Come Puja, Chappell will be Mahisasura!
Press Trust of India
Kolkata, August 29, 2006
With Sourav Ganguly's return to the Indian cricket team still uncertain, a local puja organiser is seeking divine intervention by depicting coach Greg Chappell as the demon 'Mahisasura' during next month's Durga Puja.
A prominent sculpor of Kumartuli, where Durga images are scuplted, has been asked by a North Kolkata puja organiser to depict the Australian as Mahisasura, the evil demon who is eliminated by Goddess Durga.
"The people in our locality have very strong sentiments against Chappell for his role in omitting of Ganguly from the Indian team and that is why we have decided to depict Chappell as Mahisasura this year," a member of the Deshbandhu Road Puja committee in Baranagar said.
"Ganguly is very dear to us and we want to express our sentiments in this manner," another member of the committee said.
Depiction of topical events at the puja mandaps (pandals) is a common practice in Kolkata during Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Bengal scheduled in 2006 for the last week of September.
Dilip Pal, the sculptor in Kumartuli, who has been assigned the task of making Mahisasura look like Chappell, sees nothing wrong in depicting the batting legend as evil personified.
"Every year we get requests from puja organisers to make images depicting some recent events and this year it is the Ganguly-Chappell issue," Pal said.
Interestingly, Pal is also making an image depicting the infamous head-butt by French footballing icon Zinedine Zidane during the World Cup for another puja committee.
Pal, however, said that his depiction of Chappell as Mahisasura would not be in the traditional manner as the Australian was a guest in India.
"Chappell will not be shown being killed by the Goddess but he will be shown dressed in trouser and jacket standing before the goddess asking for forgiveness," he said.
Goddess Durga would be shown in an angry mood directing the Aussie to bring back Ganguly in the Indian team, Pal said adding, "this is simply the sentiments of the people about Ganguly."
The organisers have also planned to design the entire pandal depiciting the sport theme in 2006.
Speaking about his other creation this year, Pal said that as a football lover, he considered Zidane's act as 'unsporting' and that is why "I decided to oblige another puja organiser in the outsirts of the city."
Pal's logic, however, did not go down well with football crazy Kolkatans, including Subrata Dutta, secretary of Indian Football Association, the governing body of the game in the state.
"I feel sad about this. A great player like Zidane does not deserve this from us who claim to be football lovers," Dutta said when approached for his comments.
He also said that people should not forget Zidane's contributions to the game and, "even if his act was a blemish, we should not forget under what provocation it was done.
"Depicting a player like Zidane like this only lowers our image."
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Indians form half of UAE's private sector workforce
Saturday, 26 August 2006
Dubai: Indians form about half of the 2.6 million expatriate workers in the United Arab Emirates' private sector.
Indians make up 50 per cent of the total number of employees working for the private sector, Pakistanis account for 18 per cent and Bangladeshis 6 per cent, Under- Secretary in the Ministry of Labour Khalid Al Khazraji has said.
Indian expatriates alone account for nearly 45 per cent of the total number of employees being brought in since the beginning of this year, he said.
A total of 202 different nationalities exist in the labour market, he has said, adding that the country has one of the highest rates in the world so far as the diversity of foreign nationalities is concerned. — PTI
Dubai: Indians form about half of the 2.6 million expatriate workers in the United Arab Emirates' private sector.
Indians make up 50 per cent of the total number of employees working for the private sector, Pakistanis account for 18 per cent and Bangladeshis 6 per cent, Under- Secretary in the Ministry of Labour Khalid Al Khazraji has said.
Indian expatriates alone account for nearly 45 per cent of the total number of employees being brought in since the beginning of this year, he said.
A total of 202 different nationalities exist in the labour market, he has said, adding that the country has one of the highest rates in the world so far as the diversity of foreign nationalities is concerned. — PTI
Friday, August 25, 2006
Visitors flock to 'sati' village
Thursday, 24 August 2006
By Faisal Mohammed Ali
BBC News, Tulsipur
Until now a mere speck on the revenue maps, the village of Tulsipur in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is seeing a flurry of activity.
People are flocking to the village where a woman, Janakrani, is believed to have committed the outlawed Hindu practice of "sati".
Sati, or the practice of a widow burning herself to death on her husband's funeral pyre, is believed to have originated 700 years ago.
The rare practice mostly happens in parts of northern and central India.
The state government insists the case is one of suicide and it should be treated as one.
Inquiry ordered
But the chairperson of the state women's commission, Relam Chauhan, says Janakrani committed an act of sati when she immolated herself on the funeral pyre of her husband, Prem Narayan.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the case, while the National Commission for Women has asked for a report in a week.
Ms Chauhan, who is visiting Tulsipur to "do an on-the-spot inquiry into the whole affair", says: "It has to be verified if someone encouraged or coerced her to take this extreme step."
Residents of Tulsipur and many of the visitors to the village in Sagar district say they are impressed by Janakrani's "extraordinary devotion to her long-ailing husband".
In a voice full of admiration, one visitor, Ram Dayal, says he heard about the case and has come for a look.
Madhya Pradesh
A number of saffron-robed Hindu monks have also arrived here and everyone's first stop is the remains of the pyre - now a six by three-foot-long egg-shaped spot on the ground.
The police have taken the charred bones of the couple for forensic tests but a few tiny remains of Janakrani's clothes and bangles can still be recognised in the ashes.
A group of visitors from Deori, a small town 150km (100 miles) away, try to touch the ashes, but they are stopped by the police who are deployed here.
'Hindu ritual'
Janakrani's son, Ram Avtar, says his mother burned herself to death while they had gone to take a bath in the river after performing the last rites of their father and there were no witnesses to the incident.
"My mother told my wife she was going out for a while, but we became suspicious when she did not return for long and went to look for her. We found only her ashes, she was completely burnt," he says.
The police and state administration argue that since there was no ceremony and no one encouraged her, this cannot be called a case of sati.
Also, they say sati is a Hindu ritual and Janakrani was a tribal.
But many here say that some of the Hindu social and religious practices have been adopted by the tribes in the recent years.
