India to submit concept note on TFA in services at WTO

New Delhi, Sep 18 (PTI) India will soon move a detailed concept note at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to start discussions on trade facilitation agreement in services.

The note would seek suggestions and views of the WTO members countries.

"We will soon put the concept note in the multi-lateral body and it will be discussed in the working group of services in Geneva," a senior commerce ministry official said.

India is pushing for a trade facilitation agreement (TFA) on services to promote trade in this sector along with goods.

The WTO has already concluded a similar pact for merchandise.

The TFA in goods will come into force once two-thirds of members have completed their ratification process. It contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.

It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and compliance issues.

On similar lines, India has asked for an agreement to promote services trade as the sector contributes about 60 per cent in India's economy and 28 per cent in the total employment.

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had raised the issue during an informal meeting with key members of WTO on the sidelines of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ministerial council meeting in Paris.

WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo had welcomed it and asked India to submit the proposal for discussion.

The official said that unlike goods, there is a total absence of collective recognition of services sector as part of trade in the WTO.

"Trade is no longer just in finished goods. In fact, world economy today depends more on trade in services. There is a need to recognise that services is a tradeable item," another official said.

TFA in services means liberalised visa regime such as multiple entry visas, visa-free travel for foreign tourists and long term visas for business community among other things.

The move also assumes significance as about a dozen countries are already negotiating Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) in the WTO. India is not part of TISA.

Modi takes blessings of mother on 66th birthday/ President Greets PM

नरेन्द्र मोदी ने अपने 66वें जन्मदिन पर मां का आशीर्वाद लिया — पीटीआई फोटो                                                 

Gandhinagar, Sep 17 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited his mother Hiraba here and took her blessings on his 66th birthday.

Modi reached the residence of his brother Pankaj Modi in Raysan area of state capital here, where his 97-year-old mother is staying.

The Prime Minister sought her blessings and spend around 25 minutes with her. He later drove off to Raj Bhavan where he is put up during his visit.

Born on September 17, 1950, Modi turned 66 today. He is here to spend his birthday between tribal and Divyangs (differently abled).

He will travel to Limkheda of Dahod and inaugurate many schemes for development of this tribal district later in the day.

Later in the afternoon he would go to Navsari where he is scheduled to take part in a function where aid would be distributed to the differently-abled persons.

President greets Prime Minister on his birthday

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has conveyed his greetings and good wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on his birthday.

In his message, the President has said, “Please accept my warm greetings and good wishes on your birthday.

Let this day be the beginning of a year of greater achievements in your and our nation’s life.

May the Almighty bless you with good health, happiness and many more years of dedicated service to the nation”. 

India pitches for an 'accommodating' Constitution in Nepal

 New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) As Nepal undergoes a political transition, India today pitched for implementing the country's Constitution by accommodating aspirations of all sections and assured it of all possible support amid China's efforts to gain ground in the Himalayan nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an "extensive and productive dialogue" with his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal popularly known as Prachanda after which the two sides inked three pacts including one on India extending USD 750 million for Nepal's post earthquake reconstruction.

It is Prachanda's first visit to India after becoming Prime Minister for the second time. KP Sharma Oli quit the top post in July following fresh political turmoil due to protest of Madheshi community against the new Constitution.

The two countries also decided to continue cooperation in areas of defence and security.

In a statement to media following the talks, Modi said India hoped Nepal will be successful in implementing the Constitution through inclusive dialogue accommodating aspirations of all sections of its diverse society.

"As immediate neighbours and close friendly nations, peace, stability and economic prosperity (Shanti, Sthirta aur Samrudhi) of Nepal is our shared objective," the Prime Minister said in the presence of Prachanda.

On his part, the Nepalese Prime Minister said his country has nothing but "goodwill" for India and that destinies of both the countries are "interlinked".

The Prime Minister said India has been privileged to be Nepal's partner at "every step" of the country development journey and economic progress. "Our friendship is time-tested & unique. We share our burden during difficult times, just as we celebrate each other's achievements." 

Modi said both sides have agreed to focus on "close monitoring" and time bound completion of all development projects being implemented by India in Nepal. He said speedy and successful implementation of ongoing hydropower projects will be ensured.

