Britain votes on EU membership after tight and bitter campaign

 London : Britons were voting on Thursday on whether to stay in the European Union in a referendum that has split the nation and is being nervously watched by financial markets and politicians across the world.

Opinion polls taken before the vote indicated the outcome is too close to forecast, although two polls published late on Wednesday suggested a swing towards "Remain".

Much will depend on turnout, with younger Britons seen as more supportive of the EU than their elders but less likely to vote.

Polling stations opened at 0600 GMT (0200 EDT) and will close at 2100, with results expected to be announced by the 382 individual local counting areas between around 0100 and 0300 on Friday.

Prime Minister David Cameron called the vote under pressure from the anti-EU wing of his Conservative Party and the surging UK Independence Party (UKIP), hoping to end decades of debate over Britain's ties with Europe.

The "Leave" campaign says Britain's economy would benefit from an exit from the EU, or Brexit. Cameron says it would cause financial chaos and impoverish the nation.

He voted early, and said on Twitter: "Vote Remain - so that our children and grandchildren have a brighter future."

His main rival, former London mayor Boris Johnson, whose decision to support "Leave" galvanized its campaign, told voters on Wednesday this was the "last chance to sort this out".

It is only the third referendum in British history. The first, also about membership of what was then called the European Economic Community, was in 1975.

Most polls put the "Leave" and "Remain" camps neck-and-neck at the end of a bitter four-month campaign that was dominated by immigration and the economy, and shaken by the murder of pro-EU lawmaker Jo Cox last week.

Modi arrives in Uzbekistan for SCO summit

 Tashkent, Jun 23 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here today to a warm welcome as he kicked off a two-day visit to attend the annual summit of the SCO with an aim to expand India's engagement with the China-dominated grouping in areas of security, defence and energy.

In a special gesture, Modi was received at the Tashkent international airport by his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoev.

In the two-day summit that begins today, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will start the process of India's accession to the grouping as a full-fledged member along with Pakistan.

However, the spotlight is on Modi's bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the day during which the Prime Minister is expected to seek China's support for India's membership at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) that controls access to sensitive nuclear technology.

Giving clear indications of its opposition to India's bid for entry into the atomic trading club, China had yesterday underlined the differences within NSG members, saying "parties are yet to see eye-to-eye on this issue".

It, however, said it will play a constructive role in the discussions.

Coinciding with the SCO summit, the two-day annual plenary of the NSG begins today in Seoul during which India's application for membership of the atomic trading club is set to be deliberated upon.

Prior to his departure from New Delhi to Tashkent, Modi said India looks forward to fruitful outcome from its engagement at the SCO summit.

India's entry into SCO as a full member will provide it an opportunity to have extended cooperation with member countries in areas of defence, security and counter-terrorism.

"I will travel to Uzbekistan for a brief visit to attend the SCO Summit and interact with leaders of SCO nations. India is glad to be a member of the SCO and looks forward to fruitful outcomes particularly in the field of economic cooperation through SCO," the Prime Minister said in a statement before leaving for Tashkent.

He said India attaches great importance to ties with Central Asia and always seeks to expand economic and people-to-people ties with the region.

Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sujata Mehta had yesterday said "The process of India's accession to the SCO will start with a signature on the base document which is called the Memorandum of Obligations".

Asked whether India will become a full member of the SCO, she said there was a schedule laid down for India to sign over 30 other documents and it will happen as the year goes by.

Priyanka hits back at trolls with 'pit-stopping' image

 Mumbai, Jun 22 (PTI) Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra has shared a new picture of herself flaunting her armpits, in reply to trolls which claimed they were "too perfect" in her latest photoshoot for a lifestyle magazine.

The 34-year-old "Quantico" star, who is currently vacationing in Paris, took to Instagram to share the photo.

"Heres another 'pit-stopping' picture to add to the debate. #WillTheRealArmpitPleaseStandUp #nofilter #armpitdiaries," she captioned the photo.

Wearing a casual striped top and shades, the actress has posed with her hands behind her head.

Priyanka's cover for a men's magazine recently faced a lot of flak on Twitter for photoshopping her armpits.

