DOCSLIB.ORG

INDIAN AFFAIRS- JANUARY 26TH, 2019 Dharmendra Pradhan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
INDIAN AFFAIRS- JANUARY 26TH, 2019 Dharmendra Pradhan INDIAN AFFAIRS- JANUARY 26TH, 2019 Dharmendra pradhan launches new reforms to strengthen Jan Shikshan Santhans On January 24,2019,Dharmendra Pradhan,Minister of skill development implemented new reforms for Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) to enhance skill ecosystem and entrepreneurship in most of the remotest areas of India under centre’s flagship programme Skill India at the National Conference for Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSSs) in NewDelhi. Guidelines made: i. Aligning of JSS program and curriculum to Nationwide Talent Qualification Framework (NSQF) to enhance teaching. ii. Decentralisation of powers for JSSs by supplying additional accountability and independence to district administration iii. To identify and endorse common skills in the district iv. Evidence based evaluation procedure v. Straightforward online certification vi. Linking JSS to Community Finance Administration program (PFMS) to manage transparency and accountability of the ecosystem vii. School for trainers to enhance their capacity through Countrywide Capabilities Coaching Institutes (NSTIs). New portal: The Ministry also released the new JSS site (www.jss.gov.in) which will furnish information and facts on action ideas, databases of beneficiaries and stakeholders, details of finance and expenditure and other ongoing development projects that are on process. About Jan Shikshan Santhans: Previously known as Shramik Vidyapeeth was renamed as Jan Shikshan Santhans in april,2000.It is successful in providing skill development programmes to every remote areas of the country for past 50 years. Centre decided to renovate 400 abandoned airstrips Jharkhand is the first state to develop one such strip On January 25,2019, The Centre decided to renovate and develop around 400 abandoned airstrips across the country to strengthen air-connectivity,and Jharkhand is the first state to develop airstrip in Dhalbhumgarh . i. Airports Authority of India prepared a Memorandum of Understanding with a motive to renovate air strips and asked for support from all the 29 states and seven Union Territories. ii. Modern airport at Dhalbhumgarh is to be renovated with the initial amount of 100cr and would be completed in 18 months Important facts about Jharkhand: ♦ Capital: Ranchi ♦ Chief minister: Raghubar Das Second edition of Tamil Nadu Global Investor Meet 2019 held in Chennai On 23rd January 2019, the second edition of Tamil Nadu government’s ambitious two-day Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2019 which aimed at showcasing the state’s potential business opportunities and wooing investment was inaugurated at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The event was attended by over 250 companies from 10 countries. The Investors Meet Concluded on 24th January 2019. Key Points: i. The event was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapadi Palaniswami in the presence of Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O. Pannerselvam and Industries Minister of Tamil Nadu M.C. Sampath. ii. This year focus will be given on key 12 sectors including automobile, textiles, aerospace, agro and food processing, pharmaceutical and chemicals, tourism, housing and construction, Electronics and hardware, Skill Development, Heavy Engineering, MSMEs and Information and Technology. iii. The objective of the event is to position Tamil Nadu as the investor’s choice besides showcasing its potential business opportunities. Rs.75 crore had been allocated by the state government to conduct the two-day event. iv. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu attended the valedictory session on 24th January, 2019. v. The event had managed to exceed the target investment of Rs 2 lakh crore and has witnessed the signing of 304 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 3.4 lakh crore with promise of job opportunities for about 10.5 lakh people in the state. vi. There was special focus on MSMEs this year for which over 32,206 crore rupees of investment has been committed. vii. Besides an Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) arm has committed an investment of Rs 27,450 crore for a project and power PSU NLC is investing Rs 23,800 crore. viii. Some of the other investment commitments are explained below: o CPCL will invest Rs 7,400 crore in Nagapattinam district for a petroleum refinery. o Automobile