India made an average 15 user data requests a day to Google

India is next to only the U.S., which made 66 requests a day on an average

In signs of growing Internet snooping by the enforcement authorities, India made an average about 15 requests per day to Google to access personal web details of users during January-June this year.

In terms of the number of requests for web user details during the first half of 2013, India is next to only the U.S., which made 66 requests a day on an average — the highest for any country, as per Google’s latest Transparency Report.

The U.S. made a total of 10,918 such requests to Google during January-June 2013, followed by India’s 2,691, Germany’s 2,311, France’s 2,011 and the UK’s 1,274 and Brazil’s 1,239 in nation’s, which made over a 1,000 user data requests.

Total requests rose by 24 per cent to 25,879 in the first half of this year from 20,938 in the year-ago period. Compared to July-December 2012 it was up 21 per cent. The search engine giant had received 21,389 requests from governments during the period.

In case of India, the number of user data requests rose by 16 per cent to 2,691 in January-June this year from 2,319 in the same period in 2012. Compared to July-December 2012 (2,431 requests) such requests were up by 11 per cent. The number of user accounts associated with such requests rose from 4,106 in the second half of 2012 to 4,161 in January-June 2013. The user accounts stood at 3,467 in the first six months of 2012.

Google publishes data for requests about user details, as also for removal of content on its various platforms, including search, images and YouTube, on a six-month basis.

Rapid Metro-India's First Private Metro service started operation from Gurgaon, Haryana

Rapid Metro-India's First Private Metro service started operation from Gurgaon, Haryana on 14 November 2013. Rapid Metro is India's first fully privately financed Metro system connecting NH-8 to Delhi Metro via Cyber City, Gurgaon.

Rapid Metro, with an elevated route and six stations with a frequency of every four minutes, can carry 800 passengers in each trip. The 5.1 km long route covers six stations-Sikanderpur, Phase-2, Belvedere Towers, Cyber City, Moulsari Avenue and Phase 3. The Rapid Metro is using a common ticketing system with Delhi Metro.

The launch of Rapid Metro Gurgaon will boost connectivity within Cyber City, which is the corporate and the retail hub of Gurgaon -nearly one lakh people work or visit the hub each day.

About Rapid Metro Rail System

Rapid Metro is a metro rail system in the Indian city of Gurgaon, Haryana, linked with the Delhi Metro system's Yellow Line.  Built and operated by Rapid MetroRail Gurgaon Limited (RMGL), the system is India's first fully privately financed metro.

It was built at a cost of 1100 crore rupees and construction was completed in 30 months. Originally planned to open in 2012, the first phase of the system opened on 14 November 2013.

The Rapid Metro is the country’s first metro service to built on the public-private partnership model. The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) provided the land and the infrastructure was built by Rapid Metro, a partnership between IL&FS and construction major DLF. The project has been leased to Rapid Metro for 99 years.

BSE to set up its back-up centre in Hyd soon

In times of crisis, Asia’s oldest exchange BSE Ltd (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) will soon be banking on Hyderabad, which will house the stock exchange’s second back-up site in the country. The BSE disaster recovery centre, coming up in the financial district at Gachibowli at a cost of over Rs 100 crore, is set to be operational by mid 2014. 
    “We are setting up a disaster recovery site at Gachibowli. The new building has been under construction for the last two years and we expect to launch it in the first or second quarter of 2014. The centre will be a complete replica of the entire trading system at BSE in Mumbai. In fact, on many days, BSE will be operated out of the Hyderabad centre as per the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) regulations,” BSE Ltd managing director and chief executive officer Ashishkumar Chauhan said on the sidelines of the ‘Business Orientation Program (BOP) – 2013’ at the Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad. 
    He said the current backup site of BSE was 50 km away from the main building in Navi Mumbai but as the site falls in a seismic zone, the need was felt to create another backup site in a relatively safer zone. 
    BSE has invested over Rs 100 crore in its second disaster recovery site at Hyderabad and in the initial stages will employ around 30-40 people, he said. “This is part of the cyber security framework of the government, under which all the important economic institutions are building such alternative sites across the country,” the BSE head explained. 
    Chauhan also said that from December this year, BSE will have the fastest response time for traders. “When you place an order on BSE, the response time is 10 milliseconds. We are in the process of changing our software and by the first week of December, the response time will come down to 200 microseconds, making it 50 times faster than earlier. This will be the fastest response time for any exchange in the country,” he added. 
    Meanwhile, speaking about BSE’s performance, he said it had clocked a turnover of Rs 570 crore last financial year and was expected to remain in a similar range this year too due to the slowdown in the market. He said bourses currently draws its entire revenues from the equity segment but in the next few years, segments such as derivatives, currency futures, mutual fund distribution via exchange and data sale too would contribute to its bottomline. 
    Speaking about the overall performance of the sensex, the BSE head said, “Over the last three-four years, stock market activities have slowed down. Internationally, the equities volumes are 80% lower than what they were at their peak in 2007, but in derivatives it has remained the same or gone up. We have seen similar trends in India too. However, in the last few days, we have seen the equities market improving. If the bullish trend continues, the performance of equities will improve.”

