India ranks 77th on World Risk Index

Berlin, Aug 26 (PTI) India has been ranked 77th on the World Risk Index, topped by Island state of Vanuatu.

The World Risk Report 2016, published by the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and Bundnis Entwicklung Hilft, analyses the role that infrastructure plays in shaping a country s disaster risk.

The Index, calculated by the University of Stuttgart, ranks 171 countries according to their risk of becoming a victim of a disaster as a result of natural hazards such as floods, cyclones, or earthquakes.

The Island state of Vanuatu has been ranked no 1 on the index. Pakistan ranks 72th while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at 63rd and 5th position respectively. China and Nepal are in a better position than Indian on 85th and 108th position.

Inadequate infrastructure and weak logistic chains substantially increase the risk that an extreme natural event will become a disaster, the report said.

"When it comes to aid measures following extreme natural events, the challenges mostly lie in the last mile of the logistics chain: organising transportation despite destroyed streets or bridges and ensuring fair distribution when there is a shortage of (for example) water, food, and shelter," explained Peter Mucke, Project Director of the World Risk Report and Managing Director of B ndnis Entwicklung Hilft.

"Crumbling transport routes, unreliable electricity grids, and dilapidated buildings not only hinder humanitarian aid from overseas, but also delay crucial aid for those affected in the event of a disaster." 

"The international community must invest more in development and maintenance of critical infrastructure even before disasters occur," said Dr Matthias Garschagen, Scientific Director for the report and Lead Scientist at the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security(UNU-EHS).

Don't remain in denial mode on support to cross-border terror: India to Pak

 New Delhi, Aug 26 (PTI) India today asked Pakistan not to remain in a "denial" mode regarding its support to cross- border terrorism as the war of words between the two countries intensified.

In his latest response to his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry's fresh invitation of August 19 for talks, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar once again emphasised on the need for earliest possible vacation of Islamabad's illegal occupation of PoK and conveyed that not just India but the larger region is aware that Pakistan is actually a "prime perpetrator" of terrorism.

The Foreign Secretary has made it clear that India seeks result-oriented talks with Pakistan with an agenda to put an end to cross-border terrorism and incitement to violence by it, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Jaishankar while conveying his readiness to be available to engage any time at mutual convenience on these issues, however, mentioned that justifying terrorism and interference in the internal affairs of India are hardly serious basis for a result-oriented dialogue.

Asked about absence of the Finance Minister from the ongoing SAARC meet, indicating the growing strain in relationship, Swarup said, "Providing support, safe havens and sanctuary to terrorists and making the distinction between good terrorist and bad terrorist has posed enormous risk to peace and stability to our region.

"It is important for Pakistan to realise the reality and not remain in denial on the impact of cross-border terrorism on the bilateral relationship. Sooner Pakistan recognises this central and important fact, the sooner, India-Pakistan relationship can progress." 

In the letter, the Foreign Secretary hoped that the government of Pakistan will reconsider its approach and show sincerity towards promoting good neighbourliness and peaceful co-existence.

"This will also send a larger message to a region which is deeply troubled by the policies that emanate from Pakistan," Jaishankar's letter said.

The Foreign Secretary has also reiterated that basis of further discussions between the two countries are -Simla Agreement of 1972, Lahore Declaration of 1999 and Joint statement of 2004, Swarup added.

On its part, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, while briefing the ambassadors of the P-5 and European Union countries in Islamabad about the situation in the Valley, "regretted" India's virtual rejection of its proposal for talks on Kashmir.

At his meeting with the ambassadors, Aziz "deplored the lethal use of force by the Indian forces against the innocent Kashmiri people and conveyed serious concerns over the bloodshed" in Kashmir which has taken a "toll of more than 80 innocent Kashmiris since July 8, 2016, and inflicted injuries on more than 7,000 people," the Pakistan Foreign Office statement said. .

