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Tag: india

  • Choose wisely on options in Myanmar

    Choose wisely on options in Myanmar

    Military coups usually end in instant success or instant failure. The coup in Myanmar has lasted more than two years and has reached a stalemate. The Resistance forces consisting of the National Unity Government (erstwhile National League for Democracy and Peoples Defence Forces allied with Ethnic Armed Organisations) are putting up a stiff fight. They appear to have some external support. The junta is in control mainly in urban centres while PDF and EAO control most of the rural areas. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is the undisputed leader with his corps commanders loyal to him although desertions have taken place – 6000 police and 2000 Army have crossed over. But elite units are intact. On 10 April military air strikes killed 100 civilians supporting the opposition. On 17 April of 17500 prisoners, 3000 were released to mark the lunar new year.

    At one stage, there was speculation the army’s high command could split and the coup dissipate. But that has not happened because the stakes are very high for soldiers. For the last 78 years, they have run the country bar a decade 2011-2020 when hybrid civil-military rule was in place. Military casualties are known to be high – one estimate puts army/police at 10,000 and PDF at 1200. The State Administration Council runs the country of 54mn people which is the poorest in South East Asia. Nearly 4 to 5mn people have fled the country excluding 1mn Rohingyas who were forced out before the coup. Another 1.2 mn have become internally displaced persons.

    As both sides call each other ‘terrorists’ there is little hope of reconciliation as direct talks between junta and NUG have not materialized. The Asean Five-Point Consensus brokered in April 2021 has failed to take off as Asean is badly divided with Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia pro-military and remaining Indonesia (current chair) Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and the Philippines taking a hard line. Last month a Track 1.5 level dialogue was held in Bangkok with all stakeholders besides Asean members attending. Here too, there were more divergences than commonalities. The immediate need is a ceasefire, the release of prisoners and humanitarian assistance for people trapped in the fighting.

    The junta has pledged to hold elections in August and the Election Commission has decreed new electoral laws. Political parties were to register by 31 March and as NLD did not, it was dissolved. By military courts awarding 76-year-old NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi 33 years in jail, the junta has ensured the elimination of the most popular party which won the 2020 elections overwhelmingly. The new laws relating to funding, banning parties with links to terrorist groups, securing 100,000 members within three months, and establishing offices in half of 330 towns. Election laws will be altered to ensure Union Solidarity Development Party (Military) wins as it did in the 2010 elections.

    There are as many as 90 political parties in the fray. As the junta has ruled for more than two years under emergency rule, acting President Myint Swe said on state TV that it was against the constitution. Elections if held will be a sham as the junta’s writ runs only across only 20 per cent of the territory though it has been negotiating with certain EAOs and declared a unilateral ceasefire. The military admires the Thai model where three former Army chiefs run a civilian party that wins elections. But Myanmar will have its own model with changes in the 2008 constitution which was drafted by the military.

    At the recent Director General Police conference in New Delhi, three papers circulated dealt with North East and Act East policy. They recalled how China exploited Indian insurgencies and provided weapons to insurgents. The biggest casualty of the civil war in Myanmar is India’s Act East policy. Former Army Chief, Gen MM Naravane at a seminar in March on Myanmar: Two Years After the Coup, said that the Act East policy has an inner and external dimension. Both have to be addressed with a focus on the development of the northeast. He said India should provide electricity to villages across the border to have friendly population there.

    As a consequence of violence, more than 100,000 refugees including some lawmakers have crossed over into Mizoram and Manipur. Mizoram acted with alacrity and humanity to welcome refugees while the central government had ordered they be pushed back. Similarly, fencing the border has been opposed by people on both sides. One of the reasons for insurgency was the mishandling of people residing along the border.

    India’s premier projects central to Act East Policy like the trilateral highway connecting India with Asean and the multimodal Kaladan road/port project are in a mess though Ports and Shipping Minister S Sonowal said recently Sittwe port will be inaugurated soon. It is key to the development of the northeast but is stuck due to fighting in the Rakhine state. The investment at Sittwe port can fructify only once the Arakan Army which Indian security forces engage, can pacify Rakhine.

    A truce between the Arakan Army and Junta will allow the projects to prosper. Chinese presence on Myanmar’s Coco Island will pose a threat. New Delhi has made hard choices virtually abandoning NLD and democratic forces, and practising realpolitik to deal with the government of the day, not the elected Govt. Keeping other options is a prudent policy.