Indian biotech aiming to be $100 billion sector by 2025: Shaw

Indian biotechnology sector is looking to be a $100 billion sector by 2025, Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said here on Saturday. 

"We want to make Indian biotechnology a $100 billion sector by 2025. I really believe this can be done if we have right policies in place, right resources and right investments," Biocon chairman and managing director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw told PTI. 

She was speaking on the sidelines of the third convocation and fifth annual lecture of NIIT University. 
Taking this road map is about delivering security like food security, health security and energy security and environment security, she added. 

"Agri bio can itself provide a $40 billion sector, Already BT Cotton is a $7.5 billion sector for the country. If you allow other genetically modified crops it could be much bigger," Shaw said. 

Gurgaon to have its ‘Rapid Metro’ from November 14, 2013

Rapid Metro will connect Delhi Metro travelers to 6 key places within Gurgaon(Haryana), where more than a lakh people work or visit every day.

About Rapid Metro (Gurgaon)

• PPP (Private Public Partnership) project between IL&FS Rail Ltd and HUDA
• Cost of project: Rs 1,100 crore
• Completion: First phase will get operational on November 14, 2013 and will cover a distance of 5.1 km. 2 more phases are planned.
• *Since, Rapid Metro timings will be in sync with Delhi Metro, so a passenger won’t have to wait for the local loop train.*
• Connecting station between Rapid Metro and Delhi Metro: Sikanderpur.
• *Delhi Metro card/token will work for the Rapid Metro as well*
• Flat fare: Rs 12
• At the end of each day, a clearinghouse system will automatically separate the revenues of Rapid Metro and DMRC.
• Starting Point: Sikanderpur
• Stations: 6 (Sikanderpur, DLF phase-II, Belvedere Towers, Gateway Tower, Moulsari Avenue, DLF Phase III

Haryana Launched its First Food Bank at Gurgaon with Support from Cargill

Haryana, on 11 November 2013, launched its first food bank in order to give assistance to the different feeding programmes in Gurgaon as well as nearby areas. The food bank received support by global food major Cargill and India Food Banking Network (IFBN), which is initiated by Sam Pitroda, Advisor to Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations.

The Haryana Industries Minister, Randeep Singh Surjewala explained that Haryana recently adopted the National Food Security Ordinance in order to ensure that people have adequate quantity as well as quality of food at reasonable prices. 

The new Gurgaon Food Bank targets sustained daily feeding of approximately 10000 beneficiaries by 2014 in the Gurgaon region. It is estimated that if replicated on a national level, this model will play a crucial role in eliminating the hunger completely from the country by the year 2020. 

India declared itself free from Bird Flu

India on 12 November 2013 declared itself free from Notifiable Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly called bird flu and notified the same to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).  

India notified the outbreak of the Avian Influenza (H5N1) at poultry production unit, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg and Government Poultry Farm, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh on 05th August, 2013. 

The control measures adopted in the outbreak was taken in form of stamping of the entire poultry population and it included the destruction of eggs, litters, feed and other infected materials within the radius of one kilometer around the location of the outbreak, restriction of the poultry movement, disinfection and cleaning up of the infected premises and subsequently issuing of the Post Operation Surveillance Plan (POSP). On 12 August 2013 the POSP was issued. 

