FINANCE MINISTER’S REPLY IN RAJYA SABHA ON INTERIM BUDGET 2009-10
Following is the text of Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s reply in the Rajya Sabha on the Interim Budget 2009-10:
“Mr. Chairman, Sir,
It is important to recognize that the Union Budget statement is just one of the instruments for addressing economic policy concerns. Indeed, right from the day when the financial crisis erupted in the middle of September 2008, the Government has been alert and responsive to the fast changing developments. Government has undertaken the required administrative and fiscal measures in tandem with the monetary policy initiatives of the RBI by announcing two stimulus packages on December 7, 2008 and January 2, 2009.
The Government’s approach has been to ensure that our domestic growth drivers retain their momentum and for the present compensate for the difficult international environment. The fiscal stimulus measures have focused on supporting aggregate demand through emphasis on both investment and private consumption growth.
They have also addressed some of the sector-specific concerns such as those of our exporters, farmers, Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises, manufacturing sector and the service sector. The increased public spending, enhanced credit flows to the needy sectors, along with the excise and service tax relief are steps that would help in this context.
A Committee of Secretaries has been set up to address, on continuing basis, procedural problems being faced by exporters. A number of notifications simplifying the procedures have since been issued.
I now turn to Plan expenditure.
• The Plan expenditure in 2008-09 was increased by Rs 39,571 crore and the Non-Plan by Rs. 1,10,498 crore. The additional plan spending of Rs.39,571 crores is on account of an increase in Central Plan by Rs.24,174 crores and an increase of Rs.15,397 crores in the Central Assistance to State and UT Plans.
• In the BE for 2009-10 we have protected the increased spending of 2008-09. In addition, even without having any recourse to additional resource mobilization, I have found some resources to maintain the momentum on priority programme spending, with a view to sustain an early recovery of the economy.
• To ensure that the banking system does not suffer from capital inadequacy constraints in order to provide credit growth needed to sustain the economic momentum in 2009-10, the recapitalization of banks will be undertaken.
As a part of the two fiscal packages, a number of Tax and other fiscal measures have been undertaken. These include:
• An across the board cut in CENVAT by 4 percentage points benefitting all sectors;
• Reduction of the rate of duty on cotton textiles and textile articles from 4% to Nil.
• Provision of additional funds of Rs.1100 crore to ensure full refund of Terminal Excise duty/CST.
• Specific measures on customs duties on sectors such as steel and cement through restoration of the levels of protection;
• Service tax concessions and enhancement of drawback rates for exports.
• Interest subvention on pre and post shipment credit for labour intensive exports like textiles, leather, gem and jewellery, carpets and handicrafts; and
• Extension of a Line of Credit (LoC) by Rs.5000 crore to EXIM Bank from RBI to provide pre-shipment and post-shipment credit, in rupees or dollars, to Indian exporters at competitive rates.
• Refinance facilities respectively of Rs.4000 crore for the National Housing Bank for housing sector.
• Announcement of a package by Public sector banks for borrowers of home loans of up to 20 lakhs. This sector will be kept under a close watch and additional measures would be taken as necessary to promote an accelerated growth trajectory.
• Provision of additional allocation of Rs.1400 crore to clear the entire backlog in Technology Upgration Fund (TUF) Scheme in the textile sector.
• Inclusion of all items of handicrafts under 'Vishesh Krishi & Gram Udyog Yojana'.
We fully recognize the importance of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) in employment generation. To facilitate the flow of credit to MSMEs, RBI has announced a refinance facility of Rs.7000 crore for SIDBI which will be available to support incremental lending, either directly to MSMEs or indirectly via banks, NBFCs and SFCs. In addition, the following steps are being taken:
(a) To boost collateral free lending, the current guarantee cover under Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small enterprises on loans is being extended from Rs.50 lakh to Rs.1 crore with guarantee cover of 50 percent.
(b) The lock in period for loans covered under the existing credit guarantee scheme is being reduced from 24 to 18 months, to encourage banks to cover more loans under the guarantee scheme.
(c) Public Sector Banks have announced a reduction of interest rates on existing as well as new loans to MSME sectors.
(d) Special monthly meetings of State Level Bankers’ Committees are being held to oversee the resolution of credit issues of micro, small and medium enterprises by banks. Department of MSME and Department of Financial Services have been asked to jointly set up a Cell to monitor progress on this front.
• To provide a measure of security to unorganized workers, we have enacted the Unorganized Worker Sector Social Security Bill, 2008. The National Commission of Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector (NCEUS) has been asked to work out the detailed schemes in this regard.
• The recommendations of the Committee of Governors for speedy socio economic development and empowerment of Women is under the active consideration of the Government. Meanwhile, the UPA Government has decided to set up a High Power Committee of eminent persons and experts to study the Status of Women of India and to set up a ‘National Mission for Empowerment of Women’. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) will also be restructured and revitalized.
• The UPA Government is making all possible efforts to turnaround the loss making Central PSE’s like Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) through the infusion of funds and superior techno-managerial practices.
• In my Budget speech on 16.2.2009, I had announced that teaching is expected to commence in four of the six new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), proposed for the Eleventh Plan, during 2009-10. These are in Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu. I have since been informed that there was a typographical mistake made by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Institutes that will start functioning during 2009-10 will be in Haryana, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu. HRD Ministry has rectified the mistake. However, as announced we will now take action to set up an IIM in Rajasthan also.
Monetary Policy Measures
RBI took a number of liquidity enhancing measures to deal with the global crisis. These include:
• Reduction of the repo rate from 9 per cent in August 2008 to 5.50 per cent in January 2009.
• Reduction of the reverse repo rate which remained at 6 per cent from mid 2006 in December 2008 and January 2009 respectively by 1 per cent each to bring it to a level of 4 per cent.
• Reduction of the Cash Reserve Ratio from 9 per cent as on August 30, 2008 to 5 per cent with effect from January 17, 2009.
Taking into account the above measures, RBI has estimated the actual/potential release of primary liquidity since mid September 2008 as Rs.3,88,045 crore .
It is important to recognize that there is always some time lag between the announcement of a measure, be it fiscal or monetary, its implementation and its intended impact on the economy and financial parameters of the economy.
Latest figures confirm that our two fiscal packages are steps in the right direction. The data available for the month of December 2008 shows that some of the key sectors of manufacture are exhibiting early signs of recovery compared to November 2008. Cement production has gone up by 8 per cent in December- January and Steel has recorded a production of 22.8 million Metric Tons which is equivalent to the production in May 2008. For the quarter ending December 2008, FMCG registered a growth of more than 25 per cent and Food and Beverages 28 per cent. Railway freight which had declined to 2.2 per cent in October-November 2008 has recovered to a growth of 7 per cent in December, 2008. With good Rabi crop, much higher Minimum Support Prices and considerable increase in rural employment programmes, the rural demand should help in supporting the revival of industrial growth in the coming months. These are encouraging signs considering that all forecasts point towards a much bleaker 2009 as far as international economy is concerned.
I. Even though the signals are encouraging, the full impact of the recession in other parts of the world specially Europe and Asia is yet to unfold. Due to the strong export linkages with these economies, it is likely that the Indian economy may feel further impact in coming months. To counter any such effects, I announced the following concessions in Lok Sabha yesterday:
Central Excise
(a) General reduction in Excise Duty rates by 4 per cent points was made with effect from 7.12.2008. It is now being extended beyond 31 March, 2009. In addition, it has now been decided to:
(i) reduce the general rate of Central Excise duty from 10 per cent to 8 per cent.
(ii) retain the rate of central excise duty on goods currently attracting ad valorem rates of 8 per cent and 4 per cent respectively;
(iii) reduce the rate of central excise duty on bulk cement from 10 per cent or Rs. 290 PMT, whichever is higher to 8 per cent or Rs.230 PMT, whichever is higher.
Service Tax
2. The Government is keen that the business confidence in the Services sector is restored. It is also our objective that the dispersal between CENVAT rate and the Service Tax rate is reduced with a view to move towards the stated goal of a Uniform Goods and Service Tax. In line with this objective, it has been decided to reduce the rate of service tax on taxable services from 12 percent to 10 per cent.
3. To provide relief to the power sector, Naptha imported for generation of electric energy has been fully exempted from basic Customs Duty. This exemption which was available upto 31 March 2009, is now being extended beyond that date.
4. Section 10 AA of the Income Tax provides for exemption in respect of export profits of a unit located in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The export profits are required to be computed with reference to the total turn over of the assessee. This has resulted in discriminatory treatment of assessees having units located both in SEZ and the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) vis-à-vis assessees having units located only within the SEZs. It has now been decided to remove this anomaly through necessary changes in the Act.
5. Hon’ble Members may recall that in my Budget Speech, I had indicated that we may have to review the ceiling of fiscal deficit that the States can incur in 2009-10 in terms of the debt consolidation and relief facility. As a part of the first stimulus package, it was increased by 0.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2008-09. To spur the development of infrastructure and employment generation, this arrangement is being extended to 2009-10 with the possibility of further review, if required, in the coming months.
6. I am fully conscious that the increased public spending may put pressure on Governments borrowing programme and the overall of credit in the economy. There is, however, scope for appropriate compensatory monetary policy options that I am sure will be exercised by the RBI at the right time. Our medium term objective must be to revert to the path of fiscal consolidation at the earliest. In my view, it has to be as early as 2010-11, provided the US and OECD economies come out of their contractionary phase by the year end.”
*****
BSC/SS/MRS
Thursday, February 26, 2009
SWAMINATHAN AS CHANCELLOR SIKKIM UNIVERSITY
S Swaminathan appointed Sikkim Uty Chancellor
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Gangtok:
Acclaimed agriculture scientist Prof M S Swaminathan, also famous as 'Father of Green Revolution in India', has been announced by Sikkim University as its chancellor.
Sikkim University, the 23rd varsity in India, announced the appointment of Prof MS Swaminathan today in a communique.''A trained plant geneticist, Professor Swaminathan's advocacy of sustainable agricultural has led to the Green Revolution in India.
it made him an acknowledged world leader in the field of sustainable food security,'' the communique said.Prof Swaminathan is currently a Rajya Sabha member, a position to which he was nominated by the Centre in recognition to his outstanding contribution towards the sphere of agriculture.
Prof Swaminathan, also the chairman of the National Commission on Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security of India (National Commission on Farmers), is also holding the UNESCO-Cousteau Chair in Ecotechnology at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Gangtok:
Acclaimed agriculture scientist Prof M S Swaminathan, also famous as 'Father of Green Revolution in India', has been announced by Sikkim University as its chancellor.
Sikkim University, the 23rd varsity in India, announced the appointment of Prof MS Swaminathan today in a communique.''A trained plant geneticist, Professor Swaminathan's advocacy of sustainable agricultural has led to the Green Revolution in India.
it made him an acknowledged world leader in the field of sustainable food security,'' the communique said.Prof Swaminathan is currently a Rajya Sabha member, a position to which he was nominated by the Centre in recognition to his outstanding contribution towards the sphere of agriculture.
Prof Swaminathan, also the chairman of the National Commission on Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security of India (National Commission on Farmers), is also holding the UNESCO-Cousteau Chair in Ecotechnology at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai.
SIKKIM- A wonderful Place
Sikkim - Gateway to China
February 25th, 2009 in India |
So much has been written about the crumbling decadence, insurgency, AIDS, the poverty and hostile nature of North Eastern India that it is impossible to visit the region without pre-conceived idea. According to a friend who had recently returned, “There isn’t any” seemed to be the current in-phrase. This included riot, ransom, violence, communication gap,… extremists. People are peace loving and world class in hospitality. Determined, I faced the prospect of a somewhat adventurous mission to taste the unexplored land and culture, with some stoic philosophic abandon!
I rested in Sikkim as my first itenerary. It is simultaneously touching and heart warming - a coupling with which I became very familiar, for the Sikkimese understand my urband accent - they have mastered the art of easy communication.
The state is enormously optimistic and investors would surely love to expand their ventures in this news destination. As the legendary Nathu-La pass has been re-opened for trade with China, visiting Sikkim is derigueur. Today, Sikkim becomes the gateway to China!
The hub of life is centred on the main city, Gangtok. Here, it is possible to buy anything - from laughing Buddha to wooden sculptures, from Chow-mein to pork momo and from local wine to strong beer. It’s always busy - an inevitable tourist haunt that somehow never seems touristy.
From the high wall of the Rumtek monastry, there is a sensational panaromic view of the city. The magnificiant Mount Kanchengjunga can also be seen covered with silver white from here. In Gangtok, hotel prices were quite reasonable. As a visitor, eating out in the city can be surprisingly cheap and believe it or not I did not hear “There isn’t any” once!
Indian journalist working for as Executive Editor for lifestyle magazine.
February 25th, 2009 in India |
So much has been written about the crumbling decadence, insurgency, AIDS, the poverty and hostile nature of North Eastern India that it is impossible to visit the region without pre-conceived idea. According to a friend who had recently returned, “There isn’t any” seemed to be the current in-phrase. This included riot, ransom, violence, communication gap,… extremists. People are peace loving and world class in hospitality. Determined, I faced the prospect of a somewhat adventurous mission to taste the unexplored land and culture, with some stoic philosophic abandon!
I rested in Sikkim as my first itenerary. It is simultaneously touching and heart warming - a coupling with which I became very familiar, for the Sikkimese understand my urband accent - they have mastered the art of easy communication.
The state is enormously optimistic and investors would surely love to expand their ventures in this news destination. As the legendary Nathu-La pass has been re-opened for trade with China, visiting Sikkim is derigueur. Today, Sikkim becomes the gateway to China!
The hub of life is centred on the main city, Gangtok. Here, it is possible to buy anything - from laughing Buddha to wooden sculptures, from Chow-mein to pork momo and from local wine to strong beer. It’s always busy - an inevitable tourist haunt that somehow never seems touristy.
From the high wall of the Rumtek monastry, there is a sensational panaromic view of the city. The magnificiant Mount Kanchengjunga can also be seen covered with silver white from here. In Gangtok, hotel prices were quite reasonable. As a visitor, eating out in the city can be surprisingly cheap and believe it or not I did not hear “There isn’t any” once!
Indian journalist working for as Executive Editor for lifestyle magazine.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
INCOME TAX COLLECTION UP IN BENGAL CIRCLE
Bengal tax mop-up on the rise
Calcutta, Feb. 24: Income tax collection (net of refund) in the Bengal circle, which includes Sikkim and the Andaman and Nicobar islands, has gone up 23.8 per cent to Rs 10,316 crore till the end of January in the current fiscal.
“Income tax collection in the circle has trebled in the last five years,” chief commissioner T. K. Chatterjee said.
“The growth in tax collection in the current financial year so far came on the back of a 22 per cent increase in corporate tax collection and a 32 per cent growth in personal income tax collection,” he said.
Companies paid Rs 7,022 crore tax on their profit earnings in the first 10 months of the current fiscal, an increase of 22 per cent over the year-ago period. “We made a tax refund of Rs 1,307 crore to the corporate sector till December 2008 compared with Rs 1,148 crore in the previous corresponding period,” Chatterjee said.
He said personal income tax collection in the current fiscal so far had grown 32 per cent to Rs 2,954 crore. “The primary reason for this is wider applicability of TDS (tax deducted at source),” Chatterjee said. TDS collection rose 35.07 per cent to Rs 3,714 crore against Rs 2,750 crore in the same period in 2007-08.
However, tax refunds to individual income tax-payers were lower at Rs 234 crore against Rs 333 crore in 2007-08.
“Advance tax payment and tax paid through self-assessment grew significantly. Advance tax payment till January 31, 2009 was higher at Rs 5,237 crore (Rs 4,807 crore), while tax paid under self-assessment was Rs 1,349 crore (Rs 898 crore),” the chief commissioner said. The total number of tax-payers in Bengal circle is around 24 lakh and is growing at the rate of 10 per cent every year.
But the income tax department is facing a severe shortage of manpower. “The sanctioned number of joint and additional commissioners for the Bengal circle is 128. But the number of joint and additional commissioners is only 42. Similarly, the sanctioned number of assistant and deputy commissioners for the circle is 220 while we have only 141 of them working at present,” Chatterjee said.
Calcutta, Feb. 24: Income tax collection (net of refund) in the Bengal circle, which includes Sikkim and the Andaman and Nicobar islands, has gone up 23.8 per cent to Rs 10,316 crore till the end of January in the current fiscal.
“Income tax collection in the circle has trebled in the last five years,” chief commissioner T. K. Chatterjee said.
“The growth in tax collection in the current financial year so far came on the back of a 22 per cent increase in corporate tax collection and a 32 per cent growth in personal income tax collection,” he said.
Companies paid Rs 7,022 crore tax on their profit earnings in the first 10 months of the current fiscal, an increase of 22 per cent over the year-ago period. “We made a tax refund of Rs 1,307 crore to the corporate sector till December 2008 compared with Rs 1,148 crore in the previous corresponding period,” Chatterjee said.
He said personal income tax collection in the current fiscal so far had grown 32 per cent to Rs 2,954 crore. “The primary reason for this is wider applicability of TDS (tax deducted at source),” Chatterjee said. TDS collection rose 35.07 per cent to Rs 3,714 crore against Rs 2,750 crore in the same period in 2007-08.
However, tax refunds to individual income tax-payers were lower at Rs 234 crore against Rs 333 crore in 2007-08.
“Advance tax payment and tax paid through self-assessment grew significantly. Advance tax payment till January 31, 2009 was higher at Rs 5,237 crore (Rs 4,807 crore), while tax paid under self-assessment was Rs 1,349 crore (Rs 898 crore),” the chief commissioner said. The total number of tax-payers in Bengal circle is around 24 lakh and is growing at the rate of 10 per cent every year.
