List Of Famous Failures!.Be + Positive! | Ayan Nayak

When you feel a little discouraged, just remember what these people accomplished when everyone else looked at them as failures. Believe in Yourself!Einstein was 4 years old before he could speak. Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school and was considered unpromising. When Thomas Edison was a youngster, his teacher told him he was too stupid to learn anything. He was counseled to go into a field where he might succeed by virtue of his pleasant personality. F.W. Woolworth got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21, but his boss would not permit him to wait on customers because he didn't have enough sense to close a sale. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.Bob Cousy, a legendary Boston Celtic basketball player, suffered the same fate, but he too is a Hall of Famer.A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney because he lacked imagination and had no original ideas. Winston Churchill failed 6th grade and had to repeat it because he did not complete the tests that were required for promotion.Babe Ruth struck out 1,300 times, a major league record.A person may make mistakes, but is not a failure until he or she starts blaming someone else. We must believe in ourselves, and somewhere along the road of life we will meet someone who sees greatness in us and lets us know it.

CODES FOR DE-CONDITIONING THE MIND

CODES FOR DE-CONDITIONING THE MIND

By Swami Avdhutananda

 Ex Acharya, Chinmaya Mission-Sikkim

1)       HAVE THE COURAGE TO CHANGE WHAT YOU CAN, SERENITY TO ACCEPT WHAT YOU CANNOT CHANGE AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. COMMON SENSE IN AN UNCOMMON DEGREE IS WISDOM. 

2)       MAKE THE EFFORT TO BEGIN TO ACCEPT OTHER PEOPLE FULLY AS THEY ARE. THE TRAGEDY IS THAT OUR OWN MIND IS NOT IN OUR CONTROL. AND WHAT IS THE COMEDY? OUR OWN MIND WHICH IS NOT IN OUR CONTROL, WITH THAT UNCONTROLLED MIND WE WANT TO CONTROL OTHER PEOPLE’S MIND WHICH IS NOT EVEN IN THEIR CONTROL—AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK!!! THIS IS THE COMEDY! 

3)       ACCEPT YOURSELF.  IT IS OUR INABILITY TO ACCEPT OURSELVES FULLY, WITH ALL OUR WEAKNESSES AND SHORTCOMINGS THAT CAUSES SO MUCH ANGUISH IN OUR LIVES.  LAUGH AT YOURSELF, AT YOUR BEHAVIOUR AND AT YOUR ANTICS.  DON’T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. NO ONE ELSE DOES!! 

4)       DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF WITH ANYONE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEIR JOURNEY IS ALL ABOUT. DON’T LET YOUR NEIGHBOURS SET YOUR STANDARDS. BE YOURSELF. DON’T IMITATE OTHERS. INSTEAD OF BEING A POOR IMITATION, BE 100% ORIGINAL.

5)       DO NOT BLAME OTHERS FOR YOUR SORROWS AND PROBLEMS.

6)       TRY TO PUT YOURSELF IN OTHER PEOPLE’S SHOES.

7)       TRY TO BE MORE OPEN WITH PEOPLE.

8)       DO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS WILL THINK. THEY DON’T DO IT (THINK) VERY OFTEN ANYWAY! THE SO CALLED ‘OTHERS’ ARE EQUALLY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT ‘OTHERS’ WILL THINK!! WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF US IS NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. YOU CAN’T PLEASE EVERYBODY. DON’T LET CRITICISM WORRY YOU.

9)       WATCH YOUR HABITUAL REACTIONS TO THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU AND TO YOUR ENVIRONMENT.  TRY TO REDUCE BEING DEPENDENT ON ANY PARTICULAR PLACE, TIME, OBJECT, PEOPLE, RELATIONSHIP, ENVIRONMENT, CONDITION, SITUATION AND CIRCUMSTANCE FOR HAPPINESS. ANY KIND OF DEPENDENCY IS A CAUSE FOR BONDAGE AND ANY KIND OF BONDAGE IS A CAUSE FOR MISERY. NO ONE IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR HAPPINESS EXCEPT YOU. NOBODY REALLY CARES IF YOU ARE MISERABLE.  SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE HAPPY.

10)   DO NOT INTERFERE IN OTHERS’ AFFAIRS UNLESS ASKED TO DO SO.