    (The writer, a retired Major General, was Commander, IPKF South, Sri Lanka, and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the Integrated Defence Staff. The views expressed are personal)

  • CM Dhami’s cabinet meeting ends, these big decisions were approved

    CM Dhami’s cabinet meeting ends, these big decisions were approved

    Dehradun. The State Cabinet meeting was held at the Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. All the decisions were taken in the public interest in the meeting.
    In view of the high royalty of silica sand in the state of Uttarakhand as compared to other states and due to this the adverse impact on the business of silica sand in the state, in order to strengthen and streamline the business of silica sand in the state, the royalty rate as per other states And the decision to revise the current prevalent rate of inevitable rent.
    Central Pollution Control Board New Delhi and Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control due to non-availability of Zero Discharge Plant (ZLD) in the distillery of State Cooperative Sector Sugar Mill Bajpur (crushing capacity 4000 TCD) As a result of complete stoppage of alcohol production work in Bajpur Sugar Mill distillery from 23rd January, 2017 as per the orders of Board Dehradun, the financial condition of Bajpur Sugar Mill and distillery is getting adversely affected. Therefore, to modernize the distillery of State Cooperative Sector Sugar Mill Bajpur to operate at 25 KLPD capacity, installation of Zero Discharge Plant (ZLD), maintenance of pre-installed plants and some other plants in the distillery. The cabinet has decided to provide government guarantee of Rs 29.00 crore for taking loan from the bank.
    Under the Finance Department, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Institute of Financial Administration, Training and Research, Uttarakhand Dehradun was established with the objective of imparting training to all departments and secretariat level personnel on finance, accounting and other subjects in the state. Along with increasing the skill, administrative management and qualification capacity of maximum personnel of the state, examining the status of the rules established in various financial rules, manuals and manuals in the state, providing research advice to the state government on the need for research and change. , is the object of the said institution. To fulfill the objectives of the institute, it was decided to create full-time lecturer/researcher, Learning & Development Expert (Financial Management), Training Coordinator posts in addition to the posts created in the institute, in view of the necessity of human resources in the form of experts.
    In view of the post of Accounts Clerk being declared dead cadre under the Treasury Department, such regular and permanent servants, who have passed Intermediate (Commerce) or equivalent examination or B.Com examination, have completed 10 years of continuous service on the post of servant and prescribed Decision to reserve a total of 17 posts district-wise against the total 326 posts of Assistant Accountant currently created for the promotion of those who have passed the qualifying examination according to the syllabus.
    Lakhs of domestic and foreign pilgrims/tourists come every year to visit the Chardhams of Uttarakhand state and Sri Hemkund Sahib and in view of the continuous increase in the number of passengers every year, with the aim of smoothly completing the Char Dham Yatra system Due to the insufficient organizational structure of the travel administration organization, Rishikesh, the name of the said organization has been changed to “Chardham Yatra Management and Control Organization”. 11 posts have been created for the permanent office of the said organization. Provision has been made for approval of data entry operator, inquiry center assistant / assistant reception, services of 9 persons through outsourced work, which was approved by the cabinet.
    Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) at the rate of 25 per cent of the sum of basic pay (fixed pay + grade pay) admissible to them was being given to regular veterinary doctors of Animal Husbandry Department from February, 2014. In the report/recommendations given by the Wage Committee, Uttarakhand (2016) constituted for the employees of various categories of the state in order of the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission, due to the absence of any mention in relation to practice ban allowance to the doctors of the Animal Husbandry Department, the Animal Husbandry Department Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) to the Veterinary Officers was stopped. The matter was again referred to the Financial Rules Committee. The Financial Rules Committee has recommended to allow 20 percent Non-Practice Allowance (NPA) to the veterinarians of the State Animal Husbandry Department like allopathic doctors. In order to which, it has been decided by the Cabinet to allow 20 percent Non-Practice Allowance (NPA) to the medical experts of the Animal Husbandry Department. About 400 veterinarians will be benefitted by this.

