The NEWS you like - Dec 2014

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VOL.2 | ISSUE: 11 | DECEMBER 2014

We should honour our police martyrs

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Akbar’s T Shirt goes missing

EDITOR’S DESK

VOL.2 ISSUE: 11, DECEMBER 2014 Editor SUDHAKARAN

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Executive Editor SANDEEP BOHARA

Principal Correspondent D Bal Reddy Senior Correspondents G Srinivas Mallesh Babu

Reporters K Ramesh, A Kullayappa Mohsin Bin Hussain Al - Kasary A Ravi Kumar Photographers Surya, M Vijay S Sridhar, Shair Ali Baig Cover & Layout Srinivas Tripurana

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It’s been three years since we have been bringing out the ugly side of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA, Akbaruddin Owaisi and his party. Facts related to his hate speeches and how the politicians and police are vying with each other to help him get out of the cases have also been published fearlessly.

Recently, a national new channel ‘Sudarshan News’ picked up the issue after Akbaruddin made hate speeches in Maharashtra in the recent elections. The news channel ran a campaign for about 30 days titled ‘Nanga Naach of Owaisi’.

Senior BJP leader and noted lawyer Dr Subramanian Swamy appeared on the show hosted by Sudarshan News chairman Suresh Chavhanke and condemned the hate speeches made by Akbaruddin. He was shocked to see the way Akbaruddin was insulting Hindu religion, Hindu Gods and encouraging cow slaughter in public meetings.

He assured the viewers that he would do something in this connection. He also assured that he would share his legal knowledge for those who sincerely wish to fight legal battle against Akbaruddin. As promised, he met the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and apprised him of the facts related to Akbaruddin and how the latter was spreading venom in the society.

Later, Swamy told media persons that the Union Home Minister had assured him of ordering a probe into Akbaruddin’s misdeeds and take appropriate action. Swamy demanded that Akbaruddin be booked under the National Security Act.

Meanwhile, some other concerned citizens also started lodging complaints against Akbaruddin’s hate speeches besides seeking CBI probe into wakf properties scandal.

Some people are also mulling legal action against the MIM MLA. Hope, Akbaruddin will mend his ways at least now and mingle with the nation instead of spreading hatred.

Editor : Sudhakaran

The News You Like | December 2014

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INDEX

44 App Thoughtz launches new tablet Itopper Kribhco to set up plant in Nellore

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Akbar’s T Shirt goes missing

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Telangana News..........................5 Fact File ......................................8

News Bites................................10 Cover Story...............................12 Education News........................18

Cops & Crooks .........................20 South News...............................21 National News ..........................24 Regional News..........................32

Business News..........................34

Health News .............................40

Tune your emotions intelligently

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First human settlement on moon in 40 years

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Science & Technology..............44 Agri News.................................48 Focus.........................................52 NHRC takes serious note of Kishanbagh riots.......................57

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Black Money disappears from Swiss Bank accounts

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The News You Like | December 2014

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A compassionate force behind Vedanta Foundation

TELANGANA NEWS

BJP legislator demands CBI probe in Wakf properties scandal

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haratiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Goshamahal Assembly Constituency, T

Raja Singh Lodh has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the massive scandal involving wakf properties in Telangana.

He submitted separate representations to the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao and Speaker S Madhusudana Chary in this regard.

The News You Like | December 2014

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TELANGANA NEWS

He has also sent a complaint to the Chief Justice of India with a request to consider his complaint as a Public Interest Litigation and order a CBI probe.

“I will send similar complaints to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Justice of High Court. I want justice for the poor Muslims who are being duped by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leaders day in and day out,” Raja Singh said.

I will send similar complaints to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Justice of High Court.

I want justice for the poor Muslims who are being duped by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leaders day in and day ou

In his representation, Raja Singh stated that successive Congress rulers alienated Wakf properties while MIM leaders, the self-styled champions of Muslim community, more particularly the Owaisi family – extended their conspicuous cooperation for their personal benefits. It appears the Owaisi family has been in the knowhow of Wakf Properties ever since Abdul Wahed Owaisi, the grandfather of Asaduddin Owaisi, managed to become the chief of MIM in late 1960s.

The Congress and MIM combine, backed by a section of Islamic scholars, either alienated

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thousands of acres of Wakf properties or helped land sharks grab the Wakf properties. To cover up this, both the parties vied with each other to divert the attention of the Muslim community by inciting communal hatred and disturbing social harmony, Raja Singh alleged in his representation.

He further said that most of the employees currently working in Andhra Pradesh State Wakf Board, have been given the jobs by violating the rules and regulations.

Several of them, in collusion with

The News You Like | December 2014

land sharks and politicians, have amassed huge wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income.

Since the scandal runs into thousands of crores and several influential persons including politicians and officials are involved, only an impartial probe by Central Bureau of Investigation would be able to bring the culprits to book, Raja Singh said adding that he would knock the doors of judiciary if the governments did not order CBI probe.

FOCUS

Kribhco to set up plant in Nellore

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he efforts of (KRIBHCO) Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited managing director N Sambasiva Rao for setting up a fertilizer plant in Nellore district yielded positive result with the government of Andhra Pradesh according clearance for the unit.

Kribhco will set up its fertilizer plant with a production capacity of 12 lakh metric ton at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore in and around Sarvepally village in Venkatachalam Mandal of Nellore district. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu took special interest keeping in view the

economic development of the state.

Andhra Pradesh state cabinet passed a resolution allocating 286.37 acres of land required for setting up the plant and the government has issued orders handing over the land to Kribhco. Earlier, Kribhco chairman Dr. Chandra Pal Singh met the Chief Minister on September 23 requesting necessary steps for the allocation of land.

It is pertinent to mention here that the managing director N Sambasiva Rao, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, played an active role in bringing the project to the state. Known to be a farmer friendly man, Rao ensured the

formalities required for getting government clearance for the project were completed within no time. Kribhco’s new project could be considered as a gift for the people of Andhra Pradesh in general and for the people of Nellore district in particular on the New Year ’s Eve. According to sources, the plant will start production in 24 months once physical possession of the land is given to the company. In all probability, the civil works are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2015.

The News You Like | December 2014

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FACT FILE

Mobile Phone signals help cops unravel murder mystery

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echnological support coupled with little application of mind by the Nacharam police unravelled the mysterious vanishing of a truck laden with copper and the subsequent murder of the truck driver.

This crimes relates to FIR No. 316 of 2014 registered with the Nacharam Police Station in the

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Cyberabad police commissionerate.

It all began when T Srinivas, the personnel officer of Bhagyanagar India Limited, located in Industrial Development Area of Nacharam came to the police station and lodged a complaint on September 4, 2014 saying a truck bearing registration No. AP29 TGA 0047 laden with copper came to their factory on the night of September 3, 2014 for delivering the goods. However, the

The News You Like | December 2014

security guard on duty at the gate asked the driver to wait and went inside the factory premises to fetch his supervisor. By the time the security guard returned, neither the driver nor the truck was present outside the gate.

The complainant also informed the police that the driver’s name was Syed Pasha aka Bablu of Allapur area in Borabanda. The driver’s cell phone number was also given to the

The suspects told their interrogators that Ahmed and Shafi spoke to their unsuspecting victim when he had parked the loaded truck in Begumpet and found that the truck was laden with copper worth over Rs 27 lakh. The gang, which was scouting for trucks loaded with costly goods so that the same could be robbed, decided to steal the copper laden truck.

police. Based on the complaint a case was registered and investigations launched. However, Pasha could not be traced while his cell phone showed the location as Borabanda.

However, the signal vanished after a few days, police said. In the meantime, Zaheerabad rural police found a man’s body in Narinja Water Project on September 17. It was identified as that of Syed Pasha by his family members. Immediately, Nacharam police took up the case seriously and launched all out efforts to unravel the case. The investigators took technological help besides short listing the names of the criminals who resort to similar offenses and live in and around Borabanda.

During the course, Nacharam police picked up six suspects – Mohd. Qursheed Ahmed of Tolichowki, Mohd.

Mujahid Pasha, Mohd. Ansar, Mohd. Shafi, Mohd.

Shabaz and Syed Amir – all residents of Borabanda. The suspects spilled the beans during questioning. It was revealed that Ahmed and Pasha had a criminal past while others joined them recently and were looking for easy money, police said.

The suspects told their interrogators that Ahmed and Shafi spoke to their unsuspecting victim when he had parked the loaded truck in Begumpet and found that the truck was laden with copper worth over Rs 27 lakh. The gang, which was scouting for trucks loaded with costly goods so that the same could be robbed, decided to steal the copper laden truck. According to police, the duo contacted the other four accused and all of them followed the truck in a car. They unsuspecting truck driver, went to sleep on the top of the truck cabin as the security guard at Bhagyanagar India Limited did not return for long to open the main gate of the factory. It was at that time, the gang whisked away the driver in their car, while two of them drove the truck and concealed the same in woods before joining their associates travelling in the car.

All of them drove to Narinja Project, strangled him to death and dumped the body in the water. One of them took the cell phone of the victim and used it for a few days before turning it off, which helped the investigators in narrowing down their search for the killers.

Subsequently, police recovered the copper laden truck with the information given by the accused and also seized the car used in the commission of the offense. All the six accused were sent to prison.

The News You Like | December 2014

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NEWS BITES

Cop forced exhausted dancer to perform at gun-point

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police constable allegedly forced a recording dancer to perform at gunpoint continuously for an hour and showered currency notes worth Rs 30,000 on her. Subsequently, the constable was suspended by the higher-ups pending an enquiry.

This incident took place in Shahjahanpur town of Uttar Pradesh in the first week of November. The constable, identified as Shailendra Shukla, barged into a cultural function, climbed the stage, loaded his firearm in full public view and put it to the head of the dancer.