Twitter users called it an unrealistic expectation.

On work front, Priyanka will next be seen playing an antagonist Victoria Leeds in "Baywatch" movie, which also stars Dwayne "The Rock Johnson" and Zac Efron.

3rd National Standards Conclave

Department of Commerce, Government of India in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and other knowledge partners is organizing the 3rd National Standards Conclave on 23-24 June 2016 in New Delhi. The Conclave will be inaugurated by Commerce and Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. 

The objective of the two day Conclave is to bring awareness and prepare Industries, Central Government Ministries, State Governments, regulatory/standards setting and conformity assessment bodies on the growing importance of “Standards” in the changing scenario of global trade. The Standards Conclave is being held in the backdrop of diminishing importance of tariffs and rising influence of standards and regulation both in goods and services trade. 

It must be recognized that the days of differential standards – low for domestic market and high for exports - are over and if the Indian industry has to survive and thrive, it has to adopt global standards. The Ministries/regulators/state governments have to also realize that their initiatives and schemes have to be built around global standards if they have to succeed in their objectives. A good standards regime shall fulfill the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister for “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” and Make in India campaigns. It would also help in preventing flooding of domestic market with unsafe/sub-standard imports at the expense of our domestic industry as well as consumers. 

The collective endeavor has to be in creating an ecosystem where adoption of appropriate standards leads to a sense of pride and has in-built incentive for the Industry. The Conclave would also aim at identifying gaps in our regime so that they are brought either in harmony with the international standards or conform to national requirement. 

The conclave will have 9 sessions spread over 2 days: 

a. Inaugural session 

b. Session 1: Emerging international challenges

c. Session 2: Other international and regional developments

d. Session 3: Standards eco-system

e. Session 4: Challenges for MSME sector

f. Session 5: States Case studies

g. Session 6: Service Standards

h. Session 7: Service Standards

i. Session 8: Setting the right ecosystem– Sectoral analysis

j. Session 9: Way Forward

PSLV-C34 Successfully Launches 20 Satellites in a Single Flight

  

In its thirty sixth flight (PSLV-C34), ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle successfully launched the 727.5 kg Cartosat-2 Series Satellite along with 19 co-passenger satellites today morning from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the thirty fifth consecutively successful mission of PSLV and the fourteenth in its 'XL' configuration. The total weight of all the 20 satellites carried on-board PSLV-C34 was 1288 kg. 

After PSLV-C34 lift-off at 0926 hrs (9:26 am) IST from the Second Launch Pad with the ignition of the first stage, the subsequent important flight events, namely, strap-on ignitions and separations, first stage separation, second stage ignition, heat-shield separation, second stage separation, third stage ignition and separation, fourth stage ignition and cut-off, took place as planned. After a flight of 16 minutes 30 seconds, the satellites achieved a polar Sun Synchronous Orbit of 508 km inclined at an angle of 97.5 degree to the equator (very close to the intended orbit) and in the succeeding 10 minutes, all the 20 satellites successfully separated from the PSLV fourth stage in a predetermined sequence. 

After separation, the two solar arrays of Cartosat-2 series satellite were deployed automatically and ISRO's Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bangalore took over the control of the satellite. In the coming days, the satellite will be brought to its final operational configuration following which it will begin to provide remote sensing services using its panchromatic (black and white) and multispectral (colour) cameras. 

The imagery sent by the Cartosat-2 series satellite will be useful for cartographic applications, urban and rural applications, coastal land use and regulation, utility management like road network monitoring, water distribution, creation of land use maps, precision study, change detection to bring out geographical and manmade features and various other Land Information System (LIS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) applications. 

Of the 19 co-passenger satellites carried by PSLV-C34, two – SATHYABAMASAT weighing 1.5 kg and SWAYAM weighing 1 kg – are University/Academic institute satellites and were built with the involvement of students from Sathyabama University, Chennai and College Of Engineering, Pune, respectively. 

The remaining 17 co-passenger satellites were international customer satellites from Canada (2), Germany (1), Indonesia (1) and the United States (13). 