Showering praise on Prachanda for his efforts to bring stability to Nepal, Modi said, "I am confident that under your leadership Nepal will be successful in implementing the Constitution through inclusive dialogue accommodating aspirations of all sections of the diverse society." 

"I conveyed to Prachanda that India stands ready and prepared to strengthen the development partnership with Nepal and we will do so as per priorities of people and government of Nepal," Modi said.

About the political transformation in Nepal, Prachanda said his government was making sincere efforts in taking every section of the society onboard while implementing the provisions of the Constitution.

"I shared with Modiji that promulgation of the Constitution last year by the popularly elected Constituent assembly was a historic achievement for people of Nepal. You are aware that my government has made serious efforts to bring everyone on board as we enter the phase of implementation of the Constitution," he said. .

Priyanka Chopra among world's highest paid TV actresses

Los Angeles, Sep 15 (PTI) Priyanka Chopra has become the first Indian star to enter the Forbes list of highest paid television actresses in the world, after starring on American series "Quantico".

Priyanka ranks eighth in the coveted list, which has retained American actress Sofia Vergara at the first position fifth year in a row.

The 44-year-old Colombian-American actress brought home a whooping USD 43 million before management fees and taxes, but not all came from her hit TV show "Modern Family".

Vergara has an impressive array of endorsement deals as well as her line of products.

Priyanka, meanwhile, has earned USD 11 million. She made her international acting debut last year with ABC's "Quantico" and now is gearing up for its second season.

Back home, the 34-year-old actress has starred in two Bollywood films in the past one year -- "Bajirao Mastani" and "Jai Gangaajal"-- and will make her Hollywood film debut with "Baywatch" alongside Hollywood heavy-hitters including Dwayne Johnson, the world's highest-paid actor.

But like most television actresses (and actresses, in general), her millions are not made from screen time alone.

Priyanka is one of India's top picks for advertisers, reported Forbes magazine.

"The Big Bang Theory" actress Kaley Cuoco is at the second position, with an earning of USD 24.5 million.

Mindy Kaling came up third with USD 15 million, followed by a tie for fourth place between Ellen Pompeo and Mariska Hargitay, who both made USD 14.5 million.

"Castle" star Stana Katric, who like Priyanka makes a debut on the list, is placed at seventh position. Another newcomer on the rankings is Julia Louis-Dreyfus ('The Good Wife').

Kerry Washington of "Scandal" fame finds herself at sixth position, with USD 13.5 million earnings. The list comprises 15 highest paid actresses.

Before Priyanka, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone also made the country proud by entering the 2016 Forbes list of world's highest paid actresses.

The list, which saw Jennifer Lawrence sitting at the top, placed Deepika at the 10th position. Deepika, who shared screen space with Priyanka in "Bajirao Mastani", is like the "Quantico" star, set for her Hollywood debut next year.

She will be seen alongside Vin Diesel in "xXx: Return of Xander Cage".

Website, app for AIR's Balochi service to be launched tomorrow

New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) Public Broadcaster Prasar Bharati will launch a website and mobile app tomorrow for All India Radio's Balochi service to reach out to the people who speak the language across the globe.

According to officials, the Balochi website and mobile app will be launched by Prasar Bharati Chairperson A Surya Prakash.

As part of its efforts to find additional platforms to supplement its existing shortwave transmissions for various language services, External Services Division of All India Radio (AIR) is launching a multimedia website and mobile app for the Balochi language service being broadcast since May, 1974, an official said.

"This technological upgradation will not only provide improved reception quality to the listeners in Afghanistan-Pakistan region, the original target of the service, but would also expand the reach of the service to Baloch Diaspora spread in different countries," the official said.

The move to start an AIR web service comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech in which he had brought up the issue of Pakistani atrocities on people of Balochistan and PoK.

It was for the first time that the disturbed areas under the control of Pakistan were mentioned by any Prime Minister during his Independence speech.

Earlier, DD News had also sent a team to Geneva to interview Brahumdagh Bugti, leader of Baloch Republican Party.

