Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda clearly admitted it when he spoke about India’s potential during his recent visit in New Delhi when Noda said that India has young workforce Japan has technology and capital. Japan, looking for several new avenues for the investment and growth in India, has already 800 companies, operating in India. Infrastructure, energy, industrial corridor, manufacturing are some of the areas where it is making new investment and looking for better opportunities.

I do not like to go deep into data and economics. But what impressed people during the 15-minute presence of Noda at the Tajmahal Hotel on December 27th? The programme, organized by India Centre Foundation, attended by wide range of people i.e. top politicians like B S Hooda, Chief Minister of Haryana, Arjun Munda,Chief Minister of, Dinesh Trivedi, Union Rail Minister, Former Union Minister and senior Lawyer Ram Jethmalani, MPs Tarun Vijay, Smriti Irani, Rajeev Pratap Rudi, personalities from Industry like H S Bhartiya, Dilip Cherian, Rajiv B. Shah, former bureaucrat and MP N K Singh and representatives of Industries from India and Japan.

It may surprise for many but there were seven speakers including Noda during the function. And, everybody presented their views regarding investment and opportunities. Similar work culture can been seen when we work with Japanese organization. Delhi Metro is the best example of it. Though, the credit is given to E. Shreedharan for timely execution but remember the young force of the capital, who actually executed the dream project by working overnight for many years for the success. Now the same younger force is in demand for change of world economy, to change corrupt practice in the country and overall to bring metamorphosis everywhere. It is notable that Pravasi Bhartiya Sammelan is on these days in Jaipur and Prime Minister has already raised concerns about Indian economy. But young India is ready for change. Hats off for Young India in 2012!

Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, unwittingly disclosed the full scale of the expected redundancies when he was photographed Monday reading confidential briefing papers, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The “restricted” documents said: “The OBR’s (Office for Budget Responsibility) budget forecast was for a reduction in public sector workforce numbers of 490,000 by 2014-15.

“This is likely to change as a result of settlements agreed in the Spending Review but government expects the OBR’s November forecast to be broadly in line with its budget forecast. It will be for each public sector employer to determine the workforce implications of spending settlements.”

Tens of thousands of government officials will be offered redundancy in the coming weeks as the government plans to cut more than 80 billion pounds in public spending over the next four years, the documents said.

Public sector workers will also have a two-year pay freeze and be told that they face increased pension contributions from next year.

Chancellor George Osborne will announce the outcome of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review Wednesday.

The Telegraph also revealed that ministers will announce more than 13 billion pounds in welfare cuts. In total, including cuts announced in the emergency budget, the welfare bill will be reduced by about 25 billion pounds in the next four years.

Under the review plan, every government department – except health and international development – has to undertake budget cuts of up to 40 percent by 2015. It is thought that the budgets of the Home Office and Justice Department will be particularly hard hit.
IANS

“Without Edwards, there would not be a large number of freezers filled with embryos in the world,” Bishop Ignazio Carrasco de Paula has said in an e-mail statement.

However, the UK Government has welcomed the decision to award the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine 2010 to British scientist Professor Robert Edwards, who developed in vitro fertilisation.
“This prize demonstrates the immense contribution UK researchers bring to science and should act as an inspiration to the next generation of scientists, who can help to secure our world lead in science and technology”, said David Willetts, UK Minister for Universities and Science in a statement.

On the other hand, Carrasco de Paula, the Vatican’s voice on bio-ethics, said Edwards, a former Cambridge University professor, has created “a market of donor eggs”.

His comments echo past Vatican condemnation of the in-vitro process that was severely curtailed in Italy. A referendum to roll back the stringent law failed with the help of the Vatican which wasn’t shy about voicing its opinion in overwhelmingly Catholic Italy.

“In the best cases they (embryos) are transferred into a uterus, but most probably, they will end up abandoned or dead, for which the new Nobel prize winner is responsible.”

Edwards’ name was announced Monday by the Nobel Assembly in Stockholm, which praised the British scientist’s contribution as a milestone in the development of modern medicine.
The citation from the Nobel Assembly recognized his work as “a milestone in the development of modern medicine”:
“His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility, a medical condition afflicting a large proportion of humanity including more than 10% of all couples worldwide… Approximately four million individuals have so far been born following IVF. Many of them are now adult and some have already become parents”, the citation said.
The citation noted that as early as the 1950s, Edwards had the vision that IVF could be useful as a treatment for infertility and first test tube baby was born in 25th July, 1978.

