Saturday, December 31, 2011

Knighthood for Venkatraman Ramakrishnan

  • Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, the Indian-American scientist whose pioneering work in molecular biology won him the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, has been honoured with a Knighthood by the royal establishment here in a rare recognition of achievements by foreigners based in Britain.
  • 58-year-old Ramakrishnan, known to most as Venky, is based at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge.
  • He has been conferred Knighthood "for services to molecular biology" in the New Year Honours List 2012, according to an official announcement here.

In Iran's shadow, U.S. sells jets to Saudi Arabia

  • Fortifying one of its key allies in the Persian Gulf, the Obama administration announced a weapons deal with Saudi Arabia, saying it had agreed to sell F-15 fighter jets valued at nearly $30 billion to the Royal Saudi Air Force.
  • The agreement, and the administration's parallel plans to press ahead with a nearly $11-billion arms deal for Iraq, despite rising political tensions there, is dramatic evidence of its determination to project U.S. military influence in an oil-rich region shadowed by a threat from Iran.
  • Although the White House said the deal had not been accelerated to respond to threats by Iranian officials in recent days to shut off the Strait of Hormuz, its timing is laden with significance, as tensions with Iran have deepened and the United States has withdrawn its last soldiers from Iraq.
  • Saudi Arabia is a longtime foe of Iran, with relations souring further last fall after the United States broke up what it said was an Iranian-backed plot to kill the Saudi Ambassador to Washington. Iran has denied the accusations.
  • The weapons package is remarkable, both for its size and technical sophistication. Under the terms of the $29.4-billion agreement signed Saturday, Saudi Arabia will get 84 new F-15SA jets, manufactured by Boeing Co., and upgrades to 70 F-15s in the Saudi fleet with new munitions and spare parts. It will also get help with training, logistics and maintenance.
  • The new F-15s, which will be delivered in 2015, are among the most capable and versatile fighter jets in the world, Pentagon officials said. They will come with the latest air-to-air missiles and precision-guided air-to-ground missiles, enabling them to strike ships and radar facilities day or night and in any weather.
  • Although Mr. Shapiro and other officials said the planes were intended to help Saudi Arabia protect its sovereignty, military analysts said they would be effective against Iranian planes and ships anywhere in the Persian Gulf.
  • They are part of a 10-year, $60-billion weapons package for Saudi Arabia that was approved last year by Congress.

Summary of proposed changes in BESEL III

  • First, the quality, consistency, and transparency of the capital base will be raised.
    • Tier 1 capital: the predominant form of Tier 1 capital must be common shares and retained earnings
    • Tier 2 capital instruments will be harmonised
    • Tier 3 capital will be eliminated.
  • Second, the risk coverage of the capital framework will be strengthened.
    • Promote more integrated management of market and counterparty credit risk
    • Add the CVA (credit valuation adjustment)-risk due to deterioration in counterparty's credit rating
    • Strengthen the capital requirements for counterparty credit exposures arising from banks’ derivatives, repo and securities financing transactions
    • Raise the capital buffers backing these exposures
    • Reduce procyclicality and
    • Provide additional incentives to move OTC derivative contracts to central counterparties (probably clearing houses)
    • Provide incentives to strengthen the risk management of counterparty credit exposures
    • Raise counterparty credit risk management standards by including wrong-way risk
  • Third, the Committee will introduce a leverage ratio as a supplementary measure to the Basel II risk-based framework.
    • The Committee therefore is introducing a leverage ratio requirement that is intended to achieve the following objectives:
      • Put a floor under the build-up of leverage in the banking sector
      • Introduce additional safeguards against model risk and measurement error by supplementing the risk based measure with a simpler measure that is based on gross exposures.
  • Fourth, the Committee is introducing a series of measures to promote the build up of capital buffers in good times that can be drawn upon in periods of stress ("Reducing procyclicality and promoting countercyclical buffers").
    • The Committee is introducing a series of measures to address procyclicality:
      • Dampen any excess cyclicality of the minimum capital requirement;
      • Promote more forward looking provisions;
      • Conserve capital to build buffers at individual banks and the banking sector that can be used in stress; and
    • Achieve the broader macroprudential goal of protecting the banking sector from periods of excess credit growth.
      • Requirement to use long term data horizons to estimate probabilities of default,
      • downturn loss-given-default estimates, recommended in Basel II, to become mandatory
      • Improved calibration of the risk functions, which convert loss estimates into regulatory capital requirements.
      • Banks must conduct stress tests that include widening credit spreads in recessionary scenarios.
    • Promoting stronger provisioning practices (forward looking provisioning):
      • Advocating a change in the accounting standards towards an expected loss (EL) approach (usually, EL amount := LGD*PD*EAD).
  • Fifth, the Committee is introducing a global minimum liquidity standard for internationally active banks that includes a 30-day liquidity coverage ratio requirement underpinned by a longer-term structural liquidity ratio called the Net Stable Funding Ratio.
  • The Committee also is reviewing the need for additional capital, liquidity or other supervisory measures to reduce the externalities created by systemically important institutions.
As on Sept 2010, Proposed Basel III norms ask for ratios as: 7-9.5%(4.5% +2.5%(conservation buffer) + 0-2.5%(seasonal buffer)) for Common equity and 8.5-11% for tier 1 cap and 10.5 to 13 for total capital

Current account deficit widens



  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said the foreign exchange reserves (on a balance of payments basis, that is, excluding valuation effects) increased by $5.70 billion during April-September 2011-12 as compared with an increase of $7 billion in the same period previous year.
  • The foreign exchange reserves (including the valuation effects) increased by $6.70 billion during period under reference as against an increase of $13.80 billion in the same period a year ago.
  • On a balance of payments (BoP) basis, merchandise exports recorded a growth of 47.2 per cent (year-on-year) during second quarter of 2011-12 as against an increase of 20.1 per cent during the corresponding quarter of 2010-11. Similarly, on a BoP basis, imports registered a growth of 35.4 per cent (year-on-year) during the quarter as against an increase of 21.9 per cent during same quarter last year.
  • Despite higher growth in exports relative to imports, the trade deficit widened to $43.9 billion as compared to $37 billion during corresponding quarter last year, the RBI said.
  • Services receipts recorded a growth of 9.3 per cent (year-on-year), led by software, travel and transportation. Services payments, however, declined by 3.9 per cent to $18.50 billion during the quarter from $19.20 billion in corresponding quarter of last year.
  • While net secondary income (private transfers) receipts remained buoyant at $16.20 billion, primary income account (investment income) continued to show a net outflow.
  • Consequently, the current account deficit (CAD) was $16.90 billion in the second quarter of 2011-12.

The financial account surplus moderated in the second quarter of 2011-12 primarily on account of outflow of portfolio investment. "There was, thus, a negligible accretion to foreign exchange reserves ($300 billion) during second quarter of 2011-12 (excluding valuation)," the RBI said.

During April-September 2011, the current account deficit widened to $32.7 billion, largely reflecting the higher trade deficit. The financial account surplus improved mainly on account of buoyancy in FDI inflows and loans. "Despite improvement in the financial account surplus, accretion to reserves during April-September 2011 was lower mainly due to the widening of the CAD as compared to April-September 2010."

Financial account

The net inflows under the financial account were lower during the second quarter of 2011-12 mainly on account of FII outflows. With lower equity inflows, there has been distinct shift towards debt flows which financed significant part of CAD during second quarter of 2011-12.

Net financial inflows moderated at $17.9 billion during the second quarter of 2011-12 ($18.30 billion during the second quarter in the previous year).

Net FDI inflows to India (inward FDI minus outward FDI), however, increased to $4.40 billion in the second quarter as compared to $3.6 billion.

In Solar Power, India Begins Living Up to Its Own Ambitions

  • Solar power is a clean energy source. But in this arid part of northwest India it can also be a dusty one.
  • Every five days or so, in a marriage of low and high tech, field hands with long-handled dust mops wipe down each of the 36,000 solar panels at a 63-acre installation operated by Azure Power. The site is one of the biggest examples of India's ambitious plan to use solar energy to help modernize its notoriously underpowered national electricity grid, and reduce its dependence on coal-fired power plants.
  • Azure Power has a contract to provide solar-generated electricity to a state-government electric utility. Inderpreet Wadhwa, Azure's chief executive, predicted that within a few years solar power would be competitive in price with India's conventionally generated electricity.
  • Two years ago, Indian policy makers said that by the year 2020 they would drastically increase the nation's use of solar power from virtually nothing to 20,000 megawatts — enough electricity to power the equivalent of up to 15 million modern American homes during daylight hours when the panels are at their most productive. Many analysts said it could not be done. But, now the doubters are taking back their words.
  • Dozens of developers like Azure, because of aggressive government subsidies and a large drop in the global price of solar panels, are covering India's northwestern plains — including this village of 2,000 people — with gleaming solar panels. So far, India uses only about 140 megawatts, including 10 megawatts used by the Azure installation, which can provide enough power to serve a town of 50,000 people, according to the company. But analysts say that the national 20,000 megawatt goal is achievable and that India could reach those numbers even a few years before 2020.
  • Developers of solar farms in India, however, have shown a preference for the more advanced, so-called thin-film solar cells offered by suppliers in the United States, Taiwan and Europe. The leading American provider to India is First Solar, based in Tempe, Ariz.
  • India does not have a large solar manufacturing industry, but is trying to develop one and China is showing a new interest in India's growing demand. China's Suntech Power sold the panels used at the Azure installation, which opened in June.
  • India still significantly lags behind European countries in the use of solar. Germany, for example, had 17,000 megawatts of solar power capacity at the end of 2010. But India, which gets more than 300 days of sunlight a year, is a more suitable place to generate solar power. And being behind is now benefiting India, as panel prices plummet, enabling it to spend far less to set up solar farms than countries that pioneered the technology.

