Merkel, EU officials arrive for Turkey visit on migrant deal

Gaziantep (Turkey) Apr 23 (AFP) German Chancellor Angela Merkel touched down in Turkey today for a visit along with top EU officials aimed at boosting a crucial deal Europe hopes will ease the worst migrant crisis since the Second World War.

She was joined by European Council head Donald Tusk and European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans, who were greeted at the airport in south-east Turkey by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

The delegation was set to travel immediately to a refugee camp in Nizip, near the Syrian border, where they were expected to speak to some of the 5,000 or so people forced to flee their conflict-wracked country.

The trip comes a month after a March 20 deal between the EU and Ankara allowing for the deportation from Greece back to Turkey of migrants who do not qualify for asylum.

In exchange, the EU has promised Turkey some six billion euros (USD6.8 billion) over the next four years aimed at helping Turkey better conditions for the 2.7 million refugees it is hosting, as well as a conditional offer of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

International Solar Alliance Cell and UNDP Declared Cooperation for Promoting Solar Energy

On the occasion of the Side event on International Solar Alliance at the UN Headquarters in New York on Friday , the Interim Administrative Cell of International Solar Alliance (ISA Cell) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) declared their intention to promote solar energy globally . 

Major areas identified for working jointly included :a) Development of synergies with ongoing UNDP programmes and projects on solar energy in and across ISA member countries; b) Creation of complementary linkages with ongoing global and regional efforts in the field of solar energy; c) Strategic cooperation in programmatic and technical expertise, and facilitating the participation of the wider UN system towards the creation of innovation hubs in and technology transfers between ISA member countries; d) Support for the establishment of knowledge management systems as well as electronic networks and/or e-portals for the sharing, creation and management of knowledge on solar energy; and e) Strengthening the development of ISA’s institutional structure, and enhance its capacity development efforts through the support of training programmes, In addition, both sides decided to work in other areas and themes as jointly decided. 

The joint declaration was exchanged in the presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy; Ministers and Ministerial representatives from around 25 ISA countries. Shri Upendra Tripathy, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Chairperson, ISA cell exchanged the declaration with UN representative. On this occasion, Mr Yuri Afanasiev, UN India coordinator was also present. 

Shri Goyal stated that the joint declaration is a new beginning and will help in leveraging and expediting solar energy development and deployment in ISA countries. He also informed that the process of areas identified under joint declaration will be reviewed at the Founding Conference of the ISA scheduled to be held in the near future in New Delhi. 

India Celebrates Hanuman Jayanti - 22nd April 2016

Happy Hanuman Jayanti – 22^nd April  2016

Hanuman Mantra:

Manojavam Maruttulyavegm

Jitendrium Buddhimatam Varishtham

Vatatmajam Vanarayuthmukhyam

Shri Ramdutam Sharanam Prapdye.

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated every year by the people in India to commemorate the birth of Hindu Lord, Hanuman. It is celebrated annually in the Hindi month of Chaitra (Chaitra Pournima) on 15^th day of the Shukla Paksha.

Lord Hanuman was born on the chaitra Shukla Purnima(Full moon day on the Hindu Calendar Month of Chaitra). Also called by the names, Maruti, Pavanputra, Bajrangbali and Mahavira.

Hanuman Jayanti 2016 is being celebrated by the people all over India on 22^nd of April, 2016.

Lord Hanuman is one of the most revered god of India. He is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Lord Hanuman is venerated as the greatest disciple of Lord Sri Ram. He is seen as the embodiment of devotion and loyalty and is one of the rare Hindu god who has taken a vow of celibacy. He was born to (Wind-God) Kesari and Anjani. Hanuman became a legend mainly for his unflinching devotion and loyalty for Paramatma Lord Ram. He was an ideal karma yogi for his fearless, selfless service, humility and devotion for Lord Ram. Lord Hanuman is the only deity that cannot be troubled by negative energies. Hanuman Jayanti is an important festival of Hindus. Hanuman is the symbol of strength and energy. Hanuman is said to be able to assume any form at will, wield rocks, move mountains, dart through the air, seize the clouds and rival Garuda in swiftness of flight. He is worshipped in folk tradition as a deity with magical powers and the ability to conquer evil spirits. Also known as an avatara of Lord Rama, he is considered the God of power (Maruti).