But the income tax department is facing a severe shortage of manpower. “The sanctioned number of joint and additional commissioners for the Bengal circle is 128. But the number of joint and additional commissioners is only 42. Similarly, the sanctioned number of assistant and deputy commissioners for the circle is 220 while we have only 141 of them working at present,” Chatterjee said.
Monday, February 16, 2009
CHAMBER CONGRATULATE CM FOR HIGHER PLAN OUTLAY
GANGTOK, February 15: Sikkim Chamber of Commerce (SCC) on behalf of the business community of Sikkim has congratulated Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for getting higher annual plan outlay to the tune of Rs 1045 Crores.
SCC general secretary Suresh Agarwal said that it was an achievement of the Chief Minister to get a four digit annual plan outlay for the first time, which has been increased by a hefty 193 crores over the previous year.
“The Planning commission of India has lauded the Chief Minister for vigorously taking up with the Centre the need for infrastructure and better connectivity for this Himalayan State which has resulted in the sanction of Pakyong Airport, Alternate Highway and Railway connectivity,” general secretary SCC. Suresh Agarwal said in a press release.
He added that with massive increase of outlay, Sikkim would move faster in the overall economic development and social upliftment. Besides, the people will get more opportunities particularly in the Health, Agriculture, floriculture and Tourism Sector, he said.
( sOURCE: SIKKIM EXPRESS)
SCC general secretary Suresh Agarwal said that it was an achievement of the Chief Minister to get a four digit annual plan outlay for the first time, which has been increased by a hefty 193 crores over the previous year.
“The Planning commission of India has lauded the Chief Minister for vigorously taking up with the Centre the need for infrastructure and better connectivity for this Himalayan State which has resulted in the sanction of Pakyong Airport, Alternate Highway and Railway connectivity,” general secretary SCC. Suresh Agarwal said in a press release.
He added that with massive increase of outlay, Sikkim would move faster in the overall economic development and social upliftment. Besides, the people will get more opportunities particularly in the Health, Agriculture, floriculture and Tourism Sector, he said.
( sOURCE: SIKKIM EXPRESS)
AOS DEMANDS FOR RESOLUTION IN SIKKIM ASSEMBLY
Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim urges CM to place their demands during upcoming Assembly session
GANGTOK, February 15: The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim has urged Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to bring a resolution in the coming session of Sikkim Legislative Assembly for recommending to the Union Government, the demands of the Pre Merger Old Settlers including businessmen, servicemen and others for inclusion in the beneficiaries of Income Tax exemption.
They have also requested the Chief Minister to make the Act applicable from April 1, 2010 for the post merger settlers so as to enable them to get sufficient time to understand the intricacies of accounting system and practices under the new regime.
In a press release issued by president, Anjuman-E-Islamia Abdul Majid Ansari, working president, Sikkim Bihari Jagaran Manch Anil Gupta and president, Sikkim Chamber of Commerce SK Sarda, the association has also thanked Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh and the Chief Minister for honouring four members of the community in appreciation to their contribution to Sikkim in the fields of social, sports, economic and education.
While stating that such recognition would inspire them to work more aggressively for the development of the State, the association members said that the same was been made to members of the business community in Sikkim for the first time since their settlement in Sikkim for over four to five generations.
“It was the honour and recognition of the entire community settled in Sikkim since more than four to five generations,” they added.
Kundanmull Sarda, Swaminath Prasad, Hari Prasad Agarwal and Noor Hasan Ansari were conferred with the Rol of Honour on the occasion of Republic Day this year.
Source Sikkim Express
GANGTOK, February 15: The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim has urged Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to bring a resolution in the coming session of Sikkim Legislative Assembly for recommending to the Union Government, the demands of the Pre Merger Old Settlers including businessmen, servicemen and others for inclusion in the beneficiaries of Income Tax exemption.
They have also requested the Chief Minister to make the Act applicable from April 1, 2010 for the post merger settlers so as to enable them to get sufficient time to understand the intricacies of accounting system and practices under the new regime.
In a press release issued by president, Anjuman-E-Islamia Abdul Majid Ansari, working president, Sikkim Bihari Jagaran Manch Anil Gupta and president, Sikkim Chamber of Commerce SK Sarda, the association has also thanked Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh and the Chief Minister for honouring four members of the community in appreciation to their contribution to Sikkim in the fields of social, sports, economic and education.
While stating that such recognition would inspire them to work more aggressively for the development of the State, the association members said that the same was been made to members of the business community in Sikkim for the first time since their settlement in Sikkim for over four to five generations.
“It was the honour and recognition of the entire community settled in Sikkim since more than four to five generations,” they added.
Kundanmull Sarda, Swaminath Prasad, Hari Prasad Agarwal and Noor Hasan Ansari were conferred with the Rol of Honour on the occasion of Republic Day this year.
Source Sikkim Express
Saturday, February 14, 2009
TOURISM BOOM IN SIKKIM
Tourist inflow in Sikkim rises by over ten per cent annually till last year
Gangtok 11 Feb 2009
According to a PTI report, the economic slowdown across the world may hit the tourism industry in other parts of the country, but the tourism sector in the Himalayan state of Sikkim has risen by over ten per cent till last year, according to figure compiled by the tourism department. As per the release by state tourism department, the state received 3.87 lakh tourists in 2008 in comparison to 3.49 lakh tourists in the year before.
The number of visiting domestic tourists stood at 3.68 lakh last year as against 3.31 lakh in 2007, while the foreign tourists' intake last year was 19,154 as against the corresponding figure of 17,837. Sikkim, which has a favourable climate making people visit the state, has become a tourist destination round the year with even the rainy months of May and June luring about 20,000 tourists. The months of April and May have been booming period in terms of tourism-related business with about 70,000 visiting the state in each of these two months.
The tourist inflow from the foreign countries, mostly from Europe and America, have shown significant rise in the last quarter of 2007 with over 6,300 of them visiting the state, almost the same as the year before. The high number of arriving tourist has apparently belied the state government's concern about its tourism industry being hit badly due to the breakdown in the road network via NH 31A frequently due to political agitations in Darjeeling Hills or other natural calamities.
S B S Bhadauria, Tourism Secretary, Sikkim has set a target to make Sikkim a round-the-year tourist destination by development of infrastructure for promotion of the natural resources like hydel projects, socio-cultural life of the indigenous people, green ecology and religious structures throughout the state. “We expect at least ten lakh tourists to visit the state annually for which the hospitality sector is also expanding its accommodation and putting in place recreational activities like casino in the hotels,” said Bhadauria. Similarly, the tourism department has explored adventure sports like mountain biking, mountain climbing, water rafting and skiing facilities in partnership with private stakeholders to give further filip to the tourism industry in the state.
Gangtok 11 Feb 2009
According to a PTI report, the economic slowdown across the world may hit the tourism industry in other parts of the country, but the tourism sector in the Himalayan state of Sikkim has risen by over ten per cent till last year, according to figure compiled by the tourism department. As per the release by state tourism department, the state received 3.87 lakh tourists in 2008 in comparison to 3.49 lakh tourists in the year before.
The number of visiting domestic tourists stood at 3.68 lakh last year as against 3.31 lakh in 2007, while the foreign tourists' intake last year was 19,154 as against the corresponding figure of 17,837. Sikkim, which has a favourable climate making people visit the state, has become a tourist destination round the year with even the rainy months of May and June luring about 20,000 tourists. The months of April and May have been booming period in terms of tourism-related business with about 70,000 visiting the state in each of these two months.
The tourist inflow from the foreign countries, mostly from Europe and America, have shown significant rise in the last quarter of 2007 with over 6,300 of them visiting the state, almost the same as the year before. The high number of arriving tourist has apparently belied the state government's concern about its tourism industry being hit badly due to the breakdown in the road network via NH 31A frequently due to political agitations in Darjeeling Hills or other natural calamities.
S B S Bhadauria, Tourism Secretary, Sikkim has set a target to make Sikkim a round-the-year tourist destination by development of infrastructure for promotion of the natural resources like hydel projects, socio-cultural life of the indigenous people, green ecology and religious structures throughout the state. “We expect at least ten lakh tourists to visit the state annually for which the hospitality sector is also expanding its accommodation and putting in place recreational activities like casino in the hotels,” said Bhadauria. Similarly, the tourism department has explored adventure sports like mountain biking, mountain climbing, water rafting and skiing facilities in partnership with private stakeholders to give further filip to the tourism industry in the state.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
BHUTAN AIR TO FLY THRU BAGDOGRA
Drukair to fly from Bagdogra - Airbase stopover for international flights
Siliguri, Feb.5: Come March 29, the Bagdogra Airport will see for the first time an international flight landing and taking off.
Drukair, the Royal Bhutan Airlines, has chosen the airport for a stopover of its flights from Bhutan to Bangkok and back. “We are pleased to inform you that taking our cordial relations with India a little further, Drukair, the national airlines of Bhutan, will operate its services from Bagdogra. Our first flight from here to Bangkok will be on March 29 and we are eagerly looking forward for that day when we will see our flag fluttering at this airport,” Tshering Penjore, the general-manager of the airlines said at Bagdogra today.
An agreement with the civil aviation ministry of India last year allows the airline to operate its services from Bagdogra. Penjore was part of a four-member team from the Drukair that inspected the aerodrome today. “This is a strategic location sharing proximity to Nepal, Bangladesh and China. It has prospects as a regional hub for Saarc activities in future,” said Penjore.
The airline will operate out of Bagdogra four days a week. “While flights from Bhutan will land and take off in Bagdogra - en route to Bangkok - on Tuesday and Saturday, those from the Thai capital will arrive on Sunday and Wednesday. We will use an Airbus with 30 seats in first class and 94 in economy class. As we are not here with any commercial interest, there will be services even with a single passenger on board,” he added.
The airline said the flights would help promote tourism in north Bengal and Bhutan. Penjore also said the flights from Paro (the only airport in Bhutan) to Bagdogra would take only 30 minutes, whereas the time for travel by road from one place to the other would be 14-15 hours.
Welcoming the new airline, the airport authority officials at Bagdogra said arrangements would be made soon to upgrade the airport to one with international standard. “Immigration and customs facilities will be set up soon before the airline starts operating from here. After that, we hope other neighbouring countries, too, will opt for Bagdogra for flight service,” said K.K. Bhowmik, the airport director.
Bagdogra, the only functional airport in the state apart from Dum Dum, is an Indian Air Force base with limited access for civilians. Squadron Leader, IAF, A.A. Khan, said as the ministry of aviation had given its permission, they had no objection, but there were some formalities which needed to be fulfilled.
Siliguri, Feb.5: Come March 29, the Bagdogra Airport will see for the first time an international flight landing and taking off.
Drukair, the Royal Bhutan Airlines, has chosen the airport for a stopover of its flights from Bhutan to Bangkok and back. “We are pleased to inform you that taking our cordial relations with India a little further, Drukair, the national airlines of Bhutan, will operate its services from Bagdogra. Our first flight from here to Bangkok will be on March 29 and we are eagerly looking forward for that day when we will see our flag fluttering at this airport,” Tshering Penjore, the general-manager of the airlines said at Bagdogra today.
An agreement with the civil aviation ministry of India last year allows the airline to operate its services from Bagdogra. Penjore was part of a four-member team from the Drukair that inspected the aerodrome today. “This is a strategic location sharing proximity to Nepal, Bangladesh and China. It has prospects as a regional hub for Saarc activities in future,” said Penjore.
The airline will operate out of Bagdogra four days a week. “While flights from Bhutan will land and take off in Bagdogra - en route to Bangkok - on Tuesday and Saturday, those from the Thai capital will arrive on Sunday and Wednesday. We will use an Airbus with 30 seats in first class and 94 in economy class. As we are not here with any commercial interest, there will be services even with a single passenger on board,” he added.
The airline said the flights would help promote tourism in north Bengal and Bhutan. Penjore also said the flights from Paro (the only airport in Bhutan) to Bagdogra would take only 30 minutes, whereas the time for travel by road from one place to the other would be 14-15 hours.
Welcoming the new airline, the airport authority officials at Bagdogra said arrangements would be made soon to upgrade the airport to one with international standard. “Immigration and customs facilities will be set up soon before the airline starts operating from here. After that, we hope other neighbouring countries, too, will opt for Bagdogra for flight service,” said K.K. Bhowmik, the airport director.
Bagdogra, the only functional airport in the state apart from Dum Dum, is an Indian Air Force base with limited access for civilians. Squadron Leader, IAF, A.A. Khan, said as the ministry of aviation had given its permission, they had no objection, but there were some formalities which needed to be fulfilled.
Friday, February 6, 2009
FILM ON SIKKIM SINCE 1642
Short documentary on Sikkim’s saga from 1642 to present times
Thursday, 05 February 2009 06:29 SANJAY AGARWAL
RANGPO, February 4: A dedicated local filmmaker has completed a documentary that captures the history of this Himalayan State from 1642 till this present era.
The 60 minute documentary has been made by Kishore Rai Dungmali for the interest of the coming generation.
The documentary is titled ‘Parivartan-Journey with a Dream’ with a catch line of ‘A documentary about ‘The Man’ and his dream for Sikkim’ and is of one hour duration.
Mr. Dungmali has produced and shot the documentary and was assisted by Radha Thapa (production manager), Smriti Rai and Shena Rai (production controller). Binod Serang has narrated, written and directed the project while music coordinator and assistant director is Vibek Serang. The editor is Rajendra Khadka while Rita Subba has given the English narration.
The filmmaker said that a sum of Rs. 2.5 lakhs were spent in making the documentary and all the expenses were borne by himself. The documentary includes the history of Sikkim from 1962 to the present times, he said.
Mr. Dungmali expressed his thanks to Nirman Publications who have provided him with relevant documents and data.
MLAs KB Chamling, CB Karki and AS Baraily had also extend their full support and encouragement to the filmmaker for this project. Similar support was also received from former MP Bhim Dahal, former MLA SK Pradhan and Prem Karik, he said.
Thursday, 05 February 2009 06:29 SANJAY AGARWAL
RANGPO, February 4: A dedicated local filmmaker has completed a documentary that captures the history of this Himalayan State from 1642 till this present era.
The 60 minute documentary has been made by Kishore Rai Dungmali for the interest of the coming generation.
The documentary is titled ‘Parivartan-Journey with a Dream’ with a catch line of ‘A documentary about ‘The Man’ and his dream for Sikkim’ and is of one hour duration.
Mr. Dungmali has produced and shot the documentary and was assisted by Radha Thapa (production manager), Smriti Rai and Shena Rai (production controller). Binod Serang has narrated, written and directed the project while music coordinator and assistant director is Vibek Serang. The editor is Rajendra Khadka while Rita Subba has given the English narration.
The filmmaker said that a sum of Rs. 2.5 lakhs were spent in making the documentary and all the expenses were borne by himself. The documentary includes the history of Sikkim from 1962 to the present times, he said.
Mr. Dungmali expressed his thanks to Nirman Publications who have provided him with relevant documents and data.
MLAs KB Chamling, CB Karki and AS Baraily had also extend their full support and encouragement to the filmmaker for this project. Similar support was also received from former MP Bhim Dahal, former MLA SK Pradhan and Prem Karik, he said.
MOU WITH JAPAN ON DEVELOPMENT OF SIKKIM FORESTS
Sikkim signs MoU with Japan for sustainable development of forest resources
Thursday, 05 February 2009 06:38 SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK, February 4: Sikkim government has signed a MoU with a Japanese agency for carrying out feasibility study for ‘Integrated Project for Sustainable Development of Forest Resources in Sikkim’.
The MoU was signed between the State forest department and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) yesterday.
A JICA team lead by Ryotaro Hayashi who is the deputy assistant director, South Asia division of JICA Tokyo office had visited Gangtok to finalize the terms of reference for the preparatory study and signed the document, informs an IPR release.
Nami Shinohara and Vanit Sarin from JICA (Delhi Office) were also in the team.
The project submitted by the State forest department has already been officially listed in the rolling plan for Japanese assistance after obtaining clearance from the Union Forest Ministry and Department of North Eastern Region (DONER), Department of Economic Affairs and other Central agencies, the release adds.
“The main objective of the study that will commence early in next financial year is to formulate the scope of the work and details for the forthcoming project. The main project on implementation would uplift the living standard of the local inhabitants as well as conserve forest resources and biodiversity by supporting entry point activities, eco-tourism and participatory biodiversity conservation and forest protection, thereby contributing to the environmental protection and poverty reduction in Sikkim”, the release states.
The project will thus envisage improving the economic status of communities living in fringe forest areas through non-consumptive management of the forest areas under their control.
The sense of ownership among the communities has already been developed through ongoing projects of the State forest department and Joint Forest Management (JFM) committees and Eco Development Committee (EDC) functioning in various areas.
The externally aided project which is proposed to be implemented soon is further set to revive the pride and interest of the people in their rich natural and cultural heritage thereby steering them towards the conservation and preservation of these common resources, the release said.
Thursday, 05 February 2009 06:38 SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK, February 4: Sikkim government has signed a MoU with a Japanese agency for carrying out feasibility study for ‘Integrated Project for Sustainable Development of Forest Resources in Sikkim’.
The MoU was signed between the State forest department and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) yesterday.
A JICA team lead by Ryotaro Hayashi who is the deputy assistant director, South Asia division of JICA Tokyo office had visited Gangtok to finalize the terms of reference for the preparatory study and signed the document, informs an IPR release.