Cyclone Thane has made landfall on the southern Indian coast

Sea condition is very high along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts.

Winds of 140km/h (86mph) have damaged houses and uprooted trees and electricity poles.

The cyclone made landfall on the coast between Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu state and the union territory of Pondicherry early on December 30.

Meaning Of Thane:

A freeman granted land by the king in return for military service in Anglo-Saxon England.
A man ranking above an ordinary freeman and below a nobleman in Anglo-Saxon England.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Electronic Delivery of Services Bill tabled in Lok Sabha

  • The Centre on Tuesday tabled a Bill in the Lok Sabha that seeks to provide for electronic delivery of public services by the government to all persons to ensure transparency efficiency, accountability, accessibility and reliability in delivery of such services.
  • As per the provisions of the Bill, the Centre, the States and all public authorities under them shall deliver all public services by electronic mode, except such services which cannot be delivered electronically, within five years from the date of coming into force of the Act.
  • The Bill allows for "delivery of public services through electronic mode including the receipt of forms and applications, issue or grant of licence, permit, certificate, sanction or approval and the receipt and payment of money."
  • The Bill proposes penalties of up to Rs. 5,000 for officials if they fail to adhere to the norms. In case of persistent default, the penalty may extend up to Rs. 20,000.
  • It will also result in the establishment of the Central Electronic Service Delivery Commission at the Central level and the State Electronic Service Delivery Commission at the State level and imposition of a penalty on defaulting officials for contravention of the provisions of this proposal Act.

Whistle-blowers Bill passed

  • A Bill which seeks to provide for setting up a regular mechanism to encourage persons to disclose information on corruption or wilful misuse of power by public servants, including Ministers, was passed by the Lok Sabha
  • The Whistleblowers' Protection Bill, 2011, also seeks to provide "adequate protection to persons reporting corruption or wilful misuse of discretion which causes demonstrable loss to the government or commission of a criminal offence by a public servant."
  • While the measure sets out the procedure to inquire into the disclosures and provides adequate safeguards against victimisation of the whistleblower, it also seeks to provide punishment for false or frivolous complaints.
  • A major amendment cleared by the Cabinet is the inclusion of Ministers, MPs, defence services, intelligence agencies, bank officials and PSUs under the ambit of the bill. The Special Protection Group (SPG) has been kept out of the ambit of the Bill.
  • One of the recommendations of the Committee to include higher judiciary (Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts) has been rejected.
  • The definition of "disclosure" has also been amended to include wilful misuse of power or wilful misuse of discretion which leads to demonstrable loss to the government or demonstrable gain to the public servant or any third party.

Higher Education and Research Bill tabled in Rajya Sabha

  • The government on Wednesday tabled the Higher Education and Research Bill, 2011 in the Rajya Sabha that seeks to establish the National Commission on Higher Education and Research (NCHER), an overarching regulatory body for university education including vocational, technical, professional and medical education.
  • The existing regulatory bodies including the University Grants Commission and the All India Council for Technical Education would subsequently be scrapped.
  • The Bill seeks to promote autonomy of higher education and innovation and to provide for comprehensive and integrated growth of higher education and research keeping in view the global standards of educational and research practices, for which it will establish the National Commission for Higher Education and Research.
  • The NCHER will facilitate determination, coordination, maintenance and continued enhancement of standards of higher education and research other than agricultural education and matters pertaining to minimum standard of medical education as are the subject of proposed National Commission on Human Resources in Health (NCHRH).
  • The NCHRH Bill, 2011 piloted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was tabled in the Rajya Sabha last week. The Commission will consist of a chairperson and six members, one of whom will be the chairperson of the National Commission for Human Resources for Health, who will be appointed by the President on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee headed by the Prime Minister with the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Ministers in charge of medical education and higher education.
  • The Commission will have powers to take all measures necessary to spearhead the transformative changes in higher education. It will frame regulations and promote autonomy for institutional accountability, promote joint and cross-disciplinary programmes between and among institutions of higher education, to promote development of a curriculum framework with specific reference to new or emerging or inter-disciplinary fields of knowledge and to promote synergy of research in universities and higher educational institutions and with other research agencies.
  • The legislative proposal provides for the establishment of a General Council, which is proposed to be a representative body with advisory and recommendatory functions, in addition to the powers to approve the regulations framed by the Commission. The Council will have, in addition to chairperson and members of the Commission, the heads of professional bodies, research councils and experts in all sectoral areas of higher education.
  • Participation of States is being ensured through representation in the General Council. The existing regulators had no representation from the States and the NCHER draft was revised to accommodate States in the General Council. States have also been exempted from seeking prior approval of the NCHER before establishing new universities.
  • The Board for Research promotion and Innovation will formulate research and innovation policy for sustained global competitiveness, promote transformative and multi-disciplinary research in higher educational institutions, and facilitate the modernisation of research infrastructure in higher educational institutions. The powers and functions of the Board have been synergised with functions of the proposed NCHRH by including two members nominated by the NCHRH in the Board.
  • The proposed law also has provisions for the establishment of a Higher Education Financial Services Corporation that will disburse grants to universities and higher educational institutions.

Infant mortality rate shows slight decline

  • The infant mortality rate (IMR) has shown a 3 point decline, dropping from 50 deaths per 1,000 live births to 47 and moving a step closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target of 30. However, IMR increased by one point in Kerala, Mizoram and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
  • According to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS), conducted by the Registrar-General of India, the two worst performing States — Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh — have shown an impressive 5 point decline. In the former, the figure dropped from 67 in 2009 to 62 in 2010 and in the latter, it was from 45 to 40 .
  • While the IMR national average is 47, it stands at 51 in the rural areas and 31 in the urban regions. However, neo-natal deaths continue to be a challenge where 34 babies are still dying for every 1,000 born.
  • Bihar, Gujarat, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Tripura had shown a four-point decline in the IMR. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Chandigarh have shown a three-point decline.
  • Similarly, in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the IMR came down by two points while it remained static in Lakshdweep and Puducherry. A one point decline was reported from Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Daman and Diu.

Newborn-care

Efforts would now be focussed on home-based newborn-care as 52 per cent of child deaths took place in the first 28 days of birth. "Home-based newborn-care through Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) has been initiated by providing an incentive of Rs. 250. The purpose of home-based newborn-care is to improve newborn practices at the community level and early detection and referral of sick newborns."

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, providing for free transport, food and drugs and diagnostics to all pregnant women and sick newborns, would further promote institutional delivery and eliminate out-of-pocket expenses, which act as a barrier to seeking institutional care.

Importantly, the government intended to set up facilities such as Special New Born Care Units, New Born Stabilisation Units and New Born Baby Corners at different levels with at least one at the district level.

The mother and child tracking system had evoked a huge response, with 1.32 crore women and 82.6 lakh children already registered, acutely anaemic mothers and low birth weight babies identified and improved universal immunisation programme.

Parliament passes Bill to protect cooperatives

  • The Parliament on Wednesday passed the crucial Constitution (111 Amendment) Bill to insulate about six lakh cooperative societies from political and government interference and to strengthen the cooperative movement.
  • The amendment will grant citizens a fundamental right to form cooperative societies and allow for voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of cooperative societies.
  • The Bill, moved by Agriculture and Cooperation Minister Sharad Pawar, was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 154 members voting in favour and 43 opposing it. The Bill has already been approved by the Lok Sabha.
  • Members belonging to the CPI (M), the CPI, and the BJD opposed the Bill saying it was encroaching upon the rights of States.
  • The Bill provides for reservation of one seat for the Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe and two seats for women on the board of every society provided it had individuals as members from these categories.
  • It also seeks to specify the number of directors of a society and provides a fixed term of five years from the date of election of members and office bearers.