    Pirul in pine forests is also one of the main reasons for incidents of forest fires in the state of Uttarakhand. In Vanagni session 2023, it is proposed to make arrangements for making briquettes/pallets on a large scale at the Chir-Pirul local level, at the department level. For the purpose of providing employment to the residents of the area for the prevention of forest fire occurring from Chir-Pirul and for collecting Pirul, forest areas through organizations recognized by a particular person, such as Van Panchayat, self-help groups and Yuvak Mangal Dal etc. Approval of the department to pay Rs 2.00 per kg from the funds available under the relevant schemes of the state sector or CAMPA to that person through the institution, after collecting Pirul permanently, mandate number-2198 / X -2-2019-21 (9) 2015 dated November 05, 2020. In the present context, it was decided to revise the Chir-Pirul collection rate in the state to Rs.3.00 per kg instead of Rs.2.00 per kg in view of increase in livelihood.
    Uttarakhand fodder policy is being proposed to reduce the workload of women along with availability of green and dry fodder for livestock throughout the year and increase in livestock production in the state of Uttarakhand. At present, there is a shortage of 31 percent in green fodder and 17 percent in dry fodder relative to the requirement. The shortage of fodder is met mainly by wheat straw coming from Punjab and Haryana. Due to the geographical structure, the state is a disaster prone area, due to which the availability of fodder keeps getting hampered. For the implementation of the fodder policy, work will be done in coordination with Animal Husbandry Department, Cooperative Department, Milk Development Department and other sources like REAP etc. and the arrangement of funds in the scheme will be done through various schemes and other schemes of the Government of India in addition to the state share. . For adequate availability of green fodder in the state, it is proposed to increase green fodder production by distributing 13,300 improved varieties of fodder seeds to cattle rearers, increasing silage manufacturing capacity by 25 thousand metric tons, distribution of chaff cutters to cattle rearers and promotion of silvipasture. 53400 MT dry fodder and 1125300 MT green fodder in the first year, 20 thousand MT dry fodder and 19 thousand MT green fodder in medium term (01 to 03 years) and 01 lakh MT green fodder production in long term (03 to 05 years) will increase . If the Uttarakhand Fodder Policy, 2023-28 is implemented, out of total 31 percent shortage of fodder, 2352 percent shortage will be removed. At present, to increase the availability of dry fodder in the state by setting up an FPO, buying additional 5000 metric tonnes of crop residue from the members of the Milk Producers’ Committee, for easy transportation of straw, the help of public, cooperative and private sector in nearby straw surplus state Haryana or Punjab. It is proposed to set up a 20,000 metric ton densified straw unit. In order to increase the straw storage capacity in the state, it is proposed to construct 10 straw storage houses through various means and to increase the storage capacity of silage in addition to compact feed blocks in fodder banks established in the state. Out of the total proposed expenditure of Rs.13655.00 lakhs, Rs.2367.00 lakhs from JICA-NPDD, Rs.225500 lakhs from REAP, Rs.2000.00 lakhs from NABARD and Rs.6683.60 lakhs from state sector will be spent through the above schemes. In the state sector, schemes worth Rs 3110.00 lakh are already valid. In this way, in the Uttarakhand Bara Policy, 2023-28, there will be an additional requirement of Rs 3573.00 lakh in the state sector. Approval of Uttarakhand Fodder Policy 2023-28 for establishment of Corpus Fund / Parikrani Nidhi for uninterrupted supply of fodder in the state in case of natural calamity and emergency in fodder policy.

