Wednesday, March 30, 2016

India will deliver on hope of driving global growth: PM Narendra Modi

                                                                                                            


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India will live up to the global expectation of being a bright spot for growth with requisite policy as also administrative reforms on a sustained basis.

"The world has much expectations from India in contribution to the global growth. I would like to place before you how India intends to meet the challenge," the prime minister told the Bloomberg India Economic Forum 2016, held here to commemorate the media group's 20 years in India.

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Qualitative improvement in education our priority: PM Modi


                          New Delhi: Bringing qualitative improvement in the learning process was a priority for the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.
"We announced path-breaking reforms in the education sector. Improving the quality of learning will be my government's primary objective," Modi said while addressing the 'Bloomberg India Economic Forum' here.
Modi said the government's aim was to empower higher educational institutions to help them attain the highest standards possible.
Stating that the government will provide an enabling regulatory architecture to 10 public and private institutions each, so that they emerge as world-class teaching and research institutions, Modi said their regulatory framework will be separate from existing structures like the University Grants Commission and All India Council for Technical Education.
"They will have complete autonomy in academic, administrative and financial matters. We will provide additional resources for the next five years for the 10 public universities. This will eventually allow ordinary Indians access to affordable world-class degree courses," said Modi who spoke on several other issues, including business, during his address.
Among other educational achievements, Modi said, India had registered quantitative progress in access and pupil-teacher ratios.
"The foundation of today’s knowledge economy is the quality of its school-leavers. We will allocate an increasing share of resources under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan to quality. These funds will be used to promote local initiatives and innovations to improve learning outcomes," said Modi.


SOURCE:_  http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/qualitative-improvement-in-education-our-priority-pm-modi_1870077.html via NMApp

Govt meets target of electrifying 7,000 villages in FY16

                                                                           

The Power Ministry today said it has achieved the target of electrifying 7,000 villages in the current fiscal.
"During 2015-16, 7,012 villages have been electrified till date. Out of remaining 11,440 villages, 7,843 villages are to be electrified through grid, 3,148 villages are to be electrified through off-grid where grid solutions are out of reach due to geographical barriers and 449 villages are to be electrified by state government own," the Power Ministry said in a press release.
It said that total 1,654 villages were electrified during April 2015 to August 2015 and 5,358 additional villages have been added in this list during August 15, 2015 to March 27, 2016.
In order to expedite the progress further, a close monitoring is being done through Gram Vidyut Abhiyanta (GVA) and various actions are also being taken on regular basis like reviewing the progress on monthly basis, sharing of list of villages which are at the stage of under energisation with the state discoms, identifying the villages where milestone progress are delayed.
The Centre has a set a target to electrify 18,452 un-electrified villages within 1,000 days by May 1, 2018.
The project has been taken on mission mode and strategy for electrification consists of squeezing the implementation schedule to 12 months and also dividing village electrification process in 12 stage milestones with defined timelines for monitoring, it added.
The statement said that 196 villages have been electrified across the country during last week (March 21 to 27, 2016) under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY).
Of these electrified villages, 75 are in Assam, 22 in Arunachal Pradesh , 22 in Bihar, 20 in Chhattisgarh, 16 in Odisha, 16 in Jharkhand, 11 villages in Uttar Pradesh, 9 in Madhya Pradesh, 4 in Manipur and 1 in Rajasthan, it added.



SOURCE:_  http://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/govt-meets-target-of-electrifying-7k-villages-in-fy16/story/230584.html via NMApp

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana: A boon for many families

                                                                   
   

The initiative to 'fund the unfunded' under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has proved to be a boon for many families who have not only fulfilled their dreams of self reliance but have also earned the dignity of labour in entrepreneurship. 

The small tailoring shop in the bylanes of cox town in Bengaluru is a new entrant in the locality.

The shop may be small but it exemplifies the big dreams of this couple Shekar and Usha, professionally trained tailors.

