Tuesday, 7 March 2017

Indians look to continue dominance at home Open



It’s that time of the year again when the spotlight of the golfing world is on India as the nation hosts the prestigious Indian Open, a US$ 1.75 million event, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour.

The tournament has a new venue this year, the Gary Player-designed DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon, and in addition the field will be headlined by international stars such as Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain, Australian Brett Rumford and Thai sensation Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

However, the home fans would expect the strong line-up of Indians in the field to keep the trophy at home for the third year running.

The mighty Indian challenge will be spearheaded by the country’s premier golfer and 2015 champion Anirban Lahiri who has recently shown signs of returning to his best having already accumulated four top-25 finishes in the current PGA Tour season.

Lahiri, the 2015 Asia No. 1, has slowly made his way up to 73rd in the world rankings in the last few weeks thanks to some creditable performances in the United States. He is now raring to have a shot at his second Indian Open title.

The title holder SSP Chawrasia also returns to defend his crown. The three-time European Tour winner is always a force to reckon with in home conditions as he has been champion at almost all the big international events staged in India in the last decade.

Chawrasia has the added advantage of good memories from his famous European Tour triumph (Avantha Masters) achieved at the DLF Golf & Country Club back in 2011. The Kolkata man enters the week with loads of confidence courtesy his two international victories from last year which also included a long-awaited first overseas success.

Gaganjeet Bhullar, another double international winner last year, will also be a name to watch out for. He will be itching to set the record straight by winning his first European or Asian Tour event on home turf.

Leading the youth brigade this time around will be 20-year-old Shubhankar Sharma who has been in sublime form with top-10s in his last three events on the Asian Tour. He is currently seventh on the money list in Asia and has been improving with each passing event. Shubhankar also enjoys the advantage of playing at his home course.

Rashid Khan, Chikkarangappa and Khalin Joshi will be the other youngsters to watch out.

Among the experienced pros, three-time Indian Open winner Jyoti Randhawa can never be written off at his favourite event especially if it happens to be at his home course. Jeev Milkha Singh, on the other hand, will be eager to finally break his jinx of winning in India.

Arjun Atwal and Shiv Kapur are the other established Indian names who will vie for the title. The seasoned Mukesh Kumar will also be a strong contender since he won the last international event held in India (Panasonic Open India) in December 2016.

C Muniyappa’s name is sure to attract a lot of attention as well as he happens to be the only Indian to have won his National Open at the DLF Golf & Country Club back in 2009.

Indian Steel Industry Needs To Become Highly Competitive and Develop Benchmark Parameters as World-Class Steel Producer

Indian Steel Industry Needs To Become Highly Competitive and Develop Benchmark Parameters as World-Class Steel Producer

Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh Addresses Second Regional Conference on ‘Make in India-Make in Steel’ in Ludhiana Punjab

New Delhi, March 07, 2017
Phalguna 16, Saka 1938
The Union Steel Minister Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh inaugurated the second regional conference on ‘Make in India-Make in Steel ’and‘ Doubling per capita Steel Consumption’ in Ludhiana Punjab today. The north region conference organized by Ministry of Steel was held in the presence of the Minister of State for Steel Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Dr. Aruna Sharma, Secretary Steel, Shri P.K. Singh, Chairman SAIL and dignitaries from Indian Steel Association and representatives from private steel sector. Considering the presence of industrial hub in North India including two-wheelers & cycle manufacturing, pipes and tubes, re-rolling mills, engineering goods & equipments, strong farm based economy and hilly terrains; northern region assumes importance for steel industry in terms of both production and consumption. Addressing the conference Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh said, “Northern region accounts for 40% of steel consumption and more ideas on steel demand enhancement will be generated at the Ludhiana Conference. Domestic steel industry, which contributes 2% to the GDP, has huge potential, but there is need for diversification and innovation to generate demand in the steel industry. The Indian steel industry has to become highly competitive and it has to benchmark the parameters for becoming a world-class steel producer.”
The Minister added that steel industry needs to compete and fight with other industries supplying substitution materials for steel. Shri Birender Singh while outlining the unique qualities of steel including life cycle cost, recyclability, reusability, strength and durability said that, “Steel structures have a longer life span, are low on maintenance and provide smart solutions as well. Steel can be used for making bailey bridges; steel reinforced pavements, Pre-fab structures, furniture etc. and it can also find usage in making food-storing silos, water pipes for transporting drinking water and tanks for storing it. These are safer options and will last longer.” He said that FCI has plans to construct 100 lakh tonne steel silos by 2020 and northern states can contribute largely to it. Shri Singh praised the secondary steel industry in Northern states which use scrap intensive steel making thus reducing coking coal dependence and is also cost effective. He added that, “Steel industry’s landscape has undergone wide changes and more plants using melt and manufacture technologies should come up.”
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said, “While the ministry targets to escalate production to 300 million tonnes, the demand creation for this volume and marketing it, is the biggest challenge.” The Secretary Steel, Dr. Aruna Sharma said that, “The target is to substantially increase the per-capita steel consumption from the current 60 kg. The 2017-18 Central budget has given boost to steel consumption in various infrastructure sectors specially Railways, Defence and highways.” The delegates in the conference explored various modern options like use of Light weight high performance steel, pre-fab steel structures, steel use in ROBs, flyovers, crash barriers on Highways, silos, water pipes, agro tools etc. at a time which is most appropriate to showcase the immense advantages of use of steel in various applications. During the conference, various initiatives taken by the Ministry of Steel for steel promotion in Northern India were showcased. Low cost housing projects, steel-based sports stadia, other infrastructure for hilly terrains/ seismic zones, development of low cost steel frame houses and pre-fab steel intensive dwelling units suiting the needs of the terrain of eastern India are some of them.
Addressing the conference, Chairman SAIL, Shri. P.K. Singh said that, “steel consumption in India will increase as a result of ‘Make in India-Make in Steel’ initiative. Both urban and rural consumption is bound to increase due to various government initiatives. SAIL with its efforts in the direction of offering more value added and ready to use products is supporting this move.” The conference was attended by representatives from several other decision makers in projects in central and state Governments, architects, structural designers and consultants, project financers, contractors, fabricators, erectors, Faculties from Metallurgy, Mechanical and Civil Engineering departments, representatives from large infrastructure industry, steel engineers/ architects associations.