The External Services Division (ESD) of AIR, at present, broadcasts daily in 57 radio transmissions covering over 108 countries in 27 languages. Out of these, 15 are foreign languages, including Balochi.

CBDT clarifies unconfirmed reports speculating on the taxpayers’ response to the currently on-going Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS) 2016

Certain sections of the press have been speculating on the taxpayers’ response to the currently on-going Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS) 2016 over the last couple of days. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) would like to clarify that these are not based on any statements issued by the Department
The Department has since the commencement of the scheme, set to rest, various concerns of the taxpayers through public meetings and through the issue of FAQs over the last 3-1/2 months. The benefits of the scheme have also been publicised through print and electronic media, in both national and regional languages. The scheme has generated a good interest and the response of the taxpayers has been steadily growing. The last few days remaining for filing of declarations are expected to give good results.
The CBDT has so far refrained from issuing any statement regarding number of declarations received, amounts declared or taxes paid under the Scheme in order to ensure complete confidentiality. The confidential handling of declarations made under the Scheme is of utmost importance to the Income Tax Department and the CBDT is aware of its responsibility towards fulfilling this crucial role.
A formal and confirmed press release on the above aspects will be issued from the CBDT after the Scheme closes on 30th September, 2016.

India pledges $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan before donor meeting

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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (L) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for the media outside Hyderabad House in Delhi, India September 14, 2016

India promised $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan during a visit to New Delhi on Wednesday by President Ashraf Ghani, making a downpayment on stabilization and reform ahead of a major donor conference next month.

In a statement issued after meeting Ghani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged the financial help to back India's "abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan".

Both leaders expressed "grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives" - a veiled reference to common neighbor Pakistan, which denies sponsoring terrorism.

As the United States scales back its military presence in Afghanistan, efforts are being ramped up to rebuild the country after decades of conflict dating back to the Soviet invasion of 1979 and a prolonged Taliban insurgency.

"Forty years of violence would have broken any other country," Ghani said in a speech to India's Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis, a government-funded think tank, declaring himself "delighted" with Modi's aid pledge.

The former World Bank official said that while armed conflict posed a great threat, it was also vital to build market institutions that could lift living standards in a nation where 70 percent of people live on less than $2 a day.

The European Union and Afghanistan will host a donor conference on Oct. 5 in Brussels attended by 70 states and 30 international organizations and agencies, to seek backing for reforms to stabilize and develop the Central Asian country.

(Reporting by Douglas Busvine and Manoj Kumar; editing by Andrew Roche)

India raises Balochistan at UN; hits out at Pakistan

 Geneva, Sep 14 (PTI) Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the UN, India today accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In a scathing attack on Pakistan during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council here, India said the main reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan that stems from its territorial ambitions over the place that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions.

Pakistan's dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross- border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva Ajit Kumar said.

India's credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established and on the contrary, Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan, Kumar said. .

India Celebrating Onam 2016

Onam is a Hindu festival which is celebrated by the people of Kerala. It is one of the most significant and popular festivals for Malayalam speaking Indians as well as diaspora.

Onam festivities span for almost twelve days. The main Onam day is known as Thiruvonam day and it is observed when Nakshatra Thiruvonam prevails during Madhyahna part of the day as per Hindu division of the day. Onam preparations and rituals start about ten days ahead of Thiruvonam day when Nakshatra Atham prevails during Madhyahna part of the day. The first day of Onam is popularly known as Atthachamayam day.

Post Thiruvonam day, Onam festivities continue another two days which makes Onam twelve days long event in Kerala. Onam is also the state holiday and four days holiday is declared throughout Kerala to observe Onam. The holidays begin one day before and end after two days of main Thiruvonam day. The four holidays are known as first Onam, second Onam, third Onam and fourth Onam. Hence the second Onam is the most significant day of four days holidays.

God’s own country – Kerala – is thrilled and excited to celebrate the age-old culture of Onam, the most important festival of this south Indian state.It is also the State festival of Kerala with State holidays on 4 days starting from Onam Eve (Uthradom) to the 3rd Onam Day.

The festival is celebrated in the month of Chingam according to the Malayalam calendar which is equivalent to the Hindu solar calendar followed by people in other parts of India. The festival is spread over 10 days and culminates with Thiruvonam, the most important day.
This year, Thiruvonam is on September 14, 2016.

