PRESIDENT OF INDIA'S GREETINGS ON THE OCCASION OF "GURU RAVIDAS JAYANTI"

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has greeted fellow citizens on the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti, which shall be celebrated tomorrow. In her message, the President has said, "On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Ravi Das, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all.

Guru Ravi Das was a great saint who preached that everyone should be treated equally. He considered service to humanity as service to God and his teachings of universal brotherhood are of utmost significance today.

May the teachings of Guru Ravi Das inspire us all to strive to remove social inequities in our society." (press release from rashtrapati bhawan n.delhi)

New benchmark must for speedy achievement of power for all: Sushilkumar Shinde

The Union Power Minister, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde presenting the National Award for Meritorious Performance in Power Sector to Mandal Mahila Samakhya, Seethampeta, Andhra Pradesh in the category of Rural Distribution Franchisee Performance, in New Delhi on January 29, 2010.

The Minister of State of Power, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki is also seen.

(Photo by PIB No:CNR-30130 )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(PIB NEWS)Union Power Minister, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde today urged the Power Sector Utilities to keep up the good work and continue their contribution in the task of building a strong infrastructure needed to achieve energy security. Speaking after giving away the National Awards for Meritorious Performance in Power Sector at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi today he called upon all concerned to establish new benchmarks for achieving the target of “electricity to all” as expeditiously as possible. He said that the awards have helped in significant improvement in operating performance, however their impact in expeditious completion of ongoing projects needs to be more pronounced in the years to come.Expressing satisfaction over the fact that Plant Load Factor (PLF) of a number of thermal power stations is reported to be over 90%, the Minister praised the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd for bagging all the six awards in thermal performance category for Simahdri, Korba, Ramagundam, Vindhyachal, Rihand and Dadri Thermal Power Stations. He also urged new generating stations to leave no stone unturned for emulating the performance of these stations in the years to come.The Minister also expressed satisfaction that all the 17 transmission systems which participated in the Award Scheme, have reported availability above 99.14% and the Western Region Transmission System – I of PowerGrid Corporation of India Limited has received Gold Shield with availability of 99.91%. He said that PowerGrid also needs special commendation for completing a transmission line of about 400 circuit kilometer and a sub-station in Afghanistan under difficult working conditions, hilly terrain and snow bound area as well as difficult law and order conditions and completing the same ahead of contractual schedule.
Shri Shinde said that awards to Rural Distribution Franchisees, started by the Ministry from the year 2007-08, have catalyzed the franchisees and better results would be witnessed from more franchisees in the years to come.In his Address, Minister of State for Power, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki highlighted the performance of Rural Distribution Franchisees which is being measured in terms of revenue collection, metered services, type of franchise, etc. He observed that India is the first country where women have come in the business of rural franchisees where they are not only engaged in revenue collection but also in maintaining of the networking equipment. Congratulating the Mahila Mandal Samakhya, Seethampeta, a franchisee of Eastern Andhra Pradesh Discom who won the award this time, he wished all such organisations for continued success in the years to come.
Earlier, Shri Anil Kumar, Special Secretary, Ministry of Power addressed the gathering. He called for inclusive growth where electricity would reach out to every nook and corner of the country. Pointing out that India has only 700 units per capita while the world average is about 2700 units, he reminded the players in the power sector of the great expectations in terms of demand which called for capacity addition up to 8,00,000 MW by 2027.
Shri Rakesh Nath, Chairperson,CEA who was also present on the occasion, welcomed the gathering . Shri. Sudhir Kumar, Joint Sectretary in the Ministry of Power, proposed the vote of thanks.
The Comprehensive Awards Scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Power w.e.f the year 2004-05. The objective of this scheme is to develop a spirit of competitiveness among the various power stations / projects / companies in thermal, hydro and nuclear generation, transmission, distribution and rural distribution franchisees for achieving improved performance and early completion of thermal, hydro projects and transmission projects, distribution companies in the power sector. It also aims at encouraging personnel engaged in the power utilities to improve their efficiency & productivity and show better results.
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I&B Minister Smt,Ambika Soni,inaugurates"Broadcaster and New Media Technologies"conference/exhibition