In the Maharashtra, it is commemorated to the Purnima in the Hindu Lunar month of Chaitra. However, according to other Hindu calendar, it falls on 14^th day (chaturdashi) of Ashvin month in the dark fortnight. After puja, Prasad is distributed among people to have full blessings.

In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it is celebrated in Margazhi month (between December and January) in the belief that Lord Hanuman was born to the amavasya in the Margazhi month. In Odisha, it is celebrated on 1^st day in the month of Baisakha (in April). In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated on 10^th day of Vaishaka month in the Krishna Paksha. It is the 41 days long celebration in the Andhra Pradesh which starts from the Chaitra Purnima and ends at 10^th days of the Krishna Paksha of Vaishakha month.

On Hanuman Jayanti people observe fast, meditate on him and his Lord Rama, practice charity, read the Hanuman Chalisa and spend the day in repeating his glories and adventures and be blessed.

Hanuman avatar is considered as the 11^th Rudra avatar of the Lord Siva with great devotion, strength, knowledge, divine power, bravery, intelligence, spirit for selfless service and etc. He has devoted his life only for his Lord Rama and Mata Sita and never shows his bravery and intelligence without any purpose. The devotees of the Lord Hanuman always pray him for getting blessed with the same for their bright future. He is worshipped in many ways by his devotees; some meditates by repeating his name many times to get power, fame, success and etc in the life whereas some reads the Hanuman Chalisa to get the same.

Hanuman Jayanti is considered very auspicious for wrestlers and bodybuilders. On this day, they fast from morning till night. Bodybuilding and wrestling competitions are organised in Indian villages. They assemble at the wrestling field after paying obeisance to Lord Hanuman. They begin their fight after both the wrestlers shouts 'Jai Hanuman'. Attractive cash prizes are awarded to the winner.

Cairn India posts biggest quarterly loss of Rs 10,948 crore in Q4

Cairn India today reported its biggest quarterly loss of Rs 10,948 crore in the quarter ended March 31 mainly because of impairment loss on goodwill and non-producing oil and gas assets due to drop in oil prices.

Cairn India today reported its biggest quarterly loss of Rs 10,948 crore in the quarter ended March 31 mainly because of impairment loss on goodwill and non-producing oil and gas assets due to drop in oil prices. (Reuters)

Cairn India today reported its biggest quarterly loss of Rs 10,948 crore in the quarter ended March 31 mainly because of impairment loss on goodwill and non-producing oil and gas assets due to drop in oil prices.

Net loss of Rs 10,948.22 crore in January-March compared with a net loss of Rs 240.82 crore in the same period a year ago, the company said in a statement.

“Due to decline in crude oil prices in the international market, the Group has recorded an impairment on the carrying value of goodwill and some of its non-producing oiland gas assets aggregating to Rs 11,389.63 crore and Rs 284.17 crore respectively,” it said.

Cairn said the impairment of Rs 11,674 crore largely reflects the lower crude price, prevailing discount on oil produced from Rajasthan block as well as adverse long term impact of revised cess.

“All the company’s projects including Bhagyam and Aishwariya enhanced oil recovery (EOR), Aishwariya Barmer Hill as well as the Raageshwari deep gas project remain viable at the price assumptions taken for impairment,” it said.

Production dipped 8 per cent to 206,170 barrels of oil and oil equivalent gas in the fourth quarter of 2015-16. Its mainstay Rajasthan field produced 5 per cent less oil at 164,826 barrels per day.

Turnover fell 36 per cent to Rs 1717 crore on lower oil prices.

The company realised an average of USD 27.8 per barrel for oil it produced in January-March, down 43 per cent from USD 48.6 per barrel a year ago. Gas price realisation was however up 19 per cent at USD 7.4 per million standard cubic feet.