11)   WHAT IS GIVEN TO YOU WILL BE TAKEN AWAY. IT INCLUDES THE INSTRUMENTS CALLED THE BODY, MIND AND INTELLECT THROUGH WHICH YOU FUNCTION IN THIS WORLD.  SO DO NOT HOLD ON TO THINGS THAT DO NOT BELONG TO YOU.

12)   INTROSPECT REGULARLY.  ANALYSE YOUR NEEDS, ATTACHMENTS, DESIRES, HABITS, HANG-UPS, WEAKNESSES AND SHORTCOMINGS.  IT HELPS IN OVERCOMING THESE.  VIEW THE WHOLE WORLD AND EVERY THING AND BEING IN IT AS YOUR TEACHER.

13)   REMEMBER THAT EVERYONE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ATTAIN HIGHER LEVELS OF AWARENESS. TRY TO SEE THIS POTENTIAL IN ALL THE PEOPLE, NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT IT MAY BE.

14)   HAVE NO HATRED FOR ANY THING OR BEING, EVEN FOR A FRACTION OF A MOMENT—EVEN IN A DREAM. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WASTE TIME HATING ANYONE. SINCE HATE POISONS THE SOUL, DO NOT CHERISH HATRED. FORGIVE EVERYONE FOR EVERYTHING. ALWAYS FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES—NOTHING ANNOYS THEM AS MUCH. LIKEWISE WE ALSO NEED TO APOLOGISE OR ASK FOR FORGIVENESS FROM THOSE WE MAY HAVE HURT KNOWINGLY OR UNKNOWINGLY. APOLOGISING DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE WRONG AND THE OTHER ONE IS RIGHT. IT SIMPLY MEANS THAT WE VALUE THE RELATIONSHIP MUCH MORE THAN OUR EGO.

     

15)   DON’T AVOID DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. VERY FEW OF US ARE REALLY AWARE OF PROGRAMMING AND CONDITIONING OF THINGS AND BEINGS. WHEN WE RECOGNIZE IT THEN WE START TO DEAL WITH IT. HOWEVER GOOD OR BAD A SITUATION IS IT WILL CHANGE. DON’T SPEND TIME BROODING OVER SORROWS OR MISTAKES. DON’T BE ONE WHO NEVER GETS OVER THINGS. FRAME EVERY SO CALLED DISASTER WITH THESE WORDS “IN 5 YEARS WILL THIS MATTER?” TIME HEALS ALMOST EVERYTHING. GIVE TIME TIME.

16)   DON’T ALWAYS IDENTIFY YOURSELF COMPLETELY WITH YOUR MIND, BODY AND ACTIONS.  EVENTS HAPPEN, DEEDS ARE DONE, BUT THERE IS NO INDIVIDUAL DOER THEREOF.

17)   INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT YOU LIKE START LIKING WHAT YOU DO.

18)   UNHAPPINESS IS NOT KNOWING WHAT WE WANT AND KILLING OURSELVES TO GET IT. HAPPINESS IS A CONSCIOUS CHOICE, NOT AN AUTOMATIC RSPONSE. AVOID PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU UNHAPPY. KEEP YOURSELF BUSY. A BUSY PERSON NEVER HAS TIME TO BE UNHAPPY. YOU SIMPLY CANNOT BE UNHAPPY UNLESS YOU HAVE DECIDED TO BE UNHAPPY. MAKE UP YOUR MIND TO BE HAPPY. LEARN TO FIND PLEASURE IN SIMPLE THINGS.

19)  LIVE IN THE NOW AND ENJOY THE PRESENT MOMENT. MAKE PEACE WITH YOUR PAST SO THAT IT DOESN’T MESS-UP THE PRESENT. YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE PAST, BUT YOU CAN RUIN THE PRESENT BY WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE. LIVING IN THE PRESENT MEANS CONSCIOUS ACTION NOT MECHANICAL MOVEMENT.

REMEMBER, YOU ARE TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED.

THERE IS NOT A SHRED OF EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT LIFE IS SERIOUS.

WHEN SELF-KNOWLEDGE MATURES, THEN THE ENTIRE CREATION IS NOTHING BUT AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF JOKES!!

LIVE, LOVE AND LAUGH A LOT

LIFE IS A GIFT, UNWRAP IT.