    Under the efficient leadership of the Chief Minister, Government of Uttarakhand and under the able direction of Animal Husbandry Minister, Uttarakhand, the Government of Uttarakhand, through entrepreneurship development for local youth, especially women, for direct or indirect employment generation and for the overall development of all animal husbandry, by the cabinet. Chief Minister of Uttarakhand State It has been decided to start Pashuvan Mission (CMUSLM). Through this, employment will not only be created for the youth, but these schemes will prove to be helpful in reverse migration by providing means of livelihood to the landless and marginal poor farmers.
    At present, the United Provincial Guard Act, 1948 is prevalent in the state to regulate the functions of the volunteers of the Provincial Guard under the Uttarakhand Youth Welfare and Provincial Guard Department. In the perspective of the state of Uttarakhand, in accordance with the current circumstances, in order to obtain cooperation in the form of volunteers for various purposes under the government and semi-government establishments, along with peace security in the work of the Provincial Guard, certain parts should be changed and the unusable clauses should be removed. Decision to promulgate the Uttarakhand Rakshak Dal (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 by amending the United Provincial Rakshak Dal Act, 1948, to make arrangements for leave etc. for PRD volunteers in relation to their demand and work.
    Decision taken by the cabinet regarding formation of organizational structure of State Institute for Empowering and Transforming (SETU). Under this, State Institute for Empowering and Transforming (SETU) Aayog, an institute related to policy planning in the state, is being constituted like NITI Aayog. Under which, for the development and welfare of the citizens, setting a topic for the fulfillment of social and personal aspirations, and being active on it, work according to the needs of the citizens. To ensure the participation of citizens for the all-round development of the state. To ensure equality of opportunities for the youth of the state. To achieve the goals of sustainable development while saving the environment. Ensuring transparency by using technology to make government visible and accountable. In this, convergence, coordination, community participation and networking will be used for efficient and effective use of state resources and convergence, coordination, community participation and networking will be used in a better way for efficient and effective use of state resources.
    Approval given by the cabinet to the Chief Minister’s Skill Upgradation and Global Employment Scheme. Under which, along with skill-upgradation training in the domain sector for foreign employment, the cabinet approved the guidelines for imparting training on the language, culture, work ethics, etc. of the concerned country through empaneled institutions by the Government of India. Has been done In the said scheme, 20 percent of the expenditure on all training will be borne by the state government. Maximum 75 percent of the interest payable on the said loan will be borne by the state government if the candidate takes a loan from the bank for the remaining training amount. The fees for the training program will be determined by the institution in such a way that 30 percent amount will be payable before the candidate is employed. In the first phase, efforts will be made by the department to connect the youth of the state with the employment opportunities available abroad in the field of Nursing and Hospitality.
    The cabinet approved establishment of Human Wildlife Conflict Prevention Cell in Uttarakhand and establishment of Human Wildlife Conflict Prevention Fund in Uttarakhand. It is proposed to set up a Human Wildlife Cell for the scientific analysis of incidents occurring between humans and wildlife in the state, in which 01 Forest Officer or equivalent Deputy Forest Officer for cooperation in the office of the Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) / Chief Wildlife Warden. Through departmental posting), 01 post of GIS Specialist and 02 posts of Specialist – JRF/SRF are proposed to be placed on outsourced contract basis. In the case of human-wildlife conflict, any emergency and immediate cooperation to the family members of a dead person or injured person and their family members according to the situation of the occasion and DNA test and other medical tests etc. of wildlife and wildlife caught under human-wildlife conflict It is proposed to set up a Human Wildlife Conflict Prevention Fund for moving wildlife from one place to another. For the said fund, an amount of up to Rs. 02.00 crore will be made available by the state government every year. This amount can be increased or decreased by the State Government at its discretion. This amount will remain for use as non-lapsable amount. According to the above, the form of this fund will be continuous.
    Before the cabinet meeting, on behalf of the people of Uttarakhand, the state cabinet expressed its condolences to the bereaved family of late Shri Chandan Ram Das and prayed for the peace of the departed soul and for his family and well-wishers to bear this deep sorrow and irreparable loss. Wished for strength and paid tribute by keeping silence for two minutes.

  • NCP deliberates on road ahead after Pawar’s decision to step down; Bhujbal says Supriya Sule ideal for ‘national role’

    NCP deliberates on road ahead after Pawar’s decision to step down; Bhujbal says Supriya Sule ideal for ‘national role’

    A day after Sharad Pawar announced his decision to step down as the NCP president, senior party leaders held a discussion here on Wednesday on the road ahead, even as Chhagan Bhujbal said Pawar’s daughter and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule was ideal for a “national role”.

    An NCP worker from Pune wrote a letter in blood, appealing to Pawar to withdraw his decision and not make him and several other party workers “orphan”.

    Pawar was present at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai where the NCP leaders held the discussion informally, but he did not attend the meet.

    Before the discussion, Bhujbal told reporters he was of the view that Supriya Sule was ideal for a “national role” as she has a good grasp of issues.

    “She has been doing well as a parliamentarian. So there will be no problem on deciding the new (NCP) president. Ajit Pawar should handle the responsibility of the state (Maharashtra). The division of work is already there,” he said.

