly, with its own people.

Today, I will join other leaders in Juba to mark the birth of South Sudan. The last thing a new nation needs is a celebration as it springs into existence, only to then be forgotten until the next crisis. Our purpose is to do more than celebrate this milestone. It is to highlight the international obligation to stand by the people of South Sudan as they seek to build a stable, strong and ultimately prosperous nation.

(Courtesy: UN Information Centre, New Delhi. The writer is Secretary-General of the United Nations.)

Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve to compete for UNESCO award

• Conservation initiatives and its success stories in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR) are going to be showcased for the award instituted by the UNESCO to mark the 40th year of its theme "Man and Biosphere."
• NBR was the first biosphere in India and is one of the acclaimed hotspots of bio-diversity. NBR stands for a number of challenges that it faced in conservation initiatives and also for success stories overcoming the challenge
• The recent success in conservation of NBR was the restoration of a crucial elephant corridor. The narrow elephant corridor measuring 1 km width and 10 km length involving 3,500 acres from Kallati to Bokkapuram via Mavanallah and Semmanatham is a mile stone in the history of any forest Department. It is not just a restoration of a lost corridor but also that of lost pride in the history of NBR.
• Elephants in Mudumalai, Bandipur and Nagerhole and Wayanad on one side of the Nilgiris hills and the jumbos in reserve forests such as Sathyamangalam, Coimbatore, Erode and Mannarkad need a corridor to migrate. In the absence of such a cross forest migration and stagnation within the confined forest areas, gene exchange will be affected. This could lead to the population of elephants especially the calves becoming an unhealthy one
• The golden shake through which tribal families are re-located from Ayyankudi to Mullampadi near Gudalur was another success story in NBR. These conservation initiatives and success stories overcoming challenges would be showcased for bagging the UNESCO award.
• A proposal in this connection will be forwarded to the State Government and then it would reach the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests before sending it to UNESCO.

Bionic specs for the blind to see

Scientists are developing smart and sleek bionic spectacles. The spectacles, they say could soon be on sale and help hundreds of thousands of blind people in the world experience the gift of sight.

The cheap and lightweight glasses, which could be on sale by 2014 following successful trials, would make it easier for the blind to navigate roads in busy neighborhoods and even read bus numbers, the researchers said.

Elderly people with age-related macular degeneration are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries, the Daily Mail reported.

Past technological endeavours to create such a device have resulted in large dark spectacles accompanied by clunky cameras and bulky computers.

But advances in technology mean it should be possible to create bionic spectacles that look almost indistinguishable from standard glasses.

Importantly, a price tag of less than a thousand pounds should make them affordable, the researchers told the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition.

He envisages transparent glasses with lenses studded with small light-emitting diodes and cameras the size of a pinhead at the outside top corners of the frame.

The cameras will photograph the information the eyes should see and send the images through a cable to a mobile phone-sized computer which could be placed in the wearer's pocket.

The computer will process the information and simplify it into a pattern of dots.

The Light Emitting Diodes in the lenses then light up in that pattern, giving the wearer vital information about what lies ahead

India and Bangladesh -- Points by EAM

India and Bangladesh have a natural propensity to work together in varied and diverse areas but let me look at just a few of them, today.

