There are new types of cases that lawyers have to deal with in the area of conflict resolution. There is an increase in the number of cases that relates to Intellectual Property Rights and enforcement of international commercial agreements. Cases relating to our obligations and commitments made in international agreements and conventions, such as the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreements, have now started reaching courts of law and Arbitral Tribunals. I would urge all members of the Bar to equip themselves with the expertise necessary to handle all these new types of cases in emerging areas. PM-India

Supreme Court Stay Order dated 11 Feb 2013 on Income tax

Data source: The Economic Times

Data source: Livemint

15 FEB, 2013, 05.00AM IST, ET BUREAU 

India becomes the new fast food destination

India's quick-service restaurant chains business is expected to grow eight-fold to $5.6 b by 2020 from $720 m in 2011, at a CAGR of 27 per cent.

MNCs and Indian chains Domino's, McDonald's and Nirula's are all eying this segment, which is being driven by rising disposable incomes, increasing urbanisation and a younger population. Here's a look at India's fast food market:

According to an Assocham study, India is world’s largest consumer, second largest producer and fourth largest exporter of tea and accounts for nearly 30 per cent of global output.

World over, the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises have been recognized as engines of economic growth. The role of MSMEs in the economic and social development of our country is well established. The MSME sector is a nursery of entrepreneurship, often driven by individual creativity and innovation. Thus, MSMEs are important for the national objectives of growth with equity and inclusion. The MSME sector contributes about 9 per cent of the country's GDP, 45 per cent of the manufactured output and 40 per cent of its exports. The MSMEs provide employment to over 60 million persons through more than 26 million enterprises with a lower labour to capital ratio. The overall growth in the MSME sector has been much higher than in the large industries over the last five years. Although Indian MSMEs are a bedrock for innovation and despite being a diverse and heterogeneous group they face some common challenges with regard to access to institutional credit, collateral requirements, equity capital, et

China demands territorial concessions to bring it closer to India's sensitive Siliguri Corridor

 

INDIA, Updated Feb 08, 2013 at 08:32am IST

Surya Gangadharan, CNN-IBN

New Delhi: A tense game is being played out on Bhutan's border with China where Beijing is demanding territorial concessions that could bring it closer to India's sensitive Siliguri Corridor. Visiting Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Thinley is expected to brief Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday.

Thinley will be discussing more than gross national happiness when he meets Manmohan. Sources told CNN-IBN that Bhutan is under mounting pressure from Beijing to settle a territorial issue on its terms.

China rejects the present border with Bhutan - it says the border should actually run about eight kilometre deep inside Bhutan, curving all the way down to the Dolam plateau which is the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction. The claim reflects its insecurity over the Chumbi valley in Tibet. All troop and vehicle movements can be monitored by Indian troops stationed in Sikkim and all Chinese posts and logistic hubs are within range of Indian artillery.

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China's motivations are clearly driven by the need to shield its troop movements from Indian observation and also give strategic depth to the Chumbi valley.

China is already reported to have laid some motorable tracks into its claim area in Bhutan. It has also claimed some areas in northern Bhutan. It is pushing Bhutan to establish diplomatic relations and wants to negotiate a trade agreement at the earliest.

For India, any Chinese inroad into Bhutan heightens the risk to the Siliguri Corridor - the narrow highway bordering Bhutan which links up with the north eastern states. With Indian backing, Bhutan has been able to hold off the Chinese advances but as democracy takes hold in the dragon kingdom, India may have to contend with diverse players some of whom may see advantage in playing the China card.

Speech by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the Banquet in Honour of the President of the Republic of France, H.E. Mr. Francois Hollande