Roop Kanwar case
Cases of sati are very rare in India.
The last incident, involving a 65-year-old woman, took place in Madhya Pradesh in 2002.
The most high-profile sati incident was in Rajasthan in 1987 when 18-year-old Roop Kanwar was burned to death.
The case sparked national and international outrage.
Police charged Roop Kanwar's father-in-law and brother-in-law with forcing her to sit on the pyre with her husband's body, but the two men were acquitted by an Indian court in October 1996.
Sati is believed to have originated some 700 years ago among the ruling class or Rajputs in India.
The Rajput women burnt themselves after their men were defeated in battles to avoid being taken by the victors. But it came to be seen as a measure of wifely devotion in later years.
The custom was outlawed by India's British rulers in 1829 following demands by Indian reformers.
By Faisal Mohammed Ali
BBC News, Tulsipur
Until now a mere speck on the revenue maps, the village of Tulsipur in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is seeing a flurry of activity.
People are flocking to the village where a woman, Janakrani, is believed to have committed the outlawed Hindu practice of "sati".
Sati, or the practice of a widow burning herself to death on her husband's funeral pyre, is believed to have originated 700 years ago.
The rare practice mostly happens in parts of northern and central India.
The state government insists the case is one of suicide and it should be treated as one.
Inquiry ordered
But the chairperson of the state women's commission, Relam Chauhan, says Janakrani committed an act of sati when she immolated herself on the funeral pyre of her husband, Prem Narayan.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the case, while the National Commission for Women has asked for a report in a week.
Ms Chauhan, who is visiting Tulsipur to "do an on-the-spot inquiry into the whole affair", says: "It has to be verified if someone encouraged or coerced her to take this extreme step."
Residents of Tulsipur and many of the visitors to the village in Sagar district say they are impressed by Janakrani's "extraordinary devotion to her long-ailing husband".
In a voice full of admiration, one visitor, Ram Dayal, says he heard about the case and has come for a look.
Madhya Pradesh
A number of saffron-robed Hindu monks have also arrived here and everyone's first stop is the remains of the pyre - now a six by three-foot-long egg-shaped spot on the ground.
The police have taken the charred bones of the couple for forensic tests but a few tiny remains of Janakrani's clothes and bangles can still be recognised in the ashes.
A group of visitors from Deori, a small town 150km (100 miles) away, try to touch the ashes, but they are stopped by the police who are deployed here.
'Hindu ritual'
Janakrani's son, Ram Avtar, says his mother burned herself to death while they had gone to take a bath in the river after performing the last rites of their father and there were no witnesses to the incident.
"My mother told my wife she was going out for a while, but we became suspicious when she did not return for long and went to look for her. We found only her ashes, she was completely burnt," he says.
The police and state administration argue that since there was no ceremony and no one encouraged her, this cannot be called a case of sati.
Also, they say sati is a Hindu ritual and Janakrani was a tribal.
But many here say that some of the Hindu social and religious practices have been adopted by the tribes in the recent years.
Roop Kanwar case
Cases of sati are very rare in India.
The last incident, involving a 65-year-old woman, took place in Madhya Pradesh in 2002.
The most high-profile sati incident was in Rajasthan in 1987 when 18-year-old Roop Kanwar was burned to death.
The case sparked national and international outrage.
Police charged Roop Kanwar's father-in-law and brother-in-law with forcing her to sit on the pyre with her husband's body, but the two men were acquitted by an Indian court in October 1996.
Sati is believed to have originated some 700 years ago among the ruling class or Rajputs in India.
The Rajput women burnt themselves after their men were defeated in battles to avoid being taken by the victors. But it came to be seen as a measure of wifely devotion in later years.
The custom was outlawed by India's British rulers in 1829 following demands by Indian reformers.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Indian man "sacrifices" himself at Hindu temple
LUCKNOW, India, Aug 23 (Reuters) - An Indian man "sacrificed" himself by slitting his throat in front of a Hindu deity at a temple in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, police said.
Natha Ram Pal, 45, a father of four, shocked devotees at the village temple when he picked up a knife and slashed his throat in the courtyard.
He was rushed to a hospital where he died, senior police officer Dawa Sherpa told Reuters.
"The temple has a history of people sacrificing their tongues on new moon nights to fulfil their desires," Sherpa said. "But even that has not been heard of in recent times."
Pal's family described him as an "obsessively religious person", who spent most of his time at local temples in the village, about 50 km (30 miles) north of the state capital, Lucknow.
Natha Ram Pal, 45, a father of four, shocked devotees at the village temple when he picked up a knife and slashed his throat in the courtyard.
He was rushed to a hospital where he died, senior police officer Dawa Sherpa told Reuters.
"The temple has a history of people sacrificing their tongues on new moon nights to fulfil their desires," Sherpa said. "But even that has not been heard of in recent times."
Pal's family described him as an "obsessively religious person", who spent most of his time at local temples in the village, about 50 km (30 miles) north of the state capital, Lucknow.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Malaysia to sign labour MoU with India
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
New Delhi - India and Malaysia are to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labour in October following which a Malaysian government agency will recruit blue-collared Indian workers directly, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said.
Ravi, who visited Malaysia last week, said a delegation led by Malaysian Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn will visit India in October and sign the MoU.
‘Once the agreement is made, the Malaysian government will directly recruit the Indian workers and distribute them to their companies, which need such workers,’ Ravi told IANS.
‘This agreement on labour will basically avoid the hassles and troubles created by the recruitment agencies. It would be the responsibility of the Malaysian government to ensure the safety of the workers and good wages for them there,’ he added.
Ravi said the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), the Malaysian governmental agency, would recruit the workers - mainly for the construction companies in the country - and distribute them.
‘The officials from the CIDB will visit India to train the workers,’ the minister said, adding that the Indian government would identify the agency that would recruit people from here.
‘The agreement will ensure good wages, good living conditions and better medical facilities for the workers. The government will be responsible for these. That makes a lot of difference,’ Ravi explained.
He admitted that there have been serious complaints against recruitment agencies that they did not ensure good wages and living conditions for workers going abroad.