They have been running a small business from their home for several years with a list of loyal customers. 

But shekhar was feeling the pressure of meeting demand without scaling up.

After being casually told about the Mudra Yojana, shekar and Usha immediately rushed to the bank and applied for a loan. 

Though Shekhar and Usha availed mudra loan under the sishu category they are happy that they will be able to meet their target. 

They not only pay the interest on time but feel a sense of dignity when dealing with the bank which treats them respectfully. 

Usha and shekhar are happy that mudra loan has helped them expand their business.

They are hopeful that they will earn better now to fund their children's education and also hope to take a higher category loan for further expansion. 

Just like shekhar's family, another beneficiary, Nazeer Ahmed made a living by selling readymade garments as a hawker. 

He suffered losses and his friends suggested a loan through Pradhan Manthri Mudra Yojana.

He found the procedure simple and quick.

He applied for a loan of about 5.80 lakh and brought a sedan car which is now attached to a cab service and his earnings have soared.

Like shekhar he is relieved at the thought of being spared from money lenders and high interest rates .

There are lakhs of beneficiaries across the state who have benefited from the Mudra Yojana.

Many banks are making the process simple with special mudra desks to assist beneficiaries. The Mudra yojana provides loans from public sector, regional, rural, State and urban cooperative banks to non-farm income generating enterprises in manufacturing, trading and services whose credit needs are below Rs.10 lakh. 

The loans are under three categories - Shishu, up to Rs. 50,000; Kishor up to Rs. 5 lakh; and Tarun up to Rs. 10 lakh.



    Source: http://www.ddinews.gov.in/Business/Business%20-%20Other%20Stories/Pages/PradhanMantriMudraYojanaAboonformanyfamilies.aspx via NMApp

India is one of the brightest economies in the world & this is due to good policy, not good fortune.





                                                             



                   SOURCE:_     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xBUXDOOk-c via NMApp

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Modi's Digital India 2020 vision

                                                               
   


                                      A Scene in 2020...    
 ⚡Operator:  Hello Pizza Hut!

Customer: Hello, can you please take my order?

⚡Operator : Can I have your multi purpose Aadhar card number first, Sir?

Customer: Yeah! Hold on.....  My number is 889861356102049998-45-54610

⚡Operator : OK... you're... Mr SYED and you're calling from 155, 1st Cross. Panduranga Nagar, MG Road,  Hyderabad. . Your home number is 26490786, your office 22211379  and your mobile is 9880088786. You are calling from you home number now.

Customer: (Astonished) How did you get all my phone numbers?

⚡Operator : We are connected to the system, Sir.

Customer: I wish to order your Seafood Pizza...

⚡Operator : That's not a good idea Sir.

Customer: How come?

⚡Operator : According to your medical records, you have high blood pressure and even higher cholesterol level, sir.

Customer: What?... What do you recommend then?

⚡Operator : Try our Low Fat Hokkien Mee Pizza. You'll like it.

Customer: How do you know for sure?

⚡Operator : You borrowed a book titled 'Popular Hokkien Dishes' from the National Library last week, sir.

Customer: OK I give up... Give me three family size ones then.

⚡Operator : That should be enough for your family of 07. Sir. The total is Rs. 2,450.

Customer: Can I pay by credit card?

⚡Operator : I'm afraid you have to pay us cash, Sir. Your credit card is over the limit and you owe your bank Rs. 1,51,758 since October last year. That's not including the late payment charges on your housing loan, Sir.

Customer: I guess I have to run to the neighbourhood ATM and withdraw some cash before your guy arrives.

⚡Operator : You can't Sir. Based on the records, you've exhausted even your overdraft limit.

Customer: Never mind just send the pizzas, I'll have the cash ready. How long is it gonna take anyway?

⚡Operator : About 45 minutes Sir, but if you can't wait you can always come and collect it on your motorcycle.

Customer: What?