Nami Shinohara and Vanit Sarin from JICA (Delhi Office) were also in the team.
The project submitted by the State forest department has already been officially listed in the rolling plan for Japanese assistance after obtaining clearance from the Union Forest Ministry and Department of North Eastern Region (DONER), Department of Economic Affairs and other Central agencies, the release adds.
“The main objective of the study that will commence early in next financial year is to formulate the scope of the work and details for the forthcoming project. The main project on implementation would uplift the living standard of the local inhabitants as well as conserve forest resources and biodiversity by supporting entry point activities, eco-tourism and participatory biodiversity conservation and forest protection, thereby contributing to the environmental protection and poverty reduction in Sikkim”, the release states.
The project will thus envisage improving the economic status of communities living in fringe forest areas through non-consumptive management of the forest areas under their control.
The sense of ownership among the communities has already been developed through ongoing projects of the State forest department and Joint Forest Management (JFM) committees and Eco Development Committee (EDC) functioning in various areas.
The externally aided project which is proposed to be implemented soon is further set to revive the pride and interest of the people in their rich natural and cultural heritage thereby steering them towards the conservation and preservation of these common resources, the release said.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN SIKKIM
Commission concerned over low skills development
By chennaivision at 5 February, 2009, 5:45 pm
Gangtok, A high-level Commission on Human Development of Sikkim today expressed concern over the low entrepreneurship growth despite human development measures adopted by the state government.
”Several departments have been imparting training to develop entrepreneurship skills. However, only 20 per cent of the trainees have been able to make use of the training,” rued Prof BK Roy Burman, chairman of the Commission for Review of Environmental and Social Sector Policies, Plans and Programmes for Human Development (CRESP-HuD) here at Chintan Bhavan.
The noted social scientist heads CRESP-HuD, constituted in December last, for recommending measures to strengthen the state plan for human development.
Special funds have been set up towards this end since 2007, besides each department allocating at least 2 per cent of the annual expenditure for their respective capacity building programmes.
Expressing his concern over the low delivery of the entrepreneurship development, Prof Burman said that the Union government has set up a committee with him as its chairman to coordinate entrepreneurship studies by seven northeastern Universities.
”The study reveals that the position of all other states and northeast India in not better than Sikkim . We propose to introduce an action research programme in the state to gain more insight,” Prof Burman said.
According to Prof Burman, most of the industries had set up their establishments in Sikkim by being attracted by the incentive of tax holiday under North East Industrial Promotion and Policy package. Some of them had their establishments in other states from where they moved out when tax holiday period was expiring, he said.
Except for unskilled labour, they hardly employ any local people at administrative and skilled labour levels, said the CRESP-HuD chairman adding the position is same in other NE states.
He also pointed out at the problem of food grain security in Sikkim which has limited storage capacity and disruptive communication links.
The Prof also proposed the Sikkim government to host an international level discourse on ‘war and peace’ with involvement of religious and educational institutions.
UNI
By chennaivision at 5 February, 2009, 5:45 pm
Gangtok, A high-level Commission on Human Development of Sikkim today expressed concern over the low entrepreneurship growth despite human development measures adopted by the state government.
”Several departments have been imparting training to develop entrepreneurship skills. However, only 20 per cent of the trainees have been able to make use of the training,” rued Prof BK Roy Burman, chairman of the Commission for Review of Environmental and Social Sector Policies, Plans and Programmes for Human Development (CRESP-HuD) here at Chintan Bhavan.
The noted social scientist heads CRESP-HuD, constituted in December last, for recommending measures to strengthen the state plan for human development.
Special funds have been set up towards this end since 2007, besides each department allocating at least 2 per cent of the annual expenditure for their respective capacity building programmes.
Expressing his concern over the low delivery of the entrepreneurship development, Prof Burman said that the Union government has set up a committee with him as its chairman to coordinate entrepreneurship studies by seven northeastern Universities.
”The study reveals that the position of all other states and northeast India in not better than Sikkim . We propose to introduce an action research programme in the state to gain more insight,” Prof Burman said.
According to Prof Burman, most of the industries had set up their establishments in Sikkim by being attracted by the incentive of tax holiday under North East Industrial Promotion and Policy package. Some of them had their establishments in other states from where they moved out when tax holiday period was expiring, he said.
Except for unskilled labour, they hardly employ any local people at administrative and skilled labour levels, said the CRESP-HuD chairman adding the position is same in other NE states.
He also pointed out at the problem of food grain security in Sikkim which has limited storage capacity and disruptive communication links.
The Prof also proposed the Sikkim government to host an international level discourse on ‘war and peace’ with involvement of religious and educational institutions.
UNI
Tourism in Sikkim gets a leg up
Tourism in northeast gets a leg up, courtesy govt employees
5 Feb 2009, 0550 hrs IST, Himanshi Dhawan, TNN
NEW DELHI: At a time when domestic tourism is experiencing sluggish growth, central government employees have bucked the trend to make the northeast
a much sought after tourism destination. About 3 lakh government employees — nearly 8% of the workforce — visited the northeast region (NER) between May 2008-January 2009 taking advantage of facilities like complimentary airfare and leave encashment.
The relaxation in the leave travel concession (LTC) rules introduced in May 2008 has contributed in the increased traffic in states that had otherwise been marred by violence, poverty and lack of development.
The ministry of development of northeast region has relaxed leave travel allowance for central government employees so that group A and B are entitled to travel from their place of posting or nearest airport to a city in the northeast region or nearest airport.
All other categories of employees are entitled to travel by air to a city in northeast from Guwahati or Kolkata. There were subsequent alterations in the policy by which only the cheapest economy sector airfare for that sector was to be reimbursed.
Not to be left behind, foreign tourist arrivals have been increasing steadily. Foreign travellers in Assam -- a major gateway -- have increased from 12,899 in 2007 to 14,426 while Sikkim has seen an increase from 17,498 to 19,154 for the same period. Mizoram has also seen a 35% jump in tourism in just the past year.
Tourism joint secretary Leena Nandan said, "The northeast region is using tourism to realise great economic potential. In fact, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh have reported a 20% increase in tourism since last year."
But statistics apart, visitors are floored by the untouched natural beauty and the depth of experience. A central government employee who travelled to Sikkim under the scheme said, "It was a wonderful holiday at such a reasonable expense. After the visit I recommended the trip to other colleagues."
In fact, travellers speak of not only spending a quiet time at the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim but also enjoying a `plantation holiday' in Arunachal Pradesh amidst apple, kiwi and asparagus orchards. Mizoram and Manipur have, on the other hand, opened up rivers for rafting, kayaking and other adventure sports. Aggressive promotion and better air connectivity has also given a positive push to the region.
Avinash Kohli, a pioneer in adventure tourism and currently advisor to the Assam government, said the northeast had tremendous potential. "We are training people in rafting and kayaking. There is great future in the high end value tourism," Kohli said.
However, this influx has led to a severe shortage of accommodation and lack of infrastructure. A northeast council member said, "Since October 2008, the number of visitors has increased to a large extent. In fact, very often accommodation becomes a problem as most of the hotels are packed."
Kohli added that the lack of infrastructure and leadership could kill the destination. "We need to keep the backpackers out who are looking for drugs and cheap fun. They have ruined Goa and they will spoil the beauty of the northeast also," he said.
5 Feb 2009, 0550 hrs IST, Himanshi Dhawan, TNN
NEW DELHI: At a time when domestic tourism is experiencing sluggish growth, central government employees have bucked the trend to make the northeast
a much sought after tourism destination. About 3 lakh government employees — nearly 8% of the workforce — visited the northeast region (NER) between May 2008-January 2009 taking advantage of facilities like complimentary airfare and leave encashment.
The relaxation in the leave travel concession (LTC) rules introduced in May 2008 has contributed in the increased traffic in states that had otherwise been marred by violence, poverty and lack of development.
The ministry of development of northeast region has relaxed leave travel allowance for central government employees so that group A and B are entitled to travel from their place of posting or nearest airport to a city in the northeast region or nearest airport.
All other categories of employees are entitled to travel by air to a city in northeast from Guwahati or Kolkata. There were subsequent alterations in the policy by which only the cheapest economy sector airfare for that sector was to be reimbursed.
Not to be left behind, foreign tourist arrivals have been increasing steadily. Foreign travellers in Assam -- a major gateway -- have increased from 12,899 in 2007 to 14,426 while Sikkim has seen an increase from 17,498 to 19,154 for the same period. Mizoram has also seen a 35% jump in tourism in just the past year.
Tourism joint secretary Leena Nandan said, "The northeast region is using tourism to realise great economic potential. In fact, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh have reported a 20% increase in tourism since last year."
But statistics apart, visitors are floored by the untouched natural beauty and the depth of experience. A central government employee who travelled to Sikkim under the scheme said, "It was a wonderful holiday at such a reasonable expense. After the visit I recommended the trip to other colleagues."
In fact, travellers speak of not only spending a quiet time at the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim but also enjoying a `plantation holiday' in Arunachal Pradesh amidst apple, kiwi and asparagus orchards. Mizoram and Manipur have, on the other hand, opened up rivers for rafting, kayaking and other adventure sports. Aggressive promotion and better air connectivity has also given a positive push to the region.
Avinash Kohli, a pioneer in adventure tourism and currently advisor to the Assam government, said the northeast had tremendous potential. "We are training people in rafting and kayaking. There is great future in the high end value tourism," Kohli said.
However, this influx has led to a severe shortage of accommodation and lack of infrastructure. A northeast council member said, "Since October 2008, the number of visitors has increased to a large extent. In fact, very often accommodation becomes a problem as most of the hotels are packed."
Kohli added that the lack of infrastructure and leadership could kill the destination. "We need to keep the backpackers out who are looking for drugs and cheap fun. They have ruined Goa and they will spoil the beauty of the northeast also," he said.
TAAS SEEKS RECOGNITION FROM MOT
Thursday, February 05, 2009, 11:00 Hrs [IST]
TAAS seeks recognition from MoT and affiliation from travel trade associations
Sikkim government to celebrate 2010 as Tourism Year
By Anish V Punnackattu | New Delhi
The Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) is in a process to seek recognition from the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India. It has decided to have a discussion, on receiving recognition from MoT for TAAS, with Roma Singh, Regional Director, India Tourism, Kolkata, in her upcoming visit to Sikkim. This was informed by Palzor Lachungpa, President, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), who is also the Managing Director of Blue Sky Tours and Travels located in Sikkim.
Lachungpa further informed that TAAS is also opting for membership from India’s national travel trade associations such as IATO, ADTOI, ATOAI and IMF along with the recognition from MoT. Currently, TAAS has the recognition of Sikkim government. Apart from this, TAAS plans to organise an annual convention in the month of September this year in Sikkim. The main idea of organising the convention in the state is to promote domestic tourism in the state in a bigger way and draw attention of the tourism officials and national and international travel trade associations for promoting tourism in Sikkim. This year, TAAS will invite large number of delegates to the convention,
TAAS seeks recognition from MoT and affiliation from travel trade associations
Sikkim government to celebrate 2010 as Tourism Year
By Anish V Punnackattu | New Delhi
The Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) is in a process to seek recognition from the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India. It has decided to have a discussion, on receiving recognition from MoT for TAAS, with Roma Singh, Regional Director, India Tourism, Kolkata, in her upcoming visit to Sikkim. This was informed by Palzor Lachungpa, President, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), who is also the Managing Director of Blue Sky Tours and Travels located in Sikkim.
Lachungpa further informed that TAAS is also opting for membership from India’s national travel trade associations such as IATO, ADTOI, ATOAI and IMF along with the recognition from MoT. Currently, TAAS has the recognition of Sikkim government. Apart from this, TAAS plans to organise an annual convention in the month of September this year in Sikkim. The main idea of organising the convention in the state is to promote domestic tourism in the state in a bigger way and draw attention of the tourism officials and national and international travel trade associations for promoting tourism in Sikkim. This year, TAAS will invite large number of delegates to the convention,
Sunday, February 1, 2009
NEW CBDT CHAIRMAN- S S N MOORTHY
Moorthy appointed CBDT chairman
New Delhi, Jan 31: S S N Moorthy, a 1973 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Officer has taken over as the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) following the retirement of N B Singh.
Moorthy has also served as the Director General of Income Tax (Investigation) for over two years. He has worked for the Income Tax Department in Kerala, Tamil nadu and Maharashtra.
He has also worked with the Kerala Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal.
Sudhir Chandra, also a 1973 Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, has taken over as a CBDT member.
Chandra has served in various capacities in the department in Mumbai, Delhi, Tamil nadu and in North Western region.
--- ANI
New Delhi, Jan 31: S S N Moorthy, a 1973 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Officer has taken over as the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) following the retirement of N B Singh.
Moorthy has also served as the Director General of Income Tax (Investigation) for over two years. He has worked for the Income Tax Department in Kerala, Tamil nadu and Maharashtra.
He has also worked with the Kerala Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal.
Sudhir Chandra, also a 1973 Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, has taken over as a CBDT member.
Chandra has served in various capacities in the department in Mumbai, Delhi, Tamil nadu and in North Western region.
--- ANI
SAY IT FLOWERS IN SIKKIM
Say it with flowers in Sikkim
GANGTOK, Jan. 30: Floriculture is picking up in Sikkim both in the rural and the urban areas. Many Sikkim residents are now taking to floriculture in the urban areas, growing orchids on terraces, while some are developing nurseries on a commercial scale. Cut orchids are proving to be an alternative source of income. A spike of cymbidium orchid can fetch as much as Rs 1,000 locally.
The government Model Floriculture Centre at Namli is also flourishing. Four greenhouses have been added to it to cultivate flowers like gerbera, rose and phalaenopsis, which, when sold as cut flowers, should fetch decent prices for the growers.
In addition, three large low-cost bamboo poly greenhouses have been set up at Namli to rear rose and lilium. A number of plots have been covered with several varieties of flowers like the bird of paradise, wax ginges and heliconia.
The state government has also set up a cymbidium orchid centre at Rumtek and a model floriculture centre is under way in South District. Gladiolus is the most sought after flower by the small farmers. Peruvian lily is becoming the most popular flower in the higher altitudes. Daramdin in West Sikkim has been developed into a rose village. The rose growers sell their produce in Kolkata and New Delhi, each farmer earning anything between Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 per month.
Assam Linjey in East has been declared as a cymbidium village. Once known as the Valley of Rice, Skkim is now turning into a Valley of Flowers. n SNS
GANGTOK, Jan. 30: Floriculture is picking up in Sikkim both in the rural and the urban areas. Many Sikkim residents are now taking to floriculture in the urban areas, growing orchids on terraces, while some are developing nurseries on a commercial scale. Cut orchids are proving to be an alternative source of income. A spike of cymbidium orchid can fetch as much as Rs 1,000 locally.
The government Model Floriculture Centre at Namli is also flourishing. Four greenhouses have been added to it to cultivate flowers like gerbera, rose and phalaenopsis, which, when sold as cut flowers, should fetch decent prices for the growers.
In addition, three large low-cost bamboo poly greenhouses have been set up at Namli to rear rose and lilium. A number of plots have been covered with several varieties of flowers like the bird of paradise, wax ginges and heliconia.
The state government has also set up a cymbidium orchid centre at Rumtek and a model floriculture centre is under way in South District. Gladiolus is the most sought after flower by the small farmers. Peruvian lily is becoming the most popular flower in the higher altitudes. Daramdin in West Sikkim has been developed into a rose village. The rose growers sell their produce in Kolkata and New Delhi, each farmer earning anything between Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 per month.
Assam Linjey in East has been declared as a cymbidium village. Once known as the Valley of Rice, Skkim is now turning into a Valley of Flowers. n SNS
Friday, January 30, 2009
REVIVING GLOBAL RECESSION-KAMALNATH SPEAKS OUT
Text of Kamal Nath’s Speech on Reviving Global Economic Growth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31 Jan 2009
Following is the full text of speech of Shri Kamal Nath, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry’, on “Reviving Global Economic Growth” at World Economic Forum in Davos today:
“The global economic crisis started impacting India from the beginning of last year. Rising crude prices, along with the global food grain shortage, caused a spillover into the real economy. As inflation rose, India was forced to repeatedly tighten credit and money supply.
By the middle of September 2008, it became apparent that the global credit crisis had deepened and key financial institutions were in need of help. Governments and central banks across the world started intervening to cut interest rates, inject liquidity and recapitalize weakening banks and financial institutions.
The scale of intervention — through the various bailouts and other fiscal and monetary measures — has been unparalleled in the history of the global financial system.
Of course, the priority now is to ensure financial stability and lessen turmoil in the capital and money markets. But once a certain amount of stability in financial markets is achieved, there are bound to be long-lasting changes in the way financial, commodity and consumer markets are regulated.
In the new framework, there will be calls for much greater transparency required from banks and other financial institutions, restrictions on the extent of leverage, restrictions on the use of complex financial products and a mandate to build reserves when times are good.
The issues of government and corporate accountability have taken centre stage once again. There can be no other way forward but for increasing the ethical standards of corporate and capitalist behavior. It is important to start an international movement for identifying a core set of ethical values that will be expected to become the operating norm for capitalism as we go forward.
Another question facing us today, specially after the financial crisis, is that often the national regulatory process is found wanting and this can result in collateral damage far beyond the geographic borders of the country where the errant firms/corporations are based and under whose national regulatory jurisdiction they operate. With corporates becoming truly global and without borders, should we not try and move towards a global regulatory mechanism? This is not a call for creating a ‘supra international regulator’ which some may find desirable, but for designing a system of regulatory norms that are then followed in all national jurisdictions, or it could, for example, alert national regulators of risks building in the financial system, have influence over the alignment of exchange rates or oversee global financial institutions whose activities spill across borders.