• First, as friendly neighbours that respect national sovereignty, we have sought to put behind us the threat of war and the recurrence of armed conflict. However, we face new challenges and non-traditional security threats. The rise of religious fundamentalism, extremism and terrorism are not unfamiliar to our region. Such forces sap away the strength of our societies, threaten our state systems and are an impediment to our advancement. India and Bangladesh have had good cooperation in fighting such forces. It is imperative that we continue to join hands to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Only then can we ensure that this creed will never gain ascendency and we shall secure for ourselves and our peoples the hope of stability, development, peace and prosperity.
• Second, I am hopeful that the outstanding land boundary issues between us will be resolved in the near future in a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable manner. Discussions are ongoing and I sense willingness on both sides to resolve this age old issue. The resolution of boundary and its demarcation will remove an impediment to our collaborative efforts for growth and development and enhanced people-to-people exchanges. 
• Third, we have expanded our understanding on water issues. We have a very good agreement on the sharing of the Ganga Waters which is being implemented sincerely by both sides. I am optimistic that we shall reach similar conclusion on the sharing of the Teesta and Feni waters. Between neighbours, it is necessary to deal with each other in a spirit of transparency and sincerity. As our populations grow, the demand for water, which is a vital resource, will also increase. However, I am positive that we shall find mutually acceptable and pragmatic solutions that meet the needs of our people while recognizing the need for mutual sacrifice in view of declining of flows due to climate change. 
• Fourth, I see a growing enthusiasm for trade and economic cooperation between the two sides. Both our economies are robust and have weathered the global economic downturn. I have noticed that our trade volumes are low and the share of our bilateral trade in the global context still remains small. The bulk of your imports from India are raw materials which are processed further in Bangladesh for exports. The priority should be to significantly increase the volumes of trade. I believe this can be made possible if we look at trade and investments in conjunction. Cross investments will not only provide gainful employment and production but will also lead to increased export earnings. A number of Indian corporate entities are looking forward to opportunities for investments in Bangladesh. If you can welcome them warmly it will be to mutual benefit. I also wish to point out that there is potential for Bangladesh investments in India. 
• Fifth, I would like to refer to the issue of connectivity. We live in a global community, interacting across borders. Technology and communication have made connectivity possible. In fact, not only do these flows improve efficiencies and provide access to goods and services across frontiers but they also bring improvement to the living conditions of people. We cannot deprive them this opportunity. Further, we should see connectivity in a dynamic concept of markets that are growing rapidly on both sides of the borders; in the north east of India, the growth could be even more rapid than the rest of India. As the pie expands on both sides, the opportunities for business also expand exponentially. Our economies are not fully integrated. I can visualise connectivity will spur economic growth and development on both sides of the border; it is not simply a flow of goods and services across frontiers in the context of transit. 
• Finally, I cannot but see the growth of this partnership without special attention being devoted to the cultural and educational dimension. India and Bangladesh are organising joint events to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. It will showcase the tremendous contribution of Tagore in areas such as women's empowerment and rural development, explore his contemporary relevance and rejoice in his intellectual genius. Tagore shows these issues remain relevant for us even today and he provides guidance towards realizing our true potential in the modern world.
  

I was in the University of Dhaka a short while ago to inaugurate the newly constructed Kalabhaban. India considers it a privilege to cooperate in this project. As you may know, a Tagore Chair in the University has also been established. An Indian Tagore scholar of great eminence will assume the seat of the first Chair next month. I am confident that this will enrich the dialogue between us and deepen exchanges and scholarship.

Yingluck Shinawatra wins Thailand election, seeks unity

• The sister of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced an agreement on Monday to form a five-party coalition government after her Pheu Thai Party won a landslide victory in Thailand's parliamentary elections.
• Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, whose brother was ousted from the prime minister post by a 2006 military coup, is set to become Thailand's first female leader after a vote that marks a significant political comeback for Mr. Thaksin.
• Ms. Yingluck, whose Pheu Thai Party already has won a majority of 265 seats in the 500-seat lower house of parliament under preliminary results of Sunday's polling, announced an agreement that would boost her coalition to 299 seats.
• That accord came unusually quickly for Thai politics, where hard bargaining usually takes place over allocation of Cabinet seats. The pact should gain Ms. Yingluck's government-to-be some stability, especially if legal challenges under electoral law force some of her party's lawmakers from their positions.
• The Democrat Party, which has led a coalition government for more than three years, will be in opposition.
• The victory comes one year after the government crushed protests by Thaksin supporters with a bloody crackdown that culminated some of the worst violence here in 20 years and ended with parts of the capital ablaze in a wave of arson attacks allegedly carried out by fleeing protesters

Longest sea bridge opens in China

 

• The world's longest sea bridge, spanning 36.48 km across the mouth of the Jiaozhou Bay in eastern Shandong Province, opened to traffic on Thursday, four years after construction started.
• Han Shouxin, deputy director of Qingdao's traffic management committee, said the bridge would shorten the route between Huangdao and urban Qingdao by 30 km, cutting the travel time down from over 40 minutes to around 20 minutes.
• Before the project's completion, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge across the bay of Hangzhou, in eastern Zhejiang Province, was considered the world's longest sea bridge. On Thursday, Qingdao officials also announced the completion of a 9.47-km-long undersea tunnel that runs parallel to the bridge.