Although India is free from the bird flu, but regular surveillance will be continued across the country especially in the vulnerable areas that is bordered by the infected countries and in areas which are visited by migratory birds. - 

Supreme Court restores 9,000 trials in CBI courts

The Supreme Court held the order of the Gauhati High Court, which had questioned the legality of the formation of CBI, as erroneous and contrary to the express provisions of the constitution and DSPE Act, 1946. The apex court has restored more than 9,000 criminal trials pending in CBI courts throughout the country.

The court has also empowered the CBI to carry on with its probes in the coal scam and 1,000 other cases.

The decision came when an urgent petition was filed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), nodal Ministry for the CBI.

Noticeably, the establishment of the CBI was earlier challenged in theRajasthan High Court in 1985 but the petition was quashed.

What is the issue of CBI and Guahati High Court?

Earlier, the Gauhati High Court set aside the Union Home Ministry resolution by which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was formed in 1963. As per the court, the CBI was neither an organ nor part of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DPSE) and thus could not be treated as a “police force” constituted under the DSPE Act.

While the court did not declare the DSPE Act, 1946 an invalid legislation, it held that the CBI was neither an organ nor part of the DSPE and the CBI couldn’t be treated as a police force constituted under the DSPE Act, 1946.

As per the HC, the Resolution, dated April 1, 1963, was neither produced before the President, nor did it ever receive the assent of the President, therefore, the Resolution cannot even be termed the decision of the Government of India and the records show that the CBI is a newly constituted body and not same as DSPE.

What is Delhi Special Police Establishment (DPSE) Act, 1946?

DSPE Act, 1946 is a legislation which provides for the constitution of aspecial police force in Delhi for the investigation of certain offences in the Union territories, for the superintendence and administration of the said force and for the extension to other areas of the power and jurisdiction of the members of the said force in regards to the investigation of specific offences as mentioned in this law.

Origin of CBI:

The Central Bureau of Investigation was initially established as the Special Police Establishment (SPE) which was set up in 1941 by the Government of India. The functions of the SPE then were to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in transactions with the War & Supply Deptt. of India during World War II. Even after the end of the War, the need for a Central Government agency to investigate cases of bribery and corruption by Central Government employees was felt. The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act was therefore brought into force in 1946. The CBI’s power to investigate cases is derived from this Act.

• In 1963, SPE acquired its current name Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by a Home Ministry resolution dated April1, 1963, and the bureau was consolidated.

Finance Ministry Released Commemorative Coins on Birth Anniversary of Abul Kalam Azad

The Union Finance Minister P.Chidambaram released a Commemorative Coin of 20 Rupees a circulation coin of 5 Rupees to mark the culmination of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad at New Delhi on 11 November 2013. 

2013 marked the culmination of 125th Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Maulana Azad was one of India’s most prominent freedom fighters, who espoused the cause of an undivided India. He was the first Minister of Education of India and was also awarded country’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1992.

On that occasion, two commemorative coins were brought out by the Ministry of Finance.

Government pushes for video recording of court proceedings

The Indian government is pushing for video recording of court proceedings as part of reforms in the legal system. The reforms are aimed at enhancing transparency in functioning of the judiciary. Law Ministry made its recommendations unanimously in support of the reform. The Advisory Council of the National Committee for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, chaired by Sibal, decided to seek the views of the higher judiciary as trial courts fall under High Courts and it cannot be implemented without their consent. Members of the Council discussed the case in other countries where the facility is available to record what the judges, witnesses and the prosecutors say during a court proceeding. The Advisory Council includes Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati, National Innovation Council chiefSam Pitroda and chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Law and PersonnelShantaram Naik. Advisory Council of the National Committee for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms: The setting up of the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms was approved in June 2011. The National mission would help in implementing the two major goals of increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system and enhancing accountability at all levels through structural changes and setting performance standards and facilitating enhancement of capacities for achieving such performance standards. A mission mode approach is proposed to improve the infrastructure of Subordinate Courts under National Mission for Delivery of Justice and Legal Reforms The National Mission comprises of Advisory Council, Governing Council, National Mission Leader and the Mission Directorate. The Advisory council will advise on the goals, objectives and strategies of the National Mission and the Action Plan and its implementation and performance of the Mission in meeting its objectives and would be chaired by the Minister for Law and Justice and would have membership from Parliament, State Governments, Jurists & senior officers of Government of India. The Governing Council would facilitate implementation, give policy directions and oversee the work of the Mission and would be headed by the Minister for Law and Justice.