giant Hyundai to invest Rs 7,000 crore for the expansion and to commence the manufacture of electric cars in Tamil Nadu. o MRF will invest Rs 2,100 crore to expand the existing establishments in Perambalur and Vellore districts. o Foxconn agreed to invest Rs 2,500 crore to manufacture the premium brand smart phones in the state. o GSE Avigna has signed MoU for setting up a mega food park with an investment of 2,000 crore rupees. o Adani group has committed to invest Rs 10,000 crore for the expansion of Kattupalli Port, north of Chennai. o PSA France will invest Rs 1,250 crore for manufacturing of Peugeot cars in Tiruvallur district o Eicher Motor is planning an expansion plan worth Rs 1,500 crore. Background Information: The first edition of GIM held in 2015 had attracted 98 MoUs worth Rs 2.42 lakh crore. About Tamil Nadu: ♦ Chief Minister: Edapadi Palaniswami ♦ Deputy Chief Minister: O. Pannerselvam ♦ Governor: Banwarilal Purohit ♦ Capital: Chennai. Nigrani, Nireekshan and Nakabandi-Exervise Sea Vigil From 22nd January 2019, India’s largest-ever Coastal Defence Exercise, Exercise Sea Vigil was conducted over an intense 36-hour period across all nine Coastal States and four Union Territories.The Exercise was concluded on 23rd January 2019. Key Points: i. The exercise which witnessed the utilisation of India’s entire Coastal Security apparatus was co- planned and led by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. ii. All the Central and State agencies including the MHA,MoD,Customs,CISF,Dept of Fisheries,DGLL,DG Shipping,Port authorities and the Coastal police of all participating states participated and supported the exercise. iii. The exercise was planned in two Phases. In Phase –I, Nigrani (a near-unbroken surveillance net along the entire coast of India and outlying islands) and Nireekshan (multi-agency teams deployment to check and audit important landing points including Fish Landing Centres and Vulnerable areas and important installations along the coast as well as in the hinterland) was conducted. iv. The Phase II of the exercise saw attempts to penetrate and land dummy explosives by designated ‘RED’ forces comprising teams drawn from the Navy Coast Guard, Police and CISF. v. In Phase II of the exercise Nakabandi was undertaken in which many attacks were allowed to go- through to test robustness of Police. vi. The exercise Sea Vigil 2019 which saw the largest mobilisation of maritime and coastal security machinery in India would now be conducted every two years besides the Sagar Kavach series of exercises. About Indian Navy: ♦ Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Sunil Lanba ♦ Headquarters: New Delhi About Indian Coast Guard: ♦ Director General: Rajendra Singh ♦ Headquarters: New Delhi BANKING & FINANCE Health research money increased by Rs 147 crore in India On January 23,2019, G-Finder a project tracked on global investments into research and development (R&D) for neglected diseases by Indian Council of Medical Research was (ICMR) increased by Rs 147 crore. i. India attained 4th position,US become the largest funder,on research and development,which is followed by UK. ii. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) increased its funding for research and development for dengue and leptospirosis by Rs 6.5 crore and Rs 9.1 crore respectively. iii. Over all the amount invested on research and development reached the height of USD 3.5 billion this year. BUSINESS & ECONOMY BIS in Collaboration with IAF Releases New Standard for Bio-Jet Fuel On 24th January 2019, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in collaboration with Indian Air Force (IAF) released a new standard for Aviation Turbine Fuels (ATF) which can be used as bio- jet fuel on all military and civilian aircraft. Key Points: i. The new specifications will allow Indian standards of bio-jet fuel to align with current international standards. ii. A committee comprising of domain experts was tasked to originate the required standards. It formulated Indian Standard IS 17081:2019 Aviation Turbine Fuel (Kerosene Type, Jet A- 1) containing Synthesised Hydrocarbons, after a series of deliberations over the past nine months. iii. The new standards were released by Air Marshal RKS Shera AVSM VSM, Air Officer-in- Charge Maintenance, Indian Air Force and Mrs Surina Rajan, Director General Bureau of Indian Standards, at Air HQs. iv. With the new standard, the oil companies would be enabled to manufacture bio-jet fuel for the Indian aviation industry. v. This standard could reduce the carbon emissions and help