Food inflation plunges to six-year low

  • Food inflation, as measured by Wholesale Price Index (WPI), stood at 1.81 per cent in the previous week. It was recorded at 15.48 per cent in the corresponding week of 2010.
  • It will also be a major incentive for the RBI to look at the option of key interest rate cuts at its next quarterly monetary policy review in January.

India, Japan agree $15 bln currency swap as rupee swoons

  • India and Japan have agreed to a $15 billion currency swap line, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said on Wednesday, in a positive move for the troubled Indian rupee, Asia's worst-performing currency this year.
  • A previous $3 billion dollar to local currency arrangement between the two countries expired in June.
  • India and Japan enjoy warm diplomatic ties, but at a paltry $15 billion, bilateral trade in 2010 was less than 5 percent of Japan's commerce with China.
  • The currency swaps are expected to support the Indian rupee as it continues to weaken against the greenback and Europe's sovereign debt crisis hits India's exports.
  • Japan's dollar-swap arrangement with India follows a similar agreement with South Korea in October. and is similar to the South East Asia-wide Chiang Mai swap initiative.
  • Japan would invest $4.5 billion in a 1,483 km (920 mile) industrial corridor stretching from New Delhi to the financial hub of Mumbai in the west.
  • Japan also promised loans in yen worth $1.7 billion for two projects, including expanding Delhi's metro railway.
  • The industrial corridor includes plans for 24 new cities. Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma earlier said that overall more than $100 billion would be invested in the project, which could help transform India's economic landscape and give its choked, teeming cities room to breathe.
  • "One big objective of the industrial corridor is to create a manufacturing base for Japanese companies to export to Europe and Africa," said economic diplomacy expert Robinder Sachdev of think-tank Imagindia.
  • In the joint statement Noda and Singh said talks on civil nuclear sales were going "in the right direction" and that progress was made on Wednesday. They did not give a timeline for further negotiation.
  • Hours before Noda left for India on Tuesday, Japan's security council relaxed a decades-old arms exports ban. India was the world's top weapons importer last year.

Top 10 Scientific breakthroughs of the year 2011

HPTN 052:-- The journal Science has lauded an eye-opening HIV study, known as HPTN 052, as the most important scientific breakthrough of 2011. This clinical trial demonstrated that people infected with HIV are 96 per cent less likely to transmit the virus to their partners if they take antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).

According to a release from Science, the findings end a long-standing debate over whether ARVs could provide a double benefit by treating the virus in individual patients while simultaneously cutting transmission rates. It's now clear that the drugs can provide treatment as well as prevention when it comes to HIV, researchers agree.

About 1,800 heterosexual couples from nine different countries: Brazil, India, Thailand, the United States, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe were enrolled for the study. Each participating couple included one partner with an HIV infection.

The researchers administered ARVs to half of those HIV-infected individuals immediately and waited for the other half of the infected participants to develop CD4 counts below 250 — indicative of severe immune damage — before offering treatment. (A CD4 count below 200 indicates AIDS.)

Then, earlier this year, four years before the study was officially scheduled to end, an independent monitoring board decided that all infected study participants should receive ARVs at once. The board members had seen the dramatic effects of early ARV treatment on HIV transmission rates, and they recommended that the trial's findings be made public as soon as possible. The results were published on August 11 in the New England Journal of Medicine

"This [HPTN 052 trial] does not mean that treating people alone will end an epidemic," said Science news correspondent Jon Cohen, who wrote about the trial for Science's Breakthrough of the Year feature. "But, combined with three other major biomedical preventions that have proven their worth in large clinical studies since 2005, many researchers now believe it is possible to break the back of the epidemic in specific locales with the right package of interventions."

"Most everyone expected that reducing the amount of virus in a person would somewhat reduce infectiousness," explained Jon Cohen. "What was surprising was the magnitude of protection and then the impact the results had among HIV/AIDS researchers, advocates and policy-makers."

These findings have added important momentum to a movement, already underway, that promotes the ongoing treatment of HIV to reduce viral loads in communities and could possibly eliminate HIV/AIDS epidemics in some countries. But there are many problems in implementing it on a large-scale.

Still, some researchers consider HPTN 052 a "game-changer" because of its near-100 percent efficacy in reducing HIV transmission rates. And, indeed, it has already sprung many clinicians and policy-makers into action. For all these reasons, Science spotlights the HPTN 052 study as the 2011 Breakthrough of the Year.

Science's and its publisher, AAAS, the non-profit science society, have identified nine other groundbreaking scientific accomplishments during 2011.

The Hayabusa Mission: After some near-disastrous technical difficulties and a stunningly successful recovery, Japan's Hayabusa spacecraft returned to Earth with dust from the surface of a large, S-type asteroid. This asteroid dust represented the first direct sampling of a planetary body in 35 years, and analysis of the grains confirmed that the most common meteorites found on Earth, known as ordinary chondrules, are born from these much larger, S-type asteroids.

Unraveling Human Origins: Studying the genetic code of both ancient and modern human beings, researchers discovered that many humans still carry DNA variants inherited from archaic humans, such as the mysterious Denisovans in Asia and still-unidentified ancestors in Africa. One study this year revealed how archaic humans likely shaped our modern immune systems, and an analysis of Australopithecus sediba fossils in South Africa showed that the ancient hominin possessed both primitive and Homo-like traits.

Capturing a Photosynthetic Protein: In vivid detail, researchers in Japan have mapped the structure of the Photosystem II, or PSII, protein that plants use to split water into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The crystal-clear image shows off the protein's catalytic core and reveals the specific orientation of atoms within. Now, scientists have access to this catalytic structure that is essential for life on Earth — one that may also hold the key to a powerful source of clean energy.

Pristine Gas in Space: Astronomers using the Keck telescope in Hawaii to probe the faraway universe wound up discovering two clouds of hydrogen gas that seem to have maintained their original chemistry for two billion years after the big bang. Other researchers identified a star that is almost completely devoid of metals, just as the universe's earliest stars must have been, but that formed much later. The discoveries show that pockets of matter persisted unscathed amid eons of cosmic violence.

Getting to Know the Microbiome: Research into the countless microbes that dwell in the human gut demonstrated that everyone has a dominant bacterium leading the gang in their digestive tract: Bacteroides, Prevotella or Ruminococcus. Follow-up studies revealed that one of these bacteria thrives on a high-protein diet while another prefers vegetarian fare. These findings and more helped to clarify the interplay between diet and microbes in nutrition and disease.

A Promising Malaria Vaccine: Early results of the clinical trial of a malaria vaccine, known as RTS,S, provided a shot in the arm to malaria vaccine research. The ongoing trial, which has enrolled more than 15,000 children from seven African countries, reassured malaria researchers, who are used to bitter disappointment, that discovering a malaria vaccine remains possible.

Strange Solar Systems: This year, astronomers got their first good views of several distant planetary systems and discovered that things are pretty weird out there. First, NASA's Kepler observatory helped identify a star system with planets orbiting in ways that today's models cannot explain. Then, researchers discovered a gas giant caught in a rare "retrograde" orbit, a planet circling a binary star system and 10 planets that seem to be freely floating in space — all unlike anything found in our own solar system.

Designer Zeolites: Zeolites are porous minerals that are used as catalysts and molecular sieves to convert oil into gasoline, purify water, filter air and produce laundry detergents (to name a few uses). This year, chemists really showed off their creativity by designing a range of new zeolites that are cheaper, thinner and better equipped to process larger organic molecules.

Clearing Senescent Cells: Experiments have revealed that clearing senescent cells (those that have stopped dividing) from the bodies of mice can delay the onset of age-related symptoms.

Mice whose bodies were cleared of these loitering cells didn't live longer than their untreated cage-mates — but they did seem to live better, which provided researchers with some hope that banishing senescent cells might also prolong our golden years.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Vision for the Enhancement of India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership

1. The Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, is currently paying a State Visit to India for the Annual Summit of the Prime Ministers on 27-28 December 2011 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh. The two Prime Ministers held extensive talks on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest on 28 December 2011.


2. In the context of the two countries commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2012, the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that India and Japan enjoy deep mutual understanding and vibrant people-to-people contact as the relationship is based on universal values such as democracy, human rights and rule of law, as well as wide-ranging strategic and economic interests. They stressed the need to enhance the Strategic and Global Partnership for peace and prosperity.