Indian workers form the third largest foreign work force in Malaysia, with 140,000 of them eking out a living there. Ethnic Indians comprise seven percent of Malaysia’s population of around 24 million.
New Delhi - India and Malaysia are to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labour in October following which a Malaysian government agency will recruit blue-collared Indian workers directly, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said.
Ravi, who visited Malaysia last week, said a delegation led by Malaysian Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn will visit India in October and sign the MoU.
‘Once the agreement is made, the Malaysian government will directly recruit the Indian workers and distribute them to their companies, which need such workers,’ Ravi told IANS.
‘This agreement on labour will basically avoid the hassles and troubles created by the recruitment agencies. It would be the responsibility of the Malaysian government to ensure the safety of the workers and good wages for them there,’ he added.
Ravi said the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), the Malaysian governmental agency, would recruit the workers - mainly for the construction companies in the country - and distribute them.
‘The officials from the CIDB will visit India to train the workers,’ the minister said, adding that the Indian government would identify the agency that would recruit people from here.
‘The agreement will ensure good wages, good living conditions and better medical facilities for the workers. The government will be responsible for these. That makes a lot of difference,’ Ravi explained.
He admitted that there have been serious complaints against recruitment agencies that they did not ensure good wages and living conditions for workers going abroad.
Indian workers form the third largest foreign work force in Malaysia, with 140,000 of them eking out a living there. Ethnic Indians comprise seven percent of Malaysia’s population of around 24 million.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Fraud risk higher in India: survey
Tuesday, 22 August 2006
A survey of Ernst & Young says fraud levels in India are considerably higher at 42 pc against global average of 27 pc
PTI
New Delhi: As India Inc steps up to expand in the global arena, it faces the risk of stumbling on frauds, the levels of which were far higher compared to global levels, according to international consulting firm Ernst and Young.
A survey by E&Y in emerging markets has revealed that fraud levels in India are considerably higher at 42 per cent than the global levels of 27 per cent.
“The growing focus on cross-border expansion, high levels of growth with internal processes not keeping pace and large number of new employees joining the organisation are making most companies vulnerable to greater fraud risk in recent times,” Ernst and Young national director, risk and business solutions, Sunil Chandiramani said.
The study said as many as 42 per cent of the Indian companies believe that internal collusion, corruption and bribery have skewed up fraud levels in India.
About 14 per cent of companies admitted experiencing ‘significant’ fraud in the last two years.
The survey said the actual number may be higher due to various reasons, including non-disclosure of fraud and non-discovery of significant frauds among others.
As many as 36 per cent of the responding companies considered internal collusion with third parties as the greatest fraud risk, followed by corruption and bribery, considered as a fraud threat by 29 per cent, it said, adding only 14 per cent of the respondents considered financial statement fraud as the greatest fraud risk.
Compared to 59 per cent of respondents globally, 24 per cent of in India viewed corporate security prevention and detection; corporate culture ethics; documented formal processes; legislation or raising employee awareness and training as important for determining success towards fraud prevention and detection, it said.
“Many organisations are still not considering appropriate fraud risks while designing their controls systems and procedures. Though robust internal controls remain the first line of defence against fraud, anti-fraud controls are not always integrated under an anti-fraud programme and monitored for compliance,” Chandiramani said.
A survey of Ernst & Young says fraud levels in India are considerably higher at 42 pc against global average of 27 pc
PTI
New Delhi: As India Inc steps up to expand in the global arena, it faces the risk of stumbling on frauds, the levels of which were far higher compared to global levels, according to international consulting firm Ernst and Young.
A survey by E&Y in emerging markets has revealed that fraud levels in India are considerably higher at 42 per cent than the global levels of 27 per cent.
“The growing focus on cross-border expansion, high levels of growth with internal processes not keeping pace and large number of new employees joining the organisation are making most companies vulnerable to greater fraud risk in recent times,” Ernst and Young national director, risk and business solutions, Sunil Chandiramani said.
The study said as many as 42 per cent of the Indian companies believe that internal collusion, corruption and bribery have skewed up fraud levels in India.
About 14 per cent of companies admitted experiencing ‘significant’ fraud in the last two years.
The survey said the actual number may be higher due to various reasons, including non-disclosure of fraud and non-discovery of significant frauds among others.
As many as 36 per cent of the responding companies considered internal collusion with third parties as the greatest fraud risk, followed by corruption and bribery, considered as a fraud threat by 29 per cent, it said, adding only 14 per cent of the respondents considered financial statement fraud as the greatest fraud risk.
Compared to 59 per cent of respondents globally, 24 per cent of in India viewed corporate security prevention and detection; corporate culture ethics; documented formal processes; legislation or raising employee awareness and training as important for determining success towards fraud prevention and detection, it said.
“Many organisations are still not considering appropriate fraud risks while designing their controls systems and procedures. Though robust internal controls remain the first line of defence against fraud, anti-fraud controls are not always integrated under an anti-fraud programme and monitored for compliance,” Chandiramani said.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Indian human smugglers flourish in EU
Friday, August 18th, 2006
Stockholm - Indians top the list of people smuggled into Sweden, and eventually the European Union, says a top Swedish official. Most of these Indians come into Sweden claiming asylum, complaining that they were victims of New Delhi’s policy of ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Jammu and Kashmir or victims of religious persecution.
The females among them may be ending up in Europe’s flesh trade market.
‘India tops the list of humans smuggled into Sweden, and eventually the EU, at present’, Helene Lekstrom, an official of the Swedish Migrations Board (SMB), based at the Stockholm’s Arlanda airport, told IANS.
‘Over a half of the nearly hundred ‘asylum-seekers’ brought into Sweden this year have disappeared without trace, from the Migrations Board’s transit camps,’ Inspector Patrik Pettersson, chief of the border police at Arland, told IANS.
‘We are convinced this constitutes part of a huge smuggling of Indians into the European Union. We are working closely with the Europol and Interpol in this matter,’ he added.
According to police and SMB sources, 10 men, most of them Indians, were arrested at the Skavsta airport, about 100 km from Stockholm, as they sought to flee to Spain.