⚡Operator : According to the details in the system , you own a motorcycle registration number 7786

Customer: "????" (hmmm.. these guys know my motorcyle number too!)

⚡Operator : Is there anything else, sir?

Customer: Nothing.! .. by the way... aren't you giving me that 3 free bottles of cola as advertised?

⚡Operator : We normally would sir, but based on your records, you're also diabetic... In the best interest of your health, we are holding this offer for you.

Customer: teri

⚡Operator: Better mind your language sir. Remember on 10th July 1986 you were imprisoned for 3 days and fined Rs.5,000 for using abusive language against a policeman...?

Customer faints...
  ...
                                                WELCOME 2 DIGITAL INDIA

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

India poised to become technology leader, say industry experts

                                                                         

India has all the ingredients to become a global technology leader, according to technology industry veterans.
At the EmTech India event organized by MIT Technology Review and Mint, the buzz was all about India’s potential in digitalization on the back of massive mobile penetration, ongoing programmes to improve broadband connectivity and Aadhaar. Industry leaders remained bullish about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship programmes—Digital India, Start-up India and Make in India.
India is moving towards its goal of becoming a digitally connected country, said R.S. Sharma, chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
“It is evident from the fact that the country now has more than a billion mobiles and data (consumption) is growing at 65% annually. This shows there is a massive interest in accessing services such as e-commerce and e-learning,” he said.
The government’s ongoing initiative Bharat Net’s aim is to connect India’s 250,000 panchayats at an estimated cost of $18 billion. Meanwhile, the government is looking at alternative approaches to connect India, including cable TV pipes and White Spaces (refers to the unused TV channels between the active ones). Another powerful soft digital infrastructure is Aadhaar, Sharma said, adding the government has started creating products based on Aadhaar like e-sign, which lets users digitally sign documents and digital lockers, which lets users store and save documents on cloud.
for more read at :-
http://www.livemint.com/Industry/XbK8oZbhFhlCDEyT2VKr2M/India-poised-to-become-tech-leader-industry-experts.html via NMApp

Cisco to invest $100 million in India's digital push

                                                                           


               Cisco Systems Inc will invest over $100 million in India to support the country's ambitious plan to connect thousands of its villages to the internet and create jobs, Executive Chairman John Chambers said on Friday.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a series of initiatives under the 'Digital India,' 'Skill India,' and 'Startup India' schemes to connect millions of Indians to the Internet, create more tech jobs and move more services online.
Chambers said the company will work with federal and provincial governments in India to launch incubation centers for entrepreneurs and training students.

Cisco will invest $40 million of the total planned investment into funding early and mid-stage startups.



http://in.reuters.com/article/cisco-digital-india-investment-idINKCN0WK1YB via NMApp

Ease of doing business improved in India: US diplomat

                                                                     

: A senior American diplomat today said the ease of doing business in India has witnessed an improvement and there is enormous momentum behind the Indo-US economic ties. 

"There is enormous momentum behind the economic engagement between America and India and we are here to try and increase those numbers...," Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Charles H Rivkin told reporters here. 

While this visit is focused around clean-tech, Rivkin said the level of .. 

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/51461460.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst via NMApp

Friday, March 18, 2016

Fight against terrorism not against any religion: PM Modi at World Sufi Forum

                                                                         
     

          Asserting that there are terror groups that are instruments of state’s policy and design, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said terrorism uses diverse motivations and causes that cannot be justified.
Addressing the first World Sufi Forum, Modi in an oblique reference to Pakistan said while some are trained in organised camps, there are others who “find their inspiration” in cyber space.
“There are forces and groups that are instruments of state policy and design. There are others recruited to the cause in misguided belief.
“There are some who are trained in organised camps. There are those who find their inspiration in the borderless world of cyber space. Terrorism uses diverse motivations and causes, none of which can be justified,” he said at the Forum convened by the All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board to discuss the role of Sufism in countering rising global terror.