BPL Card Holders to Get Subsidised Pulses through PDS

BPL Card Holders to Get Subsidised Pulses through PDS
• In view of mismatch between demand and supply of pulses and lower acreage under pulses in 2012-13, and delayed monsoon the Government has decided to provide Rs. 20/-as subsidy on the import of pulses to state Governments.

• Imported pulses will supplied at reasonable prices to the BPL population through PDS. Designated import agencies will directly enter into contract with the States/UTs for supply of imported pulses.

• Subsidy of Rs.20 per kilogram will be paid to designated importing agencies up to a maximum of the number of BPL card holders in a particular state.

• The proposed scheme will make available pulses, a critical protein requirement to the vulnerable sections of society, BPL card holder, at subsidized rates.

• State/UT Governments will monitor and ensure that the distribution strategy enables the subsidy benefit to reach the targeted population.

• This scheme will be in operation till 31.03.2013 and a decision regarding its continuation will be taken early next year.

Letter from India: the welcoming lights of Gangtok

A long drive from plains to mountain peaks reveals a jewel hidden in the Himalayas

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Tranquil retreat ... an Indian Buddhist woman rotates the prayer wheels at a monastery in Gangtok. Photograph: Deshakalyan Chowdhury/AFP/Getty

 

The road winds tortuously up into the Shivaliks, leaving the Teesta river behind to wend its way through the plains. In the distance, the warm, welcoming lights of Gangtok shine through a soft autumnal haze; when the cold months arrive, a bed of snow will flake the twinkling fairy lights of this hill town.
We have crossed monasteries, temples and bridges lined with Buddhist prayer-flags on our way up, driving over rough Himalayan terrain in our journey to the mountains. Clear springs and hamlets pop out of what could be nowhere, but for the fact that even at 3,000 metres above sea level, the consumerist trappings of civilisation are kept alive through puffy bags of crisps and crates of soft drinks, sold alongside hot Darjeeling tea.
After hours of travel up narrow, twisting roads, we find ourselves in Gangtok, the capital of the state of Sikkim. Buildings crowd the slopes, and people stroll unhurriedly around, as if absorbing the tales of a past long gone but still lingering in spirit. It feels almost like a journey through time: Gangtok is quite different from the cities of the plains, but possibly like the quintessential colonial-era Himalayan towns. You can almost conjure up images of British sahibs and their elegantly dressed wives trotting up and down these hill roads on their horses, looking for respite from the searing heat of the plains. All you need, in fact, is a haunted dak bungalow to complete the story.
Today, the main thoroughfare, MG Road, is a paved street only for pedestrians. It is lined by restaurants and shops, ending in a nondescript, dank movie theatre. The lamp-posts are mounted with Bose loudspeakers playing Hindi movie songs from the early 90s. Something about the very air evokes nostalgia.
It is close to 8pm, and a cloudy mist descends heavily over the town, people reduced to blurry shapes. Shopkeepers begin to rustle up their wares; some already have their shutters down.
With its extraordinary mix of faiths and traditions, Gangtok defies slotting into any single category. It isn't ostentatious opulence that takes your breath away, but simplicity. Up in its quiet Himalayan corner, it lives a rich, happy life, with ready smiles that mask its troubles.
Source:Guardian

: Minor quakes rock Sikkim-Tibet border region, Lahul & Spiti in HP


New Delhi, October 11, 2012
wo minor earthquakes rocked the border region between the Indian state of Sikkim and Tibet and the Lahul & Spiti border region in Himachal Pradesh tonight, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

A bulletin from the IMD said a quake, measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale, shook the Sikkim-Tibet border region at 1926 hours today. Its epicentre was at latitude 28 degrees North and longitude 88.2 degrees East at a focal depth of 15 km.

The tremor in Himachal Pradesh was felt some 35 minutes earlier and measured 3.5 on the Richter scale. Its epicentre was at latitude 32.2 degrees North and longitue 77.7 degrees East and it occurred at a focal depth of 10 km, the bulletin added.

Chennai, Oct 11: Indian Railways has launched Rail Radar, a live train tracking service that runs on Google Maps. Available at http://railradar.trainenquiry.com/ , the service allows you find out the exact location of a train.