‘They are being held, suspected for organized human smuggling and use of forged as well as false documents,’ says Pettersson.
Although the police will not disclose identities as per Swedish policy, the Swedish Eko Radio has disclosed that two of the 10, an Indian and a Frenchman, were the ringleaders of the Indo-European human smuggling network.
An SMB source said that so far this year 69 Indians, most of them in their early 20s, have sought political asylum in Sweden.
Some cited ‘atrocious Indian ethnic cleansing and genocide in Kashmir’ while others said they were victims of ‘the countrywide persecution of religious minorities’. All these entered Sweden through Arlanda.
However, after no more than two weeks, most of these did a clean bunk from their transit refugee housing while their applications were being processed, and remain untraceable.
‘Since they show no desire to have their petitions for asylum duly processed, we are constrained to assume that the reasons they cite are not serious and their intentions are far different,’ says SMB’s Helene Lekstrom.
‘We have strong suspicions that most of these youths, especially the girls, are destined for EU’s black jobs and slave markets,’ the SMB source said. ‘Perhaps the red light districts of Germany and Holland.’
However, there is one clear certainty: ‘There is a very powerful and well organized ring behind this trade in humans. Several groups that have been netted in recent years all show uniform patterns.’
Added Inspector Pettersson: ‘It is plainly clear that these people are being horrendously duped and exploited. Most of them are semi literate or not at all and don’t even know which country they presently find themselves in.’
Stockholm - Indians top the list of people smuggled into Sweden, and eventually the European Union, says a top Swedish official. Most of these Indians come into Sweden claiming asylum, complaining that they were victims of New Delhi’s policy of ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Jammu and Kashmir or victims of religious persecution.
The females among them may be ending up in Europe’s flesh trade market.
‘India tops the list of humans smuggled into Sweden, and eventually the EU, at present’, Helene Lekstrom, an official of the Swedish Migrations Board (SMB), based at the Stockholm’s Arlanda airport, told IANS.
‘Over a half of the nearly hundred ‘asylum-seekers’ brought into Sweden this year have disappeared without trace, from the Migrations Board’s transit camps,’ Inspector Patrik Pettersson, chief of the border police at Arland, told IANS.
‘We are convinced this constitutes part of a huge smuggling of Indians into the European Union. We are working closely with the Europol and Interpol in this matter,’ he added.
According to police and SMB sources, 10 men, most of them Indians, were arrested at the Skavsta airport, about 100 km from Stockholm, as they sought to flee to Spain.
‘They are being held, suspected for organized human smuggling and use of forged as well as false documents,’ says Pettersson.
Although the police will not disclose identities as per Swedish policy, the Swedish Eko Radio has disclosed that two of the 10, an Indian and a Frenchman, were the ringleaders of the Indo-European human smuggling network.
An SMB source said that so far this year 69 Indians, most of them in their early 20s, have sought political asylum in Sweden.
Some cited ‘atrocious Indian ethnic cleansing and genocide in Kashmir’ while others said they were victims of ‘the countrywide persecution of religious minorities’. All these entered Sweden through Arlanda.
However, after no more than two weeks, most of these did a clean bunk from their transit refugee housing while their applications were being processed, and remain untraceable.
‘Since they show no desire to have their petitions for asylum duly processed, we are constrained to assume that the reasons they cite are not serious and their intentions are far different,’ says SMB’s Helene Lekstrom.
‘We have strong suspicions that most of these youths, especially the girls, are destined for EU’s black jobs and slave markets,’ the SMB source said. ‘Perhaps the red light districts of Germany and Holland.’
However, there is one clear certainty: ‘There is a very powerful and well organized ring behind this trade in humans. Several groups that have been netted in recent years all show uniform patterns.’
Added Inspector Pettersson: ‘It is plainly clear that these people are being horrendously duped and exploited. Most of them are semi literate or not at all and don’t even know which country they presently find themselves in.’
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Multiple-entry visas for Indians visiting Malaysia
Friday, August 18th, 2006
Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysian government has decided to allow Indian nationals to apply for multiple entry visas (MEVs) on condition their stay does not exceed 30 days.
The visas, which will be valid for a year, are being issued as part of the country’s bid to promote its tourism industry, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Seri Najib Tun Razak told Bernama news agency.
The MEV rate has been fixed at Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 50 for Indian tourists.
To facilitate issuance of visa for Indian tourists, the Malaysian government has also decided to set up a consulate in Mumbai soon, says the report.
The MEV offer has also been extended to Chinese visitors.
Tourists from India and China accounted for nearly 10 percent of some 7.19 million visitors to Malaysia between January and May this year.
Najib also said that his government has agreed to lift the freeze on the hiring of foreign caddies for golf courses in the country.
The Malaysian Tourism ministry took the decision following an appeal from tour operators that the six-month freeze had adversely affected the flow of tourists who liked to play golf.
Last week, in the run-up to ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2007′, the Malaysian government announced that tourists from India and 23 other nations could apply for visa on arrival at Malaysia’s international airport from Sep 1.
Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysian government has decided to allow Indian nationals to apply for multiple entry visas (MEVs) on condition their stay does not exceed 30 days.
The visas, which will be valid for a year, are being issued as part of the country’s bid to promote its tourism industry, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Seri Najib Tun Razak told Bernama news agency.
The MEV rate has been fixed at Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 50 for Indian tourists.
To facilitate issuance of visa for Indian tourists, the Malaysian government has also decided to set up a consulate in Mumbai soon, says the report.
The MEV offer has also been extended to Chinese visitors.
Tourists from India and China accounted for nearly 10 percent of some 7.19 million visitors to Malaysia between January and May this year.
Najib also said that his government has agreed to lift the freeze on the hiring of foreign caddies for golf courses in the country.
The Malaysian Tourism ministry took the decision following an appeal from tour operators that the six-month freeze had adversely affected the flow of tourists who liked to play golf.
Last week, in the run-up to ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2007′, the Malaysian government announced that tourists from India and 23 other nations could apply for visa on arrival at Malaysia’s international airport from Sep 1.