Janmashtami 2016:India is celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth

Krishna Janmashtami (Devanagari कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी kṛṣṇa janmāṣṭamī), also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham,Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti or sometimes simply as Janmashtami, is an annual celebration of the birth of the Hindu deity Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.[1]

The festival is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Shravana(August–September) in the Hindu calendar.[2]Rasa lila, dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna, are a special feature in regions of Mathura and Vrindavan, and regions following Vaishnavism in Manipur.[3] While the Rasa lila re-creates the flirtatious aspects of Krishna's youthful days, the Dahi Handi celebrate God's playful and mischievous side, where teams of young men form human towers to reach a high-hanging pot of curd and break it. This tradition, also known as uriadi, is a major event in Tamil Nadu on Gokulashtami. Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festival Nandotsav, which celebrates the occasion when Nanda Baba distributed gifts to the community in honour of the birth.[4]

Janmashtami commemorates the earthly appearance of Krishna, who is described in India’s sacred writings as God Himself. One of the biggest religious festivals in the world, it is celebrated by nine hundred and thirty million people around the world--and two million in the US alone.

Where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s appearance. Events include kirtan, singing the Lord’s name along with other devotees; and japa, private, more intimate prayer. Some devoteescook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called abhisheka. Sometimes taking over two hours, this is performed with great pomp.

Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored altar. The excitement builds, and a rousing kirtan ensues.

Mehbooba loses cool at press meet; condemns stone-pelting

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ms. Mehbooba Mufti addressing a press conference, in Srinagar on August 25, 2016.

Srinagar, Aug 25 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today lost her cool and abruptly ended a press conference being addressed by her and union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here when journalists asked questions about her role in dealing with the current unrest.

She suddenly got up, saying "thank you", after replying to a question even as Singh was seated. He also then got up reluctantly and the press interaction at her residence ended.

While responding to questions, Mehbooba condemned stone- pelting and other forms of violence being witnessed in Kashmir for the last 47 days and suggested that casualties will take place when camps of security forces and police pickets and police stations are attacked by violent mobs.

She also elaborated on her earlier comments that only five per cent people of Kashmir are agitating. She said she meant to say that while 95 per cent of the people want resolution to the problem peacefully, five per cent had "hijacked" the issue by indulging in violence.

"I am for resolution of Kashmir issue. There should be dialogue. But by resorting to stone-pelting and attacking the camps, no issue will be resolved. We are not sidelining the issue. We want resolution," she asserted.

The Chief Minister sought to explain the manner in which casualties took place, particularly of the youngsters, over which there has been an uproar.

"95 per cent of those killed -- mostly youth -- have died in retaliatory action while they were attacking the security establishments," she said.

She added, "People have come onto the roads. We imposed curfew. Did the children go to army camps to buy toffees (candy)? Was the 15-year-old boy, who attacked the police station at Damhal Hanjipora (in south Kashmir), going there to get milk?" 

At the same time, she said she supported action against those security personnel who were involved in the killing of a lecturer in Khrew area of Pulwama district earlier this month.

"There is the case of lecturer. An inquiry should be held and punishment should be given the culprits. I support it," Mehbooba said.

As journalists kept asking questions about her role in dealing the situation, Singh tried to mediate by telling the scribes: "Mehbooba ji is from among you".

However, Mehbooba was combative, saying, "What will they tell me? I have saved the youth of south Kashmir from Task Force (Special Operations Group of Police). I have saved them from the knives when they were taken for bonded labour.

Sensex dips 224 pts,Nifty below 8,600 on US rate hike concerns

Mumbai, Aug 25 (PTI) Domestic equities failed to sustain the positive momentum on F&O expiry day as fag-end selling pulled down the benchmark Sensex by over 224 points, the worst single-day fall in more than two weeks, amid growing US rate hike concerns ahead of Fed Chair Janet Yellen's speech.

The initial range-bound momentum driven by short-covering in view of August derivative expiry led to key indices ruling in the positive terrain till Thursday afternoon.

Mid-afternoon trade saw the market wobbled as jittery investors bridled by caution ahead of US Federal Reserve Chair Yellen's speech tomorrow, while lower European opening and lack of direction led the index succumb to selling pressure.