ADR have analyzed the affidavits of 311 MLAs recontesting in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections.

Executive Summary
  • Recontesting MLAs: Uttar Pradesh Election Watch (UPEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analyzed the affidavits of 311 MLAs recontesting in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections.
  • Average Assets in 2012 Elections: The average assets of these 311 re-contesting MLAs from various parties in 2012 was Rs 3.49 crores (Rs3,49,08,073).
  • Average Assets in 2017 Elections: The average assets of these 311 re-contesting MLAs in 2017 is Rs 6.33 crores(Rs6,33,64,781).
  • Average Asset change from 2012 to 2017: The average assets of these 311 re– contesting MLAs, between the Uttar Pradesh Elections of 2012 and 2017 has increased by Rs. 2.84 crores (Rs. 2,84,56,709).
  • Percentage change in assets from 2012 to 2017:   The average percentage increase in assets for these 311 re-contesting MLAs is 82%.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
·         Highest growth in Assets from 2012 to 2017 ( Sort by Increase in Rs):
S.No.
Name
Party in Uttar Pradesh 2017
Party in Uttar Pradesh 2012
District in Uttar Pradesh 2017
Constituency in Uttar Pradesh 2017
Constituency in Uttar Pradesh 2012
Assets in Uttar Pradesh 2017
Assets in Uttar Pradesh 2012
Asset Increase
% Increase in Asset
1.         
Shah Alam Urf Guddu Jamali
BSP
BSP
AZAMGARH
MUBARAKPUR
MUBARAKPUR
1,18,76,21,354
118 Crore+
54,44,23,098
54 Crore+
64,31,98,256
64 Crore+
118%
2.         
Nawab Kazim Ali Khan
BSP
INC
RAMPUR
SUAR
SUAR
97,23,60,731
97 Crore+
56,89,33,381
56 Crore+
40,34,27,350
40 Crore+
71%
3.         
Anup Kumar Gupta
SP
SP
SITAPUR
MAHOLI
MAHOLI
42,07,84,842
42 Crore+
6,73,44,580
6 Crore+
35,34,40,262
35 Crore+
525%
                                                                                                                  Table 1: Highest growth in Assets (Top 3)
  • Average asset increase/decrease of re-contesting MLAs: Party-Wise: Following table illustrates the party wise assortment of the average increase/decrease in assets of the re-contesting MLAs:   
                                                                                                                 