Your Excellency, President Francois Hollande, President of the French Republic,     Madame Valerie Trierweiler, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, Ladies and gentlemen,             It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome Your Excellency and Madame Valerie Trierweiler on your first State Visit to India. Our Government is particularly honoured that you have chosen India as the first country in Asia for such a visit. It is a matter of satisfaction that your delegation includes several distinguished Ministers of your Cabinet.             Your visit to India is yet another occasion to celebrate the high level of understanding betweenIndia and France. We have long nurtured a close and substantive relationship based on shared principles and values – and our many convergences on regional and global issues of common concern. It has thrived on our mutual respect, regular dialogue and constructive exchanges. In the people to people context, we have a unique history. Indians have sacrificed their lives alongside French soldiers in some of the fiercest fighting on French soil during the First World War and in other theatres during the Second. The people of India have held France in great esteem. We have admired her open society and its rich legacy of artistic expression, literature and philosophy. We recall the visit of Swami Vivekananda to Paris in 1900 and Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore’s close relationship with French scholars and artists which contributed to the realisation of the cherishedVishwa Bharath University at Shanti Niketan. The writings of Rene Descartes found resonance in the works of our own great philosophers; and Nobel Laureate, Romain Rolland, who published his conversations with Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi, was strongly influenced by our philosophy of Vedanta. The slogans of the French Revolution, “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity” were embraced by the framers of the Indian Constitution. When the 1954 Agreement was signed between our Governments on the French Establishments in India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister had rightly anticipated that the revised arrangement would give birth to a new closeness between our two countries.             True to his prophetic words, our enduring friendship, marked by our bilateral co-operation in diverse sectors has had rewarding outcomes to our mutual benefit. As a result we have, today, more than 700 French enterprises invested in India; and Indian companies are increasingly exploring opportunities in France. Our bilateral trade has grown to almost 9 billion US Dollars in 2011-12 and France is today the 9th largest foreign investor in India. Our joint initiatives which include technology transfer and collaborative development in the strategic areas of space, defence production and civil nuclear co-operation have been particularly successful. We very much appreciate that France has been one of India’s oldest, closest and most reliable partners. ISRO’s launch in October 2011, of the Megha Tropiques research satellite jointly developed by ISRO and the French Space Agency has facilitated the harvesting of valuable data for understanding weather – which is of tremendous worth to both our countries as well as scientists around the world. We have a long standing and fruitful collaboration in the railways sector. The Indo French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research, has set an example that other countries seek to emulate.             Excellency, the success of our joint efforts reminds us that India and France have similar aspirations.  While preserving the advantages of globalization, we are both committed to working bilaterally and multilaterally to shape a new global agenda for inclusive growth. We both agree on the need to revitalise global governance and the reform of its principal organs. I take this opportunity to reiterate that India appreciates the support consistently extended by France to India’s rightful claim to a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.              India desires to see that her external environment is secure so that our country can develop in peace. We are concerned when there is instability in our region; and we value constructive consultations with all concerned on the issues that must be addressed carefully. The sea lanes in theIndian Ocean, similarly, are threatened by acts of piracy, evoking the necessity of closer co-ordination in maritime security. As countries that have repeatedly experienced terrorist attacks, we must give due priority to addressing the threats to international peace and security posed by terrorists and their facilitators.             Excellency, one of the happiest elements in the everyday contacts between our people is the spontaneous current of cultural exchanges between them - even beyond our official programmes. ‘Namaste France’ and ‘Bonjour India’ Festivals have set a new paradigm of expectations and this year, both Governments will jointly bring out Bonjour India 2013.             I have no doubt that under your leadership, our strategic partnership will continue to progress and mature in the years to come.             With these words, I once again welcome Your Excellency, President Hollande, Madame Valerie Trierweiler and your distinguished delegation.             Ladies and Gentlemen,             I invite you to please join me in raising a toast: -                     To the good health and personal well-being of President Francois Hollande  and Madame Valerie Trierweiler; -                                             To the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of France; and -                                             To lasting friendship between India and France.

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has come to occupy an important position in our economy. It contributes about 45 per cent of the manufacturing output and about 40 per cent of total exports of our country. In over 29 million MSME units, about 69 million persons are employed.

Ford India in Sikkim

Ford India has officially expanded its footprint in the Eastern region by inaugurating its first ever dealership in Sikkim, thereby adding to a total of 18 dealerships in East India. With the launch of two brand new dealerships at Gangtok in Sikkim and Himmatnagar in Gujarat during the same week, Ford India continues to make its services more accessible in tier II and III cities of India.

Spread across an area of 2500 square feet in Gangtok, Saharsh Ford is in line with the Blue Oval’s aggressive expansion plans to reach closer to its customers in India.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new facility, Mr. Vinay Piparsania, executive director, marketing, sales and service, Ford India said, “We are pleased to enter new boundaries and are sure our new customers in Sikkim will be excited to experience Ford’s range of dependable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars”. 

LOOK EAST AND THEN FAR EAST

Looking East, first in the line of sight

Gaurav Gogoi

Urvashi Sarkar

Pratyush N.

source: The Hindu   

3

The future of north-east India rests on relationships with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. The Jinjiram river near the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

A prosperous Bangladesh is in India’s interest, and will benefit its north-east States

Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid’s upcoming visit to Bangladesh on February 16-17 is significant on several counts.