The Sensex resumed higher at 28,103.60 and advanced to 28,154.21 as participants indulged in short-covering of their outstanding positions. However, the 30-scrip bundle slipped into the negative zone and touched a low of 27,803.24 before ending at over two-week low of 27,835.91, showing a fall of 224.03 points, or 0.80 per cent.

This was the biggest single-day fall for the benchmark index since August 10 when it had fallen by 310 points.

The broader NSE Nifty dipped below the 8,600-mark.

In the August series, the Sensex plunged by 372.71 points, or 1.32 per cent and NSE Nifty by 74.10 points, or 0.85 per cent.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services Ltd, said, "Market was volatile and slid on the expiry day as investor started booking profits before Yellen s speech. FIIs were on the selling mode which could have added fears to the current consolidation phase. Further direction to the market will depend upon the outcome of the Fed's view on the interest rate trajectory.

Scorpene Submarines – Update on Documents Leak

The Government of India is seized of the reported leak of documents related to the ongoing Indian Scorpene submarine programme as reported in sections of the media. The documents that have been posted on the website by an Australian news agency have been examined and do not pose any security compromise as the vital parameters have been blacked out. 

The Indian Navy has taken up the matter with Director General of Armament of the French Government expressing concern over this incident and has requested the French Government to investigate this incident with urgency and share their findings with the Indian side. An internal audit of procedures to rule out any security compromise is also being undertaken. The matter is being taken up with concerned foreign governments through diplomatic channels to verify the authenticity of the reports. 

The Government of India, as a matter of abundant precaution, is also examining the impact if the information contained in the documents claimed to be available with the Australian sources is compromised. The detailed assessment of potential impact is being undertaken by a high level committee constituted by the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Navy is taking all necessary steps to mitigate any probable security compromise. 

Secret data on Scorpene submarines leaked, Navy probing matter

 New Delhi/Melbourne, Aug 24 (PTI) More than 22,000 pages of top secret data on the capabilities of six highly advanced submarines being built for the Indian Navy in Mumbai in collaboration with a French company have been leaked, raising alarm bells today in the security establishment.

The combat capability of the scorpene submarines being built at Mazagon dock at a cost of USD 3.5 billion by French shipbuilder DCNS, went public when an Australian newspaper, "The Australian", put the details on the website.

Reacting with alacrity to the development, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who learnt about the leak at midnight, ordered Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lamba to go into the 'entire issue". A report is also being sought from DCNS.

"What I understand is there is a hacking. So we will find out all this," Parrikar told reporters in Delhi.

Cabinet approves introduction of the "Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016"

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction of the "Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016". 

The Bill will regulate surrogacy in India by establishing National Surrogacy Board at the central level and State Surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities in the State and Union Territories. The legislation will ensure effective regulation of surrogacy, prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow ethical surrogacy to the needy infertile couples. 

All infertile Indian married couple who want to avail ethical surrogacy will be benefited. Further the rights of surrogate mother and children born out of surrogacy will be protected. The Bill shall apply to whole of India, except the state of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The major benefits of the Act would be that it will regulate the surrogacy services in the country. While commercial surrogacy will be prohibited including sale and purchase of human embryo and gametes, ethical surrogacy to the needy infertile couples will be allowed on fulfilment of certain conditions and for specific purposes. As such, it will control the unethical practices in surrogacy, prevent commercialization of surrogacy and will prohibit potential exploitation of surrogate mothers and children born through surrogacy. 

No permanent structure is proposed to be created in the Draft Bill. Neither there are proposals for creating new posts. The proposed legislation, while covering an important area is framed in such a manner that it ensures effective regulation but does not add much vertically to the current regulatory structure already in place at the central as well as states. Accordingly, there will not be any financial implications except for the meetings of the National and State surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities which will be met out of the regular budget of Central and State governments. 