India become a green fuel production hub in line with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) which is released by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and is to be adopted by 2027. About India Air Force: ♦ Chief of the Air Staff: Birender Singh Dhanoa ♦ Headquarters: New Delhi About International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO): ♦ Headquarters: Montreal, Canada ♦ Secretary General: Dr. Fang Liu ♦ President: Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu China to become world’s biggest retail market in 2019: Research firms eMarket On 24th January 2019, Research firm eMarket predicted that China will become world’s biggest retail market in 2019. According to the report, the sale boom is a result of China’s rising incomes and thriving e-commerce. Key Points i. The report says China will overtake US in 2019 and total retail sales will grow 7.5% to reach 5.636 trillion USD in 2019, while US will grow 3.3% to 5.529 trillion. ii. One- fifth of the country’s total sales in 2018 was from e-commerce which is a major driver of China’s retail economy. iii. As per predictions US share of the global e-commerce market is expected to drop to 15 percent by 2022.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Agong Attends Sultan of Brunei's Golden Jubilee Royal Banquet BERNAMA 06/10/2017 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Yang Di
    Agong Attends Sultan Of Brunei's Golden Jubilee Royal Banquet BERNAMA 06/10/2017 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V and several Malay rulers attended the royal banquet held in conjunction with Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's Golden Jubilee celebration at the Nurul Iman Palace here tonight. Sultan Muhammad V arrived at the palace at 8 pm. Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. The Golden Jubilee celebration, which began officially last Tuesday, marks the 50th anniversary of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's accession to the throne on Oct 5, 1967. Yesterday, the Sultan and Permaisuri Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha travelled in a golden royal chariot through the streets and waved to tens of thousands of his subjects as part of the celebration. Among the Malay rulers who attended the royal banquet were Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor, Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu, Pahang Regent Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin. Also present were Penang Governor Tun Abdul Rahman Abas, Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, and Chief Minister of Sabah Tan Sri Musa Aman. Other country leaders who were also invited to the royal banquet were Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Cha-O-Cha. The event ended at around 10.30 pm.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Affairs December 2013
    Current Affairs December 2013 RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] © 2013 www.gktoday.in Price: Rs. 50/- Published by: GKToday (www.gktoday.in ) Disclaimer While all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no responsibility is accepted by the author(s) for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies. The material provided in this resource has been prepared to provide general information only. It is not intended to be relied upon or be a substitute for legal or other professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by the author for any known or unknown consequences that may result from reliance on any information provided in this publication Current Affairs Compendium December 2013 Contents ......................................... 6 ........................................................... 7 No capital gains tax or stamp duty on foreign banks converting to WoS - - .................. 7 Medium enterprises to be included under priority sector: RBI - .. 8 Cyber Coalition 2013: NATO’s largest ever cyber security exercise held in Estonia .......................................................................................................... 8 Direct cash transfer better option than other anti poverty schemes: Planning Commission ........................................................................................ 9 P.V. Sindhu clinches Macau Grand Prix .................................................. 9 Suwannapura bags India Open golf tournament ..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Global Real Estate Personality with a Sustainability Overlay 62 Sheikh Nedham Yaqubi Christian A