For such an institution to have credibility and political legitimacy, it must have representation not only from advanced economies but also from emerging ones, which have so far not had a fair say in the Bretton Woods institutions.
The G-20 is the best forum to discuss the setting up of such a body. The G-20 has already shown that it is a voice to reckon with. It has issued a joint statement demanding a bigger role in shaping the new global financial architecture. It has called for wholesale reform of global financial institutions, affording them stronger representation within the World Bank and the IMF.
Already, the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) have secured a greater voice for emerging economies at the recent G-20 summit in Washington. The final communiqué stated that emerging and developing economies “should have a greater voice and representation” and called for an urgent expansion of the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) to allow “a broader membership of emerging economies”. Finally at this critical juncture in the global economic history we must guard against protectionism. Trade has grown spectacularly over the last two decades bringing prosperity to the world. History is witness that whenever countries try to prop up protectionism, it intensifies depression. The Great Depression of 1930’s is a case in point; economists think that America’s Smoot – Hawley tariff, which increased nearly 900 import duties is regarded as one of the major contributors of the Great Depression. The world needs to ensure that protectionist tendencies are avoided.”
*************
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31 Jan 2009
Following is the full text of speech of Shri Kamal Nath, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry’, on “Reviving Global Economic Growth” at World Economic Forum in Davos today:
“The global economic crisis started impacting India from the beginning of last year. Rising crude prices, along with the global food grain shortage, caused a spillover into the real economy. As inflation rose, India was forced to repeatedly tighten credit and money supply.
By the middle of September 2008, it became apparent that the global credit crisis had deepened and key financial institutions were in need of help. Governments and central banks across the world started intervening to cut interest rates, inject liquidity and recapitalize weakening banks and financial institutions.
The scale of intervention — through the various bailouts and other fiscal and monetary measures — has been unparalleled in the history of the global financial system.
Of course, the priority now is to ensure financial stability and lessen turmoil in the capital and money markets. But once a certain amount of stability in financial markets is achieved, there are bound to be long-lasting changes in the way financial, commodity and consumer markets are regulated.
In the new framework, there will be calls for much greater transparency required from banks and other financial institutions, restrictions on the extent of leverage, restrictions on the use of complex financial products and a mandate to build reserves when times are good.
The issues of government and corporate accountability have taken centre stage once again. There can be no other way forward but for increasing the ethical standards of corporate and capitalist behavior. It is important to start an international movement for identifying a core set of ethical values that will be expected to become the operating norm for capitalism as we go forward.
Another question facing us today, specially after the financial crisis, is that often the national regulatory process is found wanting and this can result in collateral damage far beyond the geographic borders of the country where the errant firms/corporations are based and under whose national regulatory jurisdiction they operate. With corporates becoming truly global and without borders, should we not try and move towards a global regulatory mechanism? This is not a call for creating a ‘supra international regulator’ which some may find desirable, but for designing a system of regulatory norms that are then followed in all national jurisdictions, or it could, for example, alert national regulators of risks building in the financial system, have influence over the alignment of exchange rates or oversee global financial institutions whose activities spill across borders.
For such an institution to have credibility and political legitimacy, it must have representation not only from advanced economies but also from emerging ones, which have so far not had a fair say in the Bretton Woods institutions.
The G-20 is the best forum to discuss the setting up of such a body. The G-20 has already shown that it is a voice to reckon with. It has issued a joint statement demanding a bigger role in shaping the new global financial architecture. It has called for wholesale reform of global financial institutions, affording them stronger representation within the World Bank and the IMF.
Already, the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) have secured a greater voice for emerging economies at the recent G-20 summit in Washington. The final communiqué stated that emerging and developing economies “should have a greater voice and representation” and called for an urgent expansion of the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) to allow “a broader membership of emerging economies”. Finally at this critical juncture in the global economic history we must guard against protectionism. Trade has grown spectacularly over the last two decades bringing prosperity to the world. History is witness that whenever countries try to prop up protectionism, it intensifies depression. The Great Depression of 1930’s is a case in point; economists think that America’s Smoot – Hawley tariff, which increased nearly 900 import duties is regarded as one of the major contributors of the Great Depression. The world needs to ensure that protectionist tendencies are avoided.”
*************
Monday, January 12, 2009
sikkim and garden of five senses
nEW dELHI 11 jAN 2009
A trip to the Garden of Five Senses this weekend for the Sikkim Festival jointly organised by the state government and the Times of India group made
me think of one of life's most essential luxuries: flowers.
Whether it's a simple buttercup on a sylvan meadow or an anthurium's red curves livening up a minimalist room, there's no indulgence quite as delicately ephemeral and yet so strongly uplifting as a flower! And among them, since we are talking about luxuries, the orchid has to be the queen of flowers, as it requires careful rearing and handling.
Why Sikkim? Well, because I have never seen such gorgeous orchids before! Nodding in the winter Delhi breeze like the more usual gladioli, chrysanthemum and dahlia, the orchids exuded a mesmeric charm that most flowers would be hard-pressed to match.
Glistening with moisture, its velvetty sheen burnished by the mild winter sun, they looked so perfect as to seem unreal. It's easy to understand why these flowers command such prices around the world!
Which wedding decor is complete without flowers? Even if the humble by-the-weight saffron marigold can cut a dash, there is nothing quite like orchids to emphasise both rarity and breeding. That orchids have caught the imagination is evident as now the 'ordinary' ones are available for even Rs 30 per stalk, imported by the plane load from Thailand, in the usual shades of white, violet or yellow. And then there are the ones dyed turquoise to catch the eye!
Actually the sheer variety of orchids boggles the mind, both in its natural and hybrid avatars. Would it surprise you to learn that orchids are among the largest species of flowering plants? It is believed that orchids outnumber mammals as a species four-to-one, and they are more than double the number of bird species? Even so, they are rare because they either flourish deep in the rainforests and temperate wildernesses or in horticultural gardens. They aren't found in the average park or nursery!
Many a chic New York apartment has an orchid plant — usually a plain black pot with the almost bare, leafless stalk crowned by a magnificent spray of flowers. As a statement, it speaks far louder than even a barrel-ful of less exotic flowers. Increasingly India has also woken up to the orchids' less-is-more appeal, even if they don't know that some of the most beautiful species are grown right here in India.
Sadly, they are pretty difficult to maintain in the usual environment of our cities — which are either too hot, too cold or too dry for this moisture and temperate humidity loving flower! Ah, but that's precisely what makes it an essential luxury!
( sOURCE: ET)
A trip to the Garden of Five Senses this weekend for the Sikkim Festival jointly organised by the state government and the Times of India group made
me think of one of life's most essential luxuries: flowers.
Whether it's a simple buttercup on a sylvan meadow or an anthurium's red curves livening up a minimalist room, there's no indulgence quite as delicately ephemeral and yet so strongly uplifting as a flower! And among them, since we are talking about luxuries, the orchid has to be the queen of flowers, as it requires careful rearing and handling.
Why Sikkim? Well, because I have never seen such gorgeous orchids before! Nodding in the winter Delhi breeze like the more usual gladioli, chrysanthemum and dahlia, the orchids exuded a mesmeric charm that most flowers would be hard-pressed to match.
Glistening with moisture, its velvetty sheen burnished by the mild winter sun, they looked so perfect as to seem unreal. It's easy to understand why these flowers command such prices around the world!
Which wedding decor is complete without flowers? Even if the humble by-the-weight saffron marigold can cut a dash, there is nothing quite like orchids to emphasise both rarity and breeding. That orchids have caught the imagination is evident as now the 'ordinary' ones are available for even Rs 30 per stalk, imported by the plane load from Thailand, in the usual shades of white, violet or yellow. And then there are the ones dyed turquoise to catch the eye!
Actually the sheer variety of orchids boggles the mind, both in its natural and hybrid avatars. Would it surprise you to learn that orchids are among the largest species of flowering plants? It is believed that orchids outnumber mammals as a species four-to-one, and they are more than double the number of bird species? Even so, they are rare because they either flourish deep in the rainforests and temperate wildernesses or in horticultural gardens. They aren't found in the average park or nursery!
Many a chic New York apartment has an orchid plant — usually a plain black pot with the almost bare, leafless stalk crowned by a magnificent spray of flowers. As a statement, it speaks far louder than even a barrel-ful of less exotic flowers. Increasingly India has also woken up to the orchids' less-is-more appeal, even if they don't know that some of the most beautiful species are grown right here in India.
Sadly, they are pretty difficult to maintain in the usual environment of our cities — which are either too hot, too cold or too dry for this moisture and temperate humidity loving flower! Ah, but that's precisely what makes it an essential luxury!
( sOURCE: ET)
BANGLADESH MAY OFFER PORT TRANSIT FACILTIY TO SIKKIM AND NE STATES
11 Jan 2008
Dhaka: Bangladesh’s new government led by Premier Sheikh Hasina has said it is considering offering port transit facilities to India’s seven landlocked northeastern states.
“The matter of giving port transit to seven-sister states of India as well as to China is under consideration of the government,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hasan Mahmud told reporters in northeastern port city of Chittagong Saturday night.
India has for long requested such a facility for its northeastern states of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim.”(But) the government will take any decision in this regard after considering the country’s interest and sovereignty,” Mahmud was quoted as saying by the private UNB news agency.He said the government would take steps on emergency basis to resolve the maritime boundary issues with India and Myanmar and on enhancing trade co-operation with eastern countries.About another Indian demand for return of ULFA militants, he said a decision on ULFA operatives in this country and Bangladeshi terrorists arrested in India would be taken “on the basis of bilateral discussion.”
Source: Asia news
Dhaka: Bangladesh’s new government led by Premier Sheikh Hasina has said it is considering offering port transit facilities to India’s seven landlocked northeastern states.
“The matter of giving port transit to seven-sister states of India as well as to China is under consideration of the government,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hasan Mahmud told reporters in northeastern port city of Chittagong Saturday night.
India has for long requested such a facility for its northeastern states of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim.”(But) the government will take any decision in this regard after considering the country’s interest and sovereignty,” Mahmud was quoted as saying by the private UNB news agency.He said the government would take steps on emergency basis to resolve the maritime boundary issues with India and Myanmar and on enhancing trade co-operation with eastern countries.About another Indian demand for return of ULFA militants, he said a decision on ULFA operatives in this country and Bangladeshi terrorists arrested in India would be taken “on the basis of bilateral discussion.”
Source: Asia news
Sunday, January 11, 2009
SIKKIM COMES ALIVE IN NEW DELHI
11.jAN 2009
NEW DELHI: It's hard to imagine that Gangtok is nearly 1600 km from Delhi. It seems just next door....With the sound of drums wafting on the cool
winter breeze, traditionally dressed youngsters wreathed in welcoming smiles, thousands of richly-hued orchids nodding along the pathways and a pair of energetic `snow lions' cavorting amid the greenery, Sikkim is truly holidaying in Delhi's Garden of Five Senses for a brief weekend !
The Sikkim Festival, presented by the state government in association with the Times of India Group, is bringing more than a whiff of the magical mountain paradise to frenetic Delhi. It's showcasing the ethos and philosophy of a unique little Himalayan niche which its native Lepcha people call Nyemae-el or Abode of the Gods. And it seems an apt name, given the sheer beauty of the land, its aura of tranquility and harmony amid the turmoil of the north east, and the unshakeable good humour on the faces of its people.
Even as eyes widen at the sight of rows and rows of gloriously-coloured, shiny orchids, and the piles of mandarin oranges, kiwi fruit and plump ginger tubers, it's not difficult to nod in affirmation of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's pen picture of an idyllic, ancient region devoted to the new mantra of the 21st century, sustainable development. Even the dances presented by the Lepchas, Bhutias, Limbus and Nepalis, underline each community's deep attachment to nature and Sikkim's rooted culture.
Opening the two-day event in the presence of state Governor BP Singh, the three-term CM eloquently evoked not only Sikkim's commitment to taking the organic path to prosperity, but also its multifaceted attractions for the modern traveller, from natural beauty and adrenalin-pumping sports to spiritual solace and healing solitudes. From handicrafts to flowers, traditional food and music to tourist attractions, the best of Sikkim is on show. Delhiwallas have to travel only as far as Said ul Ajab on Sunday to experience it and then plan a trip to that paradise at the foot of the Kanchenjunga...
( Source:TOI)
NEW DELHI: It's hard to imagine that Gangtok is nearly 1600 km from Delhi. It seems just next door....With the sound of drums wafting on the cool
winter breeze, traditionally dressed youngsters wreathed in welcoming smiles, thousands of richly-hued orchids nodding along the pathways and a pair of energetic `snow lions' cavorting amid the greenery, Sikkim is truly holidaying in Delhi's Garden of Five Senses for a brief weekend !
The Sikkim Festival, presented by the state government in association with the Times of India Group, is bringing more than a whiff of the magical mountain paradise to frenetic Delhi. It's showcasing the ethos and philosophy of a unique little Himalayan niche which its native Lepcha people call Nyemae-el or Abode of the Gods. And it seems an apt name, given the sheer beauty of the land, its aura of tranquility and harmony amid the turmoil of the north east, and the unshakeable good humour on the faces of its people.
Even as eyes widen at the sight of rows and rows of gloriously-coloured, shiny orchids, and the piles of mandarin oranges, kiwi fruit and plump ginger tubers, it's not difficult to nod in affirmation of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's pen picture of an idyllic, ancient region devoted to the new mantra of the 21st century, sustainable development. Even the dances presented by the Lepchas, Bhutias, Limbus and Nepalis, underline each community's deep attachment to nature and Sikkim's rooted culture.
Opening the two-day event in the presence of state Governor BP Singh, the three-term CM eloquently evoked not only Sikkim's commitment to taking the organic path to prosperity, but also its multifaceted attractions for the modern traveller, from natural beauty and adrenalin-pumping sports to spiritual solace and healing solitudes. From handicrafts to flowers, traditional food and music to tourist attractions, the best of Sikkim is on show. Delhiwallas have to travel only as far as Said ul Ajab on Sunday to experience it and then plan a trip to that paradise at the foot of the Kanchenjunga...
( Source:TOI)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
SIKKIM CM ADDRESSES 57TH NEC MEET
8th January 2009
57th Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council was held today which was presided by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Chairman, North Eastern Council. Shri. Aiyar welcomed the Members from eight States to the 57th Plenary Meeting of Council. The meeting began with confirmation of the proceeding of the 56th Meeting of the NEC and of the Action Taken Report of that meeting. Thereafter the Governors of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura spoke. This was followed by the Chief Ministers of these States giving their presentation excepting the Chief Minister of Manipur.
The Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling began his address by inviting one and all those present at the Plenary meeting of the Council to the Sikkim Festival being held on 10th and 11th January 2009 at the Garden of Five Senses, New Delhi. He reminded everyone that Sikkim through the latest entrant was firmly integrated in the NEC fraternity. The State with its socio- cultural diversity possessing rich nature with flora and fauna has much to offer in eco-tourism, adventure tourism, Hydel power generation, floriculture, hospitality service, agro-based industries and eco-friendly clean industrial sectors. Dr. Chamling spoke on the adoption of organic farming by State to become a totally organic state by 2015 and sought for support of NEC in this area as well as in big cardamom, mandarin orange, passion fruit, tea and ginger for marketing support so that the people of Sikkim could get competitive price for their produce. The Chief Minister spoke at length about the effort of the Government in the empowerment of women and that of the village people in the sustainable management of local resources for overall development of the State. Dr. Chamling drew the attention towards the locational disadvantage of the State with hundred percent dependency on the national Highway 31A wherein the support of the NEC for taking up Sikkim’s case for completing the upgradation of this only link with the Country, early completion of Airport at Pakyong and construction of an alternative road to NH 31A as well as upgradation of the road from Gangtok to Nathula vigorously with the Government of India on behalf of Sikkim. Sikkim would well become a model state in the Country with its objectives and targets fulfilled if viable communication links are always assured. Dr. Chamling aptly reflected on the observation of the Hon’ble Prime Minister that the sun must shine and that too shine brightly in the North East for realizing the Vision 2020.
In the area of capacity building, Sikkim had taken the lead not only in the North East but in the entire Country by setting up a Directorate of Capacity Building for sending the educated unemployed youths for pilot training, IT training, training in Mass Communication, in the hospitality sector etc. In fact, by the next year, an Institute on Capacity Building would be set up in the State for developing a highly skilled work forces as these are critical in the development of each Sikkimese individual for the overall success of the Sikkimese society. Unless our youth are skilled and smart, only then they would then be able to fulfill their aspiration in the modern world where there is cut-throat competition. Dr. Chamling made a specific request to the Chairman, NEC for early sanction and release of funds as the time frame of the working period in the Hills is limited. Finally, the Chief Minister thanked Hon’ble Shri Aiyar for his proactive role in developing the North Eastern States. As per report received from Principal Secretary to HCM.
IPR News Service
IPR No 194/IPR/08-09
57th Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council was held today which was presided by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Chairman, North Eastern Council. Shri. Aiyar welcomed the Members from eight States to the 57th Plenary Meeting of Council. The meeting began with confirmation of the proceeding of the 56th Meeting of the NEC and of the Action Taken Report of that meeting. Thereafter the Governors of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura spoke. This was followed by the Chief Ministers of these States giving their presentation excepting the Chief Minister of Manipur.
The Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling began his address by inviting one and all those present at the Plenary meeting of the Council to the Sikkim Festival being held on 10th and 11th January 2009 at the Garden of Five Senses, New Delhi. He reminded everyone that Sikkim through the latest entrant was firmly integrated in the NEC fraternity. The State with its socio- cultural diversity possessing rich nature with flora and fauna has much to offer in eco-tourism, adventure tourism, Hydel power generation, floriculture, hospitality service, agro-based industries and eco-friendly clean industrial sectors. Dr. Chamling spoke on the adoption of organic farming by State to become a totally organic state by 2015 and sought for support of NEC in this area as well as in big cardamom, mandarin orange, passion fruit, tea and ginger for marketing support so that the people of Sikkim could get competitive price for their produce. The Chief Minister spoke at length about the effort of the Government in the empowerment of women and that of the village people in the sustainable management of local resources for overall development of the State. Dr. Chamling drew the attention towards the locational disadvantage of the State with hundred percent dependency on the national Highway 31A wherein the support of the NEC for taking up Sikkim’s case for completing the upgradation of this only link with the Country, early completion of Airport at Pakyong and construction of an alternative road to NH 31A as well as upgradation of the road from Gangtok to Nathula vigorously with the Government of India on behalf of Sikkim. Sikkim would well become a model state in the Country with its objectives and targets fulfilled if viable communication links are always assured. Dr. Chamling aptly reflected on the observation of the Hon’ble Prime Minister that the sun must shine and that too shine brightly in the North East for realizing the Vision 2020.
In the area of capacity building, Sikkim had taken the lead not only in the North East but in the entire Country by setting up a Directorate of Capacity Building for sending the educated unemployed youths for pilot training, IT training, training in Mass Communication, in the hospitality sector etc. In fact, by the next year, an Institute on Capacity Building would be set up in the State for developing a highly skilled work forces as these are critical in the development of each Sikkimese individual for the overall success of the Sikkimese society. Unless our youth are skilled and smart, only then they would then be able to fulfill their aspiration in the modern world where there is cut-throat competition. Dr. Chamling made a specific request to the Chairman, NEC for early sanction and release of funds as the time frame of the working period in the Hills is limited. Finally, the Chief Minister thanked Hon’ble Shri Aiyar for his proactive role in developing the North Eastern States. As per report received from Principal Secretary to HCM.
IPR News Service
IPR No 194/IPR/08-09
LARGE CARDAMOM- MONEY SPINNER
Large Cardamom is as synonymous to Sikkim as Tea is to Darjeeling. It is the main cash crop of the State. Sikkim is one of the major producer and exporter of this crop. Till recent time, Sikkim was the only player in the global production and export of large cardamom. Official figures indicate that the production and export had surpassed a record of five thousand Metric tons of which bulk was exported to Gulf and Central Asian countries and Pakistan. However, the production has declined almost to half, though the areas under cultivation have increased substantially. The guiding factors underlining the decrease has been attributed to outbreak of viral diseases Chirkey and Furkey that destroy the plant.
A member of Zingiberaceae family, large cardamom is generally used as a spice and in several medicinal preparations. The crop is grown under the shade of forest trees in the sub-Himalayan Mountains at an altitude ranging from 1000 to 2000 metres above the sea level with rainfall of 3000 to 3500 mm distributed in about 200 days a year. Cultivars suited to higher altitudes can tolerate lower temperatures also, while deep, well drained soils with loamy texture is best suited. Presently, there are five species or cultivars viz. Ramsey, Sawney, Golsey, Varlangey and Seremna that are grown in Sikkim.
Being the major cash crop of Sikkim, the cardamom cultivation has been incorporated in the component of Technology Mission under the program of the Government of India, which aims at ensuring adequate, appropriate, timely and current attention to all the links and achieve horizontal and vertical integration of these programs. The mission also aims to promote ecologically sustainable intensification, economically desirable diversification to maximize economic and sociological benefits. Apart from this, the mission intends to promote development and dissemination of eco-technologies based on the blending of traditional wisdom and technology with frontier knowledge such as bio-technology, information technology.
Presently there are approximately sixteen thousand growers of large cardamom among which thirty percent are totally dependent on this crop. It covers around 26 thousand hectares of land under cultivation.
The Technology Mission for cardamom in Sikkim focuses on area expansion along with increase in production and productivity of this cash crop. After its initiation, the mission has been successful in establishing over 150 nurseries to provide certified seedlings to the cardamom growers. So far it has achieved an additional increase of nearly five thousand hectares under the area expansion program. Besides providing regular training to the growers for better management of the field, it has also undertaken a task of baseline survey to ascertain the exact area of healthy plants and those destroyed by the disease.
Strategies for improvement of production has been chalked out under the mission and trainings are being imparted to the growers towards better management of the crop along with introduction of high yielding varieties, mass replanting and controlling of disease and pests.
Similarly, improved curing or drying techniques are being made available to the growers with substantial subsidy to ensure better quality and appearance. The Spices Board of India under the Ministry of Commerce which has been working closely with the cardamom growers for past several decades has also been regulating the market and price factors. Growers are being encouraged through remunerative prices for cardamom cured and dried in improved bhatti or drying methods, which has better appearance and oil content than that dried through traditional method.
by: Journalist Shri Khagendra Mani Pradhan
sOURC: pib/nD
A member of Zingiberaceae family, large cardamom is generally used as a spice and in several medicinal preparations. The crop is grown under the shade of forest trees in the sub-Himalayan Mountains at an altitude ranging from 1000 to 2000 metres above the sea level with rainfall of 3000 to 3500 mm distributed in about 200 days a year. Cultivars suited to higher altitudes can tolerate lower temperatures also, while deep, well drained soils with loamy texture is best suited. Presently, there are five species or cultivars viz. Ramsey, Sawney, Golsey, Varlangey and Seremna that are grown in Sikkim.
Being the major cash crop of Sikkim, the cardamom cultivation has been incorporated in the component of Technology Mission under the program of the Government of India, which aims at ensuring adequate, appropriate, timely and current attention to all the links and achieve horizontal and vertical integration of these programs. The mission also aims to promote ecologically sustainable intensification, economically desirable diversification to maximize economic and sociological benefits. Apart from this, the mission intends to promote development and dissemination of eco-technologies based on the blending of traditional wisdom and technology with frontier knowledge such as bio-technology, information technology.
Presently there are approximately sixteen thousand growers of large cardamom among which thirty percent are totally dependent on this crop. It covers around 26 thousand hectares of land under cultivation.
The Technology Mission for cardamom in Sikkim focuses on area expansion along with increase in production and productivity of this cash crop. After its initiation, the mission has been successful in establishing over 150 nurseries to provide certified seedlings to the cardamom growers. So far it has achieved an additional increase of nearly five thousand hectares under the area expansion program. Besides providing regular training to the growers for better management of the field, it has also undertaken a task of baseline survey to ascertain the exact area of healthy plants and those destroyed by the disease.
Strategies for improvement of production has been chalked out under the mission and trainings are being imparted to the growers towards better management of the crop along with introduction of high yielding varieties, mass replanting and controlling of disease and pests.
Similarly, improved curing or drying techniques are being made available to the growers with substantial subsidy to ensure better quality and appearance. The Spices Board of India under the Ministry of Commerce which has been working closely with the cardamom growers for past several decades has also been regulating the market and price factors. Growers are being encouraged through remunerative prices for cardamom cured and dried in improved bhatti or drying methods, which has better appearance and oil content than that dried through traditional method.
by: Journalist Shri Khagendra Mani Pradhan
sOURC: pib/nD
4th J.R.D Tata Memorial to Sikkim
Vice President Presents 4th JRD Tata Memorial Awards for Population & Reproductive Health Programme
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Delhi DT 9.1.2009
The Vice-President of India Mohd. Hamid Ansari presented the 4th J.R.D Tata Memorial Awards at a function organized by Population Foundation of India (PFI) here today. The State of Chhattisgarh has been selected among the category of bigger States and State of Sikkim has been selected among the category smaller states for the awards. The Chief Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Amar Agarwal, Chhattisgarh and the Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri P.K Chamling received the awards on behalf of these states.
The states were selected on the basis of 14 indicators representing reproductive health, gender, fertility, socio-economic development, education and state government’s commitment to the social sector. The indicators have been drawn from various renowned secondary sources (National Family Health Surveys, Census and Sample Registration System). A major criterion for selection of states has been the ‘change factor’ (improvement in indicators over a decade).
Following is the text of the Vice President’s address on the occasion:
“It is my privilege to be the Chief Guest at the presentation ceremony of the 4th JRD Tata Awards for the best performing States on Population and Reproductive Health Programmes.
The Population Foundation and its work stand as a tribute to the vision, initiative and tireless work of J.R.D. Tata to address the population problem of the country and its impact on the prospects of our development and progress.
This distinguished audience today bears testimony to the success of the Foundation in fashioning an alternative paradigm to address of population question, by doing it through the civil society. It is the affirmation of an equitable, decentralised, rights-based and participative approach to human development, one aspect of which is population stabilization. Its concomitants are access to affordable health care, education, sanitation, safe drinking water, and empowerment of women.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the Chief Minister of Sikkim and the Health Minister of Chhattisgarh for receiving the 4th JRD Tata Award for Population and Reproductive Health Programmes for the year 2008. Their performance proves that political will, and a determination to bring about change, is as important as resources.
The website of the Foundation displays the population clock. Just before I left for this venue, it read 1,279,906,779. It also indicates that there are 29 births in India every minute. This amounts to 41,760 births a day. Of these 2380 die every day amounting to a mortality rate of 57 per thousand live births.
Such high infant mortality feeds into high wanted fertility, demolishing all efforts at reducing the total fertility rate.
Confronted with these figures, one is propelled to re-visit the National Population Policy 2000 and its layered targets.
The immediate objective of NPP was to address the unmet needs for contraception, health care infrastructure, and health personnel, and provide integrated service delivery for basic reproductive and child health care.
The medium-term objective was to bring the TFR to replacement levels by 2010, through vigorous implementation of inter-sectoral operational strategies. The long-term objective was to achieve a stable population by 2045, at a level consistent with the requirements of sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental protection.
In pursuance of these objectives, a set of seven National Socio-Demographic Goals, to be achieved by 2010, were set out:
>> Address the unmet needs for basic reproductive and child health services, supplies and infrastructure.
>> Make school education up to age 14 free and compulsory, and reduce drop outs at primary and secondary school levels to below 20 percent for both boys and girls.
>> Reduce infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births.
>> Reduce maternal mortality ratio to below 100 per 100,000 live births.
>> Achieve universal immunization of children against all vaccine preventable diseases.
>> Achieve 80 percent institutional deliveries and 100 percent deliveries by trained persons.
>> Achieve 100 per cent registration of births, deaths, marriage and pregnancy.
Available data indicates that almost none of the objectives of the National Population Policy 2000 and the targets for the year 2010 are likely to be achieved.
The total fertility rate is unlikely to reach replacement level before 2015, while some of the laggard and big states would reach that level only after 2021. The infant mortality rate is unlikely to reach the target of 30 per 1000 live births even by 2025. The accompanying legislation for making the right to education the fundamental right is still a work in progress, and more than 50 per cent of our children are yet to be fully immunized. The statistics on maternal healthcare are also not encouraging with over 50 per cent of births not being either institutional deliveries or deliveries by trained persons.
This is not to deny our significant achievements. Since Independence, we have drastically improved overall literacy and female literacy and enhanced life expectancy for our citizens. Our efforts, nevertheless, have fallen short of the targets we set for ourselves.
How is this gap to be covered? As a lay person, I wish to offer two themes for consideration.
First, the demographic map of India is extremely diverse and heterogeneous. There are significant differences between states in the achievement of basic demographic indices, resulting in disparities population size and growth trends. There are wide inter-state, male-female and rural-urban disparities in outcomes and impacts.
Over 10 States and Union Territories have achieved replacement levels of fertility. The growth rates continue to be high in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Here we see a striking confluence of high fertility rates with low literacy and low health indicators and lower levels of socio-economic development. These states accounts for 40 per cent of our population and expected to contribute half of our future population growth.
We thus need to focus on these states with renewed vigour, with full coordination between Central and State governments, and active involvement of civil society institutions.
Secondly, more emphasis should be paid to ‘demographic decentralization’ through devolution of responsibilities and resources to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in formulating and implementing area specific policies and programmes relevant for population stabilization. They need to be involved in micro-planning and monitoring at local level to improve implementation of the programme and ensure effective community participation.
So far service deliveries under Family Welfare Programmes have been administered entirely through official agencies. These have achieved sub-optimal results and necessitate a search for alternative modes of service delivery.
The answer lies in the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments that created a meaningful role for local self-governance. The time has come for activating the third tier of government to address the population problem through speedy devolution of financial and human resources and powers.
We live in an era where a nation is judged by the human development level of its people – standards of health care, nutrition and level of education; by the human rights and fundamental freedoms enjoyed by its citizens; by the access to development and progress for all the vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of its society.
It is here that we must prove to ourselves that we have succeeded as a nation; and thereafter, prove in the comity of nations that we are a great and a responsible nation.
We need to note that without timely and effective public policy interventions, the demographic asset could turn into an enormous liability. Demographic stabilisation must therefore become a policy imperative and converted into a national movement.
I once again congratulate the Chhattisgarh and Sikkim for their performance and urge other states to emulate them.
I thank the Population Foundation of India for inviting me as the Chief Guest today”.
SK/BS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Delhi DT 9.1.2009
The Vice-President of India Mohd. Hamid Ansari presented the 4th J.R.D Tata Memorial Awards at a function organized by Population Foundation of India (PFI) here today. The State of Chhattisgarh has been selected among the category of bigger States and State of Sikkim has been selected among the category smaller states for the awards. The Chief Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Amar Agarwal, Chhattisgarh and the Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri P.K Chamling received the awards on behalf of these states.
The states were selected on the basis of 14 indicators representing reproductive health, gender, fertility, socio-economic development, education and state government’s commitment to the social sector. The indicators have been drawn from various renowned secondary sources (National Family Health Surveys, Census and Sample Registration System). A major criterion for selection of states has been the ‘change factor’ (improvement in indicators over a decade).
Following is the text of the Vice President’s address on the occasion:
“It is my privilege to be the Chief Guest at the presentation ceremony of the 4th JRD Tata Awards for the best performing States on Population and Reproductive Health Programmes.
The Population Foundation and its work stand as a tribute to the vision, initiative and tireless work of J.R.D. Tata to address the population problem of the country and its impact on the prospects of our development and progress.
This distinguished audience today bears testimony to the success of the Foundation in fashioning an alternative paradigm to address of population question, by doing it through the civil society. It is the affirmation of an equitable, decentralised, rights-based and participative approach to human development, one aspect of which is population stabilization. Its concomitants are access to affordable health care, education, sanitation, safe drinking water, and empowerment of women.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the Chief Minister of Sikkim and the Health Minister of Chhattisgarh for receiving the 4th JRD Tata Award for Population and Reproductive Health Programmes for the year 2008. Their performance proves that political will, and a determination to bring about change, is as important as resources.
The website of the Foundation displays the population clock. Just before I left for this venue, it read 1,279,906,779. It also indicates that there are 29 births in India every minute. This amounts to 41,760 births a day. Of these 2380 die every day amounting to a mortality rate of 57 per thousand live births.
Such high infant mortality feeds into high wanted fertility, demolishing all efforts at reducing the total fertility rate.
Confronted with these figures, one is propelled to re-visit the National Population Policy 2000 and its layered targets.
The immediate objective of NPP was to address the unmet needs for contraception, health care infrastructure, and health personnel, and provide integrated service delivery for basic reproductive and child health care.
The medium-term objective was to bring the TFR to replacement levels by 2010, through vigorous implementation of inter-sectoral operational strategies. The long-term objective was to achieve a stable population by 2045, at a level consistent with the requirements of sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental protection.
In pursuance of these objectives, a set of seven National Socio-Demographic Goals, to be achieved by 2010, were set out:
>> Address the unmet needs for basic reproductive and child health services, supplies and infrastructure.
>> Make school education up to age 14 free and compulsory, and reduce drop outs at primary and secondary school levels to below 20 percent for both boys and girls.
>> Reduce infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births.
>> Reduce maternal mortality ratio to below 100 per 100,000 live births.
>> Achieve universal immunization of children against all vaccine preventable diseases.
>> Achieve 80 percent institutional deliveries and 100 percent deliveries by trained persons.
>> Achieve 100 per cent registration of births, deaths, marriage and pregnancy.
Available data indicates that almost none of the objectives of the National Population Policy 2000 and the targets for the year 2010 are likely to be achieved.
The total fertility rate is unlikely to reach replacement level before 2015, while some of the laggard and big states would reach that level only after 2021. The infant mortality rate is unlikely to reach the target of 30 per 1000 live births even by 2025. The accompanying legislation for making the right to education the fundamental right is still a work in progress, and more than 50 per cent of our children are yet to be fully immunized. The statistics on maternal healthcare are also not encouraging with over 50 per cent of births not being either institutional deliveries or deliveries by trained persons.
This is not to deny our significant achievements. Since Independence, we have drastically improved overall literacy and female literacy and enhanced life expectancy for our citizens. Our efforts, nevertheless, have fallen short of the targets we set for ourselves.
How is this gap to be covered? As a lay person, I wish to offer two themes for consideration.
First, the demographic map of India is extremely diverse and heterogeneous. There are significant differences between states in the achievement of basic demographic indices, resulting in disparities population size and growth trends. There are wide inter-state, male-female and rural-urban disparities in outcomes and impacts.