GROW WHEREEVER YOU'RE PLANTED

An excerpt from AN ENEMY CALLED AVERAGE

by John Mason

All successful people are faithful in the small things. There is power in taking small steps. Many people are not moving forward today simply because they were not willing to take the small step placed before them. If you have a dream to go into any particular area, you should leap at the opportunity—no matter how small—to move in the direction of your dream. For example: if you dream of being a college basketball coach and are sitting at home waiting for an invitation from Roy Williams at North Carolina University, you should know that call will never come. You need to find an opportunity to coach somewhere, anywhere. Find a young person, a young team. Jump in and coach with all of your heart, like you would if you were coaching at the highest level. Don't be afraid to take small steps. There's something powerful about momentum...no matter how small. Many times the impossible is simply the untried. I can remember a time in my life when I was immobilized with fear, consumed with what I was supposed to do. It seemed so huge a task; I was unable to bring myself to face it. A friend came to me and spoke two words that broke that paralysis in my life. He said, "Do something!" I'll never forget that day...taking some small, seemingly insignificant steps. Momentum began to come into my life. If you are at a point of paralysis in your life because of what you feel you're supposed to do, the words today are, "Do something!" Don't worry about the long-term goal right now; just take the steps that take you past the starting point. Soon you'll get to a point of no return. As you climb higher, you'll be able to see much farther. As you begin, don't be afraid. Eric Hoffer said, "Fear of becoming a 'has-been' keeps some people from becoming anything." Every great idea is impossible from where you are starting today. But little goals add up, and they add up rapidly. Most people don't succeed because they are too afraid to even try. As incredible as it sounds, they decide in advance they're going to fail. Many times the final goal seems so unreachable we don't even make an effort. But once you've made your decision and have started, it's like you're halfway there. Start—no matter what your circumstances. Take that first step! It's simple. Grow wherever you're planted.

A team of organic marketing entrepreneurs in Sikkim

A team of organic marketing entrepreneurs from Italy accompanied by Mr. Tapan Ray, MD, Nature’s BioFood, New Delhi and led by Mr. Bidyut Baruah, AGM, APEDA North-East Region visited Sikkim and interacted with the officials of the Horticulture and Agriculture Department, Government of Sikkim from 08.10.2012-11.10.2012. The team from Italy consisted of Mr. Fava Caludio, Mr. Negro Christian and Mr. Biaggio of Ecor NaturaSi Spa which is the second largest entity of Europe in the field of Organic marketing. Nature’s Bio-food, is also one of the leading exporters of agricultural products from India and have 15 years of experience in exporting agricultural products to US, Europe, Middle East and other countries. They are famous with their brand name “Dawaat” basmati rice and are the largest exporter of basmati rice to Europe and US.

                Sikkim of late has gained a lot of recognition in the field of organic agriculture especially with the enterprising vision of the State Government to convert the state into a fully organic thereby becoming the first state in India to achieve this status. This initiative of the State Government has been appreciated both nationally and internationally and even came to feature in one of the episodes of the renowned “Satyamev Jayate” feature of Aamir Khan productions. Following this many national and international players in the organic field have started visiting Sikkim quite frequently to explore the business potential of the organic produces of the state.

                The team from Italy and Delhi had a very interactive discussion with the officers of the department and enquired about the potential crops for export from the state. Some the crops discussed were ginger, large cardamom, mandarin oranges, turmeric, buckwheat, traditional variety of rice, sea-buck thorn, traditional maize, etc.

                Mr. Bidyut Baruah also highlighted the various support schemes on offer from APEDA to entrepreneurs, PSUs and Government Agencies. Being a representative of the North-east region he also extended his full support for making these schemes available to Sikkim.

                After the interactions, the team went for a field visit to East Pendam and Pachak in East Sikkim to get a first-hand experience on the status of the organic farming activities at the field. The Field visit of the Italian buyers and Indian Exporter team was coordinated by Mr. Kiran Kumar Pradhan, Additional Executive Director II (SOM) Local entrepreneur Mr. Ashok Kumar and Mr. Hoshiar Singh Vashistha, in-charge IPL, (ICS Service Provider).

The team had an overview of the fields of organic paddy, ginger, urad, turmeric, mandarin and French beans. They had discussions and interactions with the organic farmers and was very much impressed with the organic activities being carried out at the field level.

During the visit they also discussed about the Internal Control System (ICS) development process for Organic Certification, on-farm composting and organic crop protection and crop management techniques. They also interacted with the ICS staff of the Service Provider of the area. They took samples of the local organic products and thanked all the stakeholders for the active interactions and cooperation during their visit to Sikkim and hoped for a long and successful collaboration.