    Pawar (82) on Tuesday dropped a bombshell by saying he is stepping down as chief of the NCP which he founded and helmed since 1999, but not retiring from public life.

    The announcement, made at an event, stumped leaders and workers of the 24-year-old party, and many were seen crying and pleading with the Maratha strongman to reconsider his decision.

    Ajit Pawar later on Tuesday announced his uncle will need two to three days to “think over” his decision.

    Bhujbal on Wednesday said Pawar’s announcement to step down as the NCP chief came as a shock to everyone.

    “We will persuade him to withdraw his decision,” he said.

    After the meeting of NCP leaders, Bhujbal said there was no meeting as such of a committee, formed by Sharad Pawar to decide on his successor.

    “Since we were in Mumbai, we met informally to discuss how to persuade Pawar saheb to withdraw his resignation,” he said.

    “What I spoke in the morning (with reference to Supriya Sule) is my personal view,” Bhujbal said.

    Meanwhile, Sandip Kale, an NCP worker from Pune who also operates an auto-rickshaw, in a letter addressed to Sharad Pawar claimed he is “God” (daivat) to the common party workers like him and wondered whom they will look up to after him.

    He appealed to Sharad Pawar not to make him and several other party workers “orphan” and requested him to withdraw his decision.

    “I have been running an auto-rickshaw for the last 10 years and am the party worker for several years. I did not like the decision taken by saheb and to convey my feelings, I penned a letter in my own blood and sent it to him,” he told PTI.

    Another NCP leader Jitendra Awhad claimed Sharad Pawar was “Bhishma Pitamah” (a character from Mahabharata) of the political and social movements in the state.

    “His energy gives us strength,” an emotional Awhad told reporters, adding that he has resigned as the NCP’s national general secretary and the party workers from Thane have also resigned en mass.

    Maharashtra needs Sharad Pawar. His withdrawal from “active politics” is a big loss for the state which is suffering in the fields of culture, economy, industry and politics, he said.

    In order to stop this loss, Sharad Pawar has been requested to withdraw his resignation, Awhad said.

    A storm is currently raging in the state and Sharad Pawar’s support is needed to fight such a situation, he added.

    NCP spokesman Mahesh Tapase told reporters that party workers wanted Sharad Pawar to continue as the political outfit’s national president.

  • Russia says Ukraine attacked Kremlin with drones in failed bid to kill Vladimir Putin

    Russia says Ukraine attacked Kremlin with drones in failed bid to kill Vladimir Putin

    Russian authorities accused Ukraine on Wednesday of attempting to attack the Kremlin with two drones overnight in an effort to assassinate President Vladimir Putin.

    The Kremlin decried the alleged attack attempt as a “terrorist act” and said Russian military and security forces stopped the drones before they could strike.

    In a statement carried by Russian state-run news agencies, it said no casualties took place.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti that Putin wasn’t in the Kremlin at the time and was working from the Novo-Ogaryovo residence.

    The Kremlin added that Putin was safe and his schedule was unchanged.

    There were no immediate comment from Ukrainian authorities. The Kremlin didn’t present any evidence from the reported incident, and its statement included few details.

    Tass quoted the statement as saying that the Kremlin considered the development to be a deliberate attempt on Putin’s life ahead of the Victory Day that Russia celebrates on May 9.

    Kremlin spokesman Peskov said a military parade would take place as scheduled that day.

    Russia retains the right to respond “when and where it sees fit,” the Tass report said, quoting the statement.

  • Spa, Sunsets & Together Moments: Memorable Mother’s Day Experiences at Jumeirah Bali

    Spa, Sunsets & Together Moments: Memorable Mother’s Day Experiences at Jumeirah Bali

    Bali, Indonesia
    This Mother’s Day, Jumeirah Bali offers a range of heart-warming activities and experiences that are guaranteed to make any mother feel loved, appreciated, and celebrated. From luxurious spa treatments to romantic sunset dinners, there are numerous ways to show mother figures in your life that you care.

    Jumeirah Bali Akasa

    Make this special day memorable for both of you by treating your mum to a three-course dinner at one of Uluwatu’s most esteemed restaurants, Akasa Restaurant & Bar. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Bali’s coast while indulging in mouth-watering flame-grilled and Asian fusion cuisine that celebrates local ingredients and honours the seasons.