India has 60% of Asia’s HIV-infected
WASHINGTON, DC: A new World Bank report on HIV-AIDS prevalence and prevention could set the alarm bells ringing in India. The report, released at the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada, on Monday says that even though India has made considerable progress in slowing the spread of AIDS, it still has between 55 lakh and 60 lakh HIV-positive individuals accounting for nearly 60 per cent of Asia’s 1 crore infected. It also classifies the prevalence of AIDS in India as a “severe epidemic”.
The report says that, in fact, just eight states — Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Karnataka and Manipur — account for 70 per cent of all of India’s HIV cases. One of the prime reasons for the rapid spread of HIV infections is homosexuality, according to the authors of the report. Drug usage by injections and prostitution are the other main reasons for India’s high HIV prevalence, the report said.
Julian Schweitzer, director at the World Bank’s South Asian Region’s Human Development Division said, “Very little of India’s national resources are being directed to high-risk groups such as men having sex with men, drug users and female commercial sex workers.”
Co-author and epidemiologist Dr David Wilson said, “We can avert further spread of the epidemic by protecting high-risk, vulnerable groups.” He commended India for stabilising the spread of the disease, especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, saying, “Some of the work initiated in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra 15 years ago is bearing fruit. There is also an affidavit filed in one of India’s High Courts to legalise homosexuality. Once that happens, we will be able to focus our energies on this often ignored, yet high-risk group.”
Sujatha Rao, director general of the New Delhi-based National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), agreed. “The main three high-risk groups — homosexuals, drug users and commercial sex workers — are outlawed in India,” she said. “Therefore, the legal impediments are severe. We need to come upfront on these.” She added that homosexuality is a crime according to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, and gay men are often the subject of police brutality which prevents some of the HIV-positive individuals to report the infection. “We also need to work on increasing the capacity of our NGOs on this front.”
Part of the capacity issue is money. While the World Bank has lent $380 million to India’s AIDS initiatives, the US-based Gates Foundation, led by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates is looking for the right AIDS projects in India to donate part of its $3 billion endowment it has to spend this year alone according to US law.
Wilson said that the report, while making people aware of the scale of the epidemic, also suggests that a great amount of progress has been made to reduce its spread. “We have localised epidemics, not generalised ones,” he said. “The good news is that we are facing a preventable epidemic.”
Sachin Kalbag, DNAINDIA.COM, Wednesday, August 16, 2006
The report says that, in fact, just eight states — Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Karnataka and Manipur — account for 70 per cent of all of India’s HIV cases. One of the prime reasons for the rapid spread of HIV infections is homosexuality, according to the authors of the report. Drug usage by injections and prostitution are the other main reasons for India’s high HIV prevalence, the report said.
Julian Schweitzer, director at the World Bank’s South Asian Region’s Human Development Division said, “Very little of India’s national resources are being directed to high-risk groups such as men having sex with men, drug users and female commercial sex workers.”
Co-author and epidemiologist Dr David Wilson said, “We can avert further spread of the epidemic by protecting high-risk, vulnerable groups.” He commended India for stabilising the spread of the disease, especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, saying, “Some of the work initiated in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra 15 years ago is bearing fruit. There is also an affidavit filed in one of India’s High Courts to legalise homosexuality. Once that happens, we will be able to focus our energies on this often ignored, yet high-risk group.”
Sujatha Rao, director general of the New Delhi-based National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), agreed. “The main three high-risk groups — homosexuals, drug users and commercial sex workers — are outlawed in India,” she said. “Therefore, the legal impediments are severe. We need to come upfront on these.” She added that homosexuality is a crime according to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, and gay men are often the subject of police brutality which prevents some of the HIV-positive individuals to report the infection. “We also need to work on increasing the capacity of our NGOs on this front.”
Part of the capacity issue is money. While the World Bank has lent $380 million to India’s AIDS initiatives, the US-based Gates Foundation, led by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates is looking for the right AIDS projects in India to donate part of its $3 billion endowment it has to spend this year alone according to US law.
Wilson said that the report, while making people aware of the scale of the epidemic, also suggests that a great amount of progress has been made to reduce its spread. “We have localised epidemics, not generalised ones,” he said. “The good news is that we are facing a preventable epidemic.”
Sachin Kalbag, DNAINDIA.COM, Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
213 million Indians will be unemployed by 2020
NEW DELHI (IANS) August 16,2006
A national report on the employment situation in India has warned that nearly 30 percent of the country’s 716 million-strong workforce will be without jobs by 2020.
The report prepared by the recruitment agency TeamLease Services said that the shortage of employment in India can trigger many social security problems as the bulk of the unemployed - 85 to 90 per cent - will be in the age group of 15-29.
The study titled India Labour Report presents the shortage of jobs as the flip side to the much-touted young workforce in the country. It said 213 million Indian without jobs would be a huge task for the government to manage.
It said the quality of those employed in the future is not very encouraging as only 88 million will be graduates, while another 76 million will have passed their senior secondary level.
The bulging population and the expanding workforce will require about 15 million new jobs every year, against the 10 million new jobs being projected by the government.
The scarcity of job opportunities in the organised sector is likely to create a major shift towards the unorganised sector, which is already expanding and absorbing additional workforce.
Of India's 402 million-strong workforce, only about 7 per cent is in the organised sector.
The unorganised sector is absorbing more labour and has improved upon its '80s pace of 29.62 per cent growth to 30.29 per cent in the '90s.
The organised sector, which is under the purview of labour laws, remains more rigid than the unorganised sector, which remains outside the reach of most labour laws.
The report estimates the annual financial "damage" to the exchequer due to the unorganised sector's leakages in terms of tax revenues at 32 per cent of the total manufacturing sector GDP at Rs 162,000 crore (Rs 1620 billion).
"Unfortunately, labour legislation has been hijacked by a small minority of organised labour," says Manish Sabharwal, chairman, TeamLease Services. The report lays stress on reducing unnecessary state intervention and over-legislation in the field of labour.
A national report on the employment situation in India has warned that nearly 30 percent of the country’s 716 million-strong workforce will be without jobs by 2020.