1. 

Transforming Indians to Transform India

THE SPEAKING
• TREE

Transforming Self And Nation

Swami Swatmananda

    When the vision of oneness, a higher vision, is absent it creates divisions in the family, company, community, nation and the world. Self-importance is the cause for divisions at any level. In a family there are conflicts, in a company there is manipulation, in a community there is fanaticism, in a country each state wants its own independence and internationally there are wars. This is all because of the absence of vision of oneness – one harmonious family, one strong nation, one peaceful global family.
    When there is a great vision but nothing is done to implement it, it remains as imagination. There may be great spiritual knowledge and cultural glory – yet we suffer because we need much more implementation and application of the knowledge. Hence vision coupled with action alone causes transformation.
    Transformation is not just change. Change is often reversible and external. But transformation is lasting and happens from within. A nation transforms from a developing nation to a developed nation. We have transformed as a country to attain political freedom and have come a long way since then. We have the potential to lead the world in the decades to come. To manifest that potential into performance, vision into action, we need fundamental transformation and not just in the Constitution, judiciary, political system, education, infrastructure, economy and transport. What we need is transformation of attitudes and mindsets.
    We want an efficient, united, corruptionfree, prosperous, truly educated and just India. But have we thought what India needs from us? India needs transformed people with vision. “A geographical area where a population survives is called a country. A geographical area where a people live is called a nation. How are we to transform population into people? Nation-building should necessarily have a goal for the whole nation, with which each one can get inspired. With such a devoted goal we can surrender our ego and selfish desires,” says Swami Chinmayananda.
We need transformation in seven areas to enable personal, holistic transformation and through that, a transformed India. “If Indians transform to become physically fit, emotionally strong, intellectually refined, culturally rooted, actively patriotic and spiritually uplifted with the vision of universal oneness, India will be revitalised. Indians will not only gain at a personal level, but will be positive contributors to society across the world,” says Swami Mitrananda of the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra.
    A timid Lakshmi was transforming into a brave Rani of Jhansi; India fought back the oppressors. When India was slumbering, Narendra was transforming into Swami Vivekananda and India went from weakness to strength. When Jamsetji Tata transformed to be the Father of Indian Industry, India began to recognise its potential to compete globally. When India was struggling for freedom, M K Gandhi was transforming into Mahatma Gandhi, and India was on its way to attaining political freedom. When Verghese transformed into Amul Verghese Kurien India grew from insufficiency into the largest milk producing country in the world. The new generation today is awake to ancient wisdom across cultures that tirelessly assert that “In individual transformation lies world redemption.”
    The writer is president and acharya, Chinmaya Mission, Mumbai.
    Visit www.transformingindians.org 

Toilets for the cities

President Approves New Protocol Practice

President Approves New Protocol Practice

Following a review of current protocol practice, The President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee has formally approved the following changes for implementation with immediate effect: 1. Use of the words ‘His Excellency’ will be discontinued while organizing functions within the country and during interaction between Indian dignitaries and the President. 2. In Hindi, राष्ट्रपति‍ महोदय should be used in place of महामहि‍म during such occasions. 3. The word “Hon’ble” will be used before the title of ‘President’ or ‘Governor’. The traditional Indian greeting of “Shri” or “Smt.” should precede the name. 4. “Excellency” will be used only for interaction of leaders with foreign dignitaries and foreign dignitaries with our leaders as is customary international practice. 5. It has also been decided that the word राष्ट्रपतिजी‍ will replace महामहि‍म in official notings in the President’s Secretariat. As per past practice, above decisions have been conveyed to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action. Taking into account inconvenience caused to public during his movement within the city and in order to reduce the burden on police and other agencies, The President has instructed that, to the best extent possible, all functions be organized within Rashtrapati Bhavan premises itself.

LPG gas-confusion amongst consumers cleared

(Press Release from Food and Civil Supplies & CA Department)

A meeting with all the LPG gas distributors  was held in the office of the Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs to short out the confusion amongst consumers regarding the decision of the Central Government to cap supply of subsidized domestic cylinders in a year w.e.f 14.9.2012. The following clarifications are given:-

1)       For the period 14th Sepetember 2012 to 31st March, 2013, only 3 Nos. of cylinders at subsidzed rate shall be issued to each domestic consumer, irrespective of the number of cylinder consumed till 13th September, 2012.