It will be his first visit since assuming office in 2012, and comes weeks after the two countries signed an extradition treaty. While there, he is expected to chair a meeting of the India Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission and review the gamut of the relationship.

The visit gains further significance in the light of the violence in 2012 between tribals and Muslims in Assam, which is rooted in the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh. Bangladesh is crucial to India’s “Look East” policy as New Delhi seeks to foster closer cooperation with its neighbours to bring about economic development and prosperity in its long-neglected north-east region. Further, India’s foreign policy has a growing regional perspective, of which Bangladesh is an important component.

The visit could also lay the groundwork for a landmark visit by President Pranab Mukherjee to Dhaka in March.

The relationship has been a priority for both the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government and the Awami League government in Bangladesh, with a host of high-level visits in the past two years. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited New Delhi in January 2010. Under her regime, Bangladesh has also handed over key United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants in its territory to India.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid a historic visit to Dhaka in September 2011. The visit, the first by an Indian leader in 12 years, resulted in the signing of a crucial boundary swap agreement allowing about 50 Bangladeshi enclaves inside India to be integrated within Bangladesh and about 100 Indian areas inside Bangladesh to become a part of India. Other agreements included promoting trade, investment and economic cooperation; boosting regional connectivity and people-to-people contacts; transmission and distribution of electricity; promotion of educational and cultural cooperation and environmental protection among others.

Findings from a youth summit

In this context, a relevant development took place in Guwahati on February 1 in the form of the “Maitree Summit,” a track-II dialogue between India and Bangladesh. The summit gains significance on account of some of its important observations and recommendations.

Organised by the Youth Forum on Foreign Policy (YFFP), a Delhi-based think tank and the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, the dialogue brought together Indian and Bangladeshi speakers from academia, media, business and politics and held out the promise of stronger cooperation between the two neighbours.

The broad message was the need for India and Bangladesh to cooperate in as many areas as possible including the development of infrastructure, labour and skills, mitigating environmental disasters and diplomacy.

Joint academic cooperation as a means to address issues complicating the India-Bangladesh relationship could focus on research on illegal migration, the enclaves, arms proliferation, drug trafficking, transition rights, water-sharing, terrorism and fundamentalism.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi made a strong pitch for boosting trade, cultural and transport links between north-east India and Bangladesh as it would benefit the entire region. He also alluded to the common destiny of the two regions — Assam and Bangladesh face climate change, floods, soil erosion, a porous border and smuggling — and called for joint efforts to tackle them. The future of north-east India also depended on relationships with neighbours such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.

The Bangladeshi delegates expressed disappointment over the failure to reach an agreement regarding the sharing of Teesta waters when Dr. Singh visited in 2011. There was also a sense that Bangladesh sought an equal standing in its relationship with India. While acknowledging that Dhaka needs New Delhi, it was pointed out that China and Myanmar were also helping Bangladesh in several areas. It was also in India’s interests to see a stable and prosperous Bangladesh because of the inextricable ties between the two countries.

A survey conducted by YFFP in January showed that young Indians did not appear to give much importance to their immediate neighbours, other than China and Pakistan. Only three per cent of the respondents felt Bangladesh is important while 43 per cent said relations with the United States are the most significant, followed by China and Pakistan.

While the summit stressed the importance of people-to-people contacts in enhancing India-Bangladesh ties, the survey points to the need for more young people to be involved in such contacts.

(Gaurav Gogoi is co-founder, Youth Forum on Foreign Policy. Urvashi Sarkar and Pratyush N. are freelance journalists) 

SISCO BANK PAYS DIVIDEND

Gangtok 14^th February: The SISCO Bank paid the divident to the share capital of the State Government for the year 2010-11 and 11-12 amounting to Rs.38.57 lacs and Rs.46.81 lacs respectively today. The Cheque was handed over to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Sikkim by Shri Laxuman Lepcha, Chairman, SBS and Sikkim State Cooperative Bank in the presence of Shri RP Singla Managing Director, RK Goyal General Manager and Smt. P. Chenzon Dy General Manager of SISCO Bank at Mintokgang, the official residence of the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister interacting with the Bank officials urged them to look into the public interest during their day to day activity and help the cultivators and agriculturist with loan facilities and simplify the official procedures while dealing with the public in their interest. The bank officials requested for the intervention of the Chief Minister for the schedule bank status for the SISCO Bank on which the Chief Minister assured the officials that he will write it to the Governor, Reserver Bank of India on the issue.