    Committed to Excellence! [email protected] | www.edbizconsulting.com Promoting and Advocating Ethical Values Inherent in Islamic Finance Edbiz Consulting is a truly unique, international Islamic financial advisory firm, committed to engendering the value proposition that Islamic finance serves to offer in the global financial markets. Edbiz Consulting provides multiple services that balance the dual purpose of developing thought leadership in this niche industry and strengthening the Islamic finance capacity for businesses and banks. Our client base is diverse and includes financial institutions, governments, education providers, established businesses and entrepreneurs. We are proud of our international network that spans five continents and includes leading names within and beyond the industry. Our aim is simple: to push the Islamic finance industry forward through dedication, collaboration and innovative thinking. Taking Sharia-compliant finance to a whole new level www.gifr.net An Official Publication of Islamic Bankers Association Discounted Price AvailableAvailable £250 NOW!NOW! Place your Order Today! +44 (0) 20 7147 9970 or E-mail at [email protected] GIFR 2015, like its predecessors, provides the most comprehensive analyses of activities, trends, new developments and progress of IBF globally. It commissions contributions from leading global practitioners and thinkers in the field combining technical experience and invaluable knowledge and insight to propel Islamic finance forward in the post recessionary global financial markets. The core theme of this year’s report is “Leadership in Islamic Banking and Finance” with chapters on Centres of Excellence in IBF, Leadership & Control in IBF and the the Leadership Role of Shari'a Scholars. In addition, the report includes developments in different industry segments and asset classes, expert analysis on the state of Islamic banking and finance globally.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 18 APRIL 2019 LIIFEFE STTYLEYLE CHENNAI 18 BIG SCREENN APAPRR GANGS of MADRAS WATCHMAN NATPE THUNAI SUPER DELUXE Bbashbaasshh
    THURSDAY 2 18 APRIL 2019 LIIFEFE STTYLEYLE CHENNAI 18 BIG SCREENN APRAPR GANGS OF MADRAS WATCHMAN NATPE THUNAI SUPER DELUXE BBashBaasshh POONAM DHILLON oonam Dhillon is a Hindi Pfi lm, theatre and TV ac- tress. A former Femina Miss India, Dhillon has acted in over 80 fi lms. She is best known for Luxe, Kasi Theatre, Udhayam Luxe, Kasi Theatre, Udhayam Theatres, Luxe, Kasi Theatre, Udhayam Theatres, her 1979 fi lm Noorie and for her Theatres, PVR, Kamala Cinemas, PVR, AVM Rajeswari Theatre, Kamala Luxe, PVR, AGS Cinemas, Escape PVR, Kumaran Theatre, AVM Rajeswari six fi lms with Rajesh Khanna; AGS Cinemas, Woodlands Cinema, Cinemas, AGS Cinemas, Woodlands Cinemas, S2 Cinemas, Mayajaal Theatre, S2 Theyagaraja, Kamala Red Rose, Dard, Nishaan, Za- Escape Cinemas, Ega Theatre, Cinema, Escape Cinemas, Rohini Silver Multiplex, Palazzo, Udhayam, Rakki, Cinemas, Palazzo Cinemas, AGS Cinemas, mana, Awam (from 1980 to Sangam Multiplex, Devi Cineplex, Screens, Ega Theatre, Sangam Multiplex, Devi, Maharani, Alankar, Bharath, Sathyam Cinemas, INOX, Woodlands 1987) and Jai Shiv Shankar. Vettri Theatres. Devi Cineplex Rohini. Cinema, Mayajaal, Sangam, Devi, Ega. Romance, Sohni Mahiwal, Teri Meherbaniyan, Samundar, Sav- eray Wali Gaadi, Karma, Naam, Maalamaal are her other popu- lar fi lms. Dhillon participated in Bigg Boss in 2009 and was seen Beauty playing the lead role of Sharda Modi in the Sony TV series Ekk Nayi Pehchaan. errors 101 u Simple makeup mistakes to avoid OK when perfecting your elegance BBOOKO S TE BBITESI | BHAVANI PRABHAKAR | that is half-tone lighter than your bring the magic. But when you go skin tone. Another point to make up-and-down, it goes to the roots Every woman’s dream We have read a lot about apply- ‘Ground Scorching Tax’ note is that it should go along of your lashes and gives a com- ing make-up, but little do we pay with your dark cicles, too; if they plete look.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Affairs Q&A PDF 2019