Background: 

India has emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples from different countries and there have been reported incidents concerning unethical practices, exploitation of surrogate mothers, abandonment of children born out of surrogacy and rackets of intermediaries importing human embryos and gametes. Widespread condemnation of commercial surrogacy prevalent in India has also been regularly published in different print-and electronic media since last few years highlighting the need to prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow ethical altruistic surrogacy. The 228th report of the Law Commission of India has also recommended for prohibiting commercial surrogacy and allowing ethical altruistic surrogacy to the needy Indian citizens by enacting a suitable legislation. 

PM congratulates All India Radio (Akashvani), on the launch of Akashvani Maitree

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated All India Radio (Akashvani), on the launch of Akashvani Maitree. 

"Congratulations to Akashvani (AIR) on launch of Akashvani Maitree, inaugurated by President of India. This can be heard in India and Bangladesh. 

Akashvani Maitree will serve as one more bridge of friendship between people of India and Bangladesh", the Prime Minister said.

National Sports Awards – 2016

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.  Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years; Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar  is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

           

A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committees consisting of former  Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, Dhyan Chand Awardees, Sports Journalists/Experts/Commentators and sports administrators. Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards was headed by Justice S.K. Agarwal, Retired Delhi High Court Judge.  Selection Committee for Dronacharya Awards and Dhyan Chand Awards was headed by Ms. M.C. Mary Kom. Selection Committee for Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was headed by Shri Rajiv Yadav, Secretary (Sports). 

                                                     

Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has  decided to confer awards upon the following sportspersons/ coaches/organizations:

           

(i)         Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ranta 2016

S. No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1.	Ms. P.V. Sindhu	Badminton
2.	Ms. Dipa Karmakar	Gymnastics
3.	Shri Jitu Rai	Shooting
4.	Ms. Sakshi Malik	Wrestling

(ii) Dronacharya Awards 2016

S.No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1	Shri Nagapuri Ramesh	Athletics
2	Shri Sagar Mal Dhayal	Boxing
3.	Shri Raj Kumar Sharma	Cricket
4.	Shri Bishweshwar Nandi	Gymnastics
5.	Shri S. Pradeep Kumar	Swimming (Lifetime)
6.	Shri Mahabir Singh	Wrestling (Lifetime)

(iii)        Arjuna Awards 2016

S. No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1.	Shri Rajat Chauhan	Archery
2.	Ms. Lalita Babar	Athletics
3.	Shri Sourav Kothari	Billiards & Snooker
4.	Shri Shiva Thapa	Boxing
5.	Shri Ajinkya Rahane	Cricket
6.	Shri Subrata Paul	Football
7.	Ms. Rani	Hockey
8.	Shri Raghunath V.R.	Hockey
9.	Shri Gurpreet Singh	Shooting
10.	Ms. Apurvi Chandela	Shooting
11.	Shri Soumyajit Ghosh	Table Tennis
12.	Ms. Vinesh	Wrestling
13.	Shri Amit Kumar	Wrestling
14.	Shri Sandeep Singh Mann	Para-Athletics
15.	Shri Virender Singh	Wrestling (Deaf)

(iv) Dhyan Chand Award 2015

S. No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1	Ms. Satti Geetha	Athletics
2	Shri Sylvanus Dung Dung	Hockey
3	Shri Rajendra Pralhad Shelke	Rowing

(v) Rashtriya Khel Protsahana Purushkar, 2016

S. No.	Category	Entity recommended for Rashtriya Khel ProtsahanPuruskar, 2016
1.	Identification and Nurturing of Budding and Young Talent	1.Hockey Citizen Group 2.Dadar Parsee Zorostrian cricket club 3.Usha School of Athletics 4. STAIRS
2.	Encouragement to sports through corporate social responsibility	India Infrastructure Finance Corporate Limited
3.	Employment to sportspersons and other welfare measures	Reserve Bank of India
4.	Sports for Development	Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society

 (vi) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2015-16

Punjabi University, Patiala

The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2016. 

Apart from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh.  Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each.  Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will be given Trophies and certificates. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments will be given MAKA Trophy, award money of Rs. 10 lakh and  certificate.