The constable picked up his loaded firearm whenever the dancer showed signs of stopping due to exhaustion sending shivers through the spine of the dancer. Also, the constable continuously rained

Constable Shailendra Shukla seen with the dancer (l) and reaching for his gun (r).

currency notes.

Eyewitnesses said that the constable was drunk and threatened both the dancer and audience at the venue.

“The dancer was so terrified that she initially lost her balance on the stage. But fearing for life, she somehow regained her composure and followed his order,” an eyewitness said.

Shahjahanpur Superintendent of Police, Ramesh Chandra Sahu suspended Shukla and ordered an inquiry against the constable.

“We have suspended him with immediate effect and ordered a departmental inquiry against him. He will be attached with the police line till the inquiry is on,” the SP said. He added that the probe will look into all the aspects of the episode.

Teacher allegedly beats 6-year-old boy to death

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six-year-old boy died on November 9 after he was allegedly beaten up by his class teacher at a private school in Nalgonda district of Telangana the previous day for not speaking in English. This incident took place in Tirumalagiri village of Anumula mandal in the district.

According to reports, Ramavath Chandu was severely beaten up by his teacher Sumathi. She allegedly banged Chandu's head against the

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wall resulting in internal head injuries. The boy fell ill soon after returning home and his condition deteriorated in the night. He was admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad where he died in the early hours of Sunday. Since the boy had told his parents about being beaten up by the teacher, his relatives held a protest in front of the school demanding arrest of the teacher and the principal. Senior police officials rushed to the village even as the angry parents and villagers continued their protest. Police

The News You Like | December 2014

registered a case of unnatural death and launched investigations.

Child Rights Protection Committee president Anuradha Rao said, the teacher deserves nothing less than life imprisonment. She hit the boy's head against the wall for not speaking in English. As the boy was talking in Telugu, the teacher became angry and severely beat him up. Rao demanded that the school should be de-recognised and the management should pay compensation to the family of the victim.

The News You Like | December 2014

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COVER STORY

ThE Proud LAnd GrAbbErS Dream India… Pride India….

And the list is unending 12

The News You Like | December 2014

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everal Real Estate Companies lure buyers through attractive leaflets, brochures, hoardings and massive advertisements in all sorts of media. They paint a rosy picture claiming that their layouts are approved by HMDA. These companies do not hesitate to claim in their advertisement material that they have secured all clearances from the departments and civic bodies concerned.

However, on the ground, the truth is completely different. Their tall claims prove to be shallow. Many self-styled prestigious real estate companies are in fact duping the buyers by selling them government lands, wakf properties and lands

earmarked for ‘conservation zone’.

Documents secured under Right to Information Act and through other official sources show that real estate companies like Dream India, Pride India, Shubha Gruha, Veda Gayathri Agraharam and several other companies going ahead with construction in Survey No. 44 in Miyapur have adopted dubious methods to make quick bucks.

These companies enjoy political and official patronage due to which they have been able to loot public money violating the laws of the land.

What is shocking is that the banks are extending complete support for these real estate projects for the reasons best known to them. It is also rumoured that a lot of black money routed through hawala from the Gulf countries is also pumped into some of these projects.

We will bring you very soon the facts in detail along with documentary evidence in the larger public interest.

Until then….. Be cautious with the real estate mafia….

The News Team

The News You Like | December 2014

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COVER STORY

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Akbar’s T Shirt goes missing

THE NEWS BUREAU

ope you remember the infamous case of alleged attack on the life of Chandrayangutta MLA and MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi on April 30, 2011.

City police have taken a lot of pains to investigate the case and even appointed an officer of the rank of assistant commissioner of police (ACP) as the investigating officer.

However, what is surprising is that

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the T-shirt which Akbaruddin was wearing at the time of attack on him went missing from the Owaisi Hospital.

This was revealed in the charge sheet (No. 22 of 2011 in Cr. No. 135 of 2011), filed by the investigating officer M Srinivas Rao, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, CCS, DD, Hyderabad.

The last two lines of the first paragraph on Page 7 of the charge sheet state that “the T Shirt he wore

The News You Like | December 2014

at the time of attack was misplaced in Owaisi Hospital.” However, the investigating officer did not try to elaborate on the steps taken to find out the ‘misplaced’ T Shirt.

It is clear from the final report that the police officers who conducted the observation cum seizure panchanama never bothered to lodge a complaint regarding ‘misplacing/Theft’ of the T Shirt, which is vital to establish the fact that the bullets allegedly fired by the

accused did pierce through the very T shirt and entered the body of Akbaruddin Owaisi.

It is surprising to note from the final report that except for the T Shirt, over two dozen material objects were collected from the scene of offense and also from the Owaisi Hospital premises, where the Gypsy vehicle, in which Akbaruddin Owaisi was rushed for treatment, was parked.

It appears only the T Shirt was ‘misplaced’ for the reasons best known to the police officials. Either the officers who conducted the panchanama or the investigating officer ought to have registered a case in connection with misplacing/Theft of the T Shirt.

However, no such action was taken for the reasons best known to all the police officers concerned.

These facts came to light after Journalist Mohsin Bin Hussain Al Kasary obtained the case documents under the Right to Information Act and thoroughly studied the papers. He has also lodged a complaint with the city police commissioner to this effect and is mulling legal recourse if no action is taken by the authorities.

The News You Like | December 2014

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EDUCATION NEWS

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Tune your emotions INTELLIGENTLY

B. SANTOSH KUMAR

motional intelligence is the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict.

Emotional intelligence impacts many different aspects of your daily life, such as the way you behave and the way you interact with others.

If you have high emotional intelligence you are able to recognize your own emotional state and the emotional states of others, and engage with people in a way that draws them to you. You can use this understanding of emotions to relate better to other people, form healthier relationships, achieve greater success at work, and lead a more fulfilling life.

As we know, it’s not the smartest people that are the most successful or the most fulfilled in life. You probably know people who are academically brilliant and yet are socially inept and unsuccessful at work or in their personal relationships. Intellectual intelligence (IQ) isn’t enough on its own to be successful in life. Yes, your IQ can help you get into college, but it’s your EQ that will help you manage the stress and emotions when facing your final exams

Emotional intelligence consists of four Attributes: •

Self-awareness – You recognize

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Modern Humans are born in a most competitive environment.

There are tremendous changes in Human life in terms of managing emotions of love, Hate, Anger, Jelous, Fear, etc. It all starts with learning how to listen to your feelings. While it may not always be easy, developing the ability to tune in to your own emotions is the first and perhaps most important step.

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your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior, know your strengths and weaknesses, and have selfconfidence.

Self-management – You’re able to control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.

The News You Like | December 2014

•

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Social awareness – You can understand the emotions, needs, and concerns of other people, pick up on emotional cues, feel comfortable socially, and recognize the power dynamics in a group or organization.

Relationship management – You know how to develop and maintain good relationships, communicate clearly, inspire and influence others, work well in a

team, and manage conflict.

here are 10 Ways to Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence:

1. Don’t interrupt or change the subject.

If feelings are uncomfortable, we may want to avoid them by interrupting or distracting ourselves. Sit down at least twice a day and ask, “How am I feeling?” It may take a little time for the feelings to arise.

Allow yourself that small space of time, uninterrupted.

2. Don’t judge or edit your feelings too quickly. Try not to dismiss your feelings before you have a chance to think them through.

Healthy emotions often rise and fall in a wave, rising, peaking, and fading naturally. Your aim should be not to cut off the wave before it peaks.

3. See if you can find connections between your feelings and other times you have felt the same way.

When a difficult feeling arises, ask yourself, “When have I felt

this feeling before?” Doing this may help you to realize if your current emotional state is reflective of the current situation, or of another time in your past.

4. Connect your feelings with your thoughts. When you feel something that strikes you as out of the ordinary, it is always useful to ask, “What do I think about that?” Often times, one of our feelings will contradict others.

That’s normal. Listening to your feelings is like listening to all the witnesses in a court case. Only by admitting all the evidence will you be able to reach the best verdict.

5. Listen to your body. A knot in your stomach while driving to work may be a clue that your job is a source of stress. A flutter of the heart when you pick up a girl you have just started to date may be a clue that this could be “the real thing.” Listening to these sensations and the underlying feelings that they signal will allow you to process with your powers of reason.

6. If you don’t know how you’re feeling, ask someone else. People seldom realize that others are able to judge how they are feeling.

Ask someone who knows you (and whom you trust) how you are coming across. You may find the answer both surprising and illuminating.

7. Tune in to your unconscious feelings. How can you become more aware of your unconscious feelings? Try free association.

While in a relaxed state, allow your thoughts to roam freely and watch where they go. Analyze your dreams. Keep a notebook and pen at the side of your bed and jot down your dreams as soon as you wake up. Pay special

attention to dreams that repeat or are charged with powerful emotion.

8. Ask yourself: How do I feel today?

Start by rating your overall sense of well-being on a scale of 0 and 100 and write the scores down in a daily log book. If your feelings seem extreme one day, take a minute or two to think about any ideas or associations that seem to be connected with the feeling.

9. Write thoughts and feelings down.

Research has shown that writing down your thoughts and feelings can help profoundly. A simple exercise like this could take only a few hours per week.

10. Know when enough is enough.

There comes a time to stop looking inward; learn when its time to shift your focus outward.

Studies have shown that encouraging people to dwell upon negative feelings can amplify these feelings. Emotional intelligence involves not only the ability to look within, but also to be present in the world around you.

Finally, its our own mind and heart which gives a direction in terms of taking a decision in our life. So lets make our life more happy in managing emotions in a perfect way.

(The author is career consultant & Executive Director of Mskills United santosh@mskills-educon.com)

The News You Like | December 2014

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EDUCATION NEWS

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DMIT - an exciting new tool for learning

B. SANTOSH KUMAR

veryone has his/her own unique way of learning and understanding things around them. Especially, it is a challenging task for parents to have a complete understanding of their children.

Sometimes it takes them years to understand the character and inclinations of their child.