3. Prime Minister Noda expressed, on behalf of the Government and people of Japan, his profound gratitude for the heartfelt sympathy and support extended to them from the Government and people of India following the Great East Japan Earthquake, and emphasised his resolve to make utmost efforts for a reconstruction open to the world. Prime Minister Singh reiterated his solidarity with Japan and expressed his confidence that the people of Japan will overcome the calamity with their unwavering spirit and that Japan's economy will recover to its full strength soon. Prime Minister Singh welcomed Japan's initiative to strengthen international cooperation in the area of disaster risk reduction, including the holding of an international conference in the Tohoku region in 2012. Prime Minister Noda conveyed his decision to invite approximately six hundred Indian youth under the new "Kizuna (bond) Project" aimed at promoting global understanding of Japan's revival in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake. Prime Minister Singh welcomed the project and assured cooperation by the Government of India for its success

4. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the significance of Annual Summits between them. They expressed satisfaction at Ministerial-level and other policy dialogues such as those between Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers. They noted that the Ministerial Level Economic Dialogue, to be held at the earliest possible opportunity in 2012, would further enhance their economic partnership by giving it strategic and long-term policy orientation. The two Prime Ministers expressed hope that the India-Japan Ministerial Business-Government Policy Dialogue between the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan will be held in 2012. The two Prime Ministers stressed the importance of various working-level discussions between the two countries, and welcomed the launch of the India-Japan-US trilateral dialogue, which would deepen strategic and global partnership amongst the three countries.

5. Recognising the growing security and defense cooperation between the two countries, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to be held in 2012.

6. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the entry into force of India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 1 August 2011. Asserting that CEPA is an important milestone in the trade and economic relations between the two countries, they expressed hope that CEPA will further deepen their economic engagement in terms of trade in goods, services, investment and contribute immensely to mutual prosperity.

7. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the commencement of negotiations on an agreement between India and Japan on Social Security, which will contribute to the promotion of economic activities by private sectors of both countries. They instructed their relevant authorities to work towards an early conclusion of the negotiations.

8. Prime Minister Singh expressed his appreciation to the Government and the people of Japan for their unwavering support to India's development, even in the midst of Japan's reconstruction efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Prime Minister Noda reaffirmed that the Government of Japan would continue to provide its Official Development Assistance (ODA) at a substantial level to encourage India's efforts towards social and economic development including in the area of infrastructure development. In this context, Prime Minister Noda pledged that the Government of Japan would extend loans totaling 134.288 billion yen to two new projects, namely, "Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System Project Phase III" and "West Bengal Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Project" as the projects of first batch in the fiscal year 2011. Prime Minister Singh appreciated the commitment by Prime Minister Noda.

9. The two Prime Ministers emphasised the importance of an early realisation of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) which runs through the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) with Japan's support. In this context, both sides will expedite work on Phase II of the DFC with a view to starting implementation of the project as early as possible.

10. The two Prime Ministers shared the vision for the development of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) that the governments and private sectors of the two countries cooperate in a mutually complementary manner to develop an environmentally sustainable, long-lasting and technologically advanced infrastructure in the region of DMIC. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the launch of a 9 billion dollar India-Japan DMIC facility. Noting the significant progress made by India's contribution of a 175 billion rupee fund for development of trunk infrastructure, Prime Minister Noda announced the intention of the Government of Japan to make available for DMIC projects Japan's public and private finance totaling 4.5 billion dollars in the next five years, which includes appropriate financing from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) as well as ODA loan. The two Prime Ministers felt that the DMIC Project would redefine the character of infrastructure growth in India through advanced technology and green growth.

They also felt that active involvement of Japanese agencies and companies would provide an impetus for the development of DMIC. Towards this end, they welcomed Japan's active involvement through equity participation in DMIC Development Corporation (DMICDC) as well as provision of technical expertise, board members and experts. In order to effectively utilise the facility and to facilitate investments by Japanese companies, India will endeavour to resolve issues within the existing regulatory framework and guidelines of capital regulations, and an inter-departmental consultation mechanism will also be established by India to provide expeditious solutions to issues raised by Japan during the course of implementation of the DMIC Project. To meet the energy requirements in the DMIC region, adequate gas for power projects of DMIC would be made available at reasonable rates and in a timely manner. They expressed satisfaction at the steady progress of the individual Early Bird Projects and Smart Community Projects in the DMIC. In particular, the two Prime Ministers decided to accelerate the efforts by the relevant authorities for an early realisation of the following projects: seawater desalination at Dahej, Gujarat; a microgrid system using large-scale photo-voltaic (PV) power generation at Neemrana Industrial Area in Rajasthan; and gas-fired independent power producer (IPP) in Maharashtra, recognising their potential to serve as a successful model of India-Japan cooperation on the DMIC.

11. The two Prime Ministers stressed the importance of infrastructure development in the areas between Chennai and Bengaluru, where an increasing number of Japanese companies including SMEs have made direct investments to establish their manufacturing base or other forms of business presence. Against this background, they decided to strengthen efforts to improve infrastructure such as ports, industrial parks and their surrounding facilities in Ennore, Chennai and the adjoining areas. Prime Minister Noda conveyed Japan's intention to extend financial and technical support to the preparation of India's Comprehensive Integrated Master Plan of this region based on which planned development and work on related facilities could be taken up expeditiously. The two Prime Ministers directed their officials concerned to speedily operationalise the modalities for preparation of the Comprehensive Integrated Master Plan and get it completed at the earliest.

12. Prime Minister Noda expressed his desire that Japan's technologies and expertise be utilised in the development of India's high-speed railway system. Prime Minister Singh welcomed Japan's interest in promoting the development of high-speed railway system in India.

13. Recognising the importance of upgradation of speed of passenger trains to 160-200 kmph on existing Delhi-Mumbai route of the western leg of the Golden Rail Corridor for India's economic development, the two Prime Ministers looked forward to continued cooperation. They welcomed the progress of pre-feasibility study with Japan's financial and technical assistance, and expressed hope that the final report will be ready by February 2012 and feasibility study of the project will be undertaken with Japan's cooperation in 2012.

14. The two Prime Ministers recognised the importance of cooperation in the development of expressways in India including through capacity building.

15. Amid global economic uncertainties, ensuring the stability of the financial markets is all the more important for the stable economic development of the two countries. To this end, the two Prime Ministers decided to enhance the earlier bilateral currency swap arrangement from 3 to 15 billion US dollars. The two Prime Ministers expressed hope that this enhancement will further strengthen financial cooperation, contribute to ensuring financial market stability and further develop growing economic and trade ties between the two countries.

16. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Noda stated that Japan would provide information with transparency regarding the status of the ongoing investigation on the causes of the nuclear accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, as well as its efforts to enhance nuclear safety. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the progress made to date in negotiations between India and Japan on an Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, and directed their negotiators to exert further efforts towards a conclusion of the Agreement, having due regard to each side's relevant interests, including nuclear safety. In this regard, Prime Minister Noda explained Japan's position.

17. The two Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of energy cooperation. In this context, they expressed hope that the 5th meeting of the India-Japan Energy Dialogue will be held in 2012.

18. Recognising the importance of rare earths and rare metals in industries of both countries, the two Prime Ministers decided to enhance bilateral cooperation in this area by enterprises of their countries. They decided that Indian and Japanese enterprises would jointly undertake industrial activities to produce and export rare earths at the earliest.

19. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the progress made in 2011 on facilitation of trade in high technology between the two countries. They asked the relevant authorities to maintain dialogue to maximise the potential of high technology trade keeping in mind the strategic partnership between the two countries.

20. The two Prime Ministers welcomed progress on bilateral engagements in Science and Technology (S&T), including the India-Japan Cooperative Science Programme. The maturity of the S&T relationship is reflected in the cutting edge joint R&D projects being implemented in frontier areas like molecular sciences, advanced materials including surface & interface sciences, modern biology & biotechnology, astronomy & space sciences, and manufacturing sciences. The establishment of a beam-line facility at the Photon Factory of KEK, Tsukuba preferentially for use by Indian researchers in the area of material sciences is another aspect of the mature S&T relationship. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the developments under "Committee on India-Japan ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Strategy for Economic Growth", including joint researches in the fields of mobile broadcasting and e-learning systems. They shared the view that they will further enhance business tie-ups, explore opportunities for Japanese industries in electronics system design and manufacturing in India, collaborative R&D activities and policy cooperation in the field of ICT including smart network and digital contents, through close bilateral cooperation.

21. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the expansion of India-Japan collaboration for the development of the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) including campus development, and the steady progress in the establishment of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing Jabalpur (IIITDM-J) with Japan's support. The two Prime Ministers appreciated the progress of the Visionary Leaders for Manufacturing (VLFM) Programme and acknowledged that the programme not only helps India's manufacturing sector but has become a showcase of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. They welcomed the extension of the programme till March 2013. The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction that since 2007, approximately 2,300 Indian youth have visited Japan through "Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youth" (JENESYS) programme, and expressed their resolve to continue efforts to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

22. The two Prime Ministers expressed their expectation that the strengthening of cooperation in creative industries, which range from design, apparel, fashion, food, house-hold goods, music, movies, animation and manga, and traditional craft, would further promote and deepen mutual understanding of the two countries.

23. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their support for the East Asia Summit (EAS) as a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. They acknowledged the significant role the EAS can play as a forum for building an open, inclusive and transparent architecture of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. They welcomed the participation of the United States of America and the Russian Federation in the EAS. They expressed support for the EAS as a Leaders-led forum with ASEAN as the driving force. In the context of the Declaration of the East Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations and the Declaration on ASEAN Connectivity adopted at the 6th EAS, the two Prime Ministers reiterated their commitment to the promotion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) as a step towards attaining economic integration in East Asia. They also welcomed the progress to establish ASEAN Plus Working Groups and decided to cooperate in the Groups. They also expressed their support for ASEAN Connectivity and considered the possibility of having a "Connectivity Master Plan Plus" which would develop further linkages between ASEAN and its partners, with appropriate reference to the "Comprehensive Asia Development Plan", and welcomed support and inputs from Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) for attaining economic integration in East Asia. They noted with satisfaction that CEPA between India and Japan is an important step for regional integration.

24. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the commitment of India and Japan, as two maritime nations in Asia, to the universally-agreed principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other relevant international maritime law. They affirmed expansion of cooperation in maritime security including safety and freedom of navigation and anti-piracy activities, by promoting bilateral and multilateral exercises, and through information sharing, as well as dialogues. In this context, they also welcomed the joint exercise between the Indian Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard to be held in January 2012.

25. The two Prime Ministers appreciated the progress made with regard to the establishment of the Nalanda University and reiterated their support to its revival as an icon of Asian renaissance and as an international institute of excellence. India welcomed Japan's intention to provide tangible contribution to this initiative including through measures to enhance academic exchange and human resource development.

26. The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction that three rounds of India-Japan Dialogue on Africa have been concluded. They expressed satisfaction that areas of cooperation on Africa have been identified including peace keeping operations and economic development.

27. The two Prime Ministers expressed their commitment to continuing their assistance to Afghanistan so that it would become a stable, democratic and pluralistic state, free from terrorism and extremism. They emphasised the importance of a coherent and united international commitment to Afghan-led initiatives, in order to make transition irreversible through reconciliation and re-integration, sustainable development and regional cooperation, while adhering to the principles expressed in the Bonn Conference. In this context, Prime Minister Singh welcomed Japan's intention to host a ministerial conference in Tokyo in July 2012. The two Prime Ministers pledged to explore opportunities for consultation on their respective assistance projects, including those projects implemented in the neighbouring countries, that advance Afghanistan's mid- and long-term development and build its civilian capacity.

28. The two Prime Ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose. Prime Minister Noda strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on 13 July 2011 and in Delhi on 7 September 2011. They resolved to develop greater cooperation in combating terrorism through sharing information and utilising the India-Japan Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, as well as cooperation in multilateral forums such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF). Reaffirming the importance of counter-terrorism cooperation at the United Nations, the two Prime Ministers recognised the urgent need to finalise and adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations and called upon all States to cooperate in resolving the outstanding issues expeditiously.

29. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Noda stressed the importance of bringing into force the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) at an early date. Prime Minister Singh reiterated India's commitment to a unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working together for immediate commencement and an early conclusion of negotiations on a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) in the Conference on Disarmament, bearing in mind the United Nations General Assembly resolution on "Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices" (A/RES/66/44). They decided that both countries would enhance cooperation in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation through dialogues, including at bilateral nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation meetings as well as at the Conference on Disarmament. They reiterated that nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation are mutually reinforcing processes. They called upon the need to address the challenges of nuclear terrorism and clandestine proliferation. They also reaffirmed the importance of working together towards the success of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in March 2012.

30. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the outcome of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Durban in December 2011 and stressed the need for maintaining close cooperation to ensure a mutually acceptable outcome of the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. Prime Minister Noda emphasised the importance of global efforts toward low-carbon growth and climate resilient world, referring to Japan's vision and actions to that end. In this context, the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the need to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation to promote sustainable development, including actions for GHG emissions reductions, promotion of low-carbon technologies, products and services, etc. Prime Minister Singh noted the East Asia Low Carbon Growth Partnership Initiative proposed by Prime Minister Noda at the East Asia Summit. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that the two countries cooperate with each other for a successful outcome of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012. The two Prime Ministers expressed their hope for the success of the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP11) to be held in Hyderabad, India in 2012.

31. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to realise reform of the United Nations Security Council, including its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. They concurred in participating actively on this basis in the intergovernmental negotiations in the UN General Assembly and decided to redouble their efforts, so as to make the Security Council more representative, legitimate, effective, and responsive to the realities of the international community in the 21st century.

32. The two Prime Ministers expressed their resolve to continue to maintain and strengthen multilateral trading system, based on the outcome of the 8th WTO Ministerial Conference held in Geneva this month.

33. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the role of the G-20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation that offers opportunities for developed and emerging countries to have discussions and promote cooperation. Considering various risks that the world economy is facing today, they reiterated their commitment to ensure effective implementation of the G-20 Cannes Summit decisions including the Cannes Action Plan, which aims to achieve the Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth. They expressed concern over the slowing of global economic growth and tensions in the financial markets due to sovereign risks in Europe. They shared an expectation that the decisions of the European Council of 9 December 2011 towards stabilisation of the financial markets and strengthening of economic policy coordination and governance would be implemented effectively and in a timely manner through coordinated efforts by the European leaders. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment made at G-20 Cannes Summit on anti-protectionism.

34. The two Prime Ministers expressed their determination to promote their cooperative efforts in the remaining period for attaining the Millennium Development Goals and even beyond 2015, focusing on individuals and human welfare.

35. Prime Minister Noda expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality of Prime Minister Singh and the Government of India. Prime Minister Noda extended an invitation to Prime Minister Singh for the next Annual Bilateral Summit in Japan in 2012 at a mutually convenient date to be decided through diplomatic channels. Prime Minister Singh accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

China launches spacecraft (Shenzhou-8) for docking exercise

  • China launched its Shenzhou-8 unmanned spacecraft, which will dock with a laboratory module in outer space and set the stage for the building of the country's first space station.
  • The spacecraft would dock with the Tiangong-1 laboratory module, which was launched on September 29, within two days, said Chinese officials.
  • The launch of the Tiangong-1 laboratory module and the docking exercise have been seen as key landmarks for China's fast-expanding space programme and crucial steps in China's plans to become only the third nation, after the United States and Russia, to set up a space station by 2020.
  • The Chinese spacecraft has unprecedented collaborative space experiments under the framework of a Chinese-German science and technology cooperation.
  • German scientists designed bio-incubators for the experiments while the Chinese developed control equipment and apparatus connecting with the spacecraft. Shenzhou-8, with a length of nine metres and a maximum diameter of 2.8 metres, has a liftoff weight of 8.082 tonnes.

PM declares 2012 as 'National Mathematical Year'

  • Chennai: Declaring 2012 as the 'National Mathematical year' as a tribute to maths wizard Srinivasa Ramanujan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday voiced concern over the "badly inadequate" number of competent mathematicians in the country.
  • He also said that the perception that pursuit of mathematics does not lead to attractive career possibilities "must change." 
  • Singh also declared December 22, the birthday of Ramanujan, as 'National Mathematics Day.

China's super-speed test train launched

A leap forward:Visitors board a new testing model of a CSR high-speed bullet train during its launching ceremony in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Friday.— PHOTO: Reuters 
China has launched its first test train that is said to be capable of reaching 500 kmph from the present 300 kmph, a feat if accomplished would be a big leap forward in high speed train technology.China's largest rail vehicle maker, CSR Corp Ltd, over the weekend launched the train. The six-car train with a fair shaped head is the newest in the CRH series. It has a maximum tractive power of 22,800 kilowatts, compared with 9,600 kilowatts for the CRH380 trains in service on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, which holds the world speed record of 300 kmph.

Monday, December 26, 2011

US teenager Jordan Romero sets seven-peak record

  • American teenager Jordan Romero who became youngest person ever to climb Mount Everest has become the youngest person to climb to the summit of the highest mountains on each of the seven continents.
  • Jordan Romero, 15, reached the 4,897m (16,067ft) summit of Vinson Massif in Antarctica on Saturday, the final peak in a quest he began six years ago.
  • His team, which includes his father and stepmother, hope to complete their descent to base camp later on Sunday.
  • Aged 10, Jordan climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa.
  • At 13, the Californian climbed the world's highest mountain, Mt Everest.
  • Jordan beat the record previously held by British climber George Atkinson, who completed the ascents at the age of 16 in May.