For more read at:

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/modi-world-sufi-forum-islam-noor/#sthash.I62nQYPU.dpuf via NMApp

Sufism is the voice of peace, co-existence, compassion and equality; a call to universal brotherhood: PM Modi

                                                                                       

              The following text  is the complete lesson  of our Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's address at the world islamic Sufi conference in New Delhi. on March 17, 2016. 
Syed Mohammad Ashraf, Founder President, All India Ulama and Mashaik Board 
Shawki Ibrahim Abdel Karim Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt, 
Shaykh Hashimuddin Al Gailani, from Baghdad 
Syed Minhaj Ur Rehman from Bangladesh 
Diwan Ahmed Masood Chisti from Pakistan 
Syed Nizami from Nizamuddin Dargah and Syed Chisti from Ajmer Sharif 
My ministerial colleagues, 
Scholars and Sufis from India 
Our guests from our neighbours and from nations far beyond, 

Welcome to a land that is a timeless fountain of peace, and an ancient source of traditions and faiths, which has received and nurtured religions from the world. 

Welcome to a people with an abiding belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the World is one family. 

A belief in harmony with the message of Holy Quran that mankind were one community, then they differed among themselves, 

A creed echoed in the words of the great Persian Sufi poet Saadi, written in the United Nations, that human beings come from the same source: We are one family. 

Welcome to the ancient city of Delhi - built by the genius of diverse peoples, cultures and faiths. 

Like our nation, the city’s heart has place for every faith, from those with few followers to those with billion believers. 

Its magnificent shrines include the dargahs of great Sufi saints Mehboob-e-Ilahi and Hazrat Bakhtiyar Kaki, that draw people from all faiths and all corners of the world. 

This is an extraordinary event of great importance to the world, at a critical time for humanity. 

At a time when the dark shadow of violence is becoming longer, you are the noor, or the light of hope. 

When young laughter is silenced by guns on the streets, you are the voice that heals. 

In a world that struggles to assemble for peace and justice, this is an assembly of those whose life itself is a message of peace, tolerance and love. 

You have come from different lands and cultures, but you are united by a common faith. 

You speak different languages, but they blend together in a message of harmony. 

And, you represent the rich diversity of the Islamic civilization that stands on the solid bedrock of a great religion.
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It is a civilization that reached great heights by the 15th century in science, medicine, literature, art, architecture and commerce. 

It drew on the immense talents of its people and also Islam’s engagement with diverse civilizations – ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Africa; the Persian, Central Asian and Caucasian lands; the region of East Asia; and, with Buddhism and Indian philosophy and science. 

As it enriched itself, it also enriched the world. 

It set, once again, an enduring lesson of human history: it is through openness and enquiry, engagement and accommodation, and respect for diversity that humanity advances, nations progress and the world prospers. 

And, this is the message of Sufism, one of the greatest contributions of Islam to this world. 

From its origins in Egypt and West Asia, Sufism travelled to distant lands, holding aloft the banner of faith and the flag of human values, learning from spiritual thoughts of other civilisations, and attracting people with the life and message of its saints. 

In the different settings of Saharan Africa or in Southeast Asia, in Turkey or in Central Asia, in Iran or India, Sufism reflected the universal human desire to go beyond the practice and precepts of religion for a deeper unity with the Almighty. 

And, in that spiritual and mystical enquiry, Sufis experienced the universal message of Almighty: 

That perfection in human life is reflected in the qualities that are dear to God. 

That all are creations of God; and, that if we love God, we must also love all his creations. 

As Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya said, “Almighty holds dear those who love Him for the sake of human beings, and those who love human beings for the sake of Almighty.” 

This is the message of oneness of humanity, of all of Almighty’s creations. 

For the Sufis, therefore, service to God meant service to humanity. 

In the words of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, of all the worships, the worship that pleases the Almighty God the most is the grant of relief to the humble and the oppressed. 