In order to bring about a wholesome development in children,

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the DMI (Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence) technology, a unique & scientific method developed out of the analysis of fingerprint patterns.

From researches and observations on seven million fingerprint samples documented, compiled, and put together with psychological theories, the program can explain any child's character, improve parent-child communication and relationship, and help parents to raise their children more successfully.

The News You Like | December 2014

It helps children switch on the best in them by guiding them in doing what they love to do, actualising their potential, and making them happy children who will grow up to be quality adults.

Based on the advanced, scientifically proven discipline of Dermatoglyphics, DMIT studies the unique developmental potential within an individual by studying the ridges and undulations on his/her palms, toes and skin. Unlike most

generic means of talent testing and assessment, like E.Q and I.Q tests, Dermatoglyphics assigns an exclusive, unique identity and result to every individual user based on the unique mapping of genetic information.

As no two chromosomes in two different individuals are alike, the Dermatoglyphic information for no two different individuals is alike too.

The Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test (DMIT) critically assesses the inherent acumen and aptitude of the individual, and attempts to map the different creative and cognitive processes within the brain.

While most other tests offer, at best, only a static result of a given performance at any time, the Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test (DMIT) continually maps the development and growth of talent along an educational gradient.

While an I.Q test for a child is restricted to only cognitive reasoning (for example, how good or bad he might be in mathematics at one given standard), the DMI Test showcases multiple facets and applications of memory-based learning, reasoning,

DMIT reveals following information about an individual:

1. Intrinsic Potential 2. Multiple Intelligence Distribution 3. Domnant & Preferred Learning Style 4. Learning Communication Character 5. Allocations of various abilities 6. Psychological & Planning capability 7. Learning Sensitivity 8. Innate - Work Management Style

decision-making and even creativity.

In real-world academics, DMIT helps individuals augment their already-existing skill sets and make for an enhanced learning experience.

For example, if a learner has problems with mathematical formulas, DMIT could suggest different learning modules based on his/her existing talent and natural skill-set.

Often, it has been scientifically observed that by switching instruction and application modules in academics, a learner can apply Multiple Intelligences – creativity, Visual-aided learning, memorybased learning and so on. When used

The dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test (dMIT) critically assesses the inherent acumen and aptitude of the individual, and attempts to map the different creative and cognitive processes within the brain

for young learners, DMIT can scientifically point out the most viable learning modules and offer guidance on various courses that would enhance the learner’s natural receptivity.

For teenagers and adults too, DMIT can help point out viable career shifts and options that would best utilize the individual’s learning and application potential. For augmenting natural talent into application-based prowess, DMIT is really an exciting new tool for learning.

(The author is career consultant & Executive Director of Mskills United santosh@mskills-educon.com)

The News You Like | December 2014

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COPS & CROOKS

Mystery behind Sunanda Pushkar’s death continues

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THE NEWS BUREAU

hree people with fake passports stayed between January 13 and January 18 in the Leela Palace Hotel, where Sunanda Pushkar, the wife of former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor died under suspicious circumstances.

Investigators are now trying to uncover details of these three people.

A team of three police officers, including an ACP rank officer, is preparing to go to Dubai to get some more details about Sunanda.

It may be recalled the medical team probing the death of Sunanda Pushkar has concluded that she died of poisoning. After this conclusion, police took the case seriously.

During the probe, police examined the visitor’s book for clues.

After scanning the visitors’ book, police came to know that three people were staying in the Leela Palace Hotel from January 13 to January 18 after submitting forged passport details, sources said.

Sources said that a special team is coordinating with the foreign regional registration office (FRRO), which comes under the Intelligence Bureau. The Delhi Police are also considering sending the viscera samples linked to

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Sunanda to forensic laboratories abroad to determine the type of poison suspected to have caused her death.

The AIIMS medical board had, in its second report submitted to the police, confirmed poisoning as the reason behind her death - but did not mention the type of poison. The

The News You Like | December 2014

board had listed some kinds of poison, many of which were radioactive isotopes that cannot be detected by labs in India.

Three mobile phones and a laptop belonging to Sunanda have already been sent to a forensic laboratory in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, for investigation to check whether anything was deleted from the gadgets after her death.

SOUTH NEWS

New initiatives mark NLCs vigilance awareness week

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he Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) celebrated Vigilance Awareness Week with this year’s theme ‘Combating Corruption – Technology as an Enabler’. NLCs vigilance awareness week celebrations commenced at Lignite Hall in Neyveli. Major General RG Krishnan, Chief of Staff, Army Headquarters, Chennai graced the occasion as Chief Guest and B Surender Mohan, CMD NLC presided over the function.

The vigilance awareness week is celebrated across India in commemoration with the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, former Deputy Prime Minister of India.

Speaking on the occasion, Surender Mohan said that the Vigilance Department at NLC aims at the improvement of systems to bring about more transparency in all its activities. NLC has moved much forward in accountability and bringing transparency by utilizing technology in all its activities by bringing out purchase manual, contract manual, disposal manual, personnel manual, vigilance guidelines – CVC circulars for providing guidelines to the employees, he said.

The CMD also said that the online material management system (OLIMMS), e-tendering and Reverse Auction Procedures are effectively used in purchase and control over materials by NLC. The payment to the suppliers/contractors are made

CSR ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE TIME BOUND

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hairman and Managing Director of Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), B Surender Mohan said that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities should be time bound so as to fulfill its purpose.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for construction of four additional class rooms for NMJ Matriculation School in Neyveli recently, he said education was the prime objective in NLCs CSR activities. He directed CSR authorities to take necessary steps to construct the additional class rooms before April 2015 to

facilitate for next academic year.

The NLC has been carrying out various community development works even before the government started to insist upon CSR policy.

It has also taken up construction of 40 toilet blocks in various schools in the peripheral villages of NLC projects at an estimated cost of Rs 1.43 crores under Clean India Movement, Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan as envisaged by the Prime Minister, Surender Mohan said. Director (HR), Sarat Kumar Acharya and CGM (HR), N Muthu were present on the occasion.

The News You Like | December 2014

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SOUTH NEWS

only through e-payment. Further, vendor payment details in NLCs website, online submission of application for recruitment have also been added to the list. He suggested that all the decisions taken should be made transparent. Transparency will give more confidence and plug the loopholes of corruption he added.

Now technology like CC TV and surveillance playing major role in bringing transparency and integrity of the nation, he added.

Major General Krishnan lauded the steps taken by NLC in building up the nation by its proven values and powerful vision. He said that vigilance starts at home, initially for the purpose of safety of our belongings and life.

It is our basic life support. It is our responsibility to ensure safe and transparent environment in our work areas.

He said that corruption is one of the major violations of human rights.

`9 cr subsidies for medicinal plant growers in the state

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ommissioner for AYUSH and the State Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Board CEO, Dr. K P Srivasuki said that the AYUSH and the state medicinal and aromatic plants board of Andhra Pradesh had opened a stall at the

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World Ayurveda Exhibition at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi between November 6 and 9.

Representatives from 48 countries visited the stall, while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan appreciated the efforts of AYUSH and State

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One should feel responsible individually to combat corruption and act accordingly in right time, which shows significant change in global level.

Later, Surender Mohan administered pledge on vigilance to the participants. A hand book to the ethical awareness programme educators was released by Krishnan while the Online Vigilance Clearance System was inaugurated

by Surender Mohan.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Board efforts, Srivasuki said.

He also said the participation at the exhibition opened up new avenues for the exchange of farming techniques and developing the business etc.

Earlier, while inaugurating the godown constructed at Krishnamsettipalle village in Giddaluru Mandal recently the Commissioner had said the government was ready to extend subsidies worth Rs 9 crore for the farmers who cultivate medicinal plants in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The national AYUSH Commission has sanctioned Rs 17 crore for the two states of which Rs 9 crore is meant for subsidies, he said adding that subsidies ranging between 25 to 70 percent would be provided for the farmers who cultivate medicinal and aromatic plants.

Stating that the climate in the state was conducive for cultivation of medicinal plants, the commissioner said the subsidy amount would be credited to the bank accounts of the farmers directly.

The News You Like | December 2014

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NATIONAL NEWS

Deepak Misra is the new HR Director of ONGC

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esh Deepak Misra has taken over as the Director (Human Resource) of India’s most valuable public enterprise Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC). He brings with him a treasure of experience in various facets of Human Resources.

A Masters in Public Administration from the University of Lucknow, he joined ONGC in January 1985. Starting his career from the Baroda office of ONGC, his result-driven and self-motivated approach at work was noticed soon and led to his relocation to Dehradun as Executive Assistant to the then Member (Personnel) of the ONGC Board. The rich exposure in this assignment was buttressed with experience gained in leading HR teams in various regions of ONGC – Assam, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.

He is the recipient of the ‘Young Executive of the Year’ award and has been instrumental in ONGC securing the ‘Earth Care Award - 2008’ for mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Known for his out-of-box creativity and amicable nature, extracurricular passions run deep in Mr. Misra’s DNA. A suave gentleman, his prime passion is wildlife photography. His lens has captured a number of endangered animal species, very closely; the Komodo Dragons of Indonesia is one recent example. His profiling of

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the bio-diversity of Karjat hills of Maharashtra has been published as a coffee table book ‘Karjat Diaries’.

Deepak Misra piloted a number of Community Development programmes during his tenure at Uran Plant in Raigarh district of Maharashtra and at Uttarakhand as

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General Manager – Head Corporate Administration, to align the communities with ONGC’s business.

He has a rare distinction of being a part of the ‘Support Team’ of the first Indian civilian expedition to Kanchenjunga Peak in 1988. He was the Deputy Leader of the ‘TransDesert Safari 1995’ - a 14-day joint venture between ONGC and BSF, which crossed Thar Desert on camels along Indo-Pak border.