Seven summits:

Africa - Mt Kilimanjaro (5,892m; 19,340ft)

Antarctica - Vinson Massif (4,892; 16,050)

Australia - Mt Kosciuszko (2,228m; 7,310ft)

Oceania - Carstensz Pyramid (4,884m; 16,024ft)

Asia - Mt Everest (8,848m; 29,035ft)

Europe - Mt Elbrus (5,642m; 18,510ft)

North America - Mt McKinley (6,194m; 20,320ft)

South America - Aconcagua (6,962m; 22,841ft)

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Civil war fears on the Congo

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is Africa's second largest country and covers an area equal to about 70 per cent of India's, is on the edge of another civil war.
  • Etienne Tshisekedi of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the defeated candidate in the presidential election, refuses to accept the result announced by the country's independent electoral commission. It has awarded victory to the incumbent Joseph Kabila, of the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), by 49 per cent to 32 per cent.
  • The election, only the second democratic one in the country's history, was dogged by problems and lasted three days instead of one. The transport infrastructure is very poor, and bad weather also prevented United Nations aircraft from carrying ballot papers to remote regions. After the polls closed, the count was delayed by staff shortages; in addition, bags of ballot papers were often so overfilled that they split in transit.
  • European Union and some international observers have also expressed doubts about the credibility of the poll process. The 30 million voters are also electing a 500-seat parliament, with more than 18,000 candidates standing in a multi-member plurality electoral system.

NASA launches super-size rover (CURIOSITY) to Mars

  • A super-size rover zoomed toward Mars on an 8-month, 354 million-mile (570 million-kilometre) journey Saturday, the biggest, best equipped robot ever sent to explore another planet.
  • NASA's six-wheeled, one-armed wonder, Curiosity, will reach Mars next summer and use its jackhammer drill, rock-zapping laser machine and other devices to search for evidence that Earth's next-door neighbour might once have been home to the teeniest forms of life.
  • The 1-ton Curiosity 10 feet (3 meters) long, 9 feet (2.7 meters) wide and 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall at its mast is a mobile, nuclear-powered laboratory holding 10 science instruments that will sample Martian soil and rocks, and with unprecedented skill, analyze them right on the spot.

New Earth-like planet (Gliese 581g) may have water, life

Scientists claim to have discovered a potentially habitable planet which has an environment much similar to that of the Earth and may contain water and even life.

The exoplanet, called Gliese 581g, is located around 123 trillion miles away from the Earth and orbits a star at a distance that places it squarely in the habitable or the Goldilocks zone, the scientists said.

The research, published in the Astrophysical Journal, suggests that the planet could contain liquid water on its surface, meaning it tops the league of planets and moons rated as being most like Earth, they said.

MFIs can tap ECB

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday allowed micro finance institutions (MFIs) to raise funds via external commercial borrowings (ECBs) up to $10 million or equivalent during a financial year for permitted end-uses under the automatic route.
  • ECB funds should be routed through normal banking channels. NBFC-MFIs will be permitted to avail themselves of ECBs from multilateral institutions such as IFC and ADB/ regional financial institutions/international banks / foreign equity holders and overseas organisations

Smart Grid is the ‘energy Internet' of the future

In India, the demand for power is surging with shortage peaking over 15 per cent. Many of the households are still not connected to the country's electricity grid. According to the Ministry of Power, India's transmission and distribution losses are among the highest in the world, averaging 24 per cent of total electricity production, in some states as high as 62 per cent.

In fact, the total average losses are as high as 50 per cent when energy theft is taken into consideration of which technical losses alone account for 30 per cent of all losses. Indian utilities need to address challenges of high AT&C losses, payment default by consumers, encroachments on electrical network creating unsafe situations, theft of electricity and electrical equipment, distribution transformer failure and rising power purchase costs.

To address what is emerging to be a serious national issue, considering the increase in demand for power and to create the required infrastructure for growth, India needs to invest in building a modern, intelligent grid. Let us first define a grid.

A grid is a collective name for all the wires, transformers and infrastructure that transport electricity from power plants to end users. The present day grid is unidirectional and does not maximize technological developments.

Even today people need to inform the utility of a problem or failure in their area. The effort is to change this in India, and across the world. Solutions such as capability of remote disconnection on non-payment by consumers, automatic alarms when network is being encroached or when people engage in theft will enable utilities stop pilferage and avoid unsafe situations or accidents. In addition, optimal asset utilisation can be planned with online data of overloading of transformers and network, which can help reduce or prevent failures.

A national Smart Grid would evolve the existing system into one that would be better suited for the information flow which is required for energy conservation, higher reliability and the introduction of variable generation power from renewable sources. Smart Grid is the convergence of Information Technology (IT), communication technology and electrical infrastructure.

It is a network for electricity transmission and distribution systems that uses two way state-of-the-art communications, advanced sensors and specialized technology to improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of electricity delivery and use. It is actually a process, an evolution of the electricity network from generation to consumption in a way that is interactive, flexible and efficient.

Proper implementation of Smart Grid might provide uninterrupted electricity to consumers across India to a larger extent, even in remote locations, while eliminating wastage of power units. Smart Grid solutions would enable utilities to increase energy productivity and power reliability while allowing customers manage usage and costs through real time information exchange. It impacts all components of the power system like generation, transmission and distribution.

The Smart Grid presents some primary benefits including lower operating and maintenance costs, lower peak demand, increased reliability and power quality, reduction in power theft and resultant revenue losses, reduction in carbon emissions and expansion of access to electricity. Smart Grids through demand response and load management reduce the per unit production cost. By reducing the peak demand, a Smart Grid can reduce the need for additional transmission lines.

Smart Grids are undoubtedly the "energy internet" of the future. The engagement and cooperation of all stakeholders (regulators, utilities, vendors, customers, etc) is a vital first step. Everybody has to work together and move at the same speed.

It will take India a few years to realize the full impact of Smart Grid when a utility control room operator can regulate an electric meter in homes.

The technology can help us reduce electricity transmission and distribution losses to 5-10 per cent annually. Without Smart Grid, India will not be able to keep pace with the growing needs of its cornerstone industries and will fail to create an environment for economic growth.

Climate meet strikes deal on future treaty

United Nations talks over climate change concluded with an agreement by more than 190 nations to work toward a future treaty that would require all countries to reduce emissions that contribute to global warming

The result, coming as the sun rose after nearly 72 hours of continuous wrangling, marked a tentative but important step toward the dismantling of a 20-year-old system that requires advanced industrialised nations to cut emissions while allowing developing countries including the economic powerhouses China, India and Brazil to escape binding commitments.

The deal on a future treaty was the most contested element of a package of agreements that emerged from the extended talks here. The delegates also agreed on the creation of a fund to help poor countries adapt to climate change, and to measures involving the preservation of tropical forests and the development of clean-energy technology.

The European Union had pushed hard for what it called a "road map" to a new, legally binding treaty against fierce resistance from China and India, whose delegates argued passionately against it. They said that mandatory cuts would slow their growth and condemn millions to poverty.

"Am I to write a blank check and sign away the livelihoods and sustainability of 1.2 billion Indians, without even knowing what the EU 'road map' contains," asked Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan. "Please do not hold us hostage."

The deal renews the Kyoto Protocol, the fraying 1997 emissions agreement that sets different terms for advanced and developing countries, for several more years. But it also begins a process for replacing it with something that treats all nations equally. The expiration date of the protocol 2017 or 2020 and the terms of any agreement that replaces it will be negotiated at future sessions of the governing body, the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The United States never signed the Kyoto treaty because it did not accept its division of labour between developed and developing countries. Todd D. Stern, the chief American climate negotiator, said he was hopeful that negotiations in coming years would produce a more equitable arrangement.

The conclusion of the meeting was marked by exhaustion and explosions of temper, and the result was muddled and unsatisfying to many. Observers and delegates said the actions taken at the meeting, while sufficient to keep the negotiating process alive, would not have a significant impact on climate change.

"While governments avoided disaster in Durban, they by no means responded adequately to the mounting threat of climate change," said Alden Meyer, director of policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "The decisions adopted here fall well short of what is needed.

Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2011 Introduced in Lok Sabha

Government introduced in Lok Sabha the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, aimed at setting up the body of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas at the level of the States. Government also introduced a Bill for amending the Constitution for conferment of Constitutional status on both bodies. Government also withdrew earlier Lokpal Bill, 2011 as it decided to introduce a new comprehensive Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 Bill after consideration of the suggestions made by the Parliamentary Committee which recommended significant changes in the scope and content of the earlier Bill.

The salient features of the proposed new Bills are as under:-

Focus on improving accountability

Ø Establishment of new institution in the Constitution called Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for the States. These autonomous and independent bodies, shall have powers of superintendence and direction for holding a preliminary inquiry, causing an investigation to be made and prosecution of offences in respect of complaints under any law for the prevention of corruption.

Ø The Bill provides a uniform vigilance and anti corruption road map for the nation, both at Centre and States.

Ø The Bill institutionalizes separation of investigation from prosecution and thereby removing conflict of interest as well as increasing the scope for professionalism and specialisation.

Structure of the Institution:

Ø Lokpal will consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight Members of which fifty percent shall be judicial Members.

Ø Fifty per cent of members of Lokpal shall be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.