In a beautiful imagery of human values, he said, human beings must have the affection of the Sun, the generosity of the river and the hospitality of the earth, because they benefit us all, without discrimination and distinction among people. 

And, its humanism also upheld the place and status of women in society.

Above all, Sufism is a celebration of diversity and pluralism, expressed in the words of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, that every people has its own path of truth, beliefs and focus of reverence. 

These words reflect the divine message to the Holy Prophet that there is no compulsion in religion; And also that to every people we have appointed ways of worship which they observe. 

And, it is in harmony with the soul of the Bhakti saint’s saying in the Hindu tradition, “Into the bosom of the one great sea, Flow streams that come from hills on every side.” 

And in the wisdom of Bulleh Shah, “Lord is mixed in every heart.” 

These values are the need of our times. 

This is the reality of Nature. We learn this wisdom in the perfect balance and harmony that exists in the vast diversity of a forest. 

Its message is beyond the confines of schools and sects. It’s a spiritual quest that traces its origin from the Holy Prophet and the fundamental values of Islam, which literally means peace. 

And, it reminds us that when we think of the 99 names of Allah, none stand for force and violence, and that the first two names denote compassionate and merciful. Allah is Rahman and Raheem.

Sufism is the voice of peace, co-existence, compassion and equality; a call to universal brotherhood. 

And, just as India became a principal center of Islamic civilization, our nation also emerged as one of the most vibrant hubs of Sufism. 

Sufism became the face of Islam in India, even as it remained deeply rooted in the Holy Quran, and Hadis. 

Sufism blossomed in India’s openness and pluralism. It engaged with her spiritual tradition, and evolved its own Indian ethos. 

And, it helped shape a distinct Islamic heritage of India. 

We see this heritage in the fields of art, architecture and culture that is part of the fabric of our nation and our collective daily lives. 

We see it in the spiritual and intellectual tradition of India. 

It helped strengthen the inclusive culture that is our great nation’s immense contribution to the cultural tapestry of this world. 

In Baba Farid’s poetry or Guru Granth Sahib, we feel the same spiritual connection. 

We see compassion in the langars of Sufi shrines and the village tombs of local Pirs that attracted the poor and hungry; 

The words of Hindavi were spoken in the Sufi Khanqahs. 

Sufism’s contribution to poetry in India is huge. Its impact on the development of Indian music is profound. 

None had a greater impact than the Sufi poet-musician Amir Khusrau. Eight centuries later, his poetry and musical innovation continue to be part of the soul of Hindustani music. No one had spoken of Indian music with such passion as he had. 

Who else could have expressed love for India so beautifully as he did: 

“But India, from head to toe, is a picture of heaven, 

Adam came from the palace of paradise, 

He could only be sent to an orchard of fruits that is India. 

If India is not paradise, how could it be made the abode of the peacock, the bird of paradise?” 

It is this spirit of Sufism, the love for their country and the pride in their nation that define the Muslims in India. 

They reflect the timeless culture of peace, diversity and equality of faith of our land; 

They are steeped in the democratic tradition of India, confident of their place in the country and invested in the future of their nation; 

And, above all, they are shaped by the values of the Islamic heritage of India. It upholds the highest ideals of Islam and has always rejected the forces of terrorism and extremism. 

Now, as they travel to different parts of the world, they are the ambassadors of the values and traditions of our nation. 

As a nation, we stood against colonialism and in our struggle for freedom. 

At the dawn of independence some chose to go away; and, I believe, that it also had to do with the colonial politics of that time. 

The tallest of our leaders, such as Maulana Azad, and important spiritual leaders, such as Maulana Hussain Madani, and millions and millions of ordinary citizens, rejected the idea of division on the basis of religion. 