    Current Affairs Q&A PDF 2019 Current Affairs Q&A PDF 2019 Contents Current Affairs Q&A – January 2019 ..................................................................................................................... 2 INDIAN AFFAIRS ............................................................................................................................................. 2 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ......................................................................................................................... 94 BANKING & FINANCE ................................................................................................................................ 109 BUSINESS & ECONOMY ............................................................................................................................ 128 AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS..................................................................................................................... 149 APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS .................................................................................................................... 177 ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS .................................................................................................................... 200 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 202 ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................................................... 215 SPORTS
    [Show full text]
  • Universal Oneness an Anthology of Magnum Opus Poems from Around the World (360 Poems by 360 Poets from 60 Countries)
    Universal Oneness An Anthology of Magnum Opus Poems from around the World (360 poems by 360 poets from 60 Countries) Universal Oneness An Anthology of Magnum Opus Poems from around the World (360 poems by 360 poets from 60 Countries) Editor Vivekanand Jha Worldwide Circulation through Authorspress Global Network First Published in 2019 by Authorspress Q-2A Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi-110 016 (India) Phone: (0) 9818049852 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.authorspressbooks.com Universal Oneness An Anthology of Magnum Opus Poems from around the World (360 poems by 360 poets from 60 Countries) ISBN 978-93-89110-19-7 Copyright © 2019 Editor All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior consent of the authors. Printed in India at Krishna Offset, Shahdara To The land and the people of Mithila, Maithili and Maithil Where lies my root Where lies my feat, my truth Where lies my flop, my bogus Where lies my magnum opus Where lies the wind of my last breath. An Invocation O Supreme being the primordial seed that you had sown has grown up to a tree that has blossomed has borne fruits has given shelter has danced in the spring has suffered the harsh winter but has again become green the cycle continues and the tree still evolving. It’s time we all leave behind the past seeking patterns and trends commonalities and universalities stop looking outwards and look within and look for a greater synthesis Going Beyond from the Heart of Darkness to the Divine Light through integration and unification.
    [Show full text]
  • Conference Booklet
    8th South Asia Dialogue on THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN PROMOTING REGIONAL UNDERSTANDING IN SOUTH ASIA (October 28-29, 2014) Organised by Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses New Delhi 8th South Asia Dialogue | 1 2 2 | 8th South Asia Dialogue CONTENTS About IDSA 5 About South Asia Dialogue 7 Concept Note 8 Programme 11 Profiles of Participants & Abstracts 15 Coordination Team 79 Helpline 84 8th South Asia Dialogue | 3 4 4 | 8th South Asia Dialogue ABOUT IDSA The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) is a non-partisan, autonomous body dedicated to objective research and policy relevant studies on all aspects of defence and security. Since its inception, IDSA has served as a forum to debate important aspects of national and international security. Its mission is to promote national and international security through the generation and dissemination of knowledge on defence and security-related issues. IDSA was established as a registered society in New Delhi on November 11, 1965. The initiative for setting up the Institute came from then Defence Minister Shri Yeshwantrao Chavan, who was one of the Institute's founding members. Over the last forty-plus years, IDSA has played a crucial role in shaping India's foreign and security policies, including with respect to nuclear weapons, military expenditure, and conventional and non-conventional threats to India. IDSA has a well-qualified multi-disciplinary research faculty drawn from academia, defence forces and the civil services, and which represent a diversity of views. Research at the Institute is driven by a comprehensive agenda and by the need to provide impartial analyses and policy recommendations.