S.No.
Party in Uttar Pradesh 2017
Total Number of Winners
Average Assets in Uttar Pradesh 2017
Average Assets in Uttar Pradesh 2012
Average Assets Increase/Decrease
Average % Increase/Decrease in Assets
1
SP
162
4,83,92,710
4 Crore+
2,43,03,741
2 Crore+
2,40,88,969
2 Crore+
99%
2
BSP
57
10,03,33,637
10 Crore+
5,23,80,117
5 Crore+
4,79,53,520
4 Crore+
92%
3
BJP
55
6,11,13,025
6 Crore+
3,76,82,056
3 Crore+
2,34,30,968
2 Crore+
62%
4
INC
19
7,54,30,110
7 Crore+
4,56,40,204
4 Crore+
2,97,89,906
2 Crore+
65%
5
RLD
8
8,88,43,064
8 Crore+
5,81,42,482
5 Crore+
3,07,00,582
3 Crore+
53%
6
Lok Dal
3
4,60,50,650
4 Crore+
2,45,48,917
2 Crore+
2,15,01,733
2 Crore+
88%
7
Independent
3
6,01,55,453
6 Crore+
2,99,75,710
2 Crore+
3,01,79,743
3 Crore+
101%
8
Pragatisheel Manav Samaj Party
1
13,63,03,000
13 Crore+
10,41,38,000
10 Crore+
3,21,65,000
3 Crore+
31%
9
Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal
1
8,05,19,726
8 Crore+
7,38,74,576
7 Crore+
66,45,150
66 Lacs+
9%
10
Peace Party
1
3,45,05,034
3 Crore+
18,65,37,551
18 Crore+
-15,20,32,517
-82%
11
Apna Dal (Soneylal)
1
7,27,31,724
7 Crore+
5,97,000
5 Lacs+
7,21,34,724
7 Crore+
12083%
GRAND TOTAL
311
6,33,64,781
6 Crore+
3,49,08,073
3 Crore+
2,84,56,709
2 Crore+
82%
Table 2: Average Asset change of Re-contesting MLAs – Party-wise
Thanks & Regards
Media and Journalist Helpline
+91 80103 94248
Maj.Gen. Anil Verma (Retd)
Head
National Election Watch,
Association for Democratic Reforms
011 4165 4200,
+91 88264 79910
adr@adrIndia.org,
anilverma@adrindia.org
Prof Jagdeep Chhokar
IIM Ahmedabad (Retd.)
Founder Member,
National Election Watch, Association for Democratic
Reforms
+91 99996 20944
jchhokar@gmail.com
Prof Trilochan Sastry
IIM Bangalore
Founder Member,
National Election Watch,
Association for Democratic Reforms
+91 94483 53285
trilochans@iimb.ernet.in
—
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(Near Gulmohar Commercial Complex)
Gautam Nagar
New Delhi-110 049

IOM Media Briefing

Click hereComments/questions: editor@iom.int
07 March 2017

Arefa and her children reunite with her husband in Germany. Photo: IOMIOM Turkey Helps Over 15,000 Syrians to Apply for Family Reunification in Germany 
Posted on Tue. March 7, 2017
Turkey – Since July 2016, IOM Turkey has helped over 15,000 Syrians to access Germany’s Family Assistance Programme (FAP).  The programme helps vulnerable migrants to apply for German family reunification visas and avoid dangerous irregular migration by sea across the Mediterranean.
Over half a million Syrians and Iraqis have registered for asylum in Germany since 2015 and approximately 320,000 have been granted refugee status, according to the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
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Mediterranean Migrant Arrivals Reach 19,384, Deaths: 521 
Posted on Tue. March 7, 2017
Switzerland – IOM reports that 19,384 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea in 2017 through 5 March, over 80 percent arriving in Italy and the rest in Spain and Greece. This compares with 138,524 through the first 65 days of 2016.
IOM Rome spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo reports that, according to Italian Ministry of Interior figures, in 2017 15,844 migrants arrived in Italy by sea as of 6 March. On March 5th, some 1,442 migrants were brought ashore by the Italian Coast Guard and the NGOs SOS Mediterranée and ProActiva Open Arms.
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More IOM Headlines

USD 25 Million Sought to Aid Conflict-Affected People in Ukraine in 2017
Read more
International Donors Visit IOM Iraq Crisis Response Operations
Read more
IOM Tunisia Helps Stranded Migrants from West, Central Africa Return Home
Read more
Colombia Hosts International Workshop on Tuberculosis in Vulnerable Populations
Read more
Chinese Officials Study International Migration Law, Standards at Beijing Workshop
Read more
IOM Burkina Faso Opens New Boreholes in Béguédo
Read more