Now, India is moving forward on the strength of the struggles, the sacrifices, the bravery, the knowledge, the skill, the art and the pride of every member of every faith in our diverse and yet united nation.
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Like the strings of sitar that each produces a note, but come together to create a beautiful melody. 

This is the spirit of India. This is the strength of our nation. 

All our people, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, the micro-minority of Parsis, believers, non-believers, are an integral part of India. 

Just as it once came to India, today Sufism from India has spread across the world. 

But, this tradition that evolved in India belongs to the whole of South Asia. 

That is why I urge others in the region to nurture and revive this glorious heritage of ours. 

When the spiritual love of Sufism, not the violent force of terrorism, flows across the border, this region will be the paradise on earth that Amir Khusrau spoke about. 

Let me paraphrase what I have said before: Terrorism divides and destroys us. 

Indeed, when terrorism and extremism have become the most destructive force of our times, the message of Sufism has global relevance. 

In the centres of conflict in West Asia to calm cities in distant countries, in the remote villages of Africa to the towns in our own region, terrorism is a daily threat. 

Each day brings us terrible news and horrifying images: 

• of schools turned into graveyards of innocence; 
• of prayer gatherings turned into funeral processions, 
• of call to prayer or Azaan drowned by the sound of explosion; 
• of blood on the beach, massacres in malls and smouldering cars on streets; 
• of thriving cities ruined and priceless heritage destroyed; 
• and, of parents bearing coffins, entire communities dislocated, millions displaced, and refugees caught between fire and stormy seas. 

In this digital century of new promise and opportunities, the reach of terror is growing and its toll is rising every year. 

Since the beginning of this century, tens of thousands of families have lost their loved ones in thousands of terrorist incidents globally. 

Last year alone, I am talking about 2015, over 90 countries experienced terrorist attacks. Parents in 100 countries live with the daily pain of their children lost to the battlefields of Syria. 

And, in a globally mobile world, one incident can claim citizens of many nations. 

Every year, we spend over 100 billion dollars on securing the world from terrorism, money that should have been spent on building lives of the poor. 

The impact cannot be fully captured in statistics alone. It is changing the way we live. 

There are forces and groups that are instruments of state policy and design. There are others recruited to the cause in misguided belief. 

There are some who are trained in organized camps. There are those who find their inspiration in the borderless world of cyber space. 

Terrorism uses diverse motivations and causes, none of which can be justified. 

Terrorists distort a religion whose cause they profess to support. 

They kill and destroy more in their own land and among their own people than they do elsewhere. 

And, they are putting entire regions to peril and making the world more insecure and violent. 

The fight against terrorism is not a confrontation against any religion. It cannot be. 

It is a struggle between the values of humanism and the forces of inhumanity. 

It is not a conflict to be fought only through military, intelligence or diplomatic means. 

It is also a battle that must be won through the strength of our values and the real message of religions. 

As I have said before, we must reject any link between terrorism and religion. Those who spread terror in the name of religion are anti-religious. 

And, we must advance the message of Sufism that stands for the principles of Islam and the highest human values. 

This is a task that states, societies, sages, scholars and families must pursue. 

However, to me, the message of Sufism is not just confined to combating terrorism. 

The values of harmony, welfare, compassion and love for human beings are the foundation of a just society.
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That is the principle behind my creed of “Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikaas”. 

And, these values are important to preserve and nurture diversity in our societies. 

Diversity is a basic reality of Nature and source of richness of a society; and, it should not be a cause of discord. 

We need just not constitutional provisions or legal safeguards, but also social values to build an inclusive and peaceful society, in which everyone belongs, secure about his rights and confident of her future. 

This is also a time of great flux and transition in the world. The middle of the last century was an important turning point in history. A new world order emerged. Many new nations were born. 

At the beginning of a new century, we are at yet another point of transformation on a scale rarely seen in human history. 

In many parts of the world, there is uncertainty about the future, and how to deal with it as nations and societies. 

These are precisely the times that the world is most vulnerable to violence and conflicts. 

