Gujarat lost Rs 26,000 cr in power purchase scam, alleges Congress

The Congress party has alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Gujarat government "squandered Rs 26,000 crore of the public exchequer" by purchasing electricity from four private companies at "unimaginably high rates".

The companies in question, according to party(Gujarat polls)spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, are Adani, Essar, Tata and China Light & Power. None of the companies responded to the allegations, made in Ahmedabad.

The reported payments are Rs 10,896 crore to Adani, Rs 4,282 crore to Essar, Rs 8,491 crore to Tata and Rs 1,966 crore to China Light, over 2013-16. Spokespersons for the energy department of Gujarat and officials in Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam did not respond.

Surjewala said state-owned power plants had a capacity to generate 8,641 Mw but were operated at a mere 33-38 per cent capacity in those three years. He said power was bought from these private companies at Rs 24.67 a unit, many times more than what was charged by the government-owned NTPC.

Click here Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017

Gujarat polls: Rahul promises farm loan waiver, free college education

Unfazed by the Somnath temple controversy, he visited Gadhdha Swaminarayan temple where he offered prayers

 

Gujarat polls: Rahul Gandhi on Thursday signed off his two-day tour of poll-bound Gujarat with a promise to waive loans of farmers and provide free education in government-aided colleges if the Congress party comes to power in the state.

Unfazed by the Somnath temple controversy, he visited Gadhdha Swaminarayan temple where he offered prayers.

A row erupted on Wednesday after Gandhi's name was found written in the entry register meant for non-Hindus at the famous shrine.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader claimed, "Modiji waived loans worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore of his five-ten industrialists' friends, but Modiji and (Finance Minister Arun) Jaitleyji say that it is not their policy to waive loans of farmers when they ask for it."

He was campaigning in Lathi in the Patidar-dominated Amreli district on the last day of his two-day tour.

ALSO READ : Gujarat Polls Not A Referendum On Implementation Of GST: Derek O'Brien

"Modiji talked for 22 years about farmers, but you have not got anything, your land has been taken away, your water is diverted to industrialists, and you do not get crop insurance," he told a poll meeting.

"We make this promise to you that we will frame a policy within 10 days of forming a government in Gujarat to waive your loans," he said.

Gandhi promised free college education in government- aided colleges and said that fees in other colleges will be reduced by 80 per cent if the Congress is voted to power in Gujarat.

He said the middle class and poor people have to pay Rs 10-15 lakh to realise their dream of making their children engineers or doctors.

"We will offer free education in government-aided colleges which are given money and aid by the government. (We will) reduce by 80 per cent fees (in other colleges)," he said.

Accusing Modi of proximity with select corporates, Gandhi said for the first time he has seen that all sections of the society in the state were "protesting", whether it was the Patidars, Dalits, Anganwadi workers or farmers.

"Only five-ten persons are not protesting. They fly in chartered planes and are Modiji's friends," he said, alleging that "some of them get Rs 33,000 crore (loan) to make Nano car".

Read more about Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017

 

Vodafone cashback offer: How to recover Rs 2,200 for your Micromax 4G phone

The special offer would require customers do a recharge of at least Rs 150 per month for 36 months

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Technology :Vodafone India on Thursday said it has rolled out cashback offers on four more entry-level Micromax 4G smartphone models, expanding its ongoing association with the handset maker for bundled offerings.

In a statement, Vodafone said that its existing and new customers can purchase the new Micromax smartphones - Bharat 2 Plus, Bharat 3, Bharat 4 and Canvas -1 - and avail cashback offers.

The move is expected to accelerate the adoption of 4G smartphones at the entry level, the statement added.

The special offer would require customers do a recharge of at least Rs 150 per month for 36 months. The company said that users will receive a cash back of Rs 900 at the end of 18 months, and another tranche of Rs 1,300 cashback after another 18 months. This would the total cashback to Rs 2,200.

"The cash back will be credited to their Vodafone M-Pesa wallets," he added.

Depending on the model, the Vodafone cashback offer  would bring down the effective price of these models to Rs 1,549 (against price of Rs 3,749) to Rs 3,799 (against original price of Rs 5,999).

"Recently, through our partnership with Micromax we launched the most affordable smartphone in the country at a very attractive price of Rs 999. We are now...bringing four more entry level Micromax 4G smartphones within the special cash back offer," Avneesh Khosla, Associate Director Consumer Business, Vodafone India said.

Xiaomi announces 'Desh ka smartphone' Redmi 5A with 8-day battery life

Redmi 5A is priced at Rs 4,999 for the base model with 16 GB internal storage and 2 GB RAM, and Rs 6,999 for top model with 32 GB internal storage and 3 GB RAM

 

technology: India’s leading smartphone maker Xiaomi has launched Redmi 5A smartphone on November 30. Dubbed as ‘Desh ka smartphone’, the device houses 3,000 mAh battery, which according to company’s claim offers 8 day power backup.

The Redmi 5A seems to a minor upgrade over the predecessor Redmi 4A. However, going by the company’s claim, some critical changes have been done inside the phone – especially in terms of battery and charging technology -- that makes it a compatible device to beat electricity and power woes of India.