2)      Any extra domestic cylinder  at non-subsidized rate will be issued only after the consumption of 3rd cylinder of subsidized rate.

3)      The LPG Control Order issued under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 allows only one LPG cooking gas connection at one household. All consumers having more then one connection are requested to surrender the connection (regulator and empty cylinder) to the respective dealers and take back the refund of the security deposit paid at the initial purchase. Multipal connection are being automatically blocked by (Indane) Indian Oil Corporation Private Limited.

4)      KYS form is available on line and can be downloaded from www.Indane.co.in. consumers may fill up online or at the office of the distributor by paying Rs. 4/- per form.

5)      Booking for new connection is open and those interested may contact their area distributor.

6)      Except for the price of subsidized domestic LPG cylinder, the price of other cylinders is likely to charge every month subject to change in international price of LPG.

For suggestions, complaints, queries or feedbacks pertaining to LPG, you can call on toll free number 1800-2333-555 or www.iocl.com.

Chidambaram mantra: Implement, divest, dilute

• 

NEW DELHI, OCT. 8: 

A confident-looking P. Chidambaram told the Economic Editors Conference that restoring growth was the primary objective of the Government. Towards this, he said he would implement, disinvest and dilute.

The implementation would be in respect of decisions on FDI in insurance, pension and retail. Disinvestment would be carried out in four more companies; and dilution is related to retrospective tax amendments.

Signalling to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that fiscal and monetary policy should work in tandem to contain inflation and stimulate growth, the Finance Mnister said: “A tight money policy has dampened investment as well as growth, particularly in the industrial sector,”.

Talking about growth, he said: “The foremost task before us is to promote savings, channel savings into investments of 37-38 per cent of GDP. The country achieved a high investment rate of 38 per cent in 2007-08 and that year, GDP grew at 9.3 per cent.”

Fiscal consolidation

He also expressed his intention to announce a credible and feasible path of fiscal consolidation beginning this year and ending with the fifth year of 12th plan. Simultaneously, efforts will be made to raise revenue. Such a plan will be based on the Kelkar Panel report. This will include five-year targets for fiscal deficit and revenue deficit. The Kelkar Panel has already submitted its report.

Religion of humanism is the common religion of all human beings, says President; 100 member Bangladesh youth delegation call on President

A 100 member delegation of youth from Bangladesh called on the President on October 8, 2012 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President appreciated the initiative taken by the High Commission of India in Dhaka for organizing this visit and pointed out that half of the population in both the countries belongs to the younger generation. He said that human beings from all countries across the world have only one religion, that is, the religion of humanism. The High Commission of India in Dhaka in co-ordination with the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports organized the visit of the delegation to India and arranged for them to tour to places of historical, educational, technical and industrial interest. The basic objective of the programme is to foster goodwill and understanding of each other’s countries, promote exchange of ideas, international understanding, values and culture among the youth of two countries. The group of youth from Bangladesh comprise youth from diverse background including students, young journalists, entrepreneurs, social workers and representatives of voluntary organizations.

Hope on India Story

By J Mulraj

It is not difficult but rather impossible to find any positive cues about the Indian economy these days. Pick up any business daily and statistics about how swiftly the economic variables are deteriorating stare at you. Add to that shocking revelation of graft in the political and corporate world. Most of us have already given up hope on the recovery of US or Europe. But that China too is steadily losing its resilience to global slowdown is a painful fact.

In the midst of this a Boston Consulting Group report comes as a breath of fresh air. It emphasizes on the fact that 6.5% GDP growth rate for India is not bad. Especially because the number though far from double digits is sustainable for next few decades. We completely agree that consistent 6.5% GDP growth rate for few decades is commendable by any yardstick. And if that were to come true, India undoubtedly is the place to be for long term investors.

The BCG report bases its conclusion on the fortune of Indian economy on its consumption pattern. That the consumption story is a pillar of strength for the Indian economy is common knowledge. What gives it weight is the fact that most of the consumption is without leverage. As also the fact that household consumption is growing without any compromise in savings rate. In fact BCG expects even the Chinese Economy to steer its wheel towards consumption growth going forward. That is after having focused on big ticket government investments over the past decade.