With today’s successful launch, the total number of satellites launched by India’s workhorse launch vehicle PSLV has reached 113, of which 39 are Indian and the remaining 74 from abroad. 

20 satellites set for launch tomorrow: ISRO

 

Chennai, Jun 21 (PTI) Countdown for the launch of as many as 20 satellites including, India's earth observation Cartosat-2 Series Satellite, is in smooth progress, ISRO said today.

The countdown exercise encompasses spacecraft health checks and preparations for propellant filling operation of second stage (PS2) of PSLV-C34 is in progress.

"Spacecraft health checks and preparations for propellant filling operation of second stage (PS2) of PSLV-C34 are under progress. Countdown is progressing normally," ISRO said.

The 48-hour countdown began yesterday at 9.26 am for the launch of 20 satellites onboard PSLV C-34 from Sriharikota tomorrow.

The countdown began after the launch authorisation board (LAB) gave its nod and filling of Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON-3) of PS4 was completed yesterday.

Cartosat-2 Series is similar to the earlier Cartosat-2, 2A and 2B, and 19 co-passenger satellites together weighing about 560 kg at lift-off would be injected into a 505-km polar Sun Synchronous Orbit.

According to ISRO, the total weight of all the 20 satellites is about 1,288 kg.

The co-passengers include satellites from the US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia as well as two satellites from Indian Universities.

The mission would carry LAPAN A3 of Indonesia, BIROS of Germany, SKYSAT GEN 2-1 of US, MVV of Germany among the micro satellites, ISRO sources had earlier said.

PM celebrates International Yoga Day in Chandigarh – participates in mass Yoga demonstration, addresses and mingles with people at Capitol Complex

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participating in the mass yoga demonstration at the Capitol Complex, Chandigarh, on the occasion of the 2nd International Day of Yoga – 2016, on June 21, 2016.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today celebrated the second International Day of Yoga at Chandigarh, where he joined approximately 30,000 participants in a mass Yoga demonstration. 

Addressing the gathering at the iconic Capitol Complex, the Prime Minister said that today, people in all parts of the country have connected with Yoga. He said that the world has come forward to support the idea of International Day of Yoga. He added that all sections of society too, have come together in this endeavour. 

The Prime Minister said that the International Day of Yoga is a day linked to good health, and it has become a mass movement. He said that Yoga is not about what one will get, but it is about what one can give up. He said that with zero budget, Yoga provides health assurance, and does not discriminate between rich and poor. 

The Prime Minister called for focus in the next one year, on how to mitigate diabetes through Yoga. He said that to honour those who are working to popularize Yoga, two awards will be instituted, one at the national level, and the other at the international level. 

The Prime Minister walked amidst, joined, and mingled with the participants of the mass Yoga demonstration. 

FDI reforms: PM says India most open economy

New Delhi, June 20 (PTI) Launching the second set of sweeping reforms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it makes India the most open economy in the world for FDI and would give boost to employment as part of efforts to transform the country.

He said amendments in FDI policy would promote ease of doing business as there will now be 100 per cent FDI under government approval route for trading, including e-commerce for food products manufactured or produced in India.

"Govt radically liberalizes FDI regime with the objective of providing major impetus to employment & job creation," Modi said in a tweet.

"Key reform decisions were taken at a high level meeting chaired by the PM, which makes India the most open economy in the world for FDI," he said.

The government, after a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, announced the second wave of FDI reforms allowing 100 per cent inflows in civil aviation and food processing sectors while easing norms in defence and pharmaceuticals.

"In two years, Govt brings major FDI policy reforms in several key sectors... India now the most open economy in the world for FDI; most sectors under automatic approval route," Modi said in tweets.

"Today's FDI reforms will give a boost to employment, job creation & benefit the economy," the Prime Minister said in a series of tweets with hashtag '#TransformingIndia'.

He said with liberalisation of FDI regime, there have been more inflows to contribute to growth of investment, incomes and employment.

"India rated as Number 1 FDI investment destination by several international agencies...India records highest ever FDI inflows at US$ 55.46 billion in financial year 2015-16," he said.