Over 10 States and Union Territories have achieved replacement levels of fertility. The growth rates continue to be high in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Here we see a striking confluence of high fertility rates with low literacy and low health indicators and lower levels of socio-economic development. These states accounts for 40 per cent of our population and expected to contribute half of our future population growth.
We thus need to focus on these states with renewed vigour, with full coordination between Central and State governments, and active involvement of civil society institutions.
Secondly, more emphasis should be paid to ‘demographic decentralization’ through devolution of responsibilities and resources to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in formulating and implementing area specific policies and programmes relevant for population stabilization. They need to be involved in micro-planning and monitoring at local level to improve implementation of the programme and ensure effective community participation.
So far service deliveries under Family Welfare Programmes have been administered entirely through official agencies. These have achieved sub-optimal results and necessitate a search for alternative modes of service delivery.
The answer lies in the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments that created a meaningful role for local self-governance. The time has come for activating the third tier of government to address the population problem through speedy devolution of financial and human resources and powers.
We live in an era where a nation is judged by the human development level of its people – standards of health care, nutrition and level of education; by the human rights and fundamental freedoms enjoyed by its citizens; by the access to development and progress for all the vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of its society.
It is here that we must prove to ourselves that we have succeeded as a nation; and thereafter, prove in the comity of nations that we are a great and a responsible nation.
We need to note that without timely and effective public policy interventions, the demographic asset could turn into an enormous liability. Demographic stabilisation must therefore become a policy imperative and converted into a national movement.
I once again congratulate the Chhattisgarh and Sikkim for their performance and urge other states to emulate them.
I thank the Population Foundation of India for inviting me as the Chief Guest today”.
SK/BS
Friday, January 9, 2009
Punj Lloyd bags Sikkim first Greenfield airport project
News Friday, 09 Jan, 2009
Punj Lloyd bags Sikkim first Greenfield airport project
Punj Lloyd Ltd announced that it has secured a contract for civil works for approximately INR 264 crore from Airports Authority of India in connection with construction of new airport at Pakyong, Sikkim. The new airport will make a significant contribution to the tourism infrastructure of the state.
Mr Atul Punj chairman of Punj Lloyd Group said that "Punj Lloyd is proud to be building Sikkim's first Greenfield Airport, Building tourism infrastructure is the prime call of Indian tourism industry, especially for a state like Sikkim that is yet unexplored and has the potential to become a preferred tourism destination for families, adventure sports, village and eco tourism. This airport will ensure better connectivity of Sikkim with rest of the country."
Building an airport in the hilly terrain of Sikkim will be an interesting challenge. The airport will be built at a height of 1404 meter above mean sea level. The scope of work shall involve excavation of 100 meter depth and earth filling of slopes of 80 meter height, stabilized with Geogrid Reinforced Retaining Wall. A large volume of earthwork, 6.5 million m3, shall involve blasting in hard rock apart from excavation in soft rock and soil. To protect the environment, excavated slopes of 100 meter height will be planted with local species of flora.
Although a challenge, work in the hilly region will not daunt Punj Lloyd, which has a history of executing projects successfully in difficult terrain. From the Caucasian rocky mountains were Punj Lloyd laid sections of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to the deserts of Oman. Punj Lloyd is confident of successfully completing this Greenfield airport project.
Punj Lloyd bags Sikkim first Greenfield airport project
Punj Lloyd Ltd announced that it has secured a contract for civil works for approximately INR 264 crore from Airports Authority of India in connection with construction of new airport at Pakyong, Sikkim. The new airport will make a significant contribution to the tourism infrastructure of the state.
Mr Atul Punj chairman of Punj Lloyd Group said that "Punj Lloyd is proud to be building Sikkim's first Greenfield Airport, Building tourism infrastructure is the prime call of Indian tourism industry, especially for a state like Sikkim that is yet unexplored and has the potential to become a preferred tourism destination for families, adventure sports, village and eco tourism. This airport will ensure better connectivity of Sikkim with rest of the country."
Building an airport in the hilly terrain of Sikkim will be an interesting challenge. The airport will be built at a height of 1404 meter above mean sea level. The scope of work shall involve excavation of 100 meter depth and earth filling of slopes of 80 meter height, stabilized with Geogrid Reinforced Retaining Wall. A large volume of earthwork, 6.5 million m3, shall involve blasting in hard rock apart from excavation in soft rock and soil. To protect the environment, excavated slopes of 100 meter height will be planted with local species of flora.
Although a challenge, work in the hilly region will not daunt Punj Lloyd, which has a history of executing projects successfully in difficult terrain. From the Caucasian rocky mountains were Punj Lloyd laid sections of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to the deserts of Oman. Punj Lloyd is confident of successfully completing this Greenfield airport project.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
PAKYONG AIRPORT UPDATE
Punj Llyod bags Pakyong airport contract
Rs.264 crores project to be completed in 24 months
SE Report
GANGTOK, January 6: Over a decade after the Centre gave a nod for an airport to Sikkim, construction for the State’s first Greenfield airport at Pakyong is expected to commence from the second week of January after Punj Llyod Group was awarded the contract by Airports Authority of India (AAI) today.
Punj Llyod, a diversified engineering, procurement and construction conglomerate, announced the winning of Pakyong airpot project for Rs.264 crore and the project is to be completed in 24 months.
The scope of the project includes construction of 30-m wide runway of 1.7 km length, taxiway, apron drainage system and electrical work for the airport.
According to reports, Punj Lloyd Group said that it is a challenge to build an airport in the hilly terrain. According to the company the airport will have a height of 1404 m above mean sea level. The scope of work shall involve excavation of 100 m depth and earth filling of slopes of 80 m height, stabilised with Geogrid Reinforced Retaining Wall.
A large volume of earthwork, 65 lac m3, shall involve blasting in hard rock apart from excavation in soft rock and soil. To protect the environment, excavated slopes of 100 m height will be planted with local species of flora.
A long pending demand of the State government, the air link of a landlocked Sikkim is now finally set in the right direction. Sikkim has only a national highway which is frequently subject to political and natural disturbances as evident in 2008.
The air link is will also give a boost to the tourism potential of Sikkim. More than 5 lakhs tourists visited Sikkim last year and the State is targeting to attract 7 lakhs tourists by the next 3 years.
On October 16 last year, the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had given its approval for construction of the Greenfield Airport at Pakyong.
“Sikkim has substantial tourism potential due to its scenic and natural beauty. As such, direct air connectivity to Sikkim is essential from socio-economic and strategic considerations. Besides, direct air connectivity would also promote tourism and other economic activities in the State”, the committee had stated while approving the project.
sOURCE: sIKKIM eXPRESS)
Rs.264 crores project to be completed in 24 months
SE Report
GANGTOK, January 6: Over a decade after the Centre gave a nod for an airport to Sikkim, construction for the State’s first Greenfield airport at Pakyong is expected to commence from the second week of January after Punj Llyod Group was awarded the contract by Airports Authority of India (AAI) today.
Punj Llyod, a diversified engineering, procurement and construction conglomerate, announced the winning of Pakyong airpot project for Rs.264 crore and the project is to be completed in 24 months.
The scope of the project includes construction of 30-m wide runway of 1.7 km length, taxiway, apron drainage system and electrical work for the airport.
According to reports, Punj Lloyd Group said that it is a challenge to build an airport in the hilly terrain. According to the company the airport will have a height of 1404 m above mean sea level. The scope of work shall involve excavation of 100 m depth and earth filling of slopes of 80 m height, stabilised with Geogrid Reinforced Retaining Wall.
A large volume of earthwork, 65 lac m3, shall involve blasting in hard rock apart from excavation in soft rock and soil. To protect the environment, excavated slopes of 100 m height will be planted with local species of flora.
A long pending demand of the State government, the air link of a landlocked Sikkim is now finally set in the right direction. Sikkim has only a national highway which is frequently subject to political and natural disturbances as evident in 2008.
The air link is will also give a boost to the tourism potential of Sikkim. More than 5 lakhs tourists visited Sikkim last year and the State is targeting to attract 7 lakhs tourists by the next 3 years.
On October 16 last year, the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had given its approval for construction of the Greenfield Airport at Pakyong.
“Sikkim has substantial tourism potential due to its scenic and natural beauty. As such, direct air connectivity to Sikkim is essential from socio-economic and strategic considerations. Besides, direct air connectivity would also promote tourism and other economic activities in the State”, the committee had stated while approving the project.
sOURCE: sIKKIM eXPRESS)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Global Political Risk Index
Global Political Risk Index
New Delhi 6 JAN 2009
India’s position in the Global Political Risk Index (GPRI), which measures a country’s ability to absorb political shocks, edged up one point in the past year to 63 and its outlook remains neutral. The late November Mumbai attacks will push India to keep up the pressure on Pakistan to crack down on militant groups, according to Eurasia Group, which compiles the index.
Mint has partnered with Eurasia Group, a political and economic risk analysis firm, for GPRI, a composite measure of the state of a country’s government, security, society and economy. All indicators are scored on a scale of 0 to 100, and the higher the number, the greater the country’s ability to withstand external or internal political shocks.
The biggest gainers in 2008 were Algeria and Brazil, which saw their scores increase by five points and four points, respectively, while the biggest losers were Nigeria and China, down six points and four points. China, which had been the biggest gainer for 2007, and Nigeria are both battling significant political challenges amid an economic downturn.
“Political risks are on the rise. The ongoing global economic crisis is precipitating a range of policy responses from leaders,” Eurasia Group commented in a report on its findings. “Investors should closely watch country-specific responses to gauge whether these policy efforts are properly targeted.” In India’s immediate neighbourhood, Pakistan’s score remained unchanged at 43, and its outlook neutral. The country faces the risk of domestic political tension centred on the supreme court, according to the report.
Breaking down the index into its components, government-specific scores for the 24 economies covered were relatively stable in 2008, but with significant variation at the country level.
Government stability suffered the biggest declines in Thailand (-8), Nigeria (-7), Argentina (-6), Iran (-6) and Hungary (-5). The Philippines (+6), Algeria (+6) and Brazil (+5) had the most gains.
The global financial crisis contributed to declining economic scores in 2008, although concerns over inflation have passed. This year, the focus is “on the economic slowdown and the risk of deflation—although this is of greater concern in the developed economies that have experienced significant asset inflation in recent years,” Eurasia Group said.
Those countries that relied on exports to power growth may suffer as consumer demand declines.
“China in particular will be at risk, due to its substantial excess productive capacity stemming from extraordinarily high rates of investment in recent years,” according to the report.
Safer investments in 2009 will include emerging markets that are better placed to weather the economic crisis and those with stable governments that will implement “fiscal policies to stabilize their economies”.
Winners from the oil price decline include India, which relies on imports for much of its needs.
India’s national oil companies “now face less risk of getting priced out of competitive international upstream acquisitions”, according to an analysis by Eurasia Group.
Mint has partnered with Eurasia Group for GPRI and will run this every month. The index is a composite measure of the state of a country's government, society, security and economy. Mint carried last GPRI on 16 December. To view all editions of the index, go to www.livemint.com/gpri Your reactions and comments are welcome at feedback@livemint.com
Source:livemint.
New Delhi 6 JAN 2009
India’s position in the Global Political Risk Index (GPRI), which measures a country’s ability to absorb political shocks, edged up one point in the past year to 63 and its outlook remains neutral. The late November Mumbai attacks will push India to keep up the pressure on Pakistan to crack down on militant groups, according to Eurasia Group, which compiles the index.
Mint has partnered with Eurasia Group, a political and economic risk analysis firm, for GPRI, a composite measure of the state of a country’s government, security, society and economy. All indicators are scored on a scale of 0 to 100, and the higher the number, the greater the country’s ability to withstand external or internal political shocks.
The biggest gainers in 2008 were Algeria and Brazil, which saw their scores increase by five points and four points, respectively, while the biggest losers were Nigeria and China, down six points and four points. China, which had been the biggest gainer for 2007, and Nigeria are both battling significant political challenges amid an economic downturn.
“Political risks are on the rise. The ongoing global economic crisis is precipitating a range of policy responses from leaders,” Eurasia Group commented in a report on its findings. “Investors should closely watch country-specific responses to gauge whether these policy efforts are properly targeted.” In India’s immediate neighbourhood, Pakistan’s score remained unchanged at 43, and its outlook neutral. The country faces the risk of domestic political tension centred on the supreme court, according to the report.
Breaking down the index into its components, government-specific scores for the 24 economies covered were relatively stable in 2008, but with significant variation at the country level.
Government stability suffered the biggest declines in Thailand (-8), Nigeria (-7), Argentina (-6), Iran (-6) and Hungary (-5). The Philippines (+6), Algeria (+6) and Brazil (+5) had the most gains.
The global financial crisis contributed to declining economic scores in 2008, although concerns over inflation have passed. This year, the focus is “on the economic slowdown and the risk of deflation—although this is of greater concern in the developed economies that have experienced significant asset inflation in recent years,” Eurasia Group said.
Those countries that relied on exports to power growth may suffer as consumer demand declines.
“China in particular will be at risk, due to its substantial excess productive capacity stemming from extraordinarily high rates of investment in recent years,” according to the report.
Safer investments in 2009 will include emerging markets that are better placed to weather the economic crisis and those with stable governments that will implement “fiscal policies to stabilize their economies”.
Winners from the oil price decline include India, which relies on imports for much of its needs.
India’s national oil companies “now face less risk of getting priced out of competitive international upstream acquisitions”, according to an analysis by Eurasia Group.
Mint has partnered with Eurasia Group for GPRI and will run this every month. The index is a composite measure of the state of a country's government, society, security and economy. Mint carried last GPRI on 16 December. To view all editions of the index, go to www.livemint.com/gpri Your reactions and comments are welcome at feedback@livemint.com
Source:livemint.
Sorry, Corruption puts India on 18 places in innovation index
India falls 18 places in innovation index
Curruption the big culprit
New Delhi 6 Jan 2009
India, a country that sees itself as a key player in the knowledge economy, is not as innovative as Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic.
That’s the finding of the second edition of the Global Innovation Index, or GII, that was released on Tuesday and which ranks India 41 among 130 countries. The index has been created by Soumitra Dutta, a professor at French business school Insead, in association with industry lobby Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The US has been ranked first, Germany second and Sweden third in the index.
India was ranked 23 in last year’s index but the two editions aren’t strictly comparable because only 107 countries were ranked last year. “Rather than India falling, other smaller countries have made significant improvements. We have included more countries this time around and that has affected India’s overall position,” said Dutta, whose index lists “regulatory hurdles, corruption and labour issues” as factors hindering innovation in India.
While indices such as this one are a good measure of how a country compares with others on a specific parameter (in this case, innovativeness), they are unlikely to significantly influence decisions by companies to invest in research and development. In the past few years, several multinational firms have made substantial investments in research centres in India.
This report comes at a time when India has launched several efforts to push the cause of scientific research and innovation. The government is set to table the National Innovation Bill in Parliament in its next session; the Bill makes it easier for private investment to flow into research and develop ment. The government also plans to launch a $183 million World Bank-funded programme to accelerate innovation.
The report puts China at 37, eight places down from last year but four places ahead of India. Last year, China was ranked 29 and India 23. Also last year, global research and advisory firm Economist Intelligence Unit ranked India 58 on its list of innovative countries, one rank above China.
Indian policymakers and scientists frequently compare their research and innovation output with China’s, which in the past two decades has overtaken India on several indices that measure scientific prowess of countries.
Though most innovation indices rank countries on their research and development criteria, such as research spends as a proportion of the gross domestic product, or GDP, number of scientific publications and their patent output, newer parameters such as the ones employed by Dutta include soundness of banks, ease of doing business and the number of Internet users in a coun try.
According to Dutta, innovation is far more broad based and not necessarily confined to laboratories. “Innovation is a horizontal exercise. (US President-elect) Barack Obama’s innovative use of the Internet in the recent elections must also count in the country’s (US) metrics as it has a significant long-term impact,” he added.
For ranking purposes, each factor is categorized as input or output. Input factors reflect how conducive a country is to innovation and output factors to how effectively a country translates innovation into knowledge, competitiveness and wealth.
“These results are averaged and on the basis of that, global ranks are calculated,” Dutta said.
He added that China came ahead of India thanks to “the strength” of its foreign direct investment, or FDI, inflows; the report also lists China’s ease of accessing credit and the “wide variety of its manufacture imports and exports”.
Dutta said all significant inputs for this report were collected in early 2008. “This was before the financial crisis kicked in and I expect significant changes in the top 10 when we prepare the next report.” An expert said he wouldn’t try to read too much into the rankings.
Sujit Bhattacharya, professor at the school of social sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, said: “Innovation is now a very broad term and rankings are extremely relative. It’s more useful to look at the input variables, see how India fares on individual ones, and then implement measures to address them. Giving equal weightage to all variables, and averaging them out doesn’t help much.”
Source: Livemint.com
Curruption the big culprit
New Delhi 6 Jan 2009
India, a country that sees itself as a key player in the knowledge economy, is not as innovative as Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic.
That’s the finding of the second edition of the Global Innovation Index, or GII, that was released on Tuesday and which ranks India 41 among 130 countries. The index has been created by Soumitra Dutta, a professor at French business school Insead, in association with industry lobby Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The US has been ranked first, Germany second and Sweden third in the index.
India was ranked 23 in last year’s index but the two editions aren’t strictly comparable because only 107 countries were ranked last year. “Rather than India falling, other smaller countries have made significant improvements. We have included more countries this time around and that has affected India’s overall position,” said Dutta, whose index lists “regulatory hurdles, corruption and labour issues” as factors hindering innovation in India.