For the full 2015-16 fiscal, the company posted a net loss of Rs 9,432 crore as compared to Rs 4,480 crore profit in the previous year.

The loss did not prevent the company board from declaring a Rs 3 per share dividend by dipping into cash reserves of Rs 19,521 crore.

Mayank Ashar, Managing Director and CEO of Cairn India said, “The Cairn team has delivered a resilient performance in a challenging year. Drive for cost efficiency and rationalisation of capital investment have aided free cash generation despite crude prices plummeting to a 12 year low.”

The company has successfully executed one of the world’s largest EOR project at Mangala oilfield in Rajasthan block.

“The company continues with its pre-development activities to be future ready to tap the resource base,” he said.

Cairn India, he said, is engaged with the Government on extension of Rajasthan license beyond 2019 for further investment in the prolific Rajasthan block.

RIL Q4 net profit jumps 16 per cent to Rs 7,398 crore

RIL Q4 results: Total income from operation (net) declined 10.70 per cent yoy to Rs 60,252 crore for the quarter ended March 2016.

RIL Q4 results: Total income from operation (net) of RIL declined 10.70 per cent yoy to Rs 60,252 crore for the quarter ended March 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

Reliance Industries (RIL) announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 2016 on Friday post market hours. Consolidated net profit of the oil & gas major surged 16 per cent year-on-year (yoy) to Rs 7,398 crore in the quarter under review on higher refining and petrochemical margins. RIL has posted net profit of Rs 6381 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Total income from operation (net) of RIL declined 10.70 per cent yoy to Rs 60,252 crore for the quarter ended March 2016.

Earnings per share of RIL jumped to Rs 25.10 for the quarter ended March 2016 from Rs 21.70 crore in the same quarter last year.

During Jan-March period, consolidated total expenditure of the company declined by 14.19 per cent yoy to Rs 51,815 crore.

RIL has also declared dividend of Rs 10.50 per equity share of Rs 10 each, aggregating Rs 3717 crore, including dividend distribution for the financial year 2015-16. Debt-to-equity ratio of RIL remained same at 0.74.

For the financial year 2015-16, the company reported net profit of Rs 27,630 crore, up 17.25 per cent, against Rs 23,566 crore in the previous fiscal.

RIL earned $10.8 on turning every barrel of crude oil into fuel compared with a gross refining margin of $10.1 in the fourth quarter of 2014-15.

Mukesh D Ambani, chairman and managing director, Reliance Industries in a release said: “FY 2015-16 has been a year of outstanding achievement for our downstream hydrocarbon businesses, notwithstanding persisting global economic uncertainty. Refining and petrochemicals delivered record operating and financial performances. Our refineries sustained double-digit GRMs and record levels of utilisation through the year. Reliance Retail continued its path of profitable expansion while maintaining a robust revenue growth of 23 per cent during the year. Looking ahead, we are focused on ensuring a flawless start- up and stabilisation of the new growth.”

Market breaks 6-day winning run, but logs second weekly gain

Mumbai, Apr 22 (PTI) The Sensex on Friday recorded its first drop in seven sessions, edging down by over 42 points, and the Nifty broke below 7,900 following profit-booking amid mixed global leads, but both indices scored gains for the second straight week.

For the week, the BSE Sensex rose 211.39 points, or 0.82 per cent, and the NSE Nifty 48.85 points, or 0.62 per cent.

Overnight losses in the US, lacklustre corporate earnings by top US companies and the rupee, at 66.48, giving up some ground against the dollar soured mood.

ECB's expected policy stance failed to cheer the European market due to the underlying fear of deflation.

Investors held themselves back ahead of quarterly numbers from blue-chips, including Reliance Industries, due post trading hours. RIL shares shed 0.21 per cent to Rs 1,038.75.

The 30-share barometer opened a shade higher and settled lower by 42.24 points, or 0.16 per cent, at 25,838.14.

The index had risen about 1,207 points in the past six sessions -- its longest winning streak since March.