    Mother’s Day Dinner at Akasa

    Saturday, 13 May 2023 | 18.00 – 23.00

    IDR 1,200,000 ++ per person, including a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, with optional wine pairing.

    Celebrate the unwavering love of a mother amidst the stunning ocean panorama at Segaran Sunday Brunch. Let her bask in the warmth of your affection while indulging in delectable bites meticulously prepared by Chef Vincent Leroux and the culinary experts’ team. As a special treat, all mothers will receive a long-stemmed rose and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.

    Mother’s Day Brunch at Segaran Dining Terrace

    Sunday, 14 May 2023 | 12.00 – 16.00 (live acoustic music starting from 12.30)

    Starting from IDR 1,200,000 ++ per person; with an optional alcohol package.

    Mothers with a sweet tooth will certainly appreciate the special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea. Served at the elegant Maja Sunset Lounge, the experience includes a decadent spread of dainty sandwiches, light-as-air choux, delicate pastries, and premium brews.

    The Sweetest Thing – Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Maja Sunset Lounge

    8 – 14 May 2023 | 15.00 – 17.00

    IDR 400,000 ++ per person, including tea or coffee.

    Give your mother the ultimate gift of relaxation and rejuvenation with a bespoke spa package from Jumeirah’s award-winning Talise Spa. Combining a deeply resetting 60-minute aromatherapy massage and a transformative 60-minute jade roller facial, the experience promises a powerful restorative boost.

    Just for Your Mother! – A Spa Experience at Talise Spa

    8 – 14 May 2023

    IDR 2,000,000 ++ per person for 120 minutes.

    For more information, please visit www.jumeirahbali.com or contact the team at jbareservations@jumeirah.com for bookings. In the meantime, stay connected via our social media channels and don’t forget to tag us in your posts with #TimeExceptionallyWellSpent.

    Instagram

    @JumeirahGroup, @JumeirahBali #TimeExceptionallyWellSpent

    About Jumeirah Bali

    World famous for its captivating beauty, Bali is often referred to as the last paradise on earth due to its breath-taking natural surroundings. Located in the stunning Pecatu region at the south-west of Bali, the all-villa luxury resort sits gracefully on the beach area of Uluwatu – one of the most coveted locations on the island. Inspired by Hindu-Javanese culture, the spectacular resort provides an unsurpassed destination for couples, groups and solo travellers seeking to reconnect and find inner balance, while soaking in the resort’s stunning natural surroundings.

    About Jumeirah Group

    Jumeirah Group, a member of Dubai Holding and a global luxury hotel company, operates a world-class 6,500+-key portfolio of 24 luxury properties across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. The group boasts some of the most prestigious and captivating properties in the world, from the iconic flagship hotel and timeless pinnacle of luxury, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, and lavish Arabian palaces across Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah, to its contemporary Maldivian island paradise at Olhahali Island and art-inspired dolce vita on the island of Capri. Whether a modern twist on a British classic in the heart of Belgravia at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, or a futuristic setting at Jumeirah Nanjing, Jumeirah’s name is synonymous with service excellence, crafting exceptional experiences for everyone who walks through its doors.

    Beyond its properties and resorts, Jumeirah Group is also dedicated to destination dining experiences, combining the most authentic and diverse cuisines with spectacular settings to create those unforgettable moments worth sharing. With over 85 restaurants across its portfolio, Jumeirah Group’s award-winning homegrown concepts including Sal, KAYTO, Shimmers and French Riviera, enjoy an enviable reputation for culinary excellence alongside the group’s Michelin-starred Shang High and L’Olivo restaurants.

    The health and safety of guests and colleagues remains Jumeirah Group’s utmost priority and as such, the group has implemented a series of protective measures across all its hotels and strictly adheres to each market’s respective government directives. www.jumeirah.com.

  • Signature Global (India) Limited and CEEW Deploy a Pilot Air Quality Monitoring Network in Gurugram to Manage Construction Dust

    Signature Global (India) Limited and CEEW Deploy a Pilot Air Quality Monitoring Network in Gurugram to Manage Construction Dust

    Gurugram, Haryana, India
    Under the ‘Cleaner Air and Better Health’ (CABH) project supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Signature Global (India) Limited and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) announced the deployment of a first-of-its-kind air quality monitoring network in Gurugram. The network comprises of 9 air quality monitors and 1 automatic weather station, the data from which will be available to project developers and the research team through a dashboard that will capture pollution concentrations during different on-site construction activities. The network will strengthen regulation of pollution activities on construction sites and promote clean construction practices.