The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Smt. Ambika Soni lighting the lamp to inaugurate the 16th International Conference and Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite Broadcasting. Conference on ‘Broadcasters and new Media Technologies’, in New Delhi on January 29, 2010,(Photo by PIB No:CNR-30126)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(PIB News) The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smt Ambika Soni inaugurated the 16th International BES EXPO 2010 in New Delhi today. Acknowledging that technology is clearly a growth driver for many an innovations in Broadcast sector, the Minister urged the Broadcasters to ensure that fruits of new technology actually reach the consumer. Smt Soni said that it is the endeavour of her Ministry to ensure that policy framework and business models are in sync to cater to the consumer interest. “We are guided by the thought that technology neutral approach to policies is the appropriate way. Convergence in technology has to fast become a reality” the Minister said. Broadcast engineers must play a crucial role in guiding the best possible options in the carriage of the content to the public, she added.
The Minister emphasized that the Government is committed to technological improvement/digitalization of the DD network to improve the viewing experience. As the official Broadcaster for telecast of the Commonwealth Games 2010, the High Definition Television is in place, the Minister said. She added that Digitalization of the Broadcasting Services of Doordarshan/All India Radio and Cable Services, is one of the key thrust areas identified by the Ministry because of the “advantages digital mode offers in terms of efficient utilization of available spectrum, better quality of picture and services, various interactive and niche services and transparency above all.” Smt Soni noted that the trend worldwide has been to fix sunset dates for complete switch off of analog services. “While India as yet has not declared any sunset date for complete migration, it is now being increasingly felt that by 2017 we should also aim for complete switchover”, the Minister stated.
The Minister also announced that serious thought is being given to devise suitable policies for Mobile television. “With a view to incentivize the introduction of FM radio services in the North Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir and island territories and to further liberalize the regulatory framework to provide for greater diversity of content and bring down operational costs, the Government is in the process of finalizing the FM Phase-III policy soon”, the Minister said. The Ministry also hopes to set up around 4000 Community Radio Stations in next three years the Minister announced. Distributing the annual BES Awards for Best Technological innovations, Smt Soni called upon the broadcasting industry to contribute not just in statistical figures for the economy but also contribute to a healthy socio-cultural growth of the society as a whole.
The 3 day international Expo and Conference proposes to discuss topical issues such as ‘innovative technologies for coverage of Commonwealth Games, HDTV and beyond; New technologies for Digital TV and Radio; Frequency Spectrum related issues under the theme of ‘Broadcast regulatory Issues’.

‘SCHEME FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF MINORITY WOMEN’

(PIB NEWS)A target of 32,950 has been fixed for training women from the Minority communities under the ‘Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women’ during the remaining months of the current financial year. For this an outlay of Rs. 8 crore has been made. The Scheme will be implemented throughout the country with special focus on districts, blocks and towns/cities having a substantial minority population. During the next financial year a target to train 56,850 women with an outlay of more than Rs. 15 crore has been fixed. During the last fiscal of the 11th Five Year Plan i.e., during 2011-12 a total of 93,000 women, at a cost of over Rs. 25 crore, will be trained under this Scheme. Thus the total target under the ‘Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women’ for the remaining period of the 11th Plan is to train 1,82,800 women and the overall outlay will be slightly over Rs. 48 crore.

The ‘Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women’ was launched by Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Minority Affairs, here yesterday. It proposes to reach out to women through Non-Governmental Organizations / institutions who will be provided with financial support for conducting leadership development training in a village / locality and in residential government training institutes so that women are empowered and emboldened to move out of the confines of home and assume leadership roles in their neighbourhoods. This would enable them to assert their rights, collectively or individually.

PM says NAMASTE to ARTIST,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the artists who participated in the Republic Day Parade -2010,in New Delhi on January 28, 2010.

(Photo by PIB No:CNR-30117)

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Shri Manmohan Singh, With NCC Cadets,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the NCC cadets who participated in the Republic Day Parade -2010,in New Delhi on January 28, 2010. (Photo by PIB No:CNR-30118)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PM,addressing to NCC Cadets Rally.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing at the Republic Day Rally of NCC Cadets, in New Delhi on January 28, 2010.

(Photo by PIB, No:CNR-30107)

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Shri Kapil Sibal,Releasing Manual of "National Council for Teacher Education"

The Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal, releasing the user manual Version 1.0 titled ‘National Council for Teacher Education’ at the conference of State Education Secretaries of School Education, in New Delhi on January 28, 2010.