The 50-share NSE Nifty broke below the psychological 7,900-level and closed at 7,899.30, down 12.75 points, or 0.16 per cent.

Intra-day, it shuttled between 7,923.35 and 7,873.35.

"US equities' negative close on the backdrop of disappointing Q1 results obviously cast a shadow on Asian stocks," said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas.

The uptrend in the previous six sessions came on the back of continuous foreign inflows amid positive macro numbers, IMD's forecast of an above-normal monsoon and Infosys' strong revenue guidance.

Hindustan Unilever took the biggest blow, plunging 2.04 per cent to Rs 884.30, followed by Asian Paints (1.84 per cent) at Rs 871.60.

HDFC, Sun Pharma, ITC, Bharti Airtel, BHEL, Infosys, GAIL, ICICI Bank, Wipro, TCS and Tata Steel lost too.

Of the 30-pack Sensex, 16 ended with losses, but 14 ended in the green, thus limiting the fall.

It was a mixed closing in Asia, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng falling 0.72 per cent and Japan's Nikkei gaining 1.20 per cent. A lower opening in Europe made sentiment turn weak.

In terms of sectoral show, the BSE FMCG index got much hammering, down 0.78 per cent, followed by IT 0.57 per cent, technology 0.47 per cent and consumer durables 0.46 per cent.

Broader markets gave some reasons to cheer, with the mid-cap index firming up 0.08 per cent and small-cap 0.02 per cent.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) net purchased shares to the tune of Rs 805.42 crore on Thursday, as per provisional data.

SC stays HC order on President's rule in U'khand till Apr 27

New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) The Supreme Court today stayed till April 27 the judgement of the Uttarakhand High Court quashing the imposition of President's rule, giving a new turn to the continuing political drama in the state by restoring the Central rule there.

Before passing a brief order, a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh recorded an undertaking given by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that the "Union of India shall not revoke the Presidential proclamation till the next date of hearing".

The apex court clarified that it was keeping in abeyance the judgement of the High Court till the next date of hearing on April 27 as a measure of balance for both the parties as the copy of the verdict was not made available to the parties.

The High Court judgement had also directed Rawat to prove his majority in the Assembly on April 29.

While listing the matter for hearing on April 27, the bench said that the High Court shall provide the judgement passed yesterday to the parties by April 26 and on the same date the copy of the verdict shall also be placed before the apex court.

The Supreme Court's stay has the effect of undoing the revival of the Congress government led by Harish Rawat by the High Court judgement yesterday.

During the hearing, the bench also observed that as a matter of propriety the High Court should have signed the verdict so that it would be appropriate for it to go into the appeal.

The apex court issued notice to Harish Rawat and Chief Seceretary of the state on the petition by Centre challenging the quashing of Presidential proclamation under Article 356 of the Constitution in the state.

Mother Earth Day Coincides with the Signing of the Paris Agreement

PM Modi expresses reverence and gratitude towards our planet, on the occasion of Earth Day

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed reverence and gratitude towards our planet, on the occasion of Earth Day. 

"On Earth Day, reverence and gratitude to our planet that has given us everything", the Prime Minister said.

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On #EarthDay, reverence and gratitude to our planet that has given us everything.

8:06 AM - 22 Apr 2016

We are in a race against time,' says Ban, as leaders sign landmark Paris climate accord

This year, Earth Day coincides with the signing ceremony for the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which will take place at UN Headquarters in New York. The Agreement was adopted by all 196 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at COP21 in Paris on 12 December 2015. In the agreement, all countries agreed to work to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and given the grave risks, to strive for 1.5 degrees Celsius. The signing ceremony takes place on the first day that the Agreement will be open for signatures, marking the first step toward ensuring that the Agreement enters into legal force as quickly as possible.

The UN General Assembly, recognizing that Mother Earth is a common expression for the planet earth in a number of countries and regions, which reflects the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit, and noting that Earth Day is observed each year in many countries, decided to designate 22 April as International Mother Earth Day in 2009.