The report prepared by the recruitment agency TeamLease Services said that the shortage of employment in India can trigger many social security problems as the bulk of the unemployed - 85 to 90 per cent - will be in the age group of 15-29.
The study titled India Labour Report presents the shortage of jobs as the flip side to the much-touted young workforce in the country. It said 213 million Indian without jobs would be a huge task for the government to manage.
It said the quality of those employed in the future is not very encouraging as only 88 million will be graduates, while another 76 million will have passed their senior secondary level.
The bulging population and the expanding workforce will require about 15 million new jobs every year, against the 10 million new jobs being projected by the government.
The scarcity of job opportunities in the organised sector is likely to create a major shift towards the unorganised sector, which is already expanding and absorbing additional workforce.
Of India's 402 million-strong workforce, only about 7 per cent is in the organised sector.
The unorganised sector is absorbing more labour and has improved upon its '80s pace of 29.62 per cent growth to 30.29 per cent in the '90s.
The organised sector, which is under the purview of labour laws, remains more rigid than the unorganised sector, which remains outside the reach of most labour laws.
The report estimates the annual financial "damage" to the exchequer due to the unorganised sector's leakages in terms of tax revenues at 32 per cent of the total manufacturing sector GDP at Rs 162,000 crore (Rs 1620 billion).
"Unfortunately, labour legislation has been hijacked by a small minority of organised labour," says Manish Sabharwal, chairman, TeamLease Services. The report lays stress on reducing unnecessary state intervention and over-legislation in the field of labour.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Czech Passport
Czech Republic is full member of European Union, what makes it the most attractive and legal cost-effective way to become a EU citizen. This will service is offered for around 2.5 Lakh Indian Rupees. (400Euros)
World Bank Report lists Czech Republic in Upper middle Income Group with a GNI per capita (US$) 10,710. India is under Low income Group with US$ 720.
Short terms (business visa and Residence Permit within 1.5 months upon acceptance of the authorities), cost-effectiveness make this country the most accessible way to immigrate to European Union.
Major advantages of this country are:
* Visa free travel throughout the EU
* Easy visa opening to USA, Canada, other developed countries
* Life in civilized, highly-developed society
* Variety of jobs, high salaries
* Possibility to get loans, credits for business development
* Further obtaining EU citizenship, social protection
* Stable and highly developed country.
What is the difference between Czech immigration and immigration to other countries?
* Terms
You can go to Czech Republic on the nearest airplane or train and never come back to your host country. During the whole process of processing you can stay in Czech. While staying, we will help you to find a job, rent/buy an apartment, start learning Czech language.
This is a positive advantage of Czech immigration between Canadian, Australian and others, where preparations take more than a year.
* Price
Czech immigration is the most cost-effective procedure in comparison with other European and American countries, where your expenses will be more than USD 25,000 + tickets (compare: Czech citizenship process costs only EUR 6,000 + tickets, discounts for families and couples).
* Reliability
Huge amount of precedents of refusal of the Canadian and Australian authorities is known to potential immigrants. Thus this refusal can be received in a year from the moment of submission of documents when you have already spent fair quantity of money. For more than six years of our work there was not a single refusal from the Czech party.
* Absence of system points
When going through immigration to Canada or Australia, it is necessary for you to type the certain amount of points (your age, a speciality, formation, knowledge of language, the experience, etc. is estimated). At Czech immigration and citizenship process there is no such system at all.
* Geographical position
Czech Republic favourably differs the geographical position from America and Australia. It is located in the centre of Europe and you should not cross ocean, to reach other European countries.
* EU member
Czech Republic is full member of the European Union. Being a Czech Resident, you can cross borders of other EU states without visas, leave and work in any country which is a member of the European Union. Similar possibilities start from EUR 30,000 in other EU countries.
* High level of life
Czech Republic provides high level of life for its citizens, low prices for food and clothes, promptly developing market economy and a precise rate on reforms. Czech Republic has the lowest unemployment in Europe. Compare: 3% - in Prague, 10% - in Warsaw, 26% - in Saint Petersburg. Free-of-charge medicine and formation, steadily developing industry, strong currency, extremely cheap real estate – all this makes Czech Republic very attractive country for many people.
* Visa free and easy visa access to many countries
Easy reception of visas in the third countries. Being a Czech Resident, you can receive visas in other countries in their embassies in Prague without any problem. Procedure of reception of visas is simple simple in comparison with other countries.
* Job opportunities
Once you become a Resident – you will be able to find a suitable job in Czech and earn good money. Job opportunities in Czech are among one of the best in Europe (free living, free medicine, etc).
To start the process of obtaining Czech citizenship, each applicant has to present the following:
* Passport copy
* Birth certificate copy
Citizenship program fees:
* 1 applicant – EUR 4,000 (registered as the founder of the Czech company)
* 2-5 applicants - EUR 3,000 (per one adult)
* 6 or more – EUR 2,700 (per one adult).
Services included in the fees: registering as the co-founder of the Czech company in the Czech Trading Register (founder - if one applicant), business visa VC-65, Residence Permit, legal assistance until the citizenship status is granted.
Additional services: we provide wide range of additional services for our customers, such as legal services, car rent, incorporation, assistance in obtaining credits, etc.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
Visit World Bank Report on Doing business in Czech Republic
World Bank Report lists Czech Republic in Upper middle Income Group with a GNI per capita (US$) 10,710. India is under Low income Group with US$ 720.
Major advantages of this country are:
* Visa free travel throughout the EU
* Easy visa opening to USA, Canada, other developed countries
* Life in civilized, highly-developed society
* Variety of jobs, high salaries
* Possibility to get loans, credits for business development
* Further obtaining EU citizenship, social protection
* Stable and highly developed country.
What is the difference between Czech immigration and immigration to other countries?
* Terms
You can go to Czech Republic on the nearest airplane or train and never come back to your host country. During the whole process of processing you can stay in Czech. While staying, we will help you to find a job, rent/buy an apartment, start learning Czech language.
This is a positive advantage of Czech immigration between Canadian, Australian and others, where preparations take more than a year.