But will consumers in China and India help their respective economies easily tide over a global slowdown? Well, BCG expects them to spend a combined total of US$ 64 trillion on goods and services in the decade leading up to 2020. No doubt that itself could stoke a healthy growth rate in both the Asian economies. But disproportionate growth rates across geographies and social classes are a big worry. One that could paralyse the consumption story in both the economies. Recent instances of labour unrest in China and India point in this direction.

Data source: Economist

Seminar on Aquifer Management

Seminar on Aquifer Management Focuses on Equitable, Safe and Sustainable Management of Ground Water

A two day seminar on National Project on Aquifer Management began in New Delhi today. Organized by Central Ground Water Board the seminar provides a platform for exchange of ideas among different stakeholders on aquifer management. The Seminar is being attended by more than 200 participants including planners and administrators from various ministries of Govt. of India, Central and State Government organizations, PRIs, NGOs and VOs associated in water sector etc. Inaugurating the seminar Dr. Mihir Shah, Member, Planning Commission said that the aquifer management programme will change the way we manage ground water resources. He said it will play a crucial role in managing the food security, sanitation and health issues of the country through multiple approach. India is the largest user of Ground water in the world having about 30 million groundwater abstraction structures. Through these structures, more than 243 BCM of groundwater is being abstracted annually. Over 90% of the abstraction is being utilized for irrigation purpose. Due to higher development of groundwater in northwest and southern India the aquifers are under stress. In addition groundwater pollution is also affecting several parts of the country. Therefore there is paradigm shift from groundwater development to management. To address these issues adequately National Project on Aquifer Management has been taken up by the Ministry of Water Resources, GOI during the XII five year plan for which Central Ground Water Board is the nodal agency. The Project envisages delineation and detailed characterization of aquifers in the country. Information thus generated is proposed to be used for developing effective ground water management plans at regional and local levels. Considerable data and information has been generated by Central and State Agencies, Universities & Research Institutions, NGOs etc. at different scales. Integration of available data, identification of data gaps and generation of new data will facilitate formulation of management strategies at micro level. National Project on Aquifer Management is being implemented in 12th plan and likely to be continued in 13th plan. Ground water over exploited areas and water quality vulnerable areas are being given priority in12th plan. The goal of the National Project on Aquifer Management is groundwater management resulting in equitable, safe and sustainable management of India’s groundwater resources through improved systems of resource mapping, utilization and governance. Aquifer mapping refers to collection of information on the subsurface lithology in terms of their vertical and horizontal extension and water bearing properties including water quality. Therefore, the objective of aquifer mapping is to arrive at mapping of the complex geometry of different aquifer systems of the country, defined by hydrogeological settings, with a clear cut linkage to strategic actions on the ground (groundwater management strategies). There is a need to standardize the procedures for aquifer mapping to be followed throughout the country. The workshop will provide a forum for deliberations on identified issues such as the steps involved in aquifer mapping, role of state agencies, participatory management, water quality data and related inputs. During this two day seminar three technical sessions have been organized followed by a panel discussion on the following themes: 1. Aquifer Mapping & Management – Implementation strategies, Convergence & Partnership 2. Participatory Approach to Aquifer Mapping & Management 3. Protocol for Activities - Data Compilation, Data Gap Analysis, Data Acquisition & Preparation of Aquifer map The deliberations in the seminar will help in consolidation of methodology of aquifer mapping and preparing a road map for implementation of aquifer management plan at local level with participation of water users at grass root level.

Enterprise: Dried flower power

Flower drying techniques help women supplement household income

Surinder Sud / Oct 09, 2012, 00:17 IST source:Business Standard

This New Year, greeting cards of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI or Pusa Institute) will have real, dried and preserved flowers on them, instead of floral prints. Significantly, these dry flowers will be sourced from rural women who have learnt to process the surplus produce of their floriculture farms into value-added products to supplement their household income.

Many of these women in the villages around Delhi have taken to flower dehydration in a scientific manner on a cottage scale. They churn out dry flowers-based fancy and utility items like greeting cards, bookmarks, wall hangings, paperweights, table mats, dry-flower arrangements and so on.

Scientists of IARI’s floriculture and landscaping division are providing women with technical and other assistance for this purpose. The technique of retaining the original colour and shape of fresh flowers in the dried end-products is a special feature of IARI’s flower-dehydration methods that have been passed on to not only women, but to other flower growers as well. These attributes of the finished, value-added products are ascertained by comparing them with the globally-recognised standard, “colour chart”, issued by the Royal Horticulture Society.