Ø There shall be an Inquiry Wing of the Lokpal for conducting the preliminary inquiry and an independent Prosecution Wing.

Ø Officers of the Lokpal to include the Secretary, Director of Prosecution, Director of Inquiry and other officers.

Process of selection:

Ø The selection of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal shall be through a Selection Committee consisting of –
§ Prime Minister;
§ Speaker of Lok Sabha;
§ Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha;
§ Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court Judge nominated by CJI;
§ Eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India

Ø A Search Committee to assist Selection Committee in the process of selection. Fifty per cent of members of Search Committee shall be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.

Jurisdiction:

Ø Prime Minister to be brought under the purview of the Lokpal with subject matter exclusions and specific process for handling complaints against the Prime Minister. Lokpal can not hold any inquiry against the Prime Minister if allegations relate to:
§ International relations;
§ External and internal security of the country;
§ Public Order;
§ Atomic energy
§ Space.

Any decision of Lokpal to initiate preliminary inquiry or investigation against the Prime Minister shall be taken only by the Full Bench with a majority of 3/4th. Such proceedings shall be held in camera.

Ø Lokpal's jurisdiction to include all categories of public servants including Group 'A', 'B', 'C' & 'D' officers and employees of Government. On complaints referred to CVC by Lokpal, CVC will send its report of PE in respect of Group 'A' and 'B' officers back to Lokpal for further decision. With respect to Group 'C' and 'D' employees, CVC will proceed further in exercise of its own powers under the CVC Act subject to reporting and review by Lokpal.

Ø All entities receiving donations from foreign source in the context of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs. 10 lakhs per year are brought under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.

Ø Lokpal will not be able to initiate inquiry suo moto.

Other significant features of the Bill

Ø No prior sanction shall be required for launching prosecution in cases enquired by Lokpal or initiated on the direction and with the approval of Lokpal.

Ø A high powered Committee chaired by the Prime Minister with leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and Chief Justice of India as members, will recommend selection of the Director, CBI.

Ø Provisions for confiscation of property acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending.

Ø Lokpal to be final appellate authority on all decisions by public authorities relating to provision of public services and redressal of grievances containing findings of corruption.

Ø Lokpal to have power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them.

Ø The Bill lays down clear time lines for :

§ Preliminary enquiry – three months extendable by three months.

§ Investigation – six months extendable by six months.

§ Trial – one year extendable by one year.

Ø The Bill proposes to enhance punishment under Prevention of Corruption Act :

(a) Maximum punishment from 7 years to 10 years

(b) Minimum punishment from 6 months to 2 years

Ø The Bill proposes to give legal backing to Asset Declaration by public servants.

Ø The Bill also seeks to make necessary consequential amendments in the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.

The Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011

Right to Citizens

It confers right on every individual citizen to time bound delivery of goods and provision for services and Redressal of grievances.

Appeal to Lokpal/Lokayukta

It provides that any person aggrieved by the decision of the Central Public Grievance Redressal Commission or the State Public Grievance Redressal Commission, which contains the findings relating to corruption under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, may prefer an appeal to the Lok Pal or Lokayukta, constituted under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2011.

It requires every public authority to publish, within six months of the commencement of the proposed legislation, a Citizens Charter specifying therein the category of goods supplied and services rendered by it, the time within which such goods shall be supplied or services be rendered the name and addresses of individuals responsible as designated officers for the delivery of goods or rendering of services.

Information and Facilitation Centre

It requires every Public Authority to establish information and facilitation centre for efficient and effective delivery of services and redressal of grievances.

Grievance Redress Officer

It requires every public authority to designate Grievance Redress Officers in all public authorities of the Central, State, district and sub-district levels, municipalities, Panchayats etc. to enquire into and redress any complaints from citizens in a timeframe not exceeding thirty days from the date of receipt of the complaint.

Designated Authority

It provides that any individual aggrieved by a decision of the concerned Grievance Redress Officer may, within thirty days, prefer an appeal to the Designated Authority who shall dispose of such appeal within thirty days from the date of receipt of such appeal. The Designated Authority shall be from outside the concerned public authority.

State/Central Public Grievance Redressal Commission

It provides for constitution of the State Public Grievance Redressal Commission and the Central Public Grievance Redressal Commission consisting of Chief Commissioners and other Commissioners.
It also provides that any person aggrieved by the decision of the Designated Authority falling under the jurisdiction of the State Government may prefer an appeal to the State Public Grievance Redressal Commission and any person aggrieved by the decision of the Designated Authority falling under the jurisdiction of the Central Government may prefer an appeal to the Central Public Grievance Redressal Commission.

Penalty and compensation

It confers power upon the Designated Authority, the State Public Grievance Redressal Commission and the Central Public Grievance Redressal Commission to impose a lump-sum penalty, including compensation to the complainant, against designated official responsible for delivery of goods and services or Grievance Redress Officer for their failure to deliver goods or render services to which the applicant is entitled, which may extend upto fifty thousand rupees which shall be recovered from the salary of the official against whom penalty has been imposed.
It also provides that on the imposition of the penalty, the appellate authority may, by order, direct that such portion of the penalty imposed under the proposed legislation shall be awarded to the appellant, as compensation, not exceeding the amount of penalty imposed, as it may deem fit.
Disciplinary action against erring officials

It provides that if any public servant is found guilty of offence, the disciplinary authority shall initiate disciplinary proceedings against such officer of the public authority, who if proved to be guilty of a mala fide action in respect of any provision of this Act, shall be liable to such punishment including a penalty as the disciplinary authority may decide.

Action against corrupt practices

It provides that where it appears to the Designated Authority or the State Public Grievance Redressal Commission or the Central Public Grievance Redressal Commission that the grievance complained of is prima facie indicative of a corrupt act or practice in terms of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, on the part of the responsible officer of the public authority complained against then it shall record such evidence as may be found in support of such conclusion and shall refer the same to the appropriate authorities competent to take cognizance of such corrupt practice.

Winners of the Noble Prize 2011

Peace- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (President of Liberia), Tawakul Karman (Yemeni Activists) for their role in women empowerment and recognition of women's role in Globle peace

Literature: Tomas Transtromer (Sweden) his poetry explores themes of nature, isolation and identity

Physics: Saul Perimutter (US), Brian Schmidt, American – Australian Adam Riess (US) for discovering that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, a finding that implies that the cosmos will end in frozen nothingness

Chemistry: Daniel Shechtmen an Israeli scientist for his discovery of Quasicrystals a mosaic like chemical structure, that fundamentally changed the way chemists look at solid matter;

Medicine: Bruce Beultler (US), Jules Hoffmann (Luxembourg Born Based in France), Ralph Steinman (Canadian born, based in the US) the trio uncovered key secrets of how the body's immune system works. (it is ironical that Ralph Steinman who won the prize for work on cancer, tied just three days before the announcement of the awards), fighting the disease himself;

Economics: Thomas sergeant (US) Christopher A. Sims (US) for their research looking at the cause and effect relationship between economic policy and the broader economy

First Earth-sized planets spotted

  • Astronomers have detected the first Earth-sized planets, which are orbiting a star similar to our own Sun.
  • In the distant past they may have been able to support life and one of them may have had conditions similar to our own planet – a so-called Earth-twin – according to the research team.
  • They have described their findings as the most important planets ever discovered outside our Solar System.
  • Both planets are now thought to be too hot to be capable of supporting life.
  • But according to Dr Fressin, the planets were once further from their star and cool enough for liquid water to exist on their surface, which is a necessary condition for life.
  • One of the planets, named Kepler 20f, is almost exactly the size of the Earth. Kepler 20e is slightly smaller at 0.87 times the radius of Earth and is closer to its star than 20f.
  • They are both much closer to their star than the Earth is to the Sun and so they complete an orbit much more quickly: 20e circles its star in just six days, 20f completes an orbit in 20 days whereas the Earth takes a year.
  • The discovery is important because it is the first confirmation that planets the size of Earth and smaller exist outside our Solar System. It also shows that the Kepler Space Telescope is capable of detecting relatively small planets around stars that are thousands of light-years away.
  • The telescope has discovered 35 planets so far. Apart from 20e and f, they have all been larger than the Earth.
  • Up until now, the most significant discovery, also by a group including Dr Fressin, was of a planet nearly two-and-a-half times the size of Earth that lay in the so-called "Goldilocks zone". This is the region around a star where it is neither too hot, nor too cold, but just right for liquid water and therefore life to exist on the planet.
  • The telescope is scanning 150,000 stars and Professor Andrew Coates of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in Surrey believes that they will soon find a planet the size of Earth in the Goldilocks Zone.
Kepler Space Telescope
Infographic (BBC)
  • Stares fixedly at a patch corresponding to 1/400th of the sky
  • Looks at more than 155,000 stars
  • Has so far found 2,326 candidate planets
  • Among them are 207 Earth-sized planets, 10 of which are in the "habitable zone" where liquid water can exist