* Price
Czech immigration is the most cost-effective procedure in comparison with other European and American countries, where your expenses will be more than USD 25,000 + tickets (compare: Czech citizenship process costs only EUR 6,000 + tickets, discounts for families and couples).
* Reliability
Huge amount of precedents of refusal of the Canadian and Australian authorities is known to potential immigrants. Thus this refusal can be received in a year from the moment of submission of documents when you have already spent fair quantity of money. For more than six years of our work there was not a single refusal from the Czech party.
* Absence of system points
When going through immigration to Canada or Australia, it is necessary for you to type the certain amount of points (your age, a speciality, formation, knowledge of language, the experience, etc. is estimated). At Czech immigration and citizenship process there is no such system at all.
* Geographical position
Czech Republic favourably differs the geographical position from America and Australia. It is located in the centre of Europe and you should not cross ocean, to reach other European countries.
* EU member
Czech Republic is full member of the European Union. Being a Czech Resident, you can cross borders of other EU states without visas, leave and work in any country which is a member of the European Union. Similar possibilities start from EUR 30,000 in other EU countries.
* High level of life
Czech Republic provides high level of life for its citizens, low prices for food and clothes, promptly developing market economy and a precise rate on reforms. Czech Republic has the lowest unemployment in Europe. Compare: 3% - in Prague, 10% - in Warsaw, 26% - in Saint Petersburg. Free-of-charge medicine and formation, steadily developing industry, strong currency, extremely cheap real estate – all this makes Czech Republic very attractive country for many people.
* Visa free and easy visa access to many countries
Easy reception of visas in the third countries. Being a Czech Resident, you can receive visas in other countries in their embassies in Prague without any problem. Procedure of reception of visas is simple simple in comparison with other countries.
* Job opportunities
Once you become a Resident – you will be able to find a suitable job in Czech and earn good money. Job opportunities in Czech are among one of the best in Europe (free living, free medicine, etc).
To start the process of obtaining Czech citizenship, each applicant has to present the following:
* Passport copy
* Birth certificate copy
Citizenship program fees:
* 1 applicant – EUR 4,000 (registered as the founder of the Czech company)
* 2-5 applicants - EUR 3,000 (per one adult)
* 6 or more – EUR 2,700 (per one adult).
Services included in the fees: registering as the co-founder of the Czech company in the Czech Trading Register (founder - if one applicant), business visa VC-65, Residence Permit, legal assistance until the citizenship status is granted.
Additional services: we provide wide range of additional services for our customers, such as legal services, car rent, incorporation, assistance in obtaining credits, etc.
* To acquire a Czech citizenship, you have to live in Czech Republic for 5 Years.
Emma Jakobson
KLP Trade Company.
Varnsdorf, Postovni 1090
PSC: 40747
Czech Republic.
For more details, visit
www.europassport.org
www.eurostatus.org
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
Visit World Bank Report on Doing business in Czech Republic
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Nicaragua and El Salvador Passports
Central America
Central America and Caribbean region have always been very attractive for citizenship aquisition: there are many legal ways (including fast citizenship aquisition) of applying for citizenship. Authorities of these countries are very favourable to new citizens, as their economy is itself quite poor and there is always a big amount for emigrants.
It is very easy to travel with Central American or Caribbean citizenship and passport: it allows visa-free travel to more than 120 countries, including Canada, USA, UK, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and all other EU member countries, Japan, China and most Asian countries, majority of African countries, Indonesia and others.
Nicaragua and El Salvador citizenship aquisition which has all above benefits and even easy and free naturalization in Spain (for Nicaragua passport holders). There are no taxes for worldwide income and no net wealth taxes in Nicaragua ad El Salvador.
Central America and Caribbean region have always been very attractive for citizenship aquisition: there are many legal ways (including fast citizenship aquisition) of applying for citizenship. Authorities of these countries are very favourable to new citizens, as their economy is itself quite poor and there is always a big amount for emigrants.
It is very easy to travel with Central American or Caribbean citizenship and passport: it allows visa-free travel to more than 120 countries, including Canada, USA, UK, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and all other EU member countries, Japan, China and most Asian countries, majority of African countries, Indonesia and others.
Nicaragua and El Salvador citizenship aquisition which has all above benefits and even easy and free naturalization in Spain (for Nicaragua passport holders). There are no taxes for worldwide income and no net wealth taxes in Nicaragua ad El Salvador.
Diplomatic Passports
Diplomatic Passport
Applying for active or honorary diplomatic position has always been an option for wealthy individuals ( It may cost an amount around 25 Lakh Indian Rupees)
Diplomatic passport has always been not only a demonstration of high prestige and "red carpet" treatment on all borders, customs, access and support of governmental circles, but also diplomatic immunity. According to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and Optional Protocols (done at Vienna, on 24 April 1963) and Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Optional Protocols (done at Vienna, on 18 April 1961) all consular positions (E.g. Consul, Honorary Consul) bear consular immunity and all diplomatic positions (E.g. Ambassador, Honorary Ambassador) bear diplomatic immunity. Although consular and diplomatic immunity differ (E.g. Ambassador has more immunities then Consul) in the recieving state and worldwide, immunity in more than 190 countries itself means much for business and social life.
Many agencies provide assistance in applying for this service for an approximate amount of US $50,000.
They will help you to have Active positions, Honorary positions, Organizational positions. Diplomatic position generally includes the following documents: Official Order of Mission, Certificate of Diplomatic Appointment, Exequatur, Diplomatic Identification Card, Diplomatic Passport, Letter of Diplomatic Mission, Car Sticker, Citizenship Certificate and Citizenship Passport (in active positions only). There are other specific documents which are included in certain missions.
Applying for active or honorary diplomatic position has always been an option for wealthy individuals ( It may cost an amount around 25 Lakh Indian Rupees)
Diplomatic passport has always been not only a demonstration of high prestige and "red carpet" treatment on all borders, customs, access and support of governmental circles, but also diplomatic immunity. According to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and Optional Protocols (done at Vienna, on 24 April 1963) and Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Optional Protocols (done at Vienna, on 18 April 1961) all consular positions (E.g. Consul, Honorary Consul) bear consular immunity and all diplomatic positions (E.g. Ambassador, Honorary Ambassador) bear diplomatic immunity. Although consular and diplomatic immunity differ (E.g. Ambassador has more immunities then Consul) in the recieving state and worldwide, immunity in more than 190 countries itself means much for business and social life.