    Signature Global (India) Limited and CEEW Deploy a pilot Air Quality Monitoring Network in Gurugram to manage construction dust

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd, said, “The government has had to impose occasional blanket bans on construction activities every year in a bid to reduce air pollution. These bans, in turn, have led to project delays and impacted all stakeholders, including homebuyers, investors, and developers. Henceforth, we have partnered with CEEW to explore innovative ways to mitigate air pollution on construction sites and embrace cleaner construction practices. We hope that this pilot sets a new precedent for clean and green construction practices and encourages other real estate developers to follow Signature Global’s lead in adopting similar pollution-monitoring and control methods.”

    Commenting on the MoU, Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW said, “In India’s rapidly expanding urbanscape, construction and demolition activities represent an important source of air pollution. A construction site, by virtue of its proximity to existing living spaces, can have an outsized role in residents’ exposure to pollution. Monitoring air quality around construction sites and introducing protocols that promote self-regulation by the industry and demonstrate their best practices is an important first step in mitigating this large source.”

    The pilot is part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Signature Global (India) Ltd. and CEEW to collaborate on finding solutions to reduce air pollution from construction activities under the CABH project. The CABH project aims to mitigate the impacts of air pollution in India by working on different approaches to reduce exposure, empower communities by driving awareness to build their agency to take preventive actions, and improve evidence with respect to the issue through research and interventions on ground.

    Recently, Haryana State Pollution Control Board issued a public notice directing all project sites of more than 500 square meters to install reliable PM2.5 and PM10 sensors to measure microscopic fractions of particulate matter or PM (a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets) in the air, which cause serious health problems when inhaled. In response to this, CEEW and Signature Global’s pilot will aid pollution monitoring, developing a dust management plan, and also, wherever possible, nudging the behaviour of construction workers and builders to better manage construction dust and reduce local air pollution.

    About Signature Global (India) Limited

    Signature Global is desirous of obtaining an independent opinion on Real Estate Market Trends in India in general and in Gurgaon as well as on affordable housing, in particular. Most of the projects launched between 2020 to 2022 are certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in accordance with the IGBC green affordable housing system or have received EDGE certification in affordable housing segment across Delhi-NCR. Company’s efforts towards sustainability have been recognised through various awards and recognitions including the Signature Global group being conferred the 8th IGBC Green Champion Award under the category of ‘Developer Leading the Green Affordable Housing Movement in India’.

    About CEEW

    The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is one of Asia’s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions. The Council uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain – and change – the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research, develops partnerships with public and private institutions, and engages with wider public. In 2021, CEEW once again featured extensively across ten categories in the 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report. The Council has also been consistently ranked among the world’s top climate change think tanks. Follow us on Twitter @CEEWIndia for the latest updates.

    About the Cleaner Air and Better Health Project

    Cleaner Air and Better Health (CABH) is a five year (2021 to 2026) programme supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It aims to strengthen air pollution mitigation and reduce exposure to air pollution in selected regions of India. The programme is being implemented by a consortium led by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and includes ASAR Social Impact Advisers (ASAR), Environmental Design Solutions (EDS), Enviro Legal Defence Firm (ELDF), and Vital Strategies (VS).

  • India’s World Press Freedom Index ranking falls to 161 out of 180 countries, Pak fares better

    India’s World Press Freedom Index ranking falls to 161 out of 180 countries, Pak fares better

    New Delhi : India’s position in the World Press Freedom Index for 2023 has dropped to 161 out of 180 countries, as stated in the recent report by the global media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

    Pakistan has performed better in terms of media freedom, ranking at 150, an improvement from last year’s 157th rank. India was placed at 150 in 2022. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has shown significant progress by ranking 135th this year compared to 146th in 2022.

    The top three positions in press freedom were occupied by Norway, Ireland, and Denmark, while Vietnam, China, and North Korea were at the bottom three.

    Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international NGO headquartered in Paris with consultative status with the United Nations, releases a global ranking of press freedom every year. The aim of the World Press Freedom Index is to compare the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories in the previous calendar year.