Mr. Misra strongly believes in the power of engagement in aligning the employees’ interests with the vision of the organization. As Director (HR) of ONGC, his chief agenda would be to professionally steer the 33,000 plus geoscientists, engineers and managers manning the energy company, under a formidable national mandate given to ONGC.

IS targeting Indians abroad for recruitment: Ib chief

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ouths of Indian origin living outside the country have become increasingly vulnerable to elements owing allegiance to terror groups, said Director of Intelligence Bureau Asif Ibrahim. Addressing a conference of the top brass of police wings from across the country at Guwahati on Sunday, he described global jihadi groups as a serious security challenge for India.

Even a splinter group of home grown Indian Mujahideen operating in the Afghan-Pak region has announced its support to ISIS and to bolster its flagging image al-Qaeda has announced the formation of an Indian sub-continent wing specifically targeting India, Ibrahim said. “The rapid territorial gain and the influence of caliphate on the one hand glamorizes the image of IS while on the other it enhances its capability,�

Ibrahim told the conference attended

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and several chief ministers.

Local interventions and timely counseling have proved as deterrence for potential recruits in India.

Prominent Muslim sections, organisations, seminaries and clerics in India have not only rejected the declaration of caliphate and the Islamic State, but also declared these activities un-Islamic, he said.

It may be recalled in May this year, four youths from Kalyan Shaheen Tanki, Fahad Shaikh and

Asif Ibrahim

Local interventions and timely counseling have proved as deterrence for potential recruits in India.

Prominent Muslim sections, organisations, seminaries and clerics in India have not only rejected the declaration of caliphate and the Islamic State, but also declared these activities un-Islamic, he said.

Aman Tandel besides Arif - had left India to visit holy places in West Asia, but they disappeared soon after and since then were suspected to have joined the Sunni extremist group.

However, Arif Majeed, who till now was believed to have been killed while fighting for the Islamic State, was arrested a couple of days ago hours after he landed in Mumbai after surviving bullet injuries in Iraq.

Ibrahim also said there is an imminent danger of more Indian youths moving to conflict zones if these four emerge as role models. The IB chief sounded a warning on the internet becoming a tool for the radicalisation of Indian youths. The Islamic State and the al-Qaeda have been carrying out religious propaganda to attract people to join jihad.

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NATIONAL NEWS

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Black Money disappears from Swiss Bank accounts

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The News You Like | December 2014

he Swiss bank accounts of Indians that were stashed with black money creating rumpus in the country now seem to be empty with the black millionaires withdrawing the money from their accounts.

It may be recalled much hype was given to the issue when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court submitted part of the first report of August 2014 to the apex court.

The report says that 289 of the names in the list of 628 persons or entities holding accounts abroad have no amount mentioned against their name, and not less than 122 entries in the list are repeats.

The report says that information regarding the bank accounts and how the accounts were opened is not available though information about persons holding the accounts is available.

This appears to have prompted the SIT to ask the government to renegotiate Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with foreign countries since it has often become an obstacle in addressing the issue.

The SIT, while probing the black money issue, received information under the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention by the Central Board of Direct Taxes relating to certain account holders in HSBC bank Geneva.

The SIT in its first report suggested amendments be made to these pacts so as to address the main issue of sharing information on the amounts of money maintained in foreign countries by Indians.

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he report says that the amended provision should ensure that there is sharing of information with the enforcement agencies which are competent to deal with these cases and try it, may be for imposing penalty.

It was the United Progressive Alliance first and the National Democratic Alliance government now that have repeatedly told Supreme Court of their inability to furnish more information because they are bound by the taxation agreements that forbid disclosure of names.

The SIT directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes to prepare a draft amendment to the DTAAs so that information is shared keeping the interest of the country in mind.

The SIT has also asked the agencies to explore whether any action can be initiated within the existing framework if countries do not cooperate and are not forthcoming in sharing information.

The SIT has also recommended legislative reforms: amending the

Foreign Exchange Management Act as well as the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The SIT in its first report observed that, “Greater openness and liberalisation in an environment of

weak regulatory enforcing agency resulted in generating more illicit financial flows and black money in the country. It appears that regulatory laws have lost their deterrent effects.”

Quoting a report on illicit financial flows by US-based Global Financial Integrity, the SIT noted that between 2002 and 2011 the total illicit financial flows in India were

around $344 billion.

Between 2006 and 2011 the illicit financial flow increased tremendously, reaching an estimated maximum of $84 billion in 2011.

Stating that illicit financial flows are the “most devastating economic issue” the SIT has listed underinvoicing, hawala transactions, drug trafficking, smuggling and bulk cash deals as most common methods of illicit financial flow.

India is ranked fifth among 142 countries on illicit financial flows. The SIT has recommended that the system needs to be more officer-based than its present clerkbased configuration, saying that the nodal agency for coordinating various departments could be the Enforcement Directorate and other agencies like Directorate of Revenue Intelligence; DG (Investigation) Income Tax for taking action in cases of money laundering. The report says that there is a weak coordination among enforcement agencies. This could only be sorted out by a nodal agency.

The News You Like | December 2014

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NATIONAL NEWS

B Golden Jubilee

BSF enters

Year 28

The News You Like | December 2014

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order Security Force (BSF), the largest Para-Military forces in the world, has always displayed highest standards of professionalism, valour and loyalty to the Nation while defending the borders, countering internal unrest, assisting in natural disasters as well as any other duty assigned to it by the Government of India.

The BSF holds an important position in the National Security Apparatus. It is a versatile force responsible for guarding round the clock vast and volatile borders not only against transborder criminals but also against heavily armed

trans-border terrorism as well.

Though guarding the borders is the prime commitment, security forces remain heavily and decisively involved in the interior as well in combating insurgency and militancy in various parts of the country.

Because of its friendly and human face, BSF remains the much sought after Force for combating and containing serious law and order situations in the trouble prone states.

And in case of hot war, BSF works as a force multiplier and contributes substantially towards over all war efforts of the nation as a credible front line Force.

BSF jawans work with utmost devotion and exemplary alertness while performing duties in extremely difficult working environment in both the Eastern & Western Theatre. As a part of avowed duty, BSF troops are committed to the protection of the sanctity of India’s Border as well as welfare and protection of local population. The jawans perennially overwhelm hostile areas of Rann of Kutch, vast deserts of Rajasthan, treacherous hilly terrain of Himalayas and dense, hazardous forests of India, the BSF is engaged in safeguarding our territorial integrity in keeping with the motto of Jeevan Paryant Kartavya.

Established on December 1, 1965, a force like BSF caould not be run without a proper legislation. The BSF Act 1968 came into force as Act No.47 of Government of India. The Act provided way for framing of a well thought out set of Rules that will govern on Border men. These rules

came into force in 1969.

Today BSF is a strong force of over 2.4 lakh committed border men with 13 Frontier Headquarters , 175 Battalions and 7 Artillery Regiments.

BSF guards a total of 6623 km border of India with Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Western Theatre is responsible for 2290 km of land border, 237 km of LOC and 45 km riverine border with Pakistan. The Eastern theatre safeguards the total length of Indian border with Bangladesh which is 4095 km including a tricky riverine and unfenced border of 1116 km.

The year 1971 was a landmark in the history of BSF. Barely five years old by then, BSF was able to provide a new dimension to its role and scope of duty in the war. On the western front, its gallant border men greeted the fury of Pakistan’s ground and air attacks with the resolute characteristic of battle hardened soldiers. BSF unflinchingly stood its ground even with outdated weapons and on their own captured enemy territory.

In 1983, BSF was inducted in Punjab to curb militancy. Later, BSF was asked to contain and then normalize the situation in Jammu & Kashmir in 1989. The force has played a stellar role in restoring peace and in stamping out militancy in Jammu & Kashmir.

This December, BSF completes 49 years of existence and steps into Golden Jubilee Year, i.e. the 50th year. During this long journey, BSF brought several laurels to country and mankind as well. BSF was awarded the colours by the President of India in the year 1982. BSF has also contributed to the United Nations Mission at several places in the world where BSF has put the best foot forward in the form of humanity, mankind and praiseworthy image of the country.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Ganapathy admits Maoists are losing ground

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he Communist Party of India (Maoist) admitted that it was losing ground. And the admission comes from none other than the central committee secretary, Ganapathy.

The admission was part of a 96page document titled ‘A decade of struggle and sacrifice’, prepared to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the formation of CPI (Maoist) on September 21, 2014.

The document has been made available on www.bannedthought.net, a website with a history of publishing ‘revolutionary publications banned in India’ and which claims to be an

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‘independent’ one devoted to ‘promoting free speech around the world’.

The supplement, ‘People’s March Volume 13’ is divided into several essays on topics known to be close to the party’s ideals. In a chapter titled ‘Lessons and Challenges of the Indian Revolution’, the central committee secretary states, “The

The News You Like | December 2014

enemy has developed its counterrevolutionary war strategy and tactics (Low Intensity Conflict) drawing on worldwide experiences.”

He admitted that the revolutionaries had lost considerable number of comrades belonging to all levels. “The leadership failed to a large extent in defending itself and the ranks. These losses weakened the three magic weapons of new democratic revolution. This failure is a very severe one,” his article claims.

Ganapathy also wrote, “The enemy offensive is becoming more severe, its surveillance and infiltration methods, more sophisticated backed by modern technology” and advocated the need to protect and preserve forces.

We should honour our police martyrs: Modi THE NEWS BUREAU

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the need for the government to take care of its police officials. He said this while addressing the All India DGP & IGP conference in Guwahati on Sunday.

The Prime Minister said, “A policeman’s life is full of tension as his life is always at stake. It is the responsibility of the government to set up a proper system in place to ensure certain welfare schemes - such as housing, medical check-up and education of their children particularly for those at the lower level.”

Modi highlighted the need to honour 33,000 police personnel who laid down their lives in the country in the line of duty since Independence.

He said this was not a small number and that their sacrifice should not go waste.

