About 50 Indian students are participating in Lindau Nobelprizewinners meeting at Lake Constance. They are part of 580 international students, who have got opportunity to interact with several Nobelprizewinners.
India’s Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal has been inducted into the Honorary Senate of the Foundation Lindau Nobelprizewinners Meetings at Lake Constance. This induction, along with the one other induction of Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, was done during the opening ceremony of the 59th Lindau meeting of Nobel Laureates, in Lindau, Germany on 28th June.
Providing a great relief to the students of class 10th the Indian HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has announced to abolish the marks system in class 9th and 10th. There will be grading system in these classes. The board exam of 10th has also been made optional.
Outlining the 100-days programme for the ministry Sibal also announced the implemnetation of Prof. Yashpal Committee’s and National Knowledge Commission’s recommendations to abolish UGC and formation of an autonomous authority for higher Education.
There is also a proposal to set up an accriditation body for school education.
The Delhi Cabinet has approved a proposal for upgradation of Delhi College of Engineering (DCE) as a University by the name of the Delhi Technological University. A bill to this effect is likely to be introduced in the Legislative Assembly of Delhi. The decision was taken today in a Cabinet Meeting, presided over by the Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
While briefing media after the Cabinet Meeting, Dikshit stated that a new University by the name of the Delhi Technological University will be set up to upgrade the Delhi College of Engineering which has attained a level of maturity and has made rich contributions to the growth of quality education and research during its long-standing of 67 years. It has the privilege of being the mother institutions of IIT Delhi, School of Planning & Architech, DIPSAR and College of Arts. Dikshit added that the upgradation of DCE would provide the much needed academic and administrative autonomy to foster the growth of quality education, industrially relevant research and innovations. It will also open up opportunities for developing new institutions of engineering under Government of Delhi as constituent institutions of proposed university. The decision is in tune with the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission which has also emphasized on autonomy of institutions and creation of synergy between education and research and has identified the expansion of quality education as one of the formidable challenges to support India’s advancement in the knowledge economy. The new University would also provide quality education to those students who were compelled to enroll themselves in institutions in other states and abroad.
According to Chief Minister the upgradation of DCE into University would be accepted as a major initiative of Government of Delhi to make Delhi as the Knowledge Capital of India. The proposed upgradation of DCE into a University will be a significant milestone to create academic and research environment to foster scientific and engineering excellence together. The University shall help in building a highly skilled and globally competitive scientific and technological workforce for the future and shall fuel the industry with relevant technologies, innovations and new product development.
After judgement of death sentence of Pakistan’s Supreme Court for Indian national Sarabjeet the NRI’s too joined the move to save Sarabjeet’s life. In a mail received by ‘Fachcha’ on Thursday an NRI Ramesh Gupta has appealed to write lawmaker and President of Pakistan to spare life of an innocent person.
In his letter Gupta has said “It is absolutely beyond the shadow of doubt that Sarabjit Singh is a victim of mistaken identity or framed being an Indian national who unknowingly walked across the border.and arrested by Pakistani Security forces.
Please support the mercy petition being filed by Ansar Burney. Your support might save an innocent person from being executed for the crimes.” Burney is going to file a mercy petition today before the President of Pakistan. Sarabjit, 43, has been on death row in Pakistan since he was convicted for his alleged involvement in four bomb blasts 18 years ago. The blasts, which took place in 1990, killed 14 people but Sarabjit’s family insists that he was wrongly convicted.
Burney, former Pakistani federal minister for human rights, condemned the decision of the Supreme Court on the review petition. “Sarabjit was to be hanged on April 1 last year but the mercy appeal by Ansar Burney Trust put off his execution indefinitely,” the activist said.
Which juice or cold drink do you like the most in this sultry summer? No, we are not talking about famous brands like coke or pepsi. This is all about Indian brands only like thandai, lassi, jaljeera, mango-shake, Aam ka Panna, Sattu, Kokam etc.
Delhi Tourism is organizing “Sharbat Mela” at Dilli Haat from 26-28 June 2009. Sharbat Mela is a blend of traditional ethnic drinks and modern drinks in various colours. The famous traditional cold drinks like Thandia, Lassi, Jaljeera, Mango Shake, Aam ka Panna, Sattu, Kokam (a traditional drink from Maharashtra) and various other milk drinks are available for display and sale. Chuski, Kulfi, Faluda and ice-creams would be added attraction.
Traditional products which cools the body would be on display and for sale for the benefit of visitors. Similarly, cooling products like (application of) herbal mehandi, traditional perfumes like ittar, gulabjal would also be displayed in stalls during this Mela.
This years special attraction of Sharbat Mela would be the organic squashes and juices from Navdanya. They would be popularizing the drinks made out of Ladakh Himalayan Berries, Sea Buckthorn and Rhododendron juice form the blood red flowers of Himalayan tree, both refreshing and have great medicinal value. Fruits and the plants juices organically grown like Mango, Lemon, Ginger, Litchi, Pudina squash would also b made available. Tasty, healthy and refreshing concentrate of fresh fruits are ideal to beat the summer heat. A healthy alternative to the synthetic thirst quenches and an instant hit with children, young and old alike.
It is bad news for all delhites and visitors of Delhi who, love to smoke. Cigarette and other tobacco products are going to be costlier in the city. The city government has today proposed to increase tax on these products while presenting annual budget for 2009-10 in Delhi Assembly. But tourists and frequent travelers of Delhi can cheer as the hospitality in the city will be economical.
According to Finance Minister A K Walia of the city government 20 percent tax will be imposed on cigarette and tobacco products like gutkha etc. in the city. 12.5 percent tax is being charged on these products under the present system. According to Dr. Walia the governemt is expecting rupee 700 million through this increase. Though he says that the idea is not to just generate revenue but discourage people to smoke or use tobacco products in the city.
On the other hand tax has been reduced on Hotels from 12.5 percent to 10 percent. Considering the Commonwealth Games next year the step is important to increase number of tourists and encourage hospitality industry.
An accountable toll-free, 24/7, nation-wide anti-ragging helpline has been launched first time in India. The helpline was launched today by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Kapil Sibal today.
Once the complaint is registered, the complainant gets a unique number immediately. Thereafter automatically, an acknowledgement receipt with all details is sent to the concerned authorities within 15 minutes of the receipt of the complaint. This number can be used as reference for all future communications and feedback. Once the grievance has been received by the Institution, the concerned officer looks into the merit of the complaint and forwards the same for action. Once the matter has been marked to the concerned officer for action, it is tracked till the necessary actions are taken. If the complaint is not acted upon within the specified timeframe, the senior officers get a reminder either by email or by phone calls. The level of reminders would be escalated at institutional as well as executive levels if required. This ensures the accountability of all authorities in the chain. After the necessary actions have been taken, the concerned student gets the call/email confirmation containing the details of the complaint and related actions taken.
Terming the helpline as a historic moment Sibal said that concrete step has been taken against ragging. He stated that ragging is a national menace, demeaning and destructive for students. While thanking the Supreme Court for its judgment of 8th May, 2009, wherein the UGC had been directed by it to set up such a helpline with the help of the Ministry of Communications & IT, Shri Sibal pointed out that directions of the Supreme Court were now being implemented. He also pointed out that the students are now being protected by the stake holders in society.
The toll free No. of this helpline is 1800-180-5522, and the Email is helpline@antiragging.net. The other toll-free number 155222 is under implementation. The Call Centre is located at Delhi and the calls are responded to by professional manpower in English, Hindi and selected regional languages with call recording system.