While indices such as this one are a good measure of how a country compares with others on a specific parameter (in this case, innovativeness), they are unlikely to significantly influence decisions by companies to invest in research and development. In the past few years, several multinational firms have made substantial investments in research centres in India.
This report comes at a time when India has launched several efforts to push the cause of scientific research and innovation. The government is set to table the National Innovation Bill in Parliament in its next session; the Bill makes it easier for private investment to flow into research and develop ment. The government also plans to launch a $183 million World Bank-funded programme to accelerate innovation.
The report puts China at 37, eight places down from last year but four places ahead of India. Last year, China was ranked 29 and India 23. Also last year, global research and advisory firm Economist Intelligence Unit ranked India 58 on its list of innovative countries, one rank above China.
Indian policymakers and scientists frequently compare their research and innovation output with China’s, which in the past two decades has overtaken India on several indices that measure scientific prowess of countries.
Though most innovation indices rank countries on their research and development criteria, such as research spends as a proportion of the gross domestic product, or GDP, number of scientific publications and their patent output, newer parameters such as the ones employed by Dutta include soundness of banks, ease of doing business and the number of Internet users in a coun try.
According to Dutta, innovation is far more broad based and not necessarily confined to laboratories. “Innovation is a horizontal exercise. (US President-elect) Barack Obama’s innovative use of the Internet in the recent elections must also count in the country’s (US) metrics as it has a significant long-term impact,” he added.
For ranking purposes, each factor is categorized as input or output. Input factors reflect how conducive a country is to innovation and output factors to how effectively a country translates innovation into knowledge, competitiveness and wealth.
“These results are averaged and on the basis of that, global ranks are calculated,” Dutta said.
He added that China came ahead of India thanks to “the strength” of its foreign direct investment, or FDI, inflows; the report also lists China’s ease of accessing credit and the “wide variety of its manufacture imports and exports”.
Dutta said all significant inputs for this report were collected in early 2008. “This was before the financial crisis kicked in and I expect significant changes in the top 10 when we prepare the next report.” An expert said he wouldn’t try to read too much into the rankings.
Sujit Bhattacharya, professor at the school of social sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, said: “Innovation is now a very broad term and rankings are extremely relative. It’s more useful to look at the input variables, see how India fares on individual ones, and then implement measures to address them. Giving equal weightage to all variables, and averaging them out doesn’t help much.”
Source: Livemint.com
Monday, January 5, 2009
REASONS TO CHEER 2009
REASONS TO CHEER 2009
BY S NARAYAN
T he year 2008 has been traumatic for the nation and its economy: Some of the scars and bruises will take a long time to heal, and the media has been full of stories of the difficulties the year has brought to various sections of the people, be they employees, exporters, investors or manufacturers. The government is doing its best, and its actions recall what Churchill once said: “Governments will eventually do the right thing, after having first exhausted all other alternatives.”
The new stimulus package announced on Friday is likely to cost the government at least Rs40,000 crore, and provides opportunities for greater liquidity for the manufacturing sector, especially commercial vehicles. I had written several weeks ago about the difficulties faced by non-banking finance companies, and the new special-purpose vehicle mechanism announced is likely to mitigate these to some extent. The reduction in repo rates and the cash reserve ratio is likely to enable banks to provide easier credit and greater liquidity to business. Exporters and small and medium enterprises would have wished for something more, and the anxiety that the available liquidity should find its way into productive businesses will remain for some time, but the steps announced are all welcome ones.
In fact, there are several signs that 2009 will be considerably better than 2008.
First, one has only to visit average shopping centres in the metropolis and the shopping areas in tier II and tier III cities to see that that the consumer is still buying, and indeed, with little let-up. At one end, imported luxury brands are seeing their India sales up over 25%, and at the other end, the Sarojini markets, GK markets and indeed, all the places you and I go to, are fairly full. Off metropolitan cities, middle-class residential housing continues to grow, with little let-up in prices in Chennai, Pune, Coimbatore and most of the “middle-class” cities.
It is true that malls have lower footfalls, that tourist arrivals are lower, that upper-end residences have no takers and commercial space is in oversupply—but these are bubbles of the last four years, and the fundamentals of the average consumer have not changed. FMCG companies continue to grow very well, and the sales of electronic goods have not slackened perceptibly.
There has been a good winter harvest, the paddy procurement is very good and the support prices have been higher than before, thus leaving the farmer with a good disposable surplus. There is also no shortage of savings—banks have had a good receipt of fixed deposits, the new schemes from Nabard and LIC have elicited excellent responses and people, in short, are sitting on cash. It is true that investments have moved out of mutual funds and equity and debt markets, and that investment capital is hard to find.
But it is also true that people are spending more carefully, weighing returns and risks better than they did in the earlier years. In short, the speculative urge has been dampened, but not the entrepreneurship or the drive for self-improvement. Doctors and chartered accountants, hospitals and educational institutions, lawyers and the judicial system, bureaucrats and the government and indeed, all sectors that provide the vaguely defined “public services” continue to do as well as in the previous years, and form the bedrock of basic growth that one would see in 2009.
Second, the anxious people who occupy a lot of English-speaking space are the big corporate houses, the large real estate developers, exporters, automobile manufacturers and, indeed, the large companies that figure in the stock markets.
These are the faces of the country’s integration with the rest of the world. But this is only a part of the Indian economy, and the steps taken by the government are likely to provide relief and opportunity to this group. And the companies are analysing their capex and growth plans more carefully, and investments are getting better focused and monitored.
In the last few years, the heady growth in valuation and leveraging had even the most conservative householder dabbling in risk. Now that he has lost some money, he is back to being what he has been all his life—a prudent spender, saver and investor in himself and his family. In fact, we are back to our core and basic values, at levels of income, consumption and living that is considerably higher than a decade ago, and therefore there is little doubt that the lessons of 2008 will form a springboard for growth.
Of course, this will not happen all at once, nor by itself. The government needs to infuse confidence in the growth story and not in the credit markets alone.
If it is prepared to invest in projects, others will, and yet the list of proposals recently approved by the cabinet, including universal secondary schooling, appears to focus on social rather than economic initiatives. Announcements for some metro rail projects or large power projects including nuclear power, expansion of the rail system and the like, are likely to charge entrepreneurs into participating together with the government. Like Tennyson’s Ulysses, it is the time for the government to “push off, and sitting well in order smite the sounding furrows, for my purpose holds to sail beyond the sunset”.
We can do it.
S. Narayan is a former finance secretary and economic adviser to the prime minister.
BY S NARAYAN
T he year 2008 has been traumatic for the nation and its economy: Some of the scars and bruises will take a long time to heal, and the media has been full of stories of the difficulties the year has brought to various sections of the people, be they employees, exporters, investors or manufacturers. The government is doing its best, and its actions recall what Churchill once said: “Governments will eventually do the right thing, after having first exhausted all other alternatives.”
The new stimulus package announced on Friday is likely to cost the government at least Rs40,000 crore, and provides opportunities for greater liquidity for the manufacturing sector, especially commercial vehicles. I had written several weeks ago about the difficulties faced by non-banking finance companies, and the new special-purpose vehicle mechanism announced is likely to mitigate these to some extent. The reduction in repo rates and the cash reserve ratio is likely to enable banks to provide easier credit and greater liquidity to business. Exporters and small and medium enterprises would have wished for something more, and the anxiety that the available liquidity should find its way into productive businesses will remain for some time, but the steps announced are all welcome ones.
In fact, there are several signs that 2009 will be considerably better than 2008.
First, one has only to visit average shopping centres in the metropolis and the shopping areas in tier II and tier III cities to see that that the consumer is still buying, and indeed, with little let-up. At one end, imported luxury brands are seeing their India sales up over 25%, and at the other end, the Sarojini markets, GK markets and indeed, all the places you and I go to, are fairly full. Off metropolitan cities, middle-class residential housing continues to grow, with little let-up in prices in Chennai, Pune, Coimbatore and most of the “middle-class” cities.
It is true that malls have lower footfalls, that tourist arrivals are lower, that upper-end residences have no takers and commercial space is in oversupply—but these are bubbles of the last four years, and the fundamentals of the average consumer have not changed. FMCG companies continue to grow very well, and the sales of electronic goods have not slackened perceptibly.
There has been a good winter harvest, the paddy procurement is very good and the support prices have been higher than before, thus leaving the farmer with a good disposable surplus. There is also no shortage of savings—banks have had a good receipt of fixed deposits, the new schemes from Nabard and LIC have elicited excellent responses and people, in short, are sitting on cash. It is true that investments have moved out of mutual funds and equity and debt markets, and that investment capital is hard to find.
But it is also true that people are spending more carefully, weighing returns and risks better than they did in the earlier years. In short, the speculative urge has been dampened, but not the entrepreneurship or the drive for self-improvement. Doctors and chartered accountants, hospitals and educational institutions, lawyers and the judicial system, bureaucrats and the government and indeed, all sectors that provide the vaguely defined “public services” continue to do as well as in the previous years, and form the bedrock of basic growth that one would see in 2009.
Second, the anxious people who occupy a lot of English-speaking space are the big corporate houses, the large real estate developers, exporters, automobile manufacturers and, indeed, the large companies that figure in the stock markets.
These are the faces of the country’s integration with the rest of the world. But this is only a part of the Indian economy, and the steps taken by the government are likely to provide relief and opportunity to this group. And the companies are analysing their capex and growth plans more carefully, and investments are getting better focused and monitored.
In the last few years, the heady growth in valuation and leveraging had even the most conservative householder dabbling in risk. Now that he has lost some money, he is back to being what he has been all his life—a prudent spender, saver and investor in himself and his family. In fact, we are back to our core and basic values, at levels of income, consumption and living that is considerably higher than a decade ago, and therefore there is little doubt that the lessons of 2008 will form a springboard for growth.
Of course, this will not happen all at once, nor by itself. The government needs to infuse confidence in the growth story and not in the credit markets alone.
If it is prepared to invest in projects, others will, and yet the list of proposals recently approved by the cabinet, including universal secondary schooling, appears to focus on social rather than economic initiatives. Announcements for some metro rail projects or large power projects including nuclear power, expansion of the rail system and the like, are likely to charge entrepreneurs into participating together with the government. Like Tennyson’s Ulysses, it is the time for the government to “push off, and sitting well in order smite the sounding furrows, for my purpose holds to sail beyond the sunset”.
We can do it.
S. Narayan is a former finance secretary and economic adviser to the prime minister.
CHINESE IS THE LANGUAGE OF THE FUTURE
Learning to learn Chinese
VR NARAYANASWAMI
Tomorrow belongs to China”, and “Chinese is the language of the future.” These are statements we hear from people returning after business visits to China. Be ready for tomorrow; don’t get left behind. Heeding these recommendations, I decided to go in for lessons in Chinese.
My first shock came when I heard that Chinese is a tonal language. The same word spoken in different tones can have different meanings. The classic example is the common word “ma”, which has four meanings when uttered with a high tone, a rising tone, a falling-rising tone and a falling tone. The pitfalls are many. I intend to say, “Your mother is a wonderful lady,” and end up saying “Your horse is a wonderful lady.” In course of time, however, I found that my fears were misplaced. In continuous speech, the tone variations get merged in the flow of speech.
When uttering single words, the tones become prominent.
The several names given to the country and to the language were confusing. In English literature, the country was known as Cathay, a name that survives in Cathay-Pacific. The Chinese name for the country is Zhongguo (sounds like Chung Kuo), and means “middle kingdom”. The name of the language then is Zhongwen, which refers to writing in particular. Another widely used name is Hanyu, the language of the Han people of China. In Taiwan it is called Guoyu, national language. In Singapore and South Asian countries it is Huayu, language of the Chinese. In the mainland, Left-leaning intellectuals wanted to put people at the centre, and preferred the name Putonghua, the speech of the common people. In 1956 the government adopted the term to describe standard Mandarin.
When we learn a new language, we start with the alphabet. Chinese is not an alphabet-based language; you cannot ask someone to spell the word pingguo (apple) in Chinese. Learner’s dictionaries for foreign learners transliterate Chinese words in the Romanized script known as “pinyin” and arrange the words alphabetically. After a short struggle with Chinese characters, I decided to stick to pinyin.
A unique feature of Chinese is the use of what is called measure words. They are words placed between numerals and nouns. In English we say “one book”, and in Chinese we place a measure word between numeral and noun.
The most common measure word is “ge”: We have “san ge pingguo” (three apples); “yi ge didi” (one younger brother).
The measure word is often dependent on the quantity or shape of the referent. For example, we use “zhi” for sticklike things, as in “yi zhi bi”, a pen. For a long narrow shape, we use “tiao”, as in “yi tiao he”, a river. Measure words do not contribute to the meaning of the expression, but learners have to spend some time learning their use.
When we begin learning Chinese, we expect it to have a grammatical structure like that of English, with tense, number, case, gender and other categories. But Chinese grammar is much simpler.
The verb has only one form for present, past and future. A single form, for example, “lai” which means “come”, can be used for simple or continuous, past, present or future, and singular or plural. Word order is also different. “I jog every day” becomes “wo meitian dou paobu” (I every day jog).
“Youju li zher luan bu luan?” (Post office from here distant not distant): “Is the post office far from here?” As in other languages, English words are increasingly being used in Chinese speech.
“Nan-peng-you” and “nupeng-you” are now considered old-fashioned and young Chinese prefer to say BF and GF for boyfriend and girlfriend.
Coca-Cola is “ke kou ke le”; beer is “pijiu”, “pi” as a semitransliteration of “beer” and “jiu” for alcoholic drink.
Names of the days of the week and names of the months in European languages are associated with the history and legend of Greece and Rome. In Chinese they are labelled with numerals: Monday to Saturday are weekdayone, weekday-two, weekdaythree and so on. Similarly, there are numerals with the common noun for month, “yue”. The names are monthone, month-two up to month-twelve. Note that October means the eighth month by etymology; but in Chinese it is called month-ten, or “shi yue”.
The final stage in learning Chinese is getting to know the cultural nuances of language in context. How do you address a married woman and a single woman? Can a foreigner be addressed as “tongzhi” or comrade? The normal way of opening a telephone conversation is to say “Wei”; but the same expression is considered rude in any other context. Besides learning grammatical structures, we have to learn to use the language in a socially acceptable way.
V.R. Narayanaswami, a former professor of English, has written several books and articles on the usage of the language. He looks at the peculiarities of business and popular English usage in his fortnightly column.
Comments can be sent toplainspeaking@livemint.com
VR NARAYANASWAMI
Tomorrow belongs to China”, and “Chinese is the language of the future.” These are statements we hear from people returning after business visits to China. Be ready for tomorrow; don’t get left behind. Heeding these recommendations, I decided to go in for lessons in Chinese.
My first shock came when I heard that Chinese is a tonal language. The same word spoken in different tones can have different meanings. The classic example is the common word “ma”, which has four meanings when uttered with a high tone, a rising tone, a falling-rising tone and a falling tone. The pitfalls are many. I intend to say, “Your mother is a wonderful lady,” and end up saying “Your horse is a wonderful lady.” In course of time, however, I found that my fears were misplaced. In continuous speech, the tone variations get merged in the flow of speech.
When uttering single words, the tones become prominent.
The several names given to the country and to the language were confusing. In English literature, the country was known as Cathay, a name that survives in Cathay-Pacific. The Chinese name for the country is Zhongguo (sounds like Chung Kuo), and means “middle kingdom”. The name of the language then is Zhongwen, which refers to writing in particular. Another widely used name is Hanyu, the language of the Han people of China. In Taiwan it is called Guoyu, national language. In Singapore and South Asian countries it is Huayu, language of the Chinese. In the mainland, Left-leaning intellectuals wanted to put people at the centre, and preferred the name Putonghua, the speech of the common people. In 1956 the government adopted the term to describe standard Mandarin.
When we learn a new language, we start with the alphabet. Chinese is not an alphabet-based language; you cannot ask someone to spell the word pingguo (apple) in Chinese. Learner’s dictionaries for foreign learners transliterate Chinese words in the Romanized script known as “pinyin” and arrange the words alphabetically. After a short struggle with Chinese characters, I decided to stick to pinyin.
A unique feature of Chinese is the use of what is called measure words. They are words placed between numerals and nouns. In English we say “one book”, and in Chinese we place a measure word between numeral and noun.
The most common measure word is “ge”: We have “san ge pingguo” (three apples); “yi ge didi” (one younger brother).
The measure word is often dependent on the quantity or shape of the referent. For example, we use “zhi” for sticklike things, as in “yi zhi bi”, a pen. For a long narrow shape, we use “tiao”, as in “yi tiao he”, a river. Measure words do not contribute to the meaning of the expression, but learners have to spend some time learning their use.
When we begin learning Chinese, we expect it to have a grammatical structure like that of English, with tense, number, case, gender and other categories. But Chinese grammar is much simpler.
The verb has only one form for present, past and future. A single form, for example, “lai” which means “come”, can be used for simple or continuous, past, present or future, and singular or plural. Word order is also different. “I jog every day” becomes “wo meitian dou paobu” (I every day jog).
“Youju li zher luan bu luan?” (Post office from here distant not distant): “Is the post office far from here?” As in other languages, English words are increasingly being used in Chinese speech.
“Nan-peng-you” and “nupeng-you” are now considered old-fashioned and young Chinese prefer to say BF and GF for boyfriend and girlfriend.
Coca-Cola is “ke kou ke le”; beer is “pijiu”, “pi” as a semitransliteration of “beer” and “jiu” for alcoholic drink.