From hotel chains to flower shows, Sikkim is going global

Mainak Sain, TNN Feb 12, 2013, 03.30AM IST

GANGTOK: Sikkim gets its name from a combination of two Limbu words: su, which means 'new', and khyim, which means 'palace' or 'house'. With its hospitality, power, health andpharma sectors booming, Sikkim is not only inviting investors, it is all set to play the development partner.

Chief minister Pawan Chamling, outlining the broad parameters of Sikkim's new development model, said land will not be a constraint for willing investors and promised full cooperation for infra needs.

Supreme Court Stay on Old Settlers' Petition on Income tax

SC stay on Sikkim tax dues -Old settler petition says 1961 Act discriminatory LEGAL CORRESPONDENT source the Telegraph New Delhi, Feb. 12: The Supreme Court yesterday stayed the recovery of income tax dues from “old settlers of Indian origin” in Sikkim and sought the Union government’s response to a petition that challenged the collection of the central tax from them. Last year, around 400 families in Sikkim refused to file income tax returns and demanded exemption that applies to those who have Sikkim Subject Certificates. The Chogyals had issued the Sikkim Subject Certificates (SSC) to people living in the state during 1961 under the Sikkim Subject Regulation Act of 1961. The 400 families, also known as “old settlers”, came to the state before 1975, when Sikkim merged with India, but they do not possess the certificates. The Centre had exempted SSC holders, about 95 per cent of Sikkim’s population, from paying income tax in 2008 after an amendment in the Finance Act by the Parliament based on the state’s request. That year, Association of Old Settlers Of Sikkim filed a petition with a Rajya Sabha Committee saying it was discriminatory and violated Article 14 (equality before law) and 15 (prohibition against discrimination) of the Constitution. Yesterday, senior counsel K.K. Venugopal and counsel Senthil Jagadeesan who appeared for the Association of Old Settlers Of Sikkim submitted that Clause 26 AAA of Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, was discriminatory and violated Articles 14 and 15 as 95 per cent of the state’s population that was exempted from paying tax “includes about 70 per cent people of Nepalese origin, and the entire exemption has come about to appease the electorate.” The remaining 5 per cent was to pay the taxes. It was submitted that the demographic profile of Sikkim, according to the 2004 voters’ list, shows that Bhutia-Lepcha (STs) are about 20.64 per cent of the population, Nepalese constitute 69.71 per cent, Sherpas are 4.31 per cent and others make up 5.34 per cent (old settlers: 1.5 per cent and migrants: 3.84 per cent). The petition said, discussions between Sikkim and the Union of India disclosed that SSC holders and those who became citizens in 1990-91 after the Sikkim Citizenship Amendment Order 1989 should be exempted for political reasons and to maintain ethnic peace in the state and SSC holders who had voted for the merger of Sikkim with India be rewarded by granting exemption. “This is the reason for the differential classification whereby 95 per cent of the population in Sikkim is exempted from the Income Tax Act, 1961, while 5 per cent of the population including the old settlers of Indian origin are liable to be taxed,” a member of the association said.

Dilip Kumar Jha  |  Mumbai  February 11, 2013 Business Standard

Branded tea market to double in five years

Rapid change in consumer behaviour may support the market more than its unbranded segment

Rapid change in consumer behaviour is likely to support the branded tea market more than its unbranded segment. Consequently, the branded tea market is expected to double in the next five years.

With 20 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR), the branded tea market constitutes nearly 55 per cent of the market size with around 980 million kg of India’s overall output. A recent study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) forecast India’s tea market to touch Rs 33,000 crore by 2015 from Rs 19,500 (in 2011).

“The total branded tea segment in India, currently valued at Rs 6,000 crore, is expected to double in the next five years. The domestic coffee consumption, too, has been continuously growing at an annual average rate of six per cent and is largely on account of a thriving independent upscale café culture,” said Priti Kapadia, director of Sentinel Exhibitions Asia.

Sentinel Exhibitions is the organiser of the World Tea and Coffee Expo (WTCE), scheduled on February 15-17 in Mumbai. Domestic coffee outlets, which have a lot of appeal for the new generation, are set to double within three years, fuelled by the foray of global players such as Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts in India. WTCE is India’s only trade show dedicated to the hot beverages sector.

Companies in the last decade have positioned tea and coffee as recreational products, which proved beneficial in attracting the younger population. Furthermore, the focus on high-protein, low-sugar diets is stimulating demand for green tea, ground coffee and artificial sweeteners, which have shown strong signs of promise over the past three years, Priti added.