The Minister of State of Human Resource Development, Smt. D. Purandeswari and the Secretary, SE&L, Ministry of HRD, Smt. Anshu Vaish are also seen . Photo by PIB( No:CNR-30100)

Shri Bipan Chandra,addressing to Media,

Shri Bipan Chandra, Chairman of National Book Trust, addressing the Media regarding the 19th New Delhi World Book Fair, in New Delhi on January 28, 2010,The Director, National Book Trust, Ms.Nuzat Hassan and the director (M&C),Press Information Bureau,Sh.Dheeraj Singh are also seen,(photo by PIB,NO:CNR.30097)

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Lala Lajpat rai,birth anniversary in New Delhi,

The Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the Chairman of the BJP Parliamentary Party, Shri L.K. Advani, the Minister of State for Finance and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, and other dignitaries paid tributes to Lala Lajpat Rai on the occasion of his birth anniversary, in New Delhi on January 28, 2010,(Photo byPIB,CNR NO:30096) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                              

shri Mukherjee addressing pre-Budget meeting,

The Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressing the pre- budget meeting with the members of Society for Law Firms, in New Delhi on January 27, 2010.(photo by PIB)----------------------------------------------------------------

Vice President with tableau artists

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari and his wife Smt. Salma Ansari, with the tableau artists who participated in the Republic Day Parade -2010 ,.in New Delhi on January 27, 2010. (photo by PIB)

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Dr.Manmohan Singh paying tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh paying tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate during the 61st Republic Day Parade-2010, in New Delhi on January 26, 2010

President Giving Ashok Chakra Award,

The president,smt Pratibha Devising Patil giving away the highest gallentry Award Ashok Chakra to smt beeta wife of the hawaldar rajesh kumar(posthumous)in new delhi on 26th jan,2010,(Photo PIB)

BSF camel marching at rajpath,

the band BSF camel marching contingent passes.through the rajpath during the 61st republic day parade-2010,in new delhi,jan 26th,2010.(photo PIB)

President dais at the celebration of the 61st republic day-2010,

         

 The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil ,the chief guest President of   Republic of Korea, Mr. Lee Myung Bak, the Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries at president dais at the celebration of the 61st Republic day-2010 in New Delhi on January 26, 2010. (Photo by PIB)

TIHGT SECURITY IN HYDERABAD ON R-DAY

With intelligence agencies warning of a possible terror attack, a tight security blanket was thrown around the venue of the main official Republic Day function in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Bikini?me?no way!

Tags: Vidya Balan Vidya Balan has long been criticised for her dressing sense and the actress has gone back to her traditional sense of dressing after a long spell of experimentation with style. Vidya now says that she is comfortable with traditional attire but when it comes to acting she is open to experimenting with her clothes. “When I am ready to experiment with my roles why not with the garments?” she says, “As an actor I will wear all kinds of costumes that the role requires me to wear.”
Does that mean Vidya is ready to wear a bikini for the silver screen, having lost oodles of weight recently? “Bikini and me? No way!” says Vidya, “I don’t think I will ever be able to wear one on screen. Not that my weight is an issue or that I won’t look good in it but I am just too shy to be seen in a bikini,
On the topic of her experimenting with roles, Vidya says she is looking forward to Ishqiya. “It’s a wonderful role and I am looking forward to the film It’s been a great experience working with actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi.”
Apart from Ishqiya, Vidya is also looking forward to UTV Movies’ No One Killed Jessica being directed by Rajkumar Gupta. “I am certainly looking forward to working with Rani (Mukerji). She is an amazing actress,” says Vidya.

A.K.KHAN,IPS, after assuming charge,

A.K.Khan,IPS after assuming charge at hyderabad police commisioner on 21st jan 2010,(photo by RSJ THOMAS)

"INDIA's SUPER QWEEN" fashion show in hyderabad

v.care spounsored in hyderabad the first ever beauty pageant for the transgender cpmmunity in india. the hunt was launched in hyderabad at hotel grand plaza on 23rd jan 2010, seen in the picture are india super qween, first position raksha, secund position aishwarya,and third position sonia,(photo by rsj thomas)