Many agencies provide assistance in applying for this service for an approximate amount of US $50,000.
They will help you to have Active positions, Honorary positions, Organizational positions. Diplomatic position generally includes the following documents: Official Order of Mission, Certificate of Diplomatic Appointment, Exequatur, Diplomatic Identification Card, Diplomatic Passport, Letter of Diplomatic Mission, Car Sticker, Citizenship Certificate and Citizenship Passport (in active positions only). There are other specific documents which are included in certain missions.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Hindu Priests arrested for cannibalism
From: Agence France-Presse
From correspondents in Lucknow
April 10, 2006
TWO Hindu priests were arrested on charges of eating vital organs from the corpse of a child in the belief they would gain supernatural powers, Indian police said today.
"Our investigations revealed the pair exhumed the body on Friday and after lopping off its head they devoured its heart, liver and other soft organs, thinking the act would give them with immense powers," Jaunpur police chief Abhay Kumar Prasad said.
"We have also found the half-eaten headless corpse after interrogating these two men," Mr Prasad said.
Villagers alerted police yesterday after finding the head of an 18-month-old infant they had buried three days previously.
Brijvasi Mishra, aged 53, and his student Vishal Misra, 23, were caught in northern Uttar Pradesh state's Jaunpur district.
The priests follow an ancient Hindu cult which once permitted cannibalism and the use of human corpses in various rituals. It was first banned in the 18th century when India was a British colony.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18779041-1702,00.html?from=rss
From correspondents in Lucknow
April 10, 2006
TWO Hindu priests were arrested on charges of eating vital organs from the corpse of a child in the belief they would gain supernatural powers, Indian police said today.
"Our investigations revealed the pair exhumed the body on Friday and after lopping off its head they devoured its heart, liver and other soft organs, thinking the act would give them with immense powers," Jaunpur police chief Abhay Kumar Prasad said.
"We have also found the half-eaten headless corpse after interrogating these two men," Mr Prasad said.
Villagers alerted police yesterday after finding the head of an 18-month-old infant they had buried three days previously.
Brijvasi Mishra, aged 53, and his student Vishal Misra, 23, were caught in northern Uttar Pradesh state's Jaunpur district.
The priests follow an ancient Hindu cult which once permitted cannibalism and the use of human corpses in various rituals. It was first banned in the 18th century when India was a British colony.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18779041-1702,00.html?from=rss
Sunday, August 6, 2006
Bulgarian Passport
CITIZENSHIP IN BULGARIA
The Republic of Bulgaria is a country in Central Europe and will be a member of the European Union in January 2007. With the Bulgarian Passport you will be able to cross borders of other EU states without visa, easily obtain residence or work permit in any EU member country.
About the Country
Bulgaria provides high level of life for its citizens. Free medical service and education, growing economy, strong currency, extremely cheap real estate - all this makes Bulgaria a very attractive country of residence for many people.
In its existence, Bulgaria has privatized its economy, stabilized inflation and wage growth, halted the rising unemployment, strengthened its currency, relaxed the flow of capital, and modernized its taxation system.
Benefits of Bulgarian Passport
By acquiring a citizenship and passport in Bulgaria you automatically become an EU citizen and EU passport holder in January of 2007. Fast and simple application procedures, low cost, and a Visa-Free US travel make this eventual EU passport the best value for the money.
Some other benefits include:
Visa - free and easy visa access to many countries. Visa-free travel to the USA and all EU countries in February of 2007; easy visa obtainment to Canada and Australia . Being a Bulgarian citizen you can obtain visas to other countries without any problem.
Visa-Free Travel to USA. Bulgarian citizenship will provide visa free entry to the United States under Visa Waiver Program in February of 2007.
Excellent country for EU immigration. Clients who wish to live and work in an EU country legally in order to support their families back home can do so with a Bulgarian Passport.
Legalize stay in the UK. Some clients who wish to legally stay or come to the United Kingdom can do so more easily with a second passport from an EU country than with their current passport. EU citizens pay much lower fees for UK higher education and can legally work in the UK . A Bulgarian passport satisfies these requirements.
Many agencies offer this service for aound 22 Lakhs Indian Rupees (US $45,000)
The Republic of Bulgaria is a country in Central Europe and will be a member of the European Union in January 2007. With the Bulgarian Passport you will be able to cross borders of other EU states without visa, easily obtain residence or work permit in any EU member country.
About the Country
Bulgaria provides high level of life for its citizens. Free medical service and education, growing economy, strong currency, extremely cheap real estate - all this makes Bulgaria a very attractive country of residence for many people.
In its existence, Bulgaria has privatized its economy, stabilized inflation and wage growth, halted the rising unemployment, strengthened its currency, relaxed the flow of capital, and modernized its taxation system.
Benefits of Bulgarian Passport
By acquiring a citizenship and passport in Bulgaria you automatically become an EU citizen and EU passport holder in January of 2007. Fast and simple application procedures, low cost, and a Visa-Free US travel make this eventual EU passport the best value for the money.
Some other benefits include:
Visa - free and easy visa access to many countries. Visa-free travel to the USA and all EU countries in February of 2007; easy visa obtainment to Canada and Australia . Being a Bulgarian citizen you can obtain visas to other countries without any problem.
Visa-Free Travel to USA. Bulgarian citizenship will provide visa free entry to the United States under Visa Waiver Program in February of 2007.
Excellent country for EU immigration. Clients who wish to live and work in an EU country legally in order to support their families back home can do so with a Bulgarian Passport.
Legalize stay in the UK. Some clients who wish to legally stay or come to the United Kingdom can do so more easily with a second passport from an EU country than with their current passport. EU citizens pay much lower fees for UK higher education and can legally work in the UK . A Bulgarian passport satisfies these requirements.
Many agencies offer this service for aound 22 Lakhs Indian Rupees (US $45,000)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