“Each state has a police academy and it should be made mandatory to include, in the training syllabus of new recruits, an account of the life of policemen killed on duty,” he said and suggested introduction of a new official government book where the new generation of police would study about the martyrs.

Each state should also bring out an e-book depicting the lives of police martyrs, he said and added that it may seem a small gesture but it will

be a big inspiration for others.

Calling for SMART policing in the country, Modi said, “By ‘SMART’ policing, I mean S for strict but sensitive, M for modern and mobile, A for alert and accountable, R for reliable and responsive and T for techno-savvy and trained.”

On the decision to hold the annual conference outside the national capital for the first time, Modi said: “In Delhi, everyone comes with their own work. Here, your total focus is on the conference. In future too, such conference would be held in other states.”

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REGIONAL NEWS

WorLd hErITAGE WEEk cELEbrATEd AT SIddAvATAM ForT

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iddavatam Fort in YSR Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh became the centre of attraction as the department of archaeology celebrated World Heritage Week at the fort between November 19 and 25.

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Superintending Archaeologist of Hyderabad Circle, Ravulapally Krishnaiah said the heritage week is aimed at creating awareness about the rich cultural heritage of the country among various sections of the society in general and student community in particular.

This year, Hyderabad circle

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Swachch Bharat abhiyan

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wachch Bharat abhiyan was also launched at all archaeological monuments in Hyderabad Circle on November 25. Launching the campaign at Charminar, Superintending Archaeologist, R Krishnaiah explained the significance of keeping the monuments clean. At the Circle office, the drive was launched by D Kanna Babu, deputy superintending archaeologist along with other staff. celebrated world heritage week at Siddhavatam fort, YSR Kadapa district. The prime theme of the celebrations was Swachch Smarak & Swachch Bharat. Sensitisation of stake holders has been the major objective of this campaign, Krishnaiah said.

He further said that a special photo exhibition was organized highlighting the monumental heritage of Andhra Pradesh, recent scientific clearance and conservation works and Swachch Bharat campaign carried out by the ASI Hyderabad Circle.

The News You Like | December 2014

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BUSINESS NEWS

dcI witnesses 21% growth

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redging Corporation of India Limited (DCI) witnessed 21 percent growth in the operations while the operational income increased from Rs 63,491.60 lakh in 2012-2013 to Rs 77,040.86 lakh in 2013-14.

The total income for the current year is Rs 77270.27 lakh as compared to Rs.63801.98 lakh for the previous year. This year, the company witnessed 83% increase in profit after tax to Rs 3754.67 lakh as compared to Rs 2050.90 lakh for the previous year. The Company is targeting a turnover of Rs 850 crore for this year.

The company declared 30 percent dividend on the paid up capital and the earning per share for 2013-14 is

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Rs 13.41 as compared to Rs 7.32 for the previous year.

Established in 1976 to provide integrated dredging services to the Major Ports of the Country, 2013-14 is a momentous year in the history of DCI with two of the three trailer suction hopper dredgers, order for which have been placed in 2010-11 DCI Dredge XX and DCI Dredge XXI joining the fleet in June 2013 and March 2014 respectively.

With the induction of these dredgers the Company is in a position to meet the dredging commitments at various ports in an unhindered way as well as enable the Company to take up refurbishment of the existing aged Dredgers so as to enhance their life as well as their efficiency.

The Company has placed order for procurement of ancillary crafts -

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one self propelled hopper barge and one split hopper barge and the same are expected to be delivered by end of this calendar year. The Company is sure that with the ongoing capacity augmentation, the performance will continue to improve over the years to come.

Further, the company has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Government of India for the year 2014-15. The MOU rating for 2013-14 is expected to be excellent. This is against the rating – Good - for the year 2012-13.

The Company has also taken steps for fulfilling its responsibility towards the society by implementing the CSR initiatives. During the year the Company has met the target setup

by Government by spending Rs 40.13 lakh towards CSR activities.

NATIONAL NEWS

Arup Roy Choudhury wins Forbes Leadership Award

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hairman and Managing Director of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Dr. Arup Roy Choudhury received the best CEO award – Public Sector from Forbes at Forbes India Leadership Award (FILA) function 2014 held in Mumbai.

FILA recognises leaders in public

sector, private sector and among multinational companies operating in India. The nominees for the awards comprised a robust and diverse list of nominees vetted by the knowledge partners KPMG. The jury for the award comprised eminent business leaders, K V Kamath, Non Executive Chairman of ICICI Bank as jury chairman, Zia Mody, Founder, AZB & Partners,

Akhil Gupta, Non executive chairman, Blackstone India, Ajit Rangnekar, Dean, Indian School of Business, Sanjay Nair, CEO, KKR India and Raghav Behl, Founder, Network 18.

Kiran Kothekar, founder-director of Vector Consulting, Sourav Majumdar, Executive Editor of Forbes India and Anil Uniyal, CEO, Forbes India presented the award.

The News You Like | December 2014

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BUSINESS NEWS

KPCL to accelerate growth of Indian Economy

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ne of India’s largest and fastest growing seaports, Krishnapatnam Port has emerged as a world-class port with outstanding services and facilities. It is fast becoming a port of choice for all international cargo originating from and destined to the Southern and Central India.

Krishnapatnam Port is promoted by the Hyderabad-based CVR Group.

Navayuga Engineering Company Limited (NECL) is the flagship entity of CVR Group and is the EPC contractor for Krishnapatnam Port.

CVR group is a highly diversified group having a turnover of US$ 1Billion and an order book of US$ 10-Billion comprising of power, steel, port establishment, spatial technology and applications, information technology and exports.

Krishnapatnam Port Company (KPCL) was formed by winning the mandate from the Government of Andhra Pradesh to develop the existing minor port into modern, deep water and high Productivity port, on BOST (Build–Operate-ShareTransfer) concession basis for 50 years. The port is being developed in three phases. Post the completion of the first phase in a record time of 18 months, Krishnapatnam Port was dedicated to the nation on July 17, 2008. Currently the second phase of development is underway. Port has numerous strengths like its area, location, weather and the credentials of CVR Group that is promoting this port; it will soon be poised to become one of the biggest ports in the world.

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FUTURE PLANS

According to KPCL Chairman, C Visweswara Rao, Krishnapatnam Port spearheads a new era in port operations. The group’s expertise in infrastructure development projects, engineering capabilities and managerial skills gives an extra edge to provide the port with outstanding facilities.

“As the port evolves as a hub for export-import cargo, we are focused and committed to building

Krishnapatnam is a port town in Muthukur Mandal of Nellore District, the southernmost coastal district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.

The history says that Vijayanagar Emperor, Sri Krishnadevaraya operated this port, hence the port was named as Krishnapatnam Port.

The port operated small boats through Buckingham Canal, which runs behind the port and was used as a waterway for transportation between Chennai in the south and Krishna river delta in the north. Later in 1960’s iron ore was exported by wooden boats from this port and in early 1980’s Government of India declared this port as a minor port.

relationships that thrive on clean business practices and high ethical standards. Providing excellent service to port users is our mission and we take pride in customers’ delight,” says the chairman.

Rao also says, “Krishnapatnam Port will catalyze the growth of India’s economy through its unrivalled service that is consistent with international demands. The deepwater, all-weather port will fully sustain the growing demands of international trade. With this vision, we have set sail on our voyage and want you to be a part of it.

Together, we shall attain our goals and growth.”

42 berths with 200 MTPA capacity Dedicated Container Terminal in 600 Acres Dedicated Liquid Bulk Terminal Hub port for Coal, Agri Commodities & Fertilizers Offshore Base Setup Bunkering Facility

The News You Like | December 2014

NFDB focusing on increasing production and productivity

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There is a large untapped potential in fisheries and aquaculture, which can contribute considerably to improve the livelihoods as also to the empowerment of women. The future development of aquaculture depends on the adoption of new and innovative production technologies, management and utilization of less utilized water resources and proper market tie-ups.

Chief Executive of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Dr M V Rao says fish and fish products have emerged as a large group among agricultural exports from India, recording 9.83 lakh tones valued at Rs 30,213.26 crore in 201314. With a production of about 9.51 million tones, India is the second largest fish producing country in the world, next only to China. But at 57 million tones, China’s production is six times that of India. “We have enormous resources to further increase our fish production and NFDB is focusing on not only creating infrastructure facilities but also to increase production and productivity across the country,� he said.

During April-September 2014, NFDB sanctioned projects worth Rs 62 crore. Assistance was provided to various states for developing inland aquaculture ponds, construction of fish seed hatcheries and fish feed mill. Assistance was also provided for developing coastal acquaculture ponds, renovation of shrimp

hatcheries and setting up of sea cages for Cobia fish culture, he said.

To increase the production and productivity in reservoirs, NFDB extended financial assistance for fish seed stocking in reservoirs across the states. Assistance was also provided for installation of cages for fish culture in beels in Assam and installation of pens in Assam and Bihar.

Markets and marketing infrastructure development was taken up in states on priority basis to make fish available in fresh and hygienic condition to the consumers and increase fish consumption, Rao said adding that the purpose is to provide market access to fishers and to improve their livelihood and

income.

Further, assistance was provided for wholesale fish markets, retail fish markets, retail fish outlets, four-wheel vehicles to fisher cooperative societies for fish transportation and under a special drive assistance was provided to 2,720 individual fishermen for purchase of mopeds with ice box and to another 500 fishermen for purchase of bicycles for vending fish.

Assistance was also provided for the construction of 19 ornamental fish units in nine states and for conducting training, skill development and exposure visits to 8,231 fish farmers, fishermen, fisherwomen, entrepreneurs and fisheries functionaries in 15 states, Rao said.

The News You Like | December 2014

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GLOBAL NEWS

First human settlement on moon in 40 years

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he European Space Agency (ESA) hopes the first human settlement on the moon could be possible in the next 40 years.