Playboy model Maria Kozhevnikova becomes russian MP


India ranked 95 among 183 countries in world corruption index

  •  India's image on tackling graft seems to have gone from bad to worse in the perception of people dealing with the system, with its rank slipping to a low 95 among 183 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI).
  • While the debate continues in India over an anti-graft ombudsman, the study by the international watchdog shows the country's image declining consistently over the past three years. This year, the country scores 3.1 on 10, with 10 being the highest score.
  • Since 2007 when India was ranked 72 among 180 countries with a score of 3.5, the score has declined, so have the rankings. Last year, India was placed at 87. The CPI ranks countries based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be and is a composite index that draws on data and studies by a number of specialised international agencies through a complex process.
  • India's score is a result of an average of 13 studies including World Bank's Country Performance and Institutional Assessment, World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey and Global Insight Country Risk Ratings, among others. New Zealand is at the top spot with a score of 9.5 followed by Finland and Denmark. The countries that occupy the bottom ranks in the index are Somalia, North Korea, Myanmar and Afghanistan, which are helmed in by unstable governments and conflicts.
  • With the unearthing of major scams, arrests of influential people over corruption and a movement for a Lokpal stealing headlines in India, people associated with Transparency International India said since the study is a measurement of perception, these factors could have marginally contributed to the decline.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Address by EAM India at International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn

December 05, 2011


Your Excellency President Karzai,
Your Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan and Germany,
Excellencies ladies and gentlemen,

We are getting together in Bonn once again after 10 years for another historic and fateful moment in Afghanistan's recent history, a moment of hope as well as anxiety. What we decide here today, will decide the fate of Afghanistan and the region, and probably beyond, for at least another generation. Therefore, we must decide well and wisely.

Over the last 30 odd years, Afghanistan has seen domestic political struggles, destabilizing foreign intervention of various kinds, internal conflict and civil war, repressive fundamentalist rule, and foreign interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs on a large scale. These left the Afghan state and society devastated, and Afghanistan itself a staging ground for regional and international terrorism.

The task before Afghanistan and the international community since the end of 2001 therefore, has been to reverse that fate and set Afghanistan firmly on the road to recovery, reconstruction, security, development and prosperity.

Much has been achieved since then: a new democratic Constitution adopted, Presidential and Parliamentary elections held twice around, new institutional foundations laid, schools, health centres and roads built, school enrolment up, girls educated, health services brought to people, infant mortality reduced, women restored to public life, and large numbers of refugees and expatriates returned to rebuild a new Afghanistan of their hopes. The physical and socio- economic security provided by international forces and international assistance program has been a sine qua non for these dramatic improvements.

But much remains to be done, and there have been reverses in the security situation on the ground and in public faith in the future of Afghanistan. Ten years is too short a time to rebuild a country even with the best will and efficiency in the world. The international community needs to stay engaged in Afghanistan for the long term, for both its security and development.

Let us not forget why the international community came to Afghanistan. It came because Afghanistan, under the control of an extremist ideology and under the influence of foreign countries, had become a sanctuary for International terror. Terrorism radiated outwards to the region, affecting firstly India, and then other countries. It culminated in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. The international community then decided that this would not stand, that this bastion of extremism and terrorism was a threat to mankind and had to be replaced.

Today, we have to ask ourselves, if that job is done, whether we have succeeded in eliminating terrorism, and the safe havens and sanctuaries from where it is emanating, right from its source. We have to ask whether, if we withdraw our holding hand, Afghanistan will be able to withstand the forces of (radicalism), extremism and violence, and stand on its own feet. The answer to that question should decide the nature and level of our long-term engagement with Afghanistan.

Fortunately, this extraordinarily well attended Bonn Conference, for which we congratulate the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and thank Germany, is an expression of the international community's determination, that even as it reduces its footprint in Afghanistan, it does not abandon Afghanistan as it did in the 1990's. It marks a political commitment to stay engaged with Afghanistan well into the future.

The strategic partnership agreement that Afghanistan has signed with India, and will in due course sign with the US, EU, France, the UK, Australia (etc) is an encouraging pointer in this direction.

But political commitment and conference decisions alone are not enough. We need to back up our commitments with both resources and actions. We need to avert the possibility that Afghanistan is let down or made to feel abandoned by a withdrawal of assistance, at least in terms of quantity if not quality, of international assistance required, in the era after 2014.

There is a real danger that as international forces withdraw from a combat role and in numbers, there will be a transition 'recession'; i.e. that attention and aid will decline, just as the Afghan government's security demands increase. We should not make the mistakes of the past and let Afghanistan slip back. We must ensure that Afghanistan's security is ensured through non-interference in its internal affairs. It also needs support for economic development. The World Bank study on the looming recession and the fiscal gap that needs to be bridged during this period of transition is a timely warning of the danger of leaving the country to its own devices. We hope that the upcoming conferences in 2012, the Chicago conference in May (on security), the Kabul conference in June (on regional cooperation) and the Tokyo conference in July (on development), will ensure the continued engagement of the international community in Afghanistan's growth.

Afghanistan today faces at least four deficits: a security deficit, a governance deficit, a development deficit, and an investment deficit. All four of these deficits Afghanistan's will require enormous assistance for a long time if it is to address these four deficits adequately.

To address these deficits, Afghanistan needs time, development assistance, preferential access to world markets, foreign investment and a clear end-state and strategy to make sure that it does not once again plunge into lawlessness, civil war, and externally sponsored extremism and terrorism. Conceptually there is need for something like a 'Marshall Plan' for Afghanistan, involving all the major stakeholders. Afghanistan is not like any other country. It is a Least Developed Country that has suffered three decades of conflict and devastation resulting in the decimation of virtually a generation of not only its citizens and its institutions and infrastructure. It continues to face a potent threat to its security from terrorism and insurgency being fuelled from outside its borders. The international community must ensure that as it reduces its military commitment to Afghanistan, it increases rather than decreases its economic commitment to the security and rebuilding of Afghanistan so that it does not once again slide back to the dark ages of the 1990s.

Of course, such assistance has also to take into account hard global realities of public fatigue and economic and financial crisis in most troop contributing countries, and Afghan responsibilities. It cannot be open-ended. But it also cannot be avoided. In the long run, Afghanistan clearly has to move away from international dependence and take responsibility for its own development. Afghanistan has the natural and human resources to sustain a future of economic growth. Issues of corruption, investment climate, development of its own resources, rule of law and governance have to be addressed. There have to be "credible mutual commitments", but we should be aware that Afghanistan is not yet an equal partner, and may need help even in fulfilling its own commitments.

In speaking for an international commitment to Afghanistan's security and economic growth we are clear that long-term international assistance to Afghanistan is not offered an expression of our collective munificence. It stems from our shared recognition that instability and radicalism in Afghanistan poses a threat to our common security.

In this context, let me underline that India is willing to contribute its share. In May this year, addressing the Afghan parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged an additional US $ 500 million to the US $ 1.5 billion already pledged by India to its development effort for Afghanistan until the period 2014. The Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in October this year commits us to all-round assistance to Afghanistan well into the future.

We offer our growing market to Afghanistan's products. In early November, India announced the virtual elimination of sensitive lists affecting exports of all least developed SAARC countries to India. India is also assisting Afghanistan in building an Agricultural University to tap the potential in Agriculture in Afghanistan. We have extended our assistance to Afghanistan for capacity building; increased the number of civil scholarships offered to Afghanistan to enable more students from Afghanistan get requisite training in art, culture and technology among other areas to further the process of nation building in Afghanistan. We are also prepared to make long-term investments in Afghanistan. When we last met in Istanbul I mentioned that Indian companies are willing to invest up to US $ 10 billion in mining, setting up a steel plant, and related infrastructure in Afghanistan. I am happy to announce that the Indian consortium has been awarded the bid for three blocks of the Hajigak iron ore reserves by the Government of Afghanistan.

These are concrete manifestations of our long-term political commitment to Afghanistan. If others do the same, we could set off a virtuous cycle of healthy economic competition in Afghanistan that benefits Afghanistan and the region, indeed, set off, as President Karzai has called it, a cooperative rather than competitive 'Great Game' in the region.

We need to offer a narrative of opportunity to counter the anxiety of withdrawal, uncertainty, instability and foreign interference.

We visualize Afghanistan's mineral resources, agricultural products and human resources as possible drivers of regional economic development that together with the energy resources of Central Asia, Iran and the Gulf, the growing economic prowess and markets of China, Russia, Turkey and India, could knit the entire region between Turkey in the West, Russia in the north, China in the east, and the Gulf, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean in the south, in a web of trade, transit and energy routes and economic cooperation. This vision requires international support in the form of institutional finance and foreign investment.

Let us look at the Bonn conference and the upcoming conferences of 2012 as providing a road map for such future.