In Kerala, it is the festival celebrated with most number of cultural elements such as Vallam Kali, Pulikali, Pookkalam, Pookkalam, Onathappan, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal, Kummati kali, Onathallu, Ona villu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayam etc. Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival. Atham, Chitira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Utthradom and finally Thiruvonam together make Onam an elaborate ceremony.

Onam celebrates the annual homecoming of King Mahabali from Patala Loka, where he was sent by Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar.It is believed that King Mahabali, the most benevolent Raja of Kerala visits his kingdom to see his subjects happy and prosperous on the occasion of the auspicious harvest festival.

Onam is unique since Mahabali (locally known as Maveli) has been revered by the people of Kerala. The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honour of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated. The deity Vamana, also called Thrikkakarappan is also revered during this time by installing a clay figure next to the floral carpet (Pookalam). The birthday of Sri Padmanabhan, the presiding Deity of Thiruvananthapuram, is on the Thiruvonam day in the month of Chingam. Thiruonam day is the most important day of Onam. Mahabali's rule is considered the golden era of Kerala, ancient Bharata. The following song is often sung over Onam:

''Maveli nadu vaneedum kalam,
manusharellarum onnupole
amodhathode vasikkum kalam
apathangarkkumottillathanum.
adhikal vyadhikalonnumilla
balamaranangal kelppanilla
Dushtare kankondu kanmanilla
Nallavarallathe illa paaril..illa paaril
kallavum illa chathiyumilla
ellolamilla polivachanam
kallampparayum cherunazhiyum
kallatharangal mattonnumilla
Vellikolaadikal naazhikalum
Ellam kanakkinu thulyamaayi..thulyamaayi''

English version

''When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people were equal-
Times when people were joyful and merry;
They were all free from harm.
There was neither anxiety nor sickness,
Deaths of children were unheard of,
No wicked person was in sight anywhere
All the people on the land were good.
There was neither theft nor deceit,
And no false words or promises.
Measures and weights were right;
There were no lies,
No one cheated or wronged his neighbor.
When Maveli ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless race''

Women participate in Pookolam (rangoli made of flowers) and perform Kaikottikali, a dance form. Dressed in their best fineries, women looks resplendent in off-white set sari with golden border, teamed up with gold jewellery. The man look dapper in white Veshti (dhoti) and shirt.

Factory output shrinks, inflation cools, revive rate cut hopes

New Delhi, Sep 12 (PTI) Factory output contracted by 2.4 per cent in July in its worst performance in eight months while retail inflation cooled to five-month low of 5.05 per cent, reviving hopes for a rate cut by RBI to boost growth.

The official data released on Monday showed that the retail inflation fell below the 6 per cent level, largely on account of a slower rate of price increase in vegetables, food and beverages, from nearly a two-year high of 6.07 per cent in July.

The latest reading of price rise, based on the consumer price index (CPI), is the lowest since March 2016 when it stood at 4.83 per cent. In August 2015, it was 3.74 per cent.

Registering a dismal show, industrial production shrank 2.4 per cent in July, the lowest level in eight months, due to a declining output in manufacturing and capital goods sectors.

On a cumulative basis, the factory output in April-July dropped by 0.2 per cent compared with 3.5 per cent growth in the year-ago period.

Enthused by easing retail inflation, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das exuded confidence that RBI will take into account improvement in the price situation while deciding on a rate cut in its next policy review due on October 4.

"With regard to the rate cut, there is a direct relationship between the inflation figures and policy rates of the Reserve Bank. So, inflation has moderated as expected. I would therefore expect RBI to take this into consideration and take its call... I'm sure they will consider all the aspects and take a call," Das told reporters here.

On the twin macroeconomic data, an industry chamber said, "We look forward to calibrated policy measures from RBI in terms of reduction in policy rates. We also look forward to increase in public investments by the government to help domestic demand revive." 

According to IIP data, the previous low was witnessed in November last year when the factory output shrank by 3.4 per cent. Factory output, measured in terms of the index of industrial production (IIP), had grown by 4.3 per cent in July last year.