ESA bosses revealed a video tour of the moonbase in the first week of November. It will be made from an inflatable done covered in lunar soil by robots to create a safe structure, and will have room for four to live and work.

The ESA teamed up with architectural firm Foster + Partners in a bid to set the wheels in motion

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Inside the moonbase: The module has enough room for four people,. and includes an airlock so a suit mounted on the outside to make getting onto the lunar surface easy.

The thick walls protect astronauts from radiation and meteorites.

The News You Like | December 2014

BUILT BY ROBOTS: The structure will house four people, and can offer protection from meteorites, gamma radiation and vast temperature fluctuations

for a permanent human presence on Earth's only natural satellite. Experts say it could be ready for humans to move in within the next 40 years.

Robots will be used to 3D print a cellular structure to house four people and can offer protection from meteorites, gamma radiation and vast temperature fluctuations.

The theory is that 90 per cent of the materials needed to build the structure already exist on the Moon, so only the robots and light-weight parts, such as inflatables and the solid connector and entry segments, will have to be ferried from Earth.

The few parts that would need to be made on Earth would be folded from a tubular module that can be transported by space rocket.

“As a practice, we are used to designing for extreme climates on Earth and exploiting the environmental benefits of using local, sustainable materials. Our lunar habitation follows a similar logic,” says Xavier De Kestelier of Foster + Partners Specialist Modelling Group.

Foster + Partners devised a weight-bearing catenary dome

3D printing robots in action: The raw lunar material is turned into a pulp and sprayed to form a solid block that is then used to build walls at a rate of around two metres an hour

Moon brick: Simulated lunar soil has been used to create a 1.5 tonne mockup and 3D printing tests have been undertaken at a smaller scale in a vacuum chamber to echo lunar conditions

design with a cellular structured wall to shield against micrometeoroids and space radiation, incorporating a pressurised inflatable to shelter astronauts.

A hollow closed-cell structure – reminiscent of bird bones – provides

a good combination of strength and weight. 3D printouts are built up layer by layer – the company more typically uses its printer to create sculptures and is working on artificial coral reefs to help preserve beaches from energetic sea waves.

The News You Like | December 2014

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HEALTH NEWS

EnErGY drInkS ArE PoISonouS

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can of energy drink is enough to poison a child.

The symptoms include serious cardiac problems, including abnormal heart rhythms or neurological problems such as seizures and fits, a leading doctor has warned.

In the past three years, more than 2,000 children under the age of six were taken to hospital in the US suffering from the effects of the popular drinks, a study has revealed.

Professor Steven Lipshultz,

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paediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, said most cans of energy drink contain enough caffeine to cause a child potential harm.

Exposure to energy drinks is a continuing health problem. You normally think of teens and young adults as most likely to drink them, but we found that half of calls to US poison control centres involved unintentional exposures by children less than six years old, he said.

High-caffeine energy drinks in the UK carry labels on their cans warning they are not suitable for children or

The News You Like | December 2014

pregnant women - but few retailers actively stop children buying the cans. Professor Lipshultz will say: “Energy drinks have no place in paediatric diets and anyone with underlying cardiac, neurologic or other significant medical conditions should check with their healthcare provider to make sure it’s safe to consume energy drinks.”

The doctor said a child under 12 could be poisoned if they consume more than 2.5mg of caffeine for every kilogram of their body weight enough to make most energy drinks potentially dangerous to children.

His calculations mean 50mg of caffeine in a day is enough to poison an average six year old. A child aged 10 could get caffeine poisoning after drinking 80mg and a 12-year-old might be poisoned after 100mg.

A 500ml can of Monster Energy drink contains 160mg of caffeine well over the limit. A 250ml can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine.

Young children, especially those with diabetes or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, may be particularly at risk, he said.

By Professor Lipshultz’s calculations, a mug of coffee also contains enough caffeine - at 100mg - to cause youngsters harm. A single 330ml can of Coca Cola, meanwhile, contains 32mg, making it safe in moderation.

Professor Lipshultz said energy drinks may contain pharmaceuticalgrade caffeine and additional caffeine

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from natural sources that may cause the heart to race and blood pressure to increase. Energy drinks with multiple caffeine sources may have higher rate of side effects, typically involving the nervous, digestive or

A 500ml can of Monster Energy drink contains 160mg of caffeine - well over the limit. A 250ml can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine. Young children, especially those with diabetes or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, may be particularly at risk

cardiovascular systems.

He said many of the added ingredients in energy drinks have never been tested for safety in children - meaning the caffeine may not be solely to blame. The reported data probably represent the tip of the iceberg, he said.

Energy drinks have place in the diet of children and teenagers and they shouldn’t be marketed at all to those under 18. If the goal is to try to protect public health, then the energy drinks should be regulated similar to tobacco, alcohol and driving, so you have fewer kids winding up in the hospital or intensive care.

Caption: A can of energy drink could poison a child and a 250ml can of Red Bull, which contains 80mg of caffeine, and a 500ml can of Monster Energy drink, which contains 160mg of caffeine, are well over the limit for a child.

The News You Like | December 2014

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HEALTH NEWS

Hookah fumes contain

killer benzene the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, caused researchers to call for better education on the use of hookahs.

In contrast to what is believed, hookah tobacco smoking is not a safe alternative to smoking other forms of tobacco, the researchers said.

Researchers analyzed levels

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ookah has become popular among students across the world - but new research has found they contain damaging chemicals.

A new study has found fumes from the water pipes contain the toxin benzene, which has been linked to an increased risk for leukemia.

Researchers have earlier warned of an impending health epidemic caused by a huge rise in the number of students smoking hookah pipes.

A recent study found that one sitting in hookah lounge is equivalent to smoking 10-40 cigarettes.

The latest research, published in

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of S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA) - a byproduct of benzene - in the urine of 105 hookah smokers and 103 nonsmokers exposed to smoke from the water pipes.

After an event in a hookah lounge, SPMA levels were four times higher than normal in hookah smokers and 2.6 times higher than normal among people who had attended but hadn't puffed on a hookah.

After a hookah-smoking event in a private home, SPMA levels were two times higher among hookah smokers, but normal among nonsmokers.

Hookah tobacco smoking

The News You Like | December 2014

involves the use of burning charcoal that is needed to heat the hookah tobacco to generate the smoke that the smoker inhales. In addition to inhaling toxicants and carcinogens found in the hookah tobacco smoke, hookah smokers and nonsmokers who socialize with hookah smokers also inhale large quantities of charcoal combustion-generated toxic and carcinogenic emissions.

The results call for interventions to reduce or prevent hookah tobacco use since the researchers believe that there is no safe level of exposure to benzene.

What is hookah?

Hookah, an ancient form of smoking, in which charcoal-heated tobacco or non-tobacco based shisha smoke is passed through water before inhalation, is rapidly gaining popularity among adolescents in the US. A study funded by the National Institutes of Health reports a single hookah session delivers 1.7 times the nicotine, 6.5 times the carbon monoxide and 46.4 times the tar of a single cigarette.

Biscuits and cakes reduce memory

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ating biscuits and cakes could damage your memory regardless of your age. This is due to the fats found in some biscuits, cakes and processed foods, researchers have warned.

The fats, known as trans fats, are used both in processed food and in restaurants, often to improve the texture, shelf life or flavour. They are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil to make it more solid, which is why they are often called partially hydrogenated oils.

A study of 1,000 healthy men aged under 45 found those who ate the most trans fat had worse scores in a word memory test. The link remained after taking account of age, education and depression.

Dr Beatrice Golomb, of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, who headed the

study said: “Trans fats were most strongly linked to worse memory, in young and middleaged men, during their working and career building years. From a health standpoint, trans fat consumption has been linked to higher body weight, more aggression and heart disease.”

While trans fats increase the shelf life of foods, they reduce the shelf life of people, Dr Beatrice tells his patients.

The research team studied adults who had not been diagnosed with heart disease. They were asked to complete a dietary questionnaire, from which the researchers estimated participants' trans fat consumption.

To assess memory, researchers presented participants with a series of 104 cards showing words. Each

person had to state whether each word was new or a word duplicated from a previously seen card.

Each additional gram a day of trans fats consumed was associated with an estimated 0.76 fewer words correctly recalled. For those eating the highest amounts of trans fats, this translated to an estimated 11 fewer words – a reduction of 10 per cent in words recalled compared to adults who ate the least trans fat. The average number of words correctly recalled was 86, according to research presented at the American heart Association’s Scientific sessions 2014 in Chicago.

Trans fat is widely considered the worst kind for your heart, even worse than saturated fat, which can also contribute to heart disease. The UK food industry in recent years has reduced or eliminated industrially produced trans fat in foods.

Current dietary surveys suggest consumption levels provide less than one per cent of food energy, below the recommended two per cent maximum – about 5g a day. The Food and Drug Administration is taking further steps to reduce the amount of artificial trans fats in the US food supply.

It is time Indian authorities wake up to the problem and initiate necessary steps in this regard.

The News You Like | December 2014

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

App Thoughtz launches new tablet Itopper

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pp Thoughtz, a multinational company engaged in the business of tablets and smart phones, launched a new tablet for students to get the unexpected results. Named Itopper, this tab is available on 7 Inch Branded HD Tablet PC. Itopper is an innovative and interactive tablet PC and it is beneficial for intermediate Students.

Itoppers helps students to develop deep insights into various subjects like Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

Students can also prepare and take unlimited tests to perform better

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in the real time environment while preparing for intermediate, EAMCET, JEE and NEET. Entire set of textbooks, study material, previous Eamcet papers with key, chapter and subject wise tests, review and performance analysis, videos, and over 65,000 questions are available apart from more exciting features. This total revisions are from famous publications like Cambridge Publications and V.G.S Mega

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Brilliant Series Publications.