What: Government pushes for video recording of court proceedings When: November 11, 2013 Where: New Delhi Why: as part of legal reform, aimed at enhancing transparency in functioning of the judiciary.

JNCASR is the institution with the ‘highest impact’: Science Citation Index

Bangalore based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), which is celebrating its silver jubilee, has been recognized as the institution with the “highest impact” in nano science and technology, according to the Science Citation Index for 2010-11.

Another institute, the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, has been acknowledged as the institute with highest number papers published. The rating was made after an analysis of 90,958 papers published by Indian scientists in 2010-11.

JNCASR has been focusing on four major areas of interest such as advanced materials, molecular biology & genetics, evolutionary biology, and engineering mechanics. Over the years, the JNCASR has filed 150 patent applications and received 12 patents from various countries. It is looking for partners to convert these findings into technology that could reach people.

Nobel Memorial Wall unveiled at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, Delhi

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Embassy of Sweden on 9 November 2013 jointly unveiled a Nobel Memorial Wall at Rajiv Chowk metro station, Delhi.

The aim of exhibiting this wall is to spread awareness about all the Nobel Laureates of India, with a focus on Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. The wall at the Rajiv Chowk metro station was unveiled by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's Managing Director Mangu Singh and the Ambassador of Sweden Harald Sandberg.
 
The wall has been created as part of celebrations of Sweden India Nobel Memorial Week that started on 8 November 2013. This year(2013) the Nobel Memorial Week is dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore’s centenary of winning the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The Nobel Memorial Wall has a bust of Tagore against the original text of his Nobel Prize nomination, which has been procured by the Swedish Embassy from the Swedish Academy. The Nobel Memorial Wall also has the portraits of the seven Nobel Laureates from India: Rabindranath Tagore, CV Raman, Dr Hargobind Khorana, Mother Teresa, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Amartya Sen and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and provided details about their contribution to society and a panel each on Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prizes.

Union Minister of Minority Affairs launched National Portal on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Union Minister of Minority Affairs K Rahman Khan on 11 November 2013 launched a National Portal on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The portal was inaugurated to mark 125th birth anniversary of the great national leader- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, (11 November 1888 – 22 February 1958) was a scholar and a great Indian freedom fighter, an eminent educationist and the first Education Minister of India. He was one of the greatest national leaders of his time in the cause of Hindu Muslim unity as well as secularism and socialism.

About the National Portal

This portal is an initiative to digitise the heritage of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and make his life and legacy available online. Along with a biographical account on Maulana Azad, the portal contains titles and information on over 20 books written by Maulana Azad, in Urdu and English, as well as information on over 45 books written on Maulana Azad in Urdu, Hindi and English.
 
Portal also contains over 60 photographs – some of which are with contemporaries like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, C Rajagopalachari amongst others. The portal also has excerpts of rare writings by Maulana Azad – his address on the Mahatma’s Birthday on All India Radio, his message on the day that marked the anniversary of the JallianwalaBagh massacre, his insights on the history of philosophy – to name a few. Additionally, the portal enlists the institutions, scholarships and other initiatives named after the leader. 

The portal is a collaborative effort by the Union ministry of minority affairs, the Office of Advisor to the Prime Minister, the National Commission for Minorities, the Ministry of Culture). The national portal www.maulanaazadheritage.org a one stop point collating all knowledge and resources available on Maulana Azad, is now available to the public.

food processing industry to reach `4,000 bn by fy15

The food sector in India is poised for rapid growth and structural transformation. The food processing industry is expected to reach `4000 billion by FY15, contributing around 6.5 per cent to the GDP. 