Names of the days of the week and names of the months in European languages are associated with the history and legend of Greece and Rome. In Chinese they are labelled with numerals: Monday to Saturday are weekdayone, weekday-two, weekdaythree and so on. Similarly, there are numerals with the common noun for month, “yue”. The names are monthone, month-two up to month-twelve. Note that October means the eighth month by etymology; but in Chinese it is called month-ten, or “shi yue”.
The final stage in learning Chinese is getting to know the cultural nuances of language in context. How do you address a married woman and a single woman? Can a foreigner be addressed as “tongzhi” or comrade? The normal way of opening a telephone conversation is to say “Wei”; but the same expression is considered rude in any other context. Besides learning grammatical structures, we have to learn to use the language in a socially acceptable way.
V.R. Narayanaswami, a former professor of English, has written several books and articles on the usage of the language. He looks at the peculiarities of business and popular English usage in his fortnightly column.
Comments can be sent toplainspeaking@livemint.com
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Smash terror hideouts inside and outside India: Kalam
Smash terror hideouts inside and outside India: Kalam
Agencies
Posted: Jan 03, 2009 at 1852 hrs IST
Hamirpur, HP.
Former President A P J Abdul Kalam on Saturday advocated a three-pronged strategy to combat terror which included raiding and smashing militant hideouts both inside and outside the country.
Firstly, a vigorous national campaign, involving every citizen, should be launched to tackle the terror menace, he said interacting with students in Hamirpur.
Secondly, Kalam advocated carrying out raids to destroy terror hideouts both inside and outside the country.
"Terror can be eliminated by raiding and smashing militant hideouts both inside and outside the country," he said.
Lastly, there was need for speedy trial of cases relating to terrorism to punish perpetrators of such crimes, he said.
The ‘Missile Man’ voiced concern over rising incidents of terror in the country which, he said, were posing a ‘big threat’ to the country.
Agencies
Posted: Jan 03, 2009 at 1852 hrs IST
Hamirpur, HP.
Former President A P J Abdul Kalam on Saturday advocated a three-pronged strategy to combat terror which included raiding and smashing militant hideouts both inside and outside the country.
Firstly, a vigorous national campaign, involving every citizen, should be launched to tackle the terror menace, he said interacting with students in Hamirpur.
Secondly, Kalam advocated carrying out raids to destroy terror hideouts both inside and outside the country.
"Terror can be eliminated by raiding and smashing militant hideouts both inside and outside the country," he said.
Lastly, there was need for speedy trial of cases relating to terrorism to punish perpetrators of such crimes, he said.
The ‘Missile Man’ voiced concern over rising incidents of terror in the country which, he said, were posing a ‘big threat’ to the country.
THE SIKKIM INITIATIVE & NATHU LA
The Sikkim Initiative
By:KP Vasudevan Nair
OVER the past six weeks four international conferences were held on issues directly concerning regionalism and sub-regionalism in the contemporary Asian context.
The first, in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, on how the Asian regions should face the challenges posed by globalisation was indeed the most international of all of these, with high-level participation by ministers and congressmen from several Asian countries, scholars from Europe, Asia and Australia and, adding to its weight and glory, even Lord George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury.
The second, at the Chinese heritage city of Dali in Yunnan, deliberated on the prospects of socio-economic cooperation between southwest China and eastern India with special focus on West Bengal and Yunnan. It received wide media attention from within China and even Hong Kong and was followed by a high profile visit of a 30-member delegation headed by the governor of Yunnan to Kolkata to work out details of cooperation in various fields.
The third, a low-profile but meaningful exercise, was held at the Asiatic Society, Kolkata, with an India-China Interface in the aftermath of opening Nathu-la for border trade that was to have been inaugurated by Union external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee but he could not attend. Chinese Consul General Mao Siwei was chief guest and there were a number of specialists from Delhi and Canada. A new sub-regional Silk Route from Nathu-la to Namyung was conceived among other things.
The fourth, the immediate reason for this article, concluded on 21 December at Sikkim University, Gangtok. Titled “International Conference on Sub-regionalism Approach to Regional Integration in South Asia”, this was also to have been inaugurated by Pranab Mukherjee but again he could not make it under circumstances understandable to Indians. Sikkim governor BP Singh delivered the presidential address. Pranab Mukherjee’s speech was read out and it contained significant messages to Pakistan on the issue of terrorism, reflecting the prevailing mood.
That his message found prominent place in the regular newscast from Delhi made it clear that it was not meant only for those at “Chintan Bhawan” of the University. The need for a peaceful periphery which Mukherjee often emphasises during his speeches is, it seems, not different from “the need for a rise in harmony” that Chinese leaders also seek in their neighbourhood. That the foreign minister dealt with policy aspects of India’s current relations with almost every country in the region indicates his approval of the concept on which the conference was held, the first of its kind in a North-eastern border state.
A quick look at the concept note prepared by vice-chancellor Mahendra Lama with emphasis on the urgent need for a new sub-regional approach, has enormous logic behind it, for no one can dispute that in effect the regional approach in the shape of Saarc has not brought about the expected gains to the region. Boastful claims made at Saarc summits made the region almost a laughing stock in the eyes of even small Asean countries.
Have we forgotten the assurance our leaders gave at the Colombo meet in 1999 that poverty would be totally eradicated from the region within three years? Leaders of the same countries at the last summit in the same city this year sheepishly admitted over 25 per cent of the region still survived on less than a dollar a day! The major share of the responsibility for this pathetic situation rests with the two larger countries, India and Pakistan. India’s literacy rate is lower than that of most of the countries and so is the human development index. More alarming, there is still no serious attempt to correct the situation. No wonder the smaller members do not find Saarc a sustainable mechanism and are resorting to multilateralism, following, interestingly, India and Pakistan!
In the field of tourism, the recent gains look impressive only because of the low base which it rose from. Small Cambodia, with 12 million population, receives two million tourists a year, and India with a population nearly 100 times larger still has not reached five million!
From an Indian perspective, a new sub-regional approach seems necessary since the existing ones, some of them like Mekong Ganga, have been week-kneed reactions to successful initiatives like the Greater Mekong Sub-regional Cooperation and the gains, if any, have been negligible. New geographical configuration cannot be avoided when a fresh effort is being made and this justifies the Sikkim Initiative’s inclusion of Bhutan and the whole of southwest China, including Tibet, although there is scepticism among some observers about effectively including Bangladesh and Nepal. This view is endorsed by the fact that official representation was absent at the conference from these two countries, unlike Bhutan which sent an official.
As it happened at the Margherita (Assam) conference three years ago, two important officials, one from the Yunnan Development Research Centre and the other from Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, could not attend due to a procedural delay in receiving their visas, but an academic from Sichuan made it to Gangtok, perhaps the first Chinese national to be present at an international conference there.
Among the participants were some who could not help wondering whether this Sikkim Initiative was anything more than “Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Plus Two” — the plus two being Bhutan and Nepal. Having been a participant at the last few BCIM meetings, this writer is not too optimistic of the BCIM, at least in the short term. For instance, a Kunming-Kolkata car rally, which was agreed upon at the 2007 Dhaka meeting, has not yet materialised due to problems now linked to Bangladesh.
Even in its eighth year, the BCIM remains non-institutionalised with a poor progress report. Coming from India as it does, the new Sikkim Initiative will have a freshness of its own and could convert Sikkim with its unique location into a new and commonly acceptable economic and cultural hub. Only those who spend some time in Sikkim and closely interact with its people will know how great its attractions are. Participants from “mainland” India were also astonished at the high intellectual level of the young professors and the cool efficiency of the executives of the university which is not even two years old. One major omission noticed at the seminars was the apparent absence of participants with adequate practical experience, especially in the case of trade and tourism. The involvement of the chambers of commerce may be considered in future deliberations.
Detailed presentations on forests and other bioresources by the Sikkim forest department officials brought to light the immense natural wealth waiting to be exploited. From an academic angle, it may not be out of place to suggest that Sikkim University, with its sub-regional aspirations, joins the trilateral academic projects initiated by the New York-based India-China Institute involving New School University, Yunnan University and Calcutta University, the details of which will soon be finalised in Kunming, capital of Yunnan.
(The author is Director, Asia Centre, and Honorary Fellow, Maulana Abul Kalam Institute of Asian Studies. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at kpv@asiacentre.org)
By:KP Vasudevan Nair
OVER the past six weeks four international conferences were held on issues directly concerning regionalism and sub-regionalism in the contemporary Asian context.
The first, in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, on how the Asian regions should face the challenges posed by globalisation was indeed the most international of all of these, with high-level participation by ministers and congressmen from several Asian countries, scholars from Europe, Asia and Australia and, adding to its weight and glory, even Lord George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury.
The second, at the Chinese heritage city of Dali in Yunnan, deliberated on the prospects of socio-economic cooperation between southwest China and eastern India with special focus on West Bengal and Yunnan. It received wide media attention from within China and even Hong Kong and was followed by a high profile visit of a 30-member delegation headed by the governor of Yunnan to Kolkata to work out details of cooperation in various fields.
The third, a low-profile but meaningful exercise, was held at the Asiatic Society, Kolkata, with an India-China Interface in the aftermath of opening Nathu-la for border trade that was to have been inaugurated by Union external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee but he could not attend. Chinese Consul General Mao Siwei was chief guest and there were a number of specialists from Delhi and Canada. A new sub-regional Silk Route from Nathu-la to Namyung was conceived among other things.
The fourth, the immediate reason for this article, concluded on 21 December at Sikkim University, Gangtok. Titled “International Conference on Sub-regionalism Approach to Regional Integration in South Asia”, this was also to have been inaugurated by Pranab Mukherjee but again he could not make it under circumstances understandable to Indians. Sikkim governor BP Singh delivered the presidential address. Pranab Mukherjee’s speech was read out and it contained significant messages to Pakistan on the issue of terrorism, reflecting the prevailing mood.
That his message found prominent place in the regular newscast from Delhi made it clear that it was not meant only for those at “Chintan Bhawan” of the University. The need for a peaceful periphery which Mukherjee often emphasises during his speeches is, it seems, not different from “the need for a rise in harmony” that Chinese leaders also seek in their neighbourhood. That the foreign minister dealt with policy aspects of India’s current relations with almost every country in the region indicates his approval of the concept on which the conference was held, the first of its kind in a North-eastern border state.
A quick look at the concept note prepared by vice-chancellor Mahendra Lama with emphasis on the urgent need for a new sub-regional approach, has enormous logic behind it, for no one can dispute that in effect the regional approach in the shape of Saarc has not brought about the expected gains to the region. Boastful claims made at Saarc summits made the region almost a laughing stock in the eyes of even small Asean countries.
Have we forgotten the assurance our leaders gave at the Colombo meet in 1999 that poverty would be totally eradicated from the region within three years? Leaders of the same countries at the last summit in the same city this year sheepishly admitted over 25 per cent of the region still survived on less than a dollar a day! The major share of the responsibility for this pathetic situation rests with the two larger countries, India and Pakistan. India’s literacy rate is lower than that of most of the countries and so is the human development index. More alarming, there is still no serious attempt to correct the situation. No wonder the smaller members do not find Saarc a sustainable mechanism and are resorting to multilateralism, following, interestingly, India and Pakistan!
In the field of tourism, the recent gains look impressive only because of the low base which it rose from. Small Cambodia, with 12 million population, receives two million tourists a year, and India with a population nearly 100 times larger still has not reached five million!
From an Indian perspective, a new sub-regional approach seems necessary since the existing ones, some of them like Mekong Ganga, have been week-kneed reactions to successful initiatives like the Greater Mekong Sub-regional Cooperation and the gains, if any, have been negligible. New geographical configuration cannot be avoided when a fresh effort is being made and this justifies the Sikkim Initiative’s inclusion of Bhutan and the whole of southwest China, including Tibet, although there is scepticism among some observers about effectively including Bangladesh and Nepal. This view is endorsed by the fact that official representation was absent at the conference from these two countries, unlike Bhutan which sent an official.
As it happened at the Margherita (Assam) conference three years ago, two important officials, one from the Yunnan Development Research Centre and the other from Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, could not attend due to a procedural delay in receiving their visas, but an academic from Sichuan made it to Gangtok, perhaps the first Chinese national to be present at an international conference there.
Among the participants were some who could not help wondering whether this Sikkim Initiative was anything more than “Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Plus Two” — the plus two being Bhutan and Nepal. Having been a participant at the last few BCIM meetings, this writer is not too optimistic of the BCIM, at least in the short term. For instance, a Kunming-Kolkata car rally, which was agreed upon at the 2007 Dhaka meeting, has not yet materialised due to problems now linked to Bangladesh.
Even in its eighth year, the BCIM remains non-institutionalised with a poor progress report. Coming from India as it does, the new Sikkim Initiative will have a freshness of its own and could convert Sikkim with its unique location into a new and commonly acceptable economic and cultural hub. Only those who spend some time in Sikkim and closely interact with its people will know how great its attractions are. Participants from “mainland” India were also astonished at the high intellectual level of the young professors and the cool efficiency of the executives of the university which is not even two years old. One major omission noticed at the seminars was the apparent absence of participants with adequate practical experience, especially in the case of trade and tourism. The involvement of the chambers of commerce may be considered in future deliberations.
Detailed presentations on forests and other bioresources by the Sikkim forest department officials brought to light the immense natural wealth waiting to be exploited. From an academic angle, it may not be out of place to suggest that Sikkim University, with its sub-regional aspirations, joins the trilateral academic projects initiated by the New York-based India-China Institute involving New School University, Yunnan University and Calcutta University, the details of which will soon be finalised in Kunming, capital of Yunnan.
(The author is Director, Asia Centre, and Honorary Fellow, Maulana Abul Kalam Institute of Asian Studies. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at kpv@asiacentre.org)
Friday, January 2, 2009
5.5 LACS TOURISTS VISITED IN 2008 TO SIKKIM
Sikkim receive 60per cent of tourism funds from Ministry of Tourism (MoT) earmarked for NE states
Gangtok, Dec 31 : Sikkim has received a record sanction of 60 per cent of the total funds for tourism projects earmarked by the Union Ministry of Tourism (MoT) for the entire Northeastern states during 2007-08, an official report stated.
In its annual report, the state tourism department said the Union Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned 19 tourism projects for 2007-08, totalling to around Rs 75.46 crore.
Besides these MoT projects, a Rs 27.24 crore project for construction of passenger ropeway from Namchi to Samdruptse in South Sikkim has been funded by the DoNER Ministry and State plan. The project has achieved 20 per cent progress.
The department also claimed that a large number of tourism projects sanctioned during 2006-07 and 2007-08 are either completed or in progress.
''As a result of its incredible performance, Sikkim Tourism has been able to establish an excellent track record with the Union Ministry of Tourism,'' the report said, adding, this has certainly attributed to more Centrally sponsored schemes from MoT since 2002.
Many tourism proposals prioritised for 2008-09 are already under active consideration of MoT, the report states.
For 2008-09, Sikkim has been selected as the only state in the entire Northeast region for the 'Major Destination Development Project' for Gangtok. The project is being funded by MoT at a tentative cost of Rs 23.9 crore. A proposal worth Rs 14.30 crore is also pending before MoT for development of herbal medical tourism Rakdong-Tintek in East Sikkim.
Endorsing its tourism image, the hilly state has received the Northeast award of the MoT for 'Best Tourism Performing State' consecutively for the last seven years. Sikkim also shared the national award in tourism with Maharashtra in 2007-08.
As a result of large scale tourism value additions, Sikkim has witnessed a steady increase of tourist arrivals benefitting a large section of local community and tourism stakeholders. The average annual increase in tourism footfalls in Sikkim over the past five years is to the order of 22 per cent, the report states.
A record number of 5.5 lakh tourists visited Sikkim during this year and the state is targetting to attract at least seven lakh tourists by the next three years.
--- UNI
Gangtok, Dec 31 : Sikkim has received a record sanction of 60 per cent of the total funds for tourism projects earmarked by the Union Ministry of Tourism (MoT) for the entire Northeastern states during 2007-08, an official report stated.
In its annual report, the state tourism department said the Union Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned 19 tourism projects for 2007-08, totalling to around Rs 75.46 crore.
Besides these MoT projects, a Rs 27.24 crore project for construction of passenger ropeway from Namchi to Samdruptse in South Sikkim has been funded by the DoNER Ministry and State plan. The project has achieved 20 per cent progress.
The department also claimed that a large number of tourism projects sanctioned during 2006-07 and 2007-08 are either completed or in progress.
''As a result of its incredible performance, Sikkim Tourism has been able to establish an excellent track record with the Union Ministry of Tourism,'' the report said, adding, this has certainly attributed to more Centrally sponsored schemes from MoT since 2002.
Many tourism proposals prioritised for 2008-09 are already under active consideration of MoT, the report states.
For 2008-09, Sikkim has been selected as the only state in the entire Northeast region for the 'Major Destination Development Project' for Gangtok. The project is being funded by MoT at a tentative cost of Rs 23.9 crore. A proposal worth Rs 14.30 crore is also pending before MoT for development of herbal medical tourism Rakdong-Tintek in East Sikkim.
Endorsing its tourism image, the hilly state has received the Northeast award of the MoT for 'Best Tourism Performing State' consecutively for the last seven years. Sikkim also shared the national award in tourism with Maharashtra in 2007-08.
As a result of large scale tourism value additions, Sikkim has witnessed a steady increase of tourist arrivals benefitting a large section of local community and tourism stakeholders. The average annual increase in tourism footfalls in Sikkim over the past five years is to the order of 22 per cent, the report states.
A record number of 5.5 lakh tourists visited Sikkim during this year and the state is targetting to attract at least seven lakh tourists by the next three years.
--- UNI
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