Prime Minister to lead the world in celebrating the Second International Day of Yoga on June 21st

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will lead the Second International Day of Yoga celebrations in the country and across the globe by participating in a mass Yoga demonstration of Common Yoga Protocol at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh on the morning of 21st of June. 

The function will begin at 6.30 am and will include 45 minutes of Yoga protocol demonstration. Over 35 thousand people are expected to participate in the event at Capitol Complex, Chandigarh while ten thousand more will perform at 100 different venues in the city of Chandigarh. The emphasis this year will be on participation of Divyangs, youths and people from weaker sections of the society. 

Reputed Yoga institutions will participate in the International Day of Yoga by leading the demonstration functions across the country. Yoga demonstrations will also be organized at several places in the national and state capitals. Similar events have been planned at all district headquarters in the country in association with prominent Yoga institutions of the country. 

In the National Capital Territory Delhi, the main events organized by Ministry of AYUSH and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will be at Connaught Place, Lodhi Garden, Nehru Park and Talkatora Garden. Union Minister for Urban Development, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Lt. Governor of Delhi Shri Najeeb Jung and Member of Parliament Smt Meenakashi Lekhi will participate in the Yoga demonstrations in Delhi. Other major Yoga events that will take place in Delhi will be in Dwarka, Rohini and Yamuna Sports Complex. 

Over 173 Indian missions across the world are also organizing Yoga demonstrations to spread awareness for International Yoga Day. Besides the main event on the Yoga Day, several Indian missions have organized a series of curtain raiser events in various parts of the world to spread Yoga awareness. 

In his remarks at the International Conference on Yoga for Holistic Health organized on the Yoga Day last year, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had described Yoga as a "state of mind" (avasthaa), as opposed to being a commodity or a system (vyavasthaa). Remarking on the importance of Yoga Day being celebrated simultaneously across the world, the Prime Minister had added that the solidarity being expressed through Yoga, in the coming together with brothers and sisters in other countries, brings our hearts and minds closer. 

A theme song for International Day of Yoga, named ‘Yog Geet’ has been released this year in addition to the Yoga Protocol of forty five minutes. This song is of 3 minutes and 15 seconds in Hindi language. The song is written and produced by DeerajSaraswat and Sh. Gandhar T.D. Jadhav and Ms. Gatha Jadhav have given their voice to the song. Music has been composed by Sh. Sumanto Ray. 

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has taken up the initiative 'Yoga Olympiad' with participation from school children from government schools in order to promote Yoga. 

International Day of Yoga was organized successfully in India and throughout the world for the first time last year, after United Nations General Assembly, in December 2014, declared 21st of June as International Day of Yoga. Last year’s mass demonstration of Yoga protocol at Rajpath in Delhi had entered the Guinness Book of World Records for largest number of participants learning Yoga at a single venue (over 35 thousand) and also for participants from most number of countries (84). 

Launch of Korea Plus

Strengthening India – Korea Relations

The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurating the office of Korea Plus, in New Delhi on June 18, 2016.

The Commerce & Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and Mr. Joo Hyunghwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy, Government of the Republic of Korea, today, launched Korea Plus, a special initiative to promote and facilitate Korean Investments in India.

An MOU for establishing Korea Plus was earlier signed between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Govt. of the Republic of Korea and Invest India, the National Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency of India in January 2016. This MOU came as an outcome of the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to South Korea in May 2015.

The launch took place in the presence of Mr. Cho Hyun, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, officials of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Invest India team and several Korean Business delegates.

Korea Plus, operationalized on June 18, 2016 comprises of a representative from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy, Government of the Republic of Korea and representative from Korea Trade Investment and Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and three representatives from Invest India.

The mandate of Korea Plus covers the entire investment spectrum including supporting Korean enterprises entering the Indian market for the first time, looking into issues faced by Korean companies doing business in India and policy advocacy to the Indian Government on their behalf. Korea Plus will act as a mediator in arranging meetings, assisting in public relations and research/evaluation and provide information and counselling in regard to Korean companies’ investing in India.

India and the Republic of Korea relations have made great strides in recent years and Korea Plus will act as a catalyst in making these relations even more robust.