Students will get the total revisions at Itoppers. Benefits of this Itopper tablet is one stop shop, social learning, personalization, heightened engagement, convenience & flexibility, analysis of your performance, no technological barriers, time saving, easy learning, no geographical barriers, data tracking and the major advantage of having Itoppers is that the device does not require internet App thoughtz main focus is on Indian markets. The company was launched in 2012 for business person in developing custom-built application that would help them to perform better.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

LIFE-LIKE ROBOTS TO HIT THE MARKET SOON

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ncredibly life-like robots that will replace receptionists, pop stars and even sex dolls would be a reality in the near future. The hyperreal robots are currently causing a storm in Japan where they are being prepared for mass usage.

There is even talk that the naturalistic, even engaging, shedroids may be taken up as men as partners in the not-too-distant future.

Robot Asuna was a star attraction at Tokyo Designers’ Week showcase recently and she is one of a series of geminoids, as their inventor dubs them, that are ripe for commercialization.

Asuna is so convincing that many bowed respectfully before requesting politely to take her photo or join a selfie.

Unable, for now, to use some of the advanced artificial intelligence (AI), face and voice recognition systems that some Japanese robots coming on the market now use, Asuna relies on a camera rigged behind her that is relayed to a remote human controller to give her life.

A fully independent version of the geminoid is expected in 10 years using all the above technologies to make her virtually indistinguishable from humans says Takeshi Mita, CEO of A-Lab in Tokyo, the

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company working to make Asuna and her kind commercial.

“We had been focusing on perfecting her skin, facial expressions, and so on, so for now Asuna is really just a head. Now we are working on her arms and torso to give very natural, fluid body language,” he said.

From the superior quality of her silicon skin to the secret animatronic muscles that move her eyes and drive her facial expressions. Previous attempts had been dismissed as

Around 6,000 buys the very superior Yasuragi 'dutch wife' sex doll with extras such as movable eyes and flexible fingers and a skin texture its makers say is indistinguishable from the real thing unconvincing and prone to what is known as the 'Uncanny Valley syndrome'.

As robots become as dexterous as Asuna at mimicking humanity, so the theory goes, the syndrome will erase itself. Already Asuna and other androids from A-lab have had a taste of the limelight, appearing on stage and voicing actors lines using telepresence.

A-lab also hopes to tap into another big business in Japan - the

The News You Like | December 2014

popularity of fantasy figurines that appeal to Japan’s legions of nerdy men or 'otaku'. Most such dolls are just a few centimetres high and often represent an idol or a manga character often scantily clad.

Physical relations will be possible in general with such androids.

Androids for the sex industry are a definite possibly. Some have even fallen in love with the geminoids. So physical relationships cannot be ruled out, another expert said.

Japan already boasts the world’s most advanced sex dolls from firms such as Kanojotoys or Orient Industries based in Tokyo.

Around £6,000 buys the very superior Yasuragi 'dutch wife' sex doll with extras such as movable eyes and flexible fingers and a skin texture its makers say is indistinguishable from the real thing. Lady Gaga was so impressed with their quality that she asked the Japanese firm to make dolls in her own image.

'It is not inconceivable,' said an Orient Industries spokesman, 'that we will be making android life partners in the near future.'

David Levy, author of Love and Sex with Robots predicts that as robots become more sophisticated, growing numbers of adventurous humans will enter into intimate relationships with these intelligent robots.

AGRI NEWS

Safe and Judicious use of Pesticides

BY VANDANA JAIN

Agriculture is practiced in India from earliest mankind. India even now is an agrarian country. Its economy mainly dependants on agriculture and it contributes about 14 % of its GDP. The basic aim of agriculture is to produce sufficient food for its growing population and fodder for cattle and also to provide agriproducts for global and local agricultural trade besides maintaining of buffer stock of food for emergent situations.

India became self sufficient in food production due to Green

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Revolution. High Yielding Varieties which were used during Green Revolution became susceptible and prone to insects, pests and diseases.

To overcome this pest and disease menace chemical pesticides were used as major agriculture inputs. The indiscriminate and liberal use of these chemical pesticides in agriculture became hazardous to human and animal health, environment and bio-diversity.

Injudicious use of chemical pesticides polluted environment, created ecological imbalances, pesticides residues in food, soil and water. It led to pest resurgence,

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development of pest resistance, secondary pest outbreak, and minor pests becoming major. Also it caused adverse effects on beneficial organisms including natural enemies of crop pests, pollinators, soil microbes etc.

In order to minimize the use of hazardous chemical pesticides and to manage the insects, pests & diseases attack as well as to increase the crop productivity, the Ministry of Agriculture through Department of Agriculture & Co-Operation (DAC) has implemented a scheme “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in

India� since 1991-92 by adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as cardinal principle and main plank of plant protection strategy in overall crop production programme.

Also, the government ensures strict implementation of Insecticides Act, 1968 to regulate the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of insecticides with a view to prevent risk to human beings, animals and environment, to ensure the availability of quality pesticides and bio pesticides to the farmers.

Farmers are advised to purchase the pesticides from licensed pesticides dealers after seeking expert advice from extension workers and insist for stamped and signed Cash Memo with details of the batch number, date of manufacture/ expiry of the pesticides etc.

Labels and leaflets are mandatorily available with pesticides containers which contain the recommended use of pesticides by CIB &RC. Labels & Leaflets contain the information on chemicals harmful to human beings & animals, Warnings, Caution statements, Symptoms of

Farmers are advised to purchase the pesticides from licensed pesticides dealers after seeking expert advice from extension workers and insist for stamped and signed Cash Memo with details of the batch number, date of manufacture/ expiry of the pesticides etc

poisoning, Safety measures and Emergency first aid measures which help for safe and judicious use of pesticides. Users are advised to read labels and leaf lets before using the pesticides.

Use of broad spectrum pesticides is discouraged and priority should be given to select first green label pesticides followed by blue, yellow and red. Users are also asked to wear protective clothing while using pesticides; they should not spray against wind, should not smoke and eat while spraying, must wash their hands etc. and if possible must take bath and wash the clothes/ protective clothing after the job is over. Farmers

are asked to Not to blow the nozzles though mouth.

Insecticide Inspectors are notified under Insecticide Act 1968 by both State and Central departments to ensure the quality of pesticides and bio-pesticides. To ensure that only good quality pesticide is available to the farmers, 68- State Pesticides Testing Laboratories (SPTLs) and two Regional Pesticides Testing Laboratories (RPTLs) at Chandigarh and Kanpur and a Central Insecticides Laboratory (CIL) at Faridabad have been established for the analysis of pesticides samples.

The farmers and pesticides dealers are being trained through IPM– Farmers Field School Programmes; short duration training programmes of 2-days and 5-days being organized by 31-Central IPM Centres located in 28 states and one UT. State departments are also doing such training activities for safe and judicious use of pesticides. Training for Doctors is also arranged by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage.

(The author is Director Department of Agriculture and Cooperation Ministry of Agriculture)

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AGRI NEWS

Basmati Rice: APEDA and BEDF strive for development

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ndian sub-continent is known for cultivation of Basmati rice with a recorded history of over 200 years. The Agricultural and processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) have been striving hard for further growth in the production and export of Basmati rice.

APEDA Chairman Santosh Sarangi and BEDF Director A K Gupta told The News that Basmati Development Fund (BDF) has been set up with the objectives of development of high quality basmati

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rice, improvement in productivity, research and promotional aspects, development and dissemination of technology, development of forward/backward linkages and infrastructure development in respect

The News You Like | December 2014

of basmati rice.

The duo said that basmati is special long grain aromatic rice cultivated in a particular geographical region of the Indian sub-continent for millennia with a recorded history of over 200 years. In view of its unique cooking and eating properties, basmati is perceived as one of the premium kind of rice in

different parts of the world. Amongst the food and restaurant industry around the world, basmati rice occupies a unique space as premium rice, they said.

According to them, basmati rice has been the subject of scientific research aimed towards increasing the crop resistance and productivity.

The first legal framework of basmati rice was provided by the Seed Act, 1966.

APEDA has also applied to Geographical Indication (GI) Registry in Chennai in November 2008 for registration of Basmati Rice as a GI. Such a registration would help APEDA in enforcing the provisions of the Geographical Indications of Goods Act

APEDA is mandated to develop and promote the export of basmati rice along with certain other agricultural and processed food products. Government has also mandated APEDA to protect the Intellectual Property vested in basmati rice on behalf of all stake holders, Santosh Sarangi said.

“A world wide watch agency has been appointed to monitor the trade mark registers worldwide for any third party attempt for registration of the name basmati or any deceptive variations thereof. Action has been taken by way of oppositions/rectifications/civil suits/cease and desist notices, amicable settlements etc. against all such attempted third party registrations and use of the term ‘basmati’ or any other deceptive

Rice Exporters demand subsidies and incentives

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he Agricultural and processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) would organize a meeting of rice exporters at Hyderabad on December 5.

BEDF Director A K Gupta has said India has emerged as largest exporter of rice in the world in the last three years. During the current year also we are likely to retain this position. The current volume of annual export of rice is about 11 million MT. Non-Basmati rice exports, out of this, are of the order of 7 to 7.5 million MT. He also said that southern states are significant contributors to this export performance. Therefore, a meeting is being convened on December 5, 2014 at Hotel Green Park, Hyderabad to review the export of Non-Basmati rice where policy support from central and state government to sustain the export of non-basmati rice, any issues related with export procedures, quality related matters and market access requirements for specific markets and measures that would lead to increase in unit value realization would be deliberated upon.

In this backdrop, Gampa Govardhan, Rice Millers Association Convenor of Telangana, office bearers Manish Kumar Goel and Vithal Reddy demanded revival of subsidy for colour sorting machines which was stopped in 2013. They also sought setting up of separate laboratory for testing the quality of non-basmati rice besides some facilities and incentives for exporters of non-basmati rice. variations thereof contrary to its significance as a geographical indication,” says Santosh Sarangi.