If Indian agriculture has to be globally competitive, it needs investment in infrastructure that can promote efficiency by reducing transaction costs and market risks. It has been estimated that loss of primary produce before reaching the market due to lack of proper handling, cleaning, sorting, grading and packaging facilities at the village level is about 30-40 per cent for agri produces such as grains, fruits and vegetables indicates a FICCI-KPMG ‘Enhancing Competitiveness of Indian Food Chain’ report released at the third edition of FICCI’s Food 360 at Hyderabad on Wednesday.
The food processing industry requires about 6.3 lakh persons to handle various food resources from the farm to consumers

First Ever Dual Cab Freight Diesel Locomotive Vijay Flagged Off by the Minister of Railways

The Minister of Railways Mallikarjun Kharge flagged off the first ever Dual Cab 4500 HP Freight Diesel locomotive called Vijay from Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), Varanasi, a production unit of Indian Railways, on 6 November 2013. At the same time, the Minister announced to stop the Swatantrata Senani Express at Bhulanpur Railway Station, Sub-way at DLW administration. 

It is important to note that the DLW has not only increased its production in large but also developed latest state-of-the-art technologies. Building of this WDG4D High Horse Power freight locomotive is a breakthrough for DLW as well as for the Indian Railways.

Highlights of the Dual Cab 4500 HP Freight Diesel locomotive- Vijay

• Vijay, the dual cab freight WDG4D is a trailblazer.
• It is the first dual cab diesel electric freight locomotive to be built by Indian Railways.
• The locomotive has been designed on a 21.7 metre platform to accommodate two cabs and this is about two meters longer than the single cab version.
• The cabs have full width front view.
• Besides the obvious visibility advantages, the locomotive also has several features for crew comfort.
• Vijay has been provided with air conditioned cabs. The AC unit is designed to heat up the cab during winters while cooling it during summers, thus maintaining a comfortable ambient for efficient working.
• The loco also has TFT screen based integrated driver display. This feature which is similar to the one used in the aero planes allows the operating parameters to be displayed on a single screen.
• The system also provides alarm levels for the ease of the crew.
• The display system naturally assists the crew through fault diagnostics. The system reduces eye fatigue, improves reliability and improves crew response.
• The locomotive has been provided with an ergonomically designed control stand and seat. The seat is based on the excavator design (which needs 360 deg view and operability) has been provided with movement on three axis for operational flexibility.
• The locomotive has also been provided with airplane type task light and automotive type auto wash wipers.
• Vijay has been built around the 4500HP 710 G3B engine with inverter controlled three phase traction motor drive.
• The inverter control uses the state of the art IGBT technology. This is the technology being used worldwide by the leading manufacturers i.e. GE, ABB, Alsthom etc.
• The locomotive is provided with the latest Computerised Control Brake system which is the world standard. The brake system uses the latest in the electronics and communication to improve response times and to improve reliability.
• The locomotive has been designed to implement the Indian Railways’ efforts at increasing the speed of loaded trains to 100kmph. It can run at 105 kmph and can be used to haul passenger trains in emergencies.
• The cost of the locomotive is approximately 14.7 crore Rupees as compared to 14.38 crore Rupees for the single cab version.

LIC, Indias most attractive BFSI Brand

According to a report titled 'India's Most Attractive Brands'' state-run insurance agency LIC has emerged as India's top-notch brand in Banking and Financial industry (BFSI) category. The BFSI category had 29 contenders and LIC was the only PSU insurer in the list.

The insurance giant is closely followed by private sector financial powerhouse ICICI, which ranked second in the category. SBI was third in BFSI category, but it tops the list of India's most attractive brands. The list, which had more than 250 entities, included half a dozen insurance firms and 19 banks of which 10 are Government-run.

Axis BankBSE -0.61 % has emerged as the most attractive private lender in India, while HSBC was adjudged as India's most attractive foreign bank.

Of the 10 PSU lenders in the list, UCO Bank was ranked second, after SBI, and it is followed by PNB, Bank of BarodaBSE 0.53 %, Bank of India, Union Bank, Dena BankBSE 0.79 %, United Bank of India, Canara BankBSE 1.27 % and SBJJ Bank.

The rankings were based on a survey conducted across 16 cities by Trust Research Advisory, a brand intelligence company. The list, which had more than 250 entities, included half a dozen insurance firms and 19 banks of which 10 are Government-run.