The global community must be more vigilant than ever before and counter the forces of darkness with the radiant light of human values. 

So, let us remember the teaching of Holy Quran that if anyone slew one innocent person, it would be as if he slew a whole people; if anyone saved one life, it would be as if he saved a whole people. 

Let us be inspired by the message of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti, 

With your spiritual light, dissolve the clouds of discord and war and spread goodwill, peace, and harmony among the people. 

Let us remember the infinite humanism in Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi's words, “Contain all human faces in your own, without any judgment of them.” 

Let us also live the sermon of Bible that calls us to do good, seek peace and pursue it. 

And, oneness in Kabir’s observation that a river and its waves are one. 

And, Guru Nanak Devji’s prayer that Lord, may everyone in the world prosper and be in peace. 

Let us be inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s appeal against divisions and for people of all religions to hold the banner of harmony, not of dispute. 

Let us also reaffirm the enduring message of Ahimsa of Lord Buddha and Mahavira. 

And, from this forum, in this land of Gandhi, 

And, of timeless prayers that always end with invocation of 

Om Shanti; Shanti; Shanti: Peace, Peace, Peace,; Peace within and in the world. 

Let us, therefore, send a message to the world: 

• A melody of harmony and humanity
• The embrace of diversity, the spirit of oneness 
• Of service with compassion and generosity,
• A resolve against terrorism, a rejection of extremism
• And, a determination to advance peace

Let us challenge the forces of violence with the kindness of our love and universal human values. 

and Lastly, Let us restore the light of hope and turn this world into a garden of peace. 

Thank you for being here. Thank you for what you stand for. Thank you for the role you are playing in building a better world. Thank you very much, Thanks a lot.

Source:  http://nm-4.com/6uhj via NMApp

Dr. K. P. Yohannan, Metropolitan Bishop, Believers Church, Kerala calls on PM

                                                                             

                        Dr. K. P. Yohannan, Metropolitan Bishop of Believers Church, Kerala along with a delegation called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today. Dr. Yohannan donated Rs. 1 crore towards Ganga cleanliness campaign. Prof. P.J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha was also present on the occasion.


Source: http://nm-4.com/nmhj via NMApp

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Modi has changed investors’ perception of India: Takehiko Nakao

                                                                       

 India must explore new means of resource mobilization to rev up its public investment in areas such as infrastructure, education and health to sustain its growth momentum, said Asian Development Bank president Takehiko Nakao. Nakao, who was in India to attend the Advancing Asia conference jointly organized by the International Monetary Fund and the finance ministry, said India must make efforts to integrate to the regional value chains in the East Asian economies. Edited excerpts:
How do you think the increasing uncertainty in the global economy will impact India’s growth?
Of course, overall the world economy is slowing down. There is a lot of discussion regarding China slowing down. But it reflects more structural issues like low labour force increase and higher wages. Migration from the rural area to the urban area is now coming to an end. The government is also targeting a new normal, which pays as much attention to environmental and social issues as to growth. It also reflects overcapacity in some areas. China also has room to grow further by focusing more on consumption than investment and on services sector rather than on manufacturing. We are expecting China would not hard land. Commodity exporting countries to China may face some slowdown. But at the same time, because of higher wages in China, some countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh can even take some advantage. Those countries are growing very steadily at 6-7%. India’s economy is not so tightly connected to China. Of course, there is an influence. Indian economy is growing very steadily and we expect more than 7% growth in coming fiscal year. We hope India’s growth will support regional economy and global growth.
So, you expect India’s economic growth to remain robust in the coming years as well?
I really hope so because it is supported by policies. Macro-economic situation has been very stable. There was concern about current account deficit, fiscal deficit and exchange rate depreciation in Indian and other emerging economies after US Fed chairman Ben Bernanke announced tapering of quantitative easing in 2013. But Indian economy has been very stable even after the Fed started increasing interest rates. Growth has been stable, inflation has been managed, foreign exchange reserve is increasing, current account deficit is minimal and fiscal deficit is declining. So, Indian economy is stable. And I think, based on the reform efforts like inviting more foreign direct investment, deregulation and budget proposal for investments in rural and in infrastructure sectors will boost growth.
For more read at:-
http://www.livemint.com/Money/QQaCdsidrWbuxnwn7VdWAN/Modi-has-changed-investors-perception-of-India-Takehiko-Na.html via NMApp