 

Going by the assessment of T Janaki Ram – who has been associated with the development and promotion of the flower-drying technology at IARI – women engaged in this activity manage to earn between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 a month. The dry flowers-based, value-enhanced products that cost them Rs 30 to Rs 40 a piece normally fetch substantially higher prices in the market — even Rs 100 or more a piece if sold at airports and tourist shopping centres. IARI’s initiative is viewed as a step towards financial empowerment of rural women who are otherwise woefully handicapped in this respect.

Floriculture is emerging as a fast-growing sector of Indian agriculture, chiefly in response to the ever-swelling demand for flowers in the domestic and export markets. The export demand is mostly for fresh-cut flowers produced in modern floriculture farms. The global market for dry flowers is relevantly small, though it is expanding rapidly. The domestic flower market, on the other hand, is dominated by loose flowers that are used for making garlands and decoration on social and religious occasions. A bulk of small and marginal flower cultivators around cities produce traditional flowers like marigold, rose, chrysanthemum, crossandra and tuberose for sale as loose flowers. However, they face high marketing risk owing to wide price fluctuations as a result of frequent variations in demand and supply.

Simple mechanisms for converting surplus production into value-added products, thus, come as a boon. The techniques evolved for this purpose by Pusa floriculturists, though easy to adopt, vary for different flowers and, in some cases, even for different varieties of the same flower. The preservation of true colour and other morphological traits of florets remains the hallmark of all these technologies.

The process for dehydrating Indian varieties of marigold, for instance, involves press-drying flowers in a microwave oven for 120 seconds. Calendulas need to be press-dried in a microwave oven for 90 seconds. Certain varieties of roses need to be embedded in sand and dried in hot air oven at 40 to 45 degree Celsius for 48 hours to keep their original hues intact. Freshly-harvested chrysanthemums can be dehydrated by embedding them in silica gel and drying in hot air oven at 45 degree Celsius for 48 hours.

A large number of farm women in some villages of Gurgaon and Faridabad districts of Haryana have come forward to get training from IARI experts for drying flowers and making valued-added products. In some places, these women have been prompted to form self-help groups of 10 each to take up the production of flower-based fancy and functional products for their livelihood. These groups, moreover, are assisted by Pusa floriculturists in establishing market links for the sale of these products. IARI is in the process of signing memoranda of understanding with prospective entrepreneurs for the commercialisation of technologies on a larger scale as well.

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Payment of Service Tax Under New Accounting Code Only

Source; Tax Guru

Service tax payer who is liable to pay Service Tax monthly & quarterly should pay Service Tax under New Category & Code only.

As you are aware, Negative List based comprehensive approach to taxation of services has came into effect from the 1^st July, 2012 and accordingly now for payment of Service Tax a new Minor Head – ‘All Taxable Services’ has been allotted under the Major Head “0044-Service Tax”.

A new Accounting code for the purpose of payment of service tax under the Negative List approach, with effect from 1st July, 2012 is as follows:

Name of Services	Accounting codes
	Tax collection	Other Receipts	Penalties	Deduct refunds
All Taxable Services	00441089	00441090	00441093	00441094

Primary Education Cess on all taxable services will be booked under 00440298

Secondary and Higher Education Cess on all taxable services will be booked under 00440426

 NOTE:-

1. All Payment of service tax For the Period starting from 01.07.2012 is required to be made under above code only irrespective of the category of service.

2. However Service specific accounting codes will also continue to operate, side by side, for payment of service tax pertaining to the past period (for the period prior to 1st July, 2012).

Payment of Service Tax Under New Accounting Code Only

Service tax payer who is liable to pay Service Tax monthly & quarterly should pay Service Tax under New Category & Code only.

As you are aware, Negative List based comprehensive approach to taxation of services has came into effect from the 1st July, 2012 and accordingly now for payment of Service Tax a new Minor Head – ‘All Taxable Services’ has been allotted under the Major Head “0044-Service Tax”.


 NOTE:-

1. All Payment of service tax For the Period starting from 01.07.2012 is required to be made under above code only irrespective of the category of service.

2. However Service specific accounting codes will also continue to operate, side by side, for payment of service tax pertaining to the past period (for the period prior to 1st July, 2012).