The Assocham study further said that with nearly 600,000 hectares under tea cultivation, the domestic tea industry is growing at a CAGR of about 15 per cent.

India is the world’s largest consumer, second largest producer and fourth largest exporter of tea after China and accounts for nearly 30 per cent of global output. Nearly 25 per cent of tea produced worldwide is consumed in India, said the study.

500 New Community Radio Stations by the End of XII Plan Rs.100 Crores to Promote CRS Movement in XII Plan- Manish Tewari I&B Minister Confers Awards for Excellence at the 3rd Community Radio Sammelan

The Government in order to give the Community Radio movement a fresh impetus would be providing Rs.100 crores in the XII Plan. During the Plan period, it was proposed to set up 500 new Community Radio Stations (CRS) also. This was stated by Shri Manish Tewari, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, while delivering the valedictory address at the 3rd National Community Radio Sammelan here today. Shri Tewari further stated that the Ministry had identified key benchmarks for the Plan period whereby a roadmap would be prepared to provide assistance for operating Community Radio Stations. Elaborating on the proposal of the Plan fund, the minister said Rs.90 crores had been proposed for providing financial support, while Rs.10 crore was being proposed for training, capacity building and awareness activities of Community Radio Stations. Provisions had also been made for providing grants in this sector, for research and innovations. Taking into account the role and relevance of such interventions, the Minister further added that the Ministry has also made a provision for Emergency Grant for CRS. The Minister further mentioned that in order to encourage the working of such stations, several key proposals and initiatives were being looked into that included Peer Review of Community Radio Stations, capacity building of community Radio operators, Code of Ethics for self-regulation of content by Community Radio Stations.   The Minister also elaborated on the efforts being made by the ministry in coordinating relevant issues with the Ministry of Communications & IT with regard to better frequency allocation plan for the CRSs. He mentioned that it was likely that the Department of Telecom would announce the spectrum waiver decision shortly. The need to facilitate a vibrant business model was in the offing to ensure the sustainability of the movement. Shri Tewari said, the ministry had taken the initiative to promote the streamlining and simplification of Community Radio empanelment through DAVP thereby ensuring that the empanelled stations got a fair share of Government advertisement. The Minister also conferred various awards on the occasion. The awards were given for various categories to CRSs operating in different parts of the country. Lauding the efforts of the participants, Shri Tewari said the innovative work done by such institutions ensured community empowerment through communication dissemination. At the same time, it was a great effort at capacity building at the rural level promoting communication, content and dissemination in a form and language understood by the people. These Stations reflected the relevance of communicating to the community through a process identified and implemented within the community. The Minister gave the awards :Details are as under-  Most Creative /Innovative Programme Content Awards: First Prize Radio Mewat, Run by SMART NGO, Nuh, Haryana, for its programme, “Apki Police ApkeDawar” Second Prize    Radio Benziger run by Benziger Hospital Society, Kollam, Kerala, for its programme, “Jana Shabdam” Third Prize SSM Community Radio, SSM College of Engineering, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, for its programme, “ThaimaieaThayangathey” Thematic Awards: First Prize PuduvaiVaani, run by Pondicherry University, Pondichery, for its programme, “UngalaiThedi” Second Prize    Radio Benziger run by Benziger Hospital Society, Kollam, Kerala, for its programme, “EnikkumParayanundoru Katha” Third Prize Rudi no Radio, run by Sewa Academy,Ahmedabad,                                           for its programme, “KaagajKamdar” Community Engagement Awards: First Prize Radio Media Village, run by St.Joseph College of     Communication,Kottayam, Kerala, for its programme, “Thanal”. Second Prize    Rudi no Radio, run by Sewa Academy, Ahmedabad, for the programme, “Right to Information” Third Prize  CMS Radio, Run by City Montesri School, Gomti Nagar Lucknow, for its programme, “RaushanHuaJahan” Promoting Local Culture Awards First Prize KisanvaniSironj, run by Indias Society of Agribusiness Professionals,Sironj, M.P., for its programe, “HamareKalakar” Second Prize    Neladani CR, run by DivyaJyothiVidyaKendrs, Bangalore, for itsprograme, “Janapadaloka” Third Prize CMS Radio, Run by City Montesri School, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, for its programe, “Community KaKamaal: Ekta-Ramleela” Sustainability Model Award: First Prize Radio Mattoli, Wayanad Social Service Society, Wayanad, Kerala CP/ST

FLOWER POWER: Sikkim set to host International Flower Show

IANS
February 04, 2013

Circle of flowers:  This is the Circular Garden or the Sunken Garden because of its bowl-shape and terraced garden.