    RSF defines press freedom as the ability of journalists as individuals and collectives to select, produce, and disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal, and social interference and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety.

  • India will get its own index to quantify heat impact next year: IMD chief

    India will get its own index to quantify heat impact next year: IMD chief

    New Delhi: India will launch its own composite index next year to measure the impact of heat on its population and generate impact-based heat wave alerts for specific locations, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. The IMD last week began releasing an experimental heat index for different parts of the country, taking into account air temperature and relative humidity to determine how hot it actually is.

    “Heat Index is an experimental product. It is not validated and we have also mentioned this (on IMD’s website). Now we are coming up with our own system, a multi-parameter product called ‘Heat Hazard Score’ We hope it will be better than others.

    Along with temperature and humidity, it will integrate other parameters such as wind and duration. This would be an effective indicator of heat stress for the people, he said.

    The IMD chief said the hazard score will be ready in about two months and “it will be operational in the next summer season”. Asked whether the IMD has incorporated health data into the product, he said the weather bureau will do it gradually. “We are working on it but in some places the health data is not easily available,” he added.

    Mohapatra and his team analyzed the heat wave threat for the entire country last year, taking into account the maximum temperature, minimum temperature, humidity, wind and duration of the heat wave. The analysis will help generate a heat hazard score that will be used as a threshold for issuing impact-based heat wave alerts for specific locations.

    According to IMD data, there has been a 24 per cent increase in the number of heat waves during 2010-2019 as compared to 2000-2009. However, there is a declining trend after 2015. Between 2000 and 2019, the death rate for tropical cyclones decreased by 94 percent, while it increased by 62.2 percent for heat waves.

    The fifth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that the major climate risk for South Asian countries will be increased mortality due to heat waves.

    A slight increase in average temperature or a slight increase in the duration of heat waves would lead to a significant increase in mortality in India, unless remedial and response measures are taken. However, heat waves are yet to be notified as a natural disaster at the national level in the country.

    Heat waves have extreme effects on human health, causing cramps, exhaustion, stress and heat stroke, and very severe heat waves even causing death. Children and the elderly especially people who suffer from heart and respiratory problems, kidney diseases and mental disorders are also affected. Extreme periods of high temperatures can lead to significant reductions in crop yields and lead to reproductive failure in many crops.

  • Samantha Ruth Prabhu tops IMDb’s list of popular Indian celebrities

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu tops IMDb’s list of popular Indian celebrities

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu is one of the most popular actresses of Indian cinema who enjoys immense love from across the country. After topping the Ormax charts 7 times in a row, the actress continues to make headlines as she now tops IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Celebrities feature.

    Samantha’s immense popularity started with her cult song ‘Oo Antwa’ from the blockbuster film Pushpa, and the song made the actress a household name. Apart from this she came up with completely new roles in The ‘Family Man’, ‘Yashoda’, and most recently ‘Shakuntalam’ and each time the actress won the hearts of the audience and created new buzz from every corner. Also, her recent appearance in a hot black outfit at the ‘Citadel’ London premiere won the hearts of the audience. Which has indeed kept him on top every single time, as always this time also at #1 on IMDb Popular Indian Celebrities.

    Samantha lovingly enjoys stardom from fans who continue to shower their phenomenal love on her down-to-earth demeanor and exceptional performing abilities. A complete package in herself, Samantha not only excels as an actress but also grabs attention of all her co-stars with her dancing skills and on-screen charisma. On the work front, the actress will next be seen in Citadel, Kushi and some other unannounced projects.

  • CM Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated on World Press Freedom Day

    CM Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated on World Press Freedom Day

    Uttarakhand. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated on World Press Freedom Day. He tweeted and wrote – Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all respected journalist colleagues on World Press Freedom Day. As a vigilant watchdog of democracy, your contribution in the development of the nation and promotion of various public welfare schemes run by the government is commendable.

    Journalism is called the fourth pillar of democracy. This is a risky job. Many times journalists are attacked while doing journalism. Many examples of this have come to the fore all over the world. Journalists do not hesitate to risk their lives to bring out the truth and fulfill their responsibility well. It is very important to give them freedom so that no power can suppress the voice of journalists who work by risking their lives. Only then they will be able to do their work well. With this objective, World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every year on 3rd May.