As world leaders gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York this morning to officially sign the Paris Agreement on climate change – the landmark accord that sets outs a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous global warming – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Member States to move quickly to join the accord at the national level so that it can enter into force as early as possible.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan celebrates Earth Day by inaugurating India’s first Cellulosic Alcohol Technology Demonstration Plant at Kashipur, Uttarakhand 

Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, inaugurated India’s 1^st Second-Generation (2G) Ethanol plant today at Kashipur in Uttarakhand. Taking pride in the indigenously-developed technology and its evolution into a demonstration plant, he said that more such examples are needed, for the initiatives like Make in India and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to be truly successful. Such technological breakthroughs can make India stand out as a leader in the world’s struggle to save the earth from challenges of global warming, he noted.

The Minister said that it is a novel technology suited to both Indian & Global Needs and is projected to be capable of converting all types of agricultural residues like Bagasse, Rice Straw, Wheat Straw, Bamboo, Cotton Stalk, Corn Stover, Wood chips etc. to ethanol in less than 24 hours, with optimum product yields. If successfully operated and scaled-up, it will establish India as a major global technology provider in the arena of renewables and reduction in carbon-emissions, besides effecting considerable savings in import of crude-oil.

The Technology Demonstration plant, with a capacity to consume 10 tons of biomass per day, is based on the globally-competitive indigenous technology of converting lingo-cellulosic biomass to Ethanol. It is a Feedstock-independent technology developed by DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT)Mumbai, supported by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

Ministry of Commerce & Industry Launches Twitter Seva

The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing at the launch of the Twitter Sewa for redressal of queries/grievances/suggestions etc., in New Delhi on April 21, 2016. The Secretary, DIPP, Shri Ramesh Abhishek holding is also seen.

New Delhi : In a major initiative to get administration of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry closer to people and changing the paradigm of Governance, the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (I/C) Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman launched the “Twitter Seva” here today. 

Through this Twitter Seva, queries on matters relating to Department of Commerce(DoC) and Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion(DIPP) will be answered. Queries regarding DGFT, DGS&D, SEZs, Tea, Coffee, Rubber & Spices Boards, APEDA, MPEDA and any other matter relating to Department of Commerce will be addressed by DoC while queries regarding Manufacturing Policy, Industrial Corridors, Investment Promotion, Make in India, Start-up India, Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), FDI, Intellectual Property Rights, Patents, Trade Marks, Designs, Geographical Indicators, Copyrights, Paper, Light Engineering Industry, Cement, Linoleum and Rubber Industry will be addressed by DIPP. 

Under this Seva, anyone who is desirous of assistance from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry can use the hashtag #mociseva . An institutionalized mechanism with a special Twitter cell has been created in the Ministry manned by a set of dedicated officers who will monitor and direct all the tweets to the concerned officers of the Department. All officers have been sensitized to respond to the tweets within a short time frame. This Seva is open to all the services provided by the Department of Commerce and Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion. 

This is an initiative of the Minister of Commerce & Industry keeping in line the dictum “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” of the Prime Minister. 

TERI governing council asks Pachauri to leave

Though his contract runs till 2017, he was sacked immediately

In a meeting earlier this week, the Governing Council of TERI decided to sever association with its disgraced former Director-General R.K. Pachauri. Even though his employment contract with TERI expires only in 2017, the Council decided to pay all the dues for the remainder of the tenure and bring an immediate end to it.

It has been decided not to renew his term on the Council which ended on March 31. As a consequence, he will cease to be Executive Vice-Chairman, a post the Council had created for him in February this year.

When contacted by The Hindu, at least two sources who had attended the meeting confirmed that these decisions had been taken.

TERI’s spokesperson confirmed that the Governing Council meeting had taken place and added in an email that “...Dr. Pachauri’s term as a Member of the Governing Council of TERI ended on March 31, 2016. As the post of Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) is co-terminus with this membership, his role as EVC also ended along with his membership of the Council.” Dr. Pachauri headed TERI, which works in sustainable development and climate change, for the past 35 years.