“I am delighted to congratulate Robert Edwards on this outstanding achievement. His achievements in IVF research have brought hope and happiness to millions of families around the world. The transition of IVF from experiment to practical medicine represents a major milestone in modern science, as well as bringing tangible benefits to our everyday lives”, said the UK Minister.

(With agency inputs)

“We have not seen any negative experience during these days of my participation in the Games”, Laurie Patterson, a staff member and former student of Leeds Metropolitan University (UK) told fachcha.com. Laurie is among 14 international students volunteers from Leeds Metropolitan University. Reacting on recent problems she said that I did not think these are big issues.

“What is needed to fix the problem, address the issue as quick as possible and move on”, said Aden Patty, another volunteer and student of BA Physical Education of the university. He said that though he had heard about these things through the media but he did not think that such problems could not be tackled easily. Praising the hospitality, culture and social fabric of India volunteer students said that all these are wonderful experience for them.

“I have never seen such a multi-cultural society with exciting hospitality”, added Laurie.

According to Anjela Patterson, Project Manager of the team, the idea behind to participate in event to expand socio-cultural horizon of the students as well as improve their CV through social mobility. “Our students have participated in the Youth Commonwealth Games in Pune too as volunteers”, she said.

The student volunteers said that the emphasis should be given on to win medals in the games at this moment. Rest should be leave on the government and organisers. “As far as we are concerned we have been gaining new and positive experience for last few days”, they added.

(Chandan Sharma can be contacted at editorial@fachcha.com)

Facing the tough time due to recession Britain is looking for a metamorphosis in the economy and business. Sir Richard Stagg, British High Commissioner to India says “Now, we want business leaders and other business centres in the region, including existing Indian investors in the UK, to visit yourbusinesstomorrow website and share their insights on how innovation will shape the business world of tomorrow. It’s also a great opportunity to find out more about how the UK can be your springboard for global growth.”

Apart from it, citizens of countries like South Africa, Venezuela and some other countries will have to apply for visa under the new system. However, holders of biometric passports have been exempted in this concern. “These details are checked against police as well as immigration databases, allowing us to stop those who have previously had an adverse contact with the UK Border Agency or the police, including those who have subsequently changed their biographic identity”, the new policy says.

The travel advisory has said that 1,411 British visitors to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have reported problems in the last year.

“If you’re taken ill or lose your luggage, you could face substantial personal expense if you don’t have adequate travel insurance. You should also check whether you or your family need vaccinations or medication such as anti-malarials, and update yourself…”, it says. It has also suggested to take a health insurance too if the Asian families travelling Indian sub-continent to attend wedding ceremony.

In a latest move, after suspension of students visa process for North Indian students for one month, the UK government has announced tough measures for students. According to media reports British Home Minister Alan Johnson has announced Intermediate level English requirements to study in UK, including short term courses. This is tougher level for those students who have not nurtured in English education system, says a senior teacher of Delhi University. The level is normally required for school teachers in Indian context, he says.
“It was a kind of close shave. Our students got their visa approval just a week ago before the announcement of the suspension of visa process”, says Savita Mehta, Vice-President, (Communications), Amity University. 36 students of Amity got visa approval in January 2010, before the announcement, she adds.

On the other hand the UK has said that the step has been taken to keep bogus students out of the country who come here to work and not for study by misusing student visa. The number of work hours is also being reduced for the foreign students from 20 hours to 10 hours in a week.

The UK Border Agency has taken this decision in response to unexpectedly high numbers of student visa applications in these areas at this time of year. The temporary suspension will allow the UK Border Agency to continue to scrutinise applications thoroughly and to manage the visa process efficiently for all our customers in North India.

Customers who have already made appointments at the visa application centres in North India to submit their Tier 4 visa applications from 1 February onwards will have their appointments suspended until the UK Border Agency begins accepting Tier 4 visa applications again in these areas, and will then be given priority. Visa application centres in Western and South India will remain open for Tier 4 visa applications. Appointments will be necessary in these centres from 1 February.

Customers who are making applications in other visa categories are unaffected by this announcement

source:http://ukinindia.fco.co.uk