Narendra Modi’s skill development scheme PMKVY a huge hit; 18 Lakh youths enrol for scheme in 8 months!

                                                                

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has reportedly been a huge hit, with 18 lakh enrolments in the past eight months. The announcement was made by Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy last week.The scheme is aimed at building skill development amongst the youth in a way that compliments the Make in India campaign that is a novel and ambitious initiative of the Modi government.
The announcement was made a few days after the Union Budget 2016 was presented. Rudy also announced that 50% of his skill budget will focus on job roles in rural area, reported the Times of India. ”We had conducted 410 kaushal melas across 29 states reaching out to many who needed a direction with respect to employability and employment,” Rudy said. He also said that his Ministry will take steps to further ensure  increase in capacity and scope of skill development.
For more read at:-

 http://www.india.com/news/india/narendra-modi-skill-development-scheme-pmkvy-huge-hit-18-lakh-youths-enrol-in-8-months-1028304/ via NMApp

PM Modi has Potential to Take India Forward Like no Nations on Earth, Says Pat Farmer

                                                                               


      Australia's ultra marathon runner and former Member of Parliament Pat Farmer on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can take India towards higher level of development if he is able to fulfil the promises made to the people.
“He(PM Modi) recently visited Australia. He was held with very high regard in Australia. What I felt during my journey from the southern most part of India till here is that people have lot of respect and expectations from him. He has made some big promises and if he is able to fulfil those promises, he can take India forward like no nations on earth,” Farmer told ANI in an exclusive interview here.
“I am looking forward to catching up with Prime Minister Modi very shortly,” he added.
Farmer today reached India Gate completing 3400 KM out of the 4600 KM of his inspiring journey.
Farmer is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday at around 10 A.M before leaving for Srinagar to complete his run. He is expected to reach Srinagar by March 30.
Farmer is running in India to raise fund for girls education through Nanhi Kali foundation.
He is running over 4600 km in around 65 days starting from Kanyakumari and finishing in Kashmir. He runs approximately 80 km every day. He started his run on 26th January, 2016 celebrating India’s Republic Day and Australia Day.
He was Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Science and Training and Minister for sports and youth in Australia.
In 2011-12, he ran from the North to the South Pole and raised more than AUD 100,000 dollars for Red Cross International's clean water programs.
In 2014, he ran more than 1300 km in two weeks through the Middle East to raise money and awareness for peace initiatives in the region.            
Source:- http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/PM-Modi-has-Potential-to-Take-India-Forward-Like-no-Nations-on-Earth-Says-Pat-Farmer/2016/03/13/article3325516.ece via NMApp

Monday, March 14, 2016

India Can Deliver Two-Thirds Of Worldwide Growth In Next 4 Years: IMF Chief

                                                               
       
Appreciating continuing reform process in the country, IMF chief Christine Lagarde today said "India's star shines bright" amid global economic challenges and can deliver nearly two-thirds of the worldwide growth over the next four years despite a slowing momentum.
The world's fastest-growing large economy, she said, is on the verge of having the largest and youngest-ever workforce and, in a decade, set to become the world's most populous country.
"So, India stands at a crucial moment in its history -- with an unprecedented opportunity for transformation. Important reforms are already under way," the IMF Managing Director said at a conference on 'Advancing Asia: Investing for the Future' here.

For more read at:-
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/03/12/imf-india-economy_n_9444744.html via NMApp