Flowers and nature lovers will script a new tourism trail in Sikkim when the state plays host to more than 200,000 visitors at the second International Flower Show in Sikkim Feb 23-27 that will combine business, fun and a renewed commitment to protect the fragile environment of the Himalayan

state.
Home to nearly 5,000 species of flowering plants, 515 rare orchids, 60 primula species, 36 rhododendron species, 11 oak varieties, 23 bamboo varieties, 16 conifer species, 362 types of ferns and ferns allies, eight tree ferns and over 424 medicinal plants, Sikkim is pinning its business aspiration on floriculture and related trade as one of the primary economic lifelines of the future.
The international flower show will draw participants from the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, Thailand and Nepal as well, the Political and Economic Journal of Sikkim said in a report in its latest issue.
On display will be an array of exotic flowers like cymbidium orchids, rhododendrons and liliums.
The contingent of 550 participants at the show will include 75 growers, officials of horticulture and agriculture and others officials.
"With Sikkim's five climatic zones, we have been home to some of the most beautiful flower varieties. I see floriculture as a profession of the 21st century," Chief Minister Pawan Chamling told the Journal.
Sikkim Governor B.P. Singh recalled how he was taken aback with the beauty of flowers in northern Sikkim.
"The colours and beauty are difficult to put into words," he said.
The government is serious about promoting floriculture, enhancing not just the beauty of the state but also the lives of farmers who have taken to floriculture for a living. It has set up training schools at the district elevl to train flower growers.
Prahma Pradhan, a floricultarist, sells 50-100 roses daily. When she began growing flowers to supplement her family's earning, "it wasn't without scepticism". Today her family is earning well.
"The idea is to showcase to India and rest of the world the variety of flowers we grow in Sikkim. Also for the farmers, it is a wonderful way of connecting with more buyers... We are learning every day. We have cold storage vans at the farms, which help farmers deliver flowers safely. Once they reach a central location, there is a bigger storage facility from which flowers are sent to other parts of India and countries," Horticulture Minister D.N. Thakarpa told the Journal.
Apart from the flowers, there will also be an exhibition of vegetables, spices, roots and tubers, bamboos and mushrooms, tools equipment and organic inputs.
Sikkim is situated in an ecological hotspot of the lower Himalayas, one of the only three among the eco-regions of India. The orchid dendrobium nobile is the official flower of Sikkim, while the rhododendron is the state tree.

Huge glacial lake atop Himalayas poses danger in Sikkim

Published: Sunday, Feb 10, 2013, 15:55 IST Place: Bangalore | Agency: IANS

The South Lhonak Glacier, which drains east from Lhonak Peak into Sikkim from the Nepal-Sikkim border, has developed a lake whose outburst probability is very high at 42% and peak discharge estimated at 586 m3/s. A satellite-based study has indicated that a huge glacial lake has formed atop the Himalayas in Sikkim with a "very high" potential for it to burst and create devastation downstream. Analysis of satellite data has revealed that the lake has formed at the snout of South Lhonak glacier, that is about 7,000 meters high on the mountain in the northeastern state. The lake, bounded only by loose soil and debris, could cause havoc downstream if it ruptures, according to scientists at the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Hyderabad. In a report published in the latest issue of the journal Current Science, NRSC researchers Babu Govindha Raj and co-workers say the glacial lake is about 630 meters wide and 20 meters deep. It covers an area of 98.7 hectares and contains 19.7 billion liters of water. A sudden outburst "can create devastating floods downstream," they warn, adding that the probability of this happening "is very high". They, however, note this is only their preliminary assessment and more field studies are required to confirm the hazardous potential of this high altitude lake. Data from the American Landsat, CORONA and Terra satellites besides imageries from India's own Resourcesat-1 satellite were used to estimate the size of the shrinking Lhonak glacier and the growth of the glacial lake at different times between 1962 and 2008. Based on this study the scientists estimate that the Lhonak glacier had receded 1.9 km between 1962 and 2008. The glacial lake that was initially a small body of water in 1962 grew in size with accumulation of melt water. The NRSC scientists say that the lake is still attached to the snout of the glacier but is expanding in area due to the glacier retreat. "The rate of growth of the lake indicates possible developments of the hazard situation," the report says. As Himalayan glaciers are retreating fast, it is necessary to make an inventory of glacial lakes and set up an early warning system for lake outburst floods in vulnerable areas, they say.