Omar: “It is important to learn about the diversity of cultures in the world and welcome them into your own.”
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“We need gender-specific interventions to promote women’s access to technology and ‘the changing world of work.’ These must offer women not just more dignified migration opportunities, but also better access to education, health and justice in their countries of origin.” – Dr. Nenette Motus, IOM Regional Director for Asia Pacific. Read more here.
Migration in the News
  • Thomson Reuters Foundation and The Philippine Daily Inquirer ran an Op-Ed by IOM’s Dr. Nenette Motus marking International Women’s Day 2017 and calling for the empowerment of migrant women in “the changing world of work.”
  • UN News reported that as a severe drought deepens in Somalia, the risk of famine is looming, with about half the population in need of some form of assistance, according to the UN.
  • DPA and AFP reported that Iraqi forces are edging closer to IS-occupied central parts of western Mosul, where over 45,000 people  have been displaced by fighting.
  • Al Jazeera reported that US-backed Iraqi forces captured Mosul’s al-Hurriya bridge that leads to the IS-held city centre from the south.
  • Espresso and Diário de Notícias reported that a first group of six Yazidi refugee families have arrived in Portugal under the EU’s agreement to relocate refugees from Greece.
  • Libya Observer reported that IOM helped 163 stranded Malian migrants return home from Libya.
  • Guatemala’s AGN reported that the government has launched a strategy to prevent child migration and to provide care and education for children and adolescents repatriated from the United States.
  • Bangladesh’s The Independent reported that 13 to 40 million people living in Bangladesh’s coastal areas could be forced to migrate by the end of the century due to rising sea level, tidal surges, cyclones and increasing salinity.
Trending on the Internet
  • Food Wine Travel reviewed Liz Posmyk’s The Barber From Budapest & Other Stories, a “memoir with recipes”that looks at the migrant’s role in Australia’s history, culture and culinary growth. The author’s family travelled to Australia from Hungary as refugees with IOM.
Media Contacts

UNICEF South Asia launches Parliamentarian Platform for Children

NEW DELHI, 6 March 2017 – Over 25 parliamentarians, the Secretary General of SAARC and UNICEF South Asia officials met in Kathmandu last week to launch the first South Asia Parliamentarian Platform  for Children, in collaboration with the House of Parliament of  Nepal.

During the two day meet, representatives from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan brainstormed on ways to prioritize children and shape the development agenda in the region.

South Asia has recorded massive economic growth over the last decade, which is also reflected in the overall improvement of child rights. It is home to 1.7 billion people of which 621 million are children below 18 years[1]. Yet, massive disparities still exist preventing children from living with dignity and reaching their full potential.

The Kathmandu meeting was an opportunity for Members of Parliament (MP) to share their experiences and learnings, build networks and galvanize support.
Indian MPs, Ms. Vandana Chavan, Mr. Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, Mr. Harish Chandra Meena and Mr. Rahul Kaswan discussed critical issues for children such as preventing Open Defecation, ending child marriage and ways to stop stunting.

“Such platforms will enable us to work together for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for children.  Our work as legislators is to make sure that all children have access to basic services and that no child is left behind,” said Ms. Vandana Chavan, MP, NCP, Rajya Sabha.

Rahul Kaswan, MP, BJP underlined the importance of educating the girl child for breaking cycles of poverty.  Stressing on the importance of keeping children’s issues at the forefront of policies, Mr. Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, MP, TRS, Lok Sabha emphasized, “We need to realize that children are our first citizens and their issues deserve priority in policies, programmes and funding. This network offers an excellent opportunity to focus on the excluded and marginalized groups.”

Concluding the meeting, Jean Gough, UNICEF South Asia Regional Director said, “When parliaments speak on behalf of children their voices resonate. They have the power to create lasting changes for children.” She also informed that the next chapter of the South Asia Parliamentarian Platform for Children will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, next year.

This regional meeting is a milestone in bringing together lawmakers to prioritize, promote, and safeguard children’s rights

Wear this your true colours Holi

Wear this your true colours Holi with Kalyan Jewellers Rang collection
Precious and radiant gemstone jewellery
New Delhi, March 7, 2017: Kalyan Jewellers, India’s most trusted and leading jewellery brand has launched Rang, a colourful new line of precious stones jewellery. The bright and vibrant Rang collection is crafted in gold and embellished with red rubies and glorious green emeralds.
This kaleidoscopic collection offers wonderful choices in the form of elegant haathphools, statement rings, bold pendants, flirty earrings, stunning raani haars, magnificent bangles and enviable necklaces.Set in contemporary and conventional designs, the eclectic collection offers the Indian woman the stone of her penchant and personifies her effervescence. Like the name suggests, Rang is bold and unapologetically original, much like the woman who adorns it. The Rang bridal set adds colour to the bride to be and makes for a perfect match to her trousseau.
Commenting on the new collection, Mr T.S. Kalyanaraman, Chairman and Managing Director of Kalyan Jewellers said, “Rang is an ode to the woman who likes to experiment and chart her own path. Cast in 22K yellow gold and etched with rubies & emeralds the multihued Rang is enchanting and striking. The Rang collection also comes with a 75% buy-back guarantee for exchange or resale on all stones, and a 100% guarantee on service and repairs.”
The collection will be available at Kalyan Jewellers showrooms across India and Middle East.
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