Going by the specifications, the Redmi 5A a 5-inch HD (1280x720) screen with three capacitive buttons below it. It is powered by a Snapdragon 425 SoC clocked at 1.4GHz, coupled with 16 GB/ 32 GB internal storage and 2 GB / 3 GB RAM, respectively. There is a microSD slot that can accommodate a chip of up to 128 GB storage to expand the device storage. The phone runs Android Nougat covered under Xiaomi’s proprietary MIUI 9 theme on the top.

The handset sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with f/2.2 aperture and a 5MP front facing selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture. Among other features, the primary camera supports burst mode, panorama mode and HDR mode.

In terms of connectivity, the budget device covers major options including 4G LTE, VoLTE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and micro-USB for data transfer, but cuts down on a fingerprint scanner.

The phone is priced at Rs 4,999 for the base model with 16 GB internal storage and 2 GB RAM, and Rs 6,999 for top model with 32 GB internal storage and 3 GB RAM. The phone will go on sale on Flipkart, Mi Store and offline retail stores starting December 7.

Aadhaar will work as weapon against benami properties: PM Modi at HT Summit

By linking Aadhaar to Mobile and Jan Dhan, we have created a system that could not have been imagined few years back: Modi

 

economy news: Describing Aadhaar as a major "power" to bring about an "irreversible change" in the common man's life, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the Unique Identification Number will now be used in cases involving benami properties.

"By linking Aadhaar to Mobile and Jan Dhan, we have created such a system that could not have been imagined few years back.

"In last three years, with the help of Aadhaar, crores of fake names have been removed from the system. Now it is going to be a big weapon against benami properties," Modi said while addressing the inaugural session of the Hindustan Times Summit.

He said that the country saw a "behavioural change" after demonetisation, which helped in converting to a "clean and healthy economy".

"For the first time after Independence the corrupt people are scared of transacting in black money. They are scared of being caught. The black money which was earlier base of parallel economy, has now become part of formal economy," he said.

"Such an irreversible change is getting boost from Aadhaar. Aadhaar is such a power through which this government want to ensure rights of poor. It is also playing a big role in providing subsidised ration, scholarships, medicines, pensions and other government subsidies," he said.

He said the day the country would adopt maximum transactions via digital addresses, "organised crime would come to an end to some extent".

Modi said "big transformations" do not come easily and for it "hauling up of the entire system was needed".

"We can increase our ease of doing business ranking from 142 to 100 only when we take initiatives for big transformation," Modi said.

Most Popular Alternative Healing Therapies

Alternative Healing Therapies are healing methodologies that differ from the usual line of treatment than that of a doctor.

 

 

health news : Alternative Healing Therapies are healing methodologies that differ from the usual line of treatment than that of a doctor. In other words therapeutic practices that are currently not considered as an integral part of conventional medical practice are classified as alternate healing therapies or alternate medicine. Many a times the benefits and healing abilities of these therapies are established through research, other times they may be unproven scientifically. With alternate healing therapies, healing, treatment and cure may be achieved through diet, self healing mechanism of the human body, various energies, herbal and other supplements and much more. Few of these healing techniques are thousand of years older than conventional medicines. Over the last couple of decades there has been a renewed interest in holistic and natural healing and thus various alternative healing therapies have found acceptance and are getting popular both in India and world over. Some of the most popular alternative healing therapies are:

Acupuncture – One of the better known alternative healing therapies is acupuncture. The healing technique has its origin in ancient China and has been practiced for thousands of years. Acupuncture practioners believe that diseases and ailments are caused due to imbalances of universal energies. In our body there are invisible paths through which the energies Ying and Yang run. These two opposing forces are constantly merging, but can also become unbalanced. The energy network of the body has specific acupuncture points that are linked with various organs or body functions. In acupuncture needles are inserted into the subcutaneous connective tissue at these very specific points which in turn helps balance, slow down or stimulate certain energies and thus provide healing.

Acupressure – Acupressure just like acupuncture works on the principal of various specific points being energy centers of the human body. Stimulation of these points helps correct imbalances in the flow of life energy and thus provides healing. In acupressure correct amount of pressure is applied at these vital points in the human body using hands, elbows or specific devices to release blockages and provide healing.

Read more Alternative healing therapies

Google detects app that can steal your photos and Facebook, WhatsApp data

Tizi steals sensitive data from social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, LinkedIn, Telegram

 

 

Technology : Google has detected an app 'Tizi', which has been stealing information from call records and also from social media apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and also take pictures from mobile phones without even displaying them on the screen of the device.

"Tizi is a fully featured backdoor that installs spyware to steal sensitive data from popular social media applications. The Google Play Protect security team discovered this family in September 2017 when device scans found an app with rooting capabilities that exploited old vulnerabilities," a post on Google security blog said.

The company has removed the app from Play Store, notified all known affected devices and suspended the account of the app developer, the post dated November 27 said.

The post said that earlier variant of Tizi did not have rooting capabilities but it developed later on and thereafter started stealing sensitive information from devices.

"The rooting capabilities give an app full control of the device. It can bypass all restriction posted on it by the Android security system. An app with rooting is like a user using the device. Presence of such app on Google Play Store raises concerns about secure apps on the app store," cybersecurity expert Jiten Jain said.

The post said that after gaining rooting capability, Tizi steals sensitive data "from popular social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, LinkedIn, and Telegram."

The backdoor capability of Tizi was common to commercial spyware, such as recording calls from WhatsApp, Viber, and Skype, sending and receiving SMS messages