    [Show full text]
  • NEWSLETTER December, 2017 | Vol 7, No
    SAARC Cultural Centre NEWSLETTER December, 2017 | Vol 7, No. 4 Editorial News in Highlight... The last quarter of 2017 was A wonderful collection of Editorial filled with activities and the paintings was submitted Page no. 01 culmination of a very successful by the school children of year for the SAARC Cultural Sri Lanka for the Annual SAARC Cultural Festival on Centre. The last quarter SAARC Non-Violence Day Art Traditional Dance Page no. 02 commenced with the Meeting Competition. Schools from all of the Governing Board of nine provinces of Sri Lanka Ninth Governing Board Meeting the SAARC Cultural Centre submitted Paintings. The of the SAARC Cultural Centre who has supported us in all Award Ceremony was held in Page no. 05 our activities and enabled conjunction with the SAARC us to conduct our events Charter Day on 8th December SAARC Film Festival Page no. 06 successfully. The 7th Annual which concluded our activities SAARC Film Festival and for 2017. SAARC Exhibition and Award Ceremony concluded Workshop on Handicraft successfully in Colombo, In 2017, SAARC Cultural Sri Lanka in November, in a Centre was able to highlight Page no. 10 glamourous event participated South Asian Culture in all its by the Cinema lovers of Sri forms through art, paintings, SAARC Non-Violence Day dance festivals, handicrafts Art Competition for School Lanka. This was followed by Children exhibitions, film festivals and the SAARC Cultural Festival Page no. 12 on Traditional Dance and various forms of visual and the SAARC Exhibition and performing arts, bringing the SAARC Charter Day South Asian Region closer Workshop on Handicrafts held Page no.
    [Show full text]
  • PARTAW NADERI (Afghanistan) Partaw Naderi Was Born in 1952
    PARTAW NADERI (Afghanistan) Partaw Naderi was born in 1952. He is known as a social-political activist and poet. Like many other Afghan artists and intellectuals, he was arrested by the Communist Regime in Kabul, then fled to Pakistan, where he worked for the Dari program of the BBC World Service until 2002. He has worked as a civic education manager for the Afghan Civil Society Forum in Kabul, and is also a leading member of the Afghan Pen Association, Kabul. In addition to poetry, he has published a large number of articles on literary, political and social issues. His published collections include: 'An Elegy for Vine', 'Leaden Moments of Execution', 'A Lock on the Gate of Ashes', 'The Big Picture, The Small Mirror', ' The Other Side of the Purple Waves', 'The Bloody Mouth of Freedom'. His favorite poems are: 'The Other Side of Purple Waves', 'The Idol-Breaker's Calendar', 'Auction', and 'In the Frozen Streets of Eclipse'. AYESHA ZEE KHAN (Pakistan) Ayesha began her literary journey in Urdu. Many of her stories were published in the Taleem- o- Tarbiyat when she was in her teens. After her marriage, she shifted to the UK with her husband in 1990. On her return to Pakistan in 2000 she concentrated on fashion designing, teaching English and with writing. She also writes poetry in English. Currently working on a novel “The Bargain Bin” to be published by the end of 2011. BALBIR MADHOPURI (India) Author of the only Dalit autobiography in Punjabi, Chhangiya Rukh which has been recently transmitted English and other languages.
    [Show full text]
  • Saarc Cultural Centre
    March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE SAARC Cultural Centre NEWSLETTER March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1 News in Highlight SAARC Literary Award and Ceremony 2018 Page no. 04 The Preparatory Meeting of the SAARC Culture Capital SAARC 2018 in Bhutan Page no. 06 International SAARC International Women’s Day 2018 Women’s Day Page no. 01 In 2018, The SAARC Visit of the Senior Director Cultural Centre celebrated the SAARC International General of SAARC Division Women’s Day in collaboration with of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the SAARC the Department of Cultural Affairs in The music and the singers enthralling the Sri Lanka on the 8th of March 2018, audience Cultural Centre at the Auditorium of the District was filled to its maximum capacity Page no. 07 Secretariat in Kalutara. “A Mother’s with over 650 ladies, comprising of Song: An aesthetic journey through mothers, daughters, grand mothers Announcements South Asia in search of the Rhythms from all walks of life and age groups. of love” was the SAARC title on It was a day of celebration for women Page no. 08 Women’s Day and the program was but also a strong reminder that designed to communicate solutions women have the power to change the to societal evils through the medium world. of music and song. The auditorium www.saarcculture.org 1 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1 Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara, the the Senior Director General Senior Director General of of the SAARC Division of the the SAARC Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Sri Lanka addressed the Sri Lanka was the Chief Guest gathering with insightful at this occasion.