Bhubaneswar and Imphal airports were Declared as International Airports

The Union Cabinet of India on 30 October 2013 gave its approval for declaring the Bhubaneswar and Imphal airports as international airports to fulfill the long pending demand of people as well as the State Governments of Odisha and Manipur. Declaration of these airports as international airports will offer improved connectivity, wider choice of services at competitive cost to the air travelers resulting in boosting international tourism and economic development of the region and the country.

Bhubaneswar Airport

Biju Patnaik Airport or Bhubaneswar Airport belongs to Airport Authority of India and is suitable for operation of Code `D` aircraft of type B-767-400. The airport is also equipped with facilities for night operations, runway 14/32 of dimension 2743m X 45m, apron to park six aircrafts and navigational aids. A new domestic terminal building with all modern amenities for handling 400 arriving and 400 departing passengers has been constructed and inaugurated in March 2013. The modification/renovation of the existing domestic terminal building into international terminal building with an area of 6264 sqm. suitable for handling international operations has been completed. Six check-in-counters, custom counters and immigration counters are being provided and the requisite facilities of customs, immigration, health services and animal and plant quarantine at the airport have also completed.

Imphal Airport

Imphal Airport belongs to Airports Authority of India and is suitable for `C` type (A-320/321) of aircrafts operations in all weather conditions. Major facilities including night operations, runway of dimension 2746m X 45m, Apron to park 3 nos. A-320 and 1 No. ATR-72 at a time, terminal building having an area of 6592 sqm. modified to integrated terminal building, navigational aids, nineteen check-in-counters, custom counters, immigration and sufficient space for health services and animal and plant quarantine are being provided at the airport.

Who: The Union Cabinet of India

What: the Bhubaneswar and Imphal airports were declared as international airports

When: 30 October 2013

Human settlements in Sunderbans revealed to be Early Historic

A recent exploration by the Directorate of Archeology and Museums, Government of West Bengal has revealed human habitation in the Sunderban forests to be dating back to the early historic period, from 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD. Explorations in Govardhanpur and its surroundings in the Patharpratima block in South 24 Parganas district last month have resulted in finding about 500 antiquities from that period, as well as the early medieval period (7th to 9th century AD). Antiquities mostly comprise terracotta fragments, human and animal figure, different kinds of pots and bricks. These findings reinforce the argument that human habitation in the Sunderbans belongs to the early historic period. The Sundarbans: The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering parts of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. More than two-third of the Sundarbans is in Bangladesh and the remainder is in West Bengal, India. The Sundarbans National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in the Indian state of West Bengal. Sundarbans South, East and West are three protected forests in Bangladesh. This region is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger.

What: Human settlements in Sunderbans revealed to be Early Historic When: October 28, 2013 Who: Directorate of Archeology and Museums, Government of West Bengal Where: Govardhanpur, Patharpratima and South 24 Parganas areas

Odisha to become a hub of Natural Gas business soon

A pact to establish a mega LNG terminal was inked between the State owned GAIL and Paradeep Port.  With the realization of this project,Odisha will soon be highlighted on the world map of natural gas business.

Under this project, GAIL will set up the terminal – Floating Storage Regasification Unit at a cost of over Rs 3100 crore.
The gas terminal will have an initial capacity of 4 million tonne per annum in first phase. The storage capacity of the unit will be 170,000 cubic metres. In the second phase, 4 million ton capacity will be added enhancing its capacity to 4.8 million tons. It will be operational by 2017.

Globally, India is currently the 4^th largest consumer of natural gas.The share of natural gas in the country’s primary energy market is projected to reach 22% by 2020 and 25% by 2035. The setting up of the terminal is expected to promote industrial development, job creation and economic upliftment of the nation.

Ganpatipule to host National Sand Art Festival in Jan 2014

Ganpatipule is all set to host a National Sand Art Festival in January 2014. This festival would be jointly hosted by JSW Foundation, a social development division of JSW group companies and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) along with international sand artist, Sudarsan Pattnaik.

This festival would be the first national sand art festival in the western coast of India. At the prima facie level, the festival would be hosted for three to five days where more than 20 national sand artists would make sculptures with different themes. Before the festival, Sudarsan Pattnaik would organise a two days workshop for the local artists to encourage sand art in India. Promoting the local culture and tradition of Maharashtra is one of the key focus apart from promoting cleanliness of the beaches.