APEDA has also applied to Geographical Indication (GI) Registry in Chennai in November 2008 for registration of Basmati Rice as a GI. Such a registration would help APEDA in enforcing the provisions of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, he said.

BEDF Director Gupta said a state-of-art laboratory has been set up on the premises of SVBP University of Agriculture & Technology, Modipuram, in Uttar Pradesh for quality testing and DNA profiling of basmati rice. Besides the laboratory,

a Demonstration and Training Farm has been set up under BEDF over an area of about 10 acres for training the farmers in Good Practices for cultivation of Basmati Rice and Seed Production. As extension services from this farm, Farmers’ Workshops are organized in the basmati production states for increasing the awareness of the farmers for quality production of basmati rice for export.

Santosh Sarangi and Gupta further said that basmati rice is exported to over 130 countries in the world and APEDA is continuously working for seeking market access in the new markets. The continuous efforts made the European Union reduce import duty on basmati rice.

The News You Like | December 2014

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FOCUS

The archaeologist who loves monuments his love for monuments and their preservation drove him to study archaeology and become an archaeologist.

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The News You Like | December 2014

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orn into a farming family of Bodampahad Village in Ranga Reddy district in the year 1960, Ravulapally Krishnaiah took his masters in arts from Osmania University and then completed PG Diploma in Archaeology from the Institute of

Krishnaiah was associated with Conservation and Development Works of Centrally protected Monuments in the States of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi.

Beginning his career as an Assistant Archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India in 1987, he worked in different capacities in different parts of the country and rose to become Superintending Archaeologist.

Currently, he is posted to Hyderabad Circle.

Krishnaiah was involved in large scale excavations at Thaneswar in Kurukshetra district of Haryana and Sanghol in Ludhiana district of

Punjab from 1987 to 1990. He was also involved in large scale excavations and independent excavations in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir.

He has received appreciations from the Parliamentary Committee for Outstanding arrangements for the committee and also for his excellent works carried out in Jammu & Kashmir, appreciations from Parliamentary Committee for Outstanding arrangements for the committee and achievements carried out for Official Language (Raja Basha).

Krishnaiah was associated with Conservation and Development Works of Centrally protected Monuments in the States of Haryana,

Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

He had organized prestigious 150 years Celebrations of Archaeological Survey of India on behalf of Hyderabad Circle at Ravindra Bharati during the year 2011, organized various cultural events and programmes as part of World Heritage Day and World Heritage Week Celebrations.

The archaeologist has many awards and rewards to his credit. He received several awards from INTACH, State Tourism Department. He also received an award from the President of India in 2013 for Best Maintenance of Disabled Friendly Monument for Golconda Fort.

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“I will make Jagadevipeta an ideal gram panchayat”: Kamalamma

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he is a woman and contested and won the village panchayat elections as an independent candidate. Yet, she became the Sarpanch and is striving to make it an ‘ideal gram panchayat’.

This is the story of Kukati Kamalamma, the Sarpanch of Jagadevipeta Panchayat in Sri Potti Sreeramulu Nellore District in Andhra Pradesh.

She is trying to develop Jagadevipeta into an ideal gram panchayat, where elections were not conducted for long and village secretaries used to run the show until Kamalamma was elected as Sarpanch in the elections held last year.

Kamalamma succeeded in winning the hearts of voters and ensured contestants of her panel including her son K Venkateswarlu Reddy were elected to the panchayat.

And with the support of all the ward members, she has been leading from the front in all developmental and welfare activities.

Residents of Jagadevipeta say that Kamalamma has been taking special care to address all unresolved issues. Besides, she has paid special interest for sanitation ever since her election, i.e. much before Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Swachch Bharat programme.

Residents also say that the Sarpanch never hesitates to spend money from her pocket for solving the issues related to the village. She regularly monitors whether basic

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amenities such as sanitation, drinking water, roads and street lights were properly available for the residents.

Kamalamma has been able to get development funds with the help of former Chief Minister Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy. Besides, she has taken concrete measures to ensure students belonging to SC and ST communities attend to school regularly. Residents are happy to send their wards to school since the

The News You Like | December 2014

Sarpanch has taken measures to provide nutritious and quality food for students as part of mid-day meal programme.

Further, Kamalamma proved herself as a good Samaritan time and again by paying Rs 1000 to the family of SC and ST communities in the event of death of any of their family members towards funeral expenses.

Speaking to The News, Kamalamma said, “I can never forget the confidence and affection reposed by the villagers in me. My sole aim is to develop Jagadevipeta into an ideal gram panhayat.”

She also said that she would strive for the development of Jagadevipeta and the residents with the help of Kovur legislator Polamreddy Sreenivasula Reddy. “I am happy to receive support from all the villagers in this endeavour,” added Kamalamma.

The News You Like | December 2014

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The News You Like | December 2014

NHRC takes serious note of Kishanbagh riots

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he National Human Rights Commission has taken serious note of the May 14, 2014 riots and the subsequent killing of three persons in police firing in Kishanbagh area of Rajendranagar in Cyberabad police limits.

It may be recalled that two communities came to blows over the burning of a religious flag when the Border Security Force (BSF) was pressed into service as the situation threatened to go out of control.

In an attempt to quell the rioters, BSF personnel opened fire into the crowd killing three civilians Mohammed Fareed, 25, Mohammed Shujauddin Khatib, 38 and Mohammed Wali, 23, while eight others suffered bullet injuries.

Aggrieved with this incident, RTI activist and Journalist Moullim Mohsin Bin Hussain Al Kasary lodged a complaint with the NHRC

seeking appropriate action and compensation for the families of the victims.

The NHRC numbered the case as 1479/1/7/2014 and linked it up with another case No. 667/1/7/2014, which was already registered on the same incident and decided to try both the matters jointly.

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Compassionate force behind

VEDANTA

Anil Agarwal

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is passion for inclusive growth has resulted in extensive benefits to the local communities. A first-generation industrialist - Anil Agarwal - who had built in just three decades a globally diversified natural resources group, is committed to sustainable development.

The hallmark of his business has been the ability to create stakeholder value, specifically for the local communities with women empowerment, education and healthcare being the three core areas of his vision.

His company – Vedanta - is actively engaged in sustainable development and philanthropic activities since 1992 through Vedanta Foundation, a Public Charitable Trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950 and the Foreign

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Foundation

About 3000 Aangwandis, supported by the group, cater to 1.25 lakh children, while as many as 2.5 lakh children receive nutritious meals every day through the mid-day meal programme at schools and investments in providing computer education has benefitted about 10 lakh students

The News You Like | December 2014

Contributions Regulations Act, 1976 and approved under the U/S35AC, U/S 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

About 3000 Aangwandis, supported by the group, cater to 1.25 lakh children, while as many as 2.5 lakh children receive nutritious meals every day through the mid-day meal

programme at schools and investments in providing computer education has benefitted about 10 lakh students. Hospitals and mobile health centers and rural health posts have provided healthcare for over 22 lakh people.

The group also supports more than 2,000 women empowerment and

self-help groups in setting up microenterprises involving more than 35,000 women. The foundation has weaved all its development programs with a major thrust on Employment generation for creating a sustainable development model.

The Foundation incorporates tested delivery models across its planned interventions to engage the targeted population with the support of its nationwide team of committed and dedicated workforce which fuels the process of the planned development impact.

Scalability & Sustainability of the intervention forms the crux of the Foundations social development plan.

Like minded Partnerships and stakeholder engagement shape the social development execution plan of the Foundation.

Vedanta Foundation has been a catalyst in transforming lives of the marginalized population of the country through its focused efforts weaved in its social development programs which have been detailed separately.

The News You Like | December 2014

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THE BEST TEACHER AND ARCHITECT

THE NEWS BUREAU

e is a teacher, researcher, author, consultant and a great architect – On the whole, he is a man of action. And he is none other than Dr D Vijay Kishore, Principal and Professor in Architecture at the School of Planning and Architecture in Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture & Fine Arts University, Hyderabad.

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A Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture, Vijay Kishore took his Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from New Delhi. He began his career as an Assistant Professor in Architecture in 1992 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture & Fine Arts University in Hyderabad and over a period rose to become the Principal for the School of Planning and Architecture.

Vijay Kishore has organized over

The News You Like | December 2014

three dozen national level seminars and workshops for teachers in architecture as part of staff development and quality improvement programmes. He has been the convenor for NATA exams between 2008-2009 to 2014-2015, regional coordinator for EAMCET 2008, PACET 2005-2007 and chief superintendent for ECET and ICET 2008.

He is the chairman of Board of

Studies in Interior Design at JNAFAU, while he is a member of Board of Studies in different universities across the country. He is also the expert member on architectural employment panel of Union Public Service Commission, APPSC and various other public sector units Vijay Kishore has submitted various research projects on topics such as ‘Change in Dynamics of Land Uses on the Land Management System in Metropolitan Areas’ and institutional development projects such as “National Programme for Capacity Building of Architects in Earthquake Risk Management (NPCBAERM). Also, he has been the guide for several research scholars on

various topics related to architecture.

The great architect has his imprint on institutional infrastructure development and provided industrial consultancy services for various prestigious organizations such as 21st Century Gurukulam Project at Idupulapaya.

Vijay Kishore is not only an architect but also a good author. He has written articles on architecture and edited books on town planning and advance building construction etc. He attended national and international conferences, presented research papers and delivered lectures on complex topics related to architecture.

Dedicated to architecture, Vijay Kishore has several awards and

rewards to his credit. He received Gold Medal at B.Arch., level for the outstanding performance in the area of advance construction subject in the year 1989.

He was nominated for the Prime Minister Award in the area of Urban Planning discipline in the year 1997 and was awarded the Best Teacher in Architecture Award in 2011 from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The News You Like | December 2014

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The News You Like December 2014

RNI No: APENG/2013/48048

Postal Registration No. LII/RNP/HD/1187/2014-16 (Posted on 13/14-12-2014)