    [Show full text]
  • Mercy Malaysia Needs Assessment Team Found Critical Unmet
    PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release MERCY MALAYSIA NEEDS ASSESSMENT TEAM FOUND CRITICAL UNMET NEEDS IN SYRIAN REFUGEE CAMPS OF LEBANON MERCY Malaysia appeals for support for the Syrian Winter Relief Fund KUALA LUMPUR, OCTOBER 26, 2015 – Critical basic and healthcare needs are urgently required in the Syrian Refugee camps of Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. MERCY Malaysia’s Needs Assessment Team that has just returned from Lebanon visited six (6) camps there and found deplorable conditions in some of the camps. Critical basic needs from the displaced Syrians include winter kits (blankets, warm clothing), hygiene kits, food and healthcare services. While in Bekaa Valley, MERCY Malaysia distributed aid in the form of blankets and food baskets worth USD$ 15,645 to two-hundred and ten (210) families. Additionally, MERCY Malaysia also distributed medical supplies worth USD$ 10,000 to five medical centres there. Similar aids were also distributed to Palestinian refugees that fled Syria due to the war amounting to USD$ 25,000. The total amount spent in Bekaa Valley both for medical supplies and humanitarian aid was USD$ 50,645. Each refugee camp housed between 200 to 4,000 refugees, with a total of twenty-one (21) camps altogether located in Bekaa Valley. According to the UNHCR, Bekaa Valley hosts Lebanon’s largest official border crossing with Syria in Masnaa. Presently there are 373,429 registered number of refugees in Bekaa governorate alone (30th Sept 2015, UNHCR report). Bekaa Valley has also received the highest number of refugees in Lebanon and possesses the highest number of poor refugee families (54.5%) who live in sub- standard shelters.
    [Show full text]
  • Going Beyond
    GOING BEYOND 2 MERCY MALAYSIA ANNUAL REPORT 2018 COVER RATIONALE MESSAGES GOING BEYOND With 19 years of experience in humanitarian response and medical relief, MERCY Malaysia continues to set standards and reach new heights in 2018 despite drastic changes in the country due to the unprecedented change in government. While the country grapples with the historic change, MERCY Malaysia also underwent a strategic restructuring. The Headquarters was relocated, organisation chart redrawn and a 3-year roadmap towards sustainable growth drawn up. Among the most significant was having the building of Shelters accepted as a key pillar of MERCY Malaysia during the Recovery and Reconstruction stage, following the series of earthquakes in Lombok and Palu, Indonesia, that left thousands of people homeless overnight. The improved coordination and systematic response was possible only with the strong support of volunteers, staff, donors and local partners. MERCY MALAYSIA ANNUAL REPORT 2018 1 MESSAGES CONTENTS MESSAGES INTRODUCTION MERCY Malaysia’s Patron 2 Vision & Mission Statement 9 Message from the Chairman of the Core Values 9 Board of Trustees 3 Message from the President 4 Message from the Executive Director 6 ABOUT US OUR WORK Activities in 2018 / Where We Have Been 10 Malaysia 38 MERCY Malaysia’s Strategic Commitments 12 International 58 Our Approach: Building Resilient Communities (BRC) 78 Total Disaster Risk Management (TDRM) 13 Training 96 Building Resilient Communities (BRC) 14 Events and Exhibitions 103 Affiliations15 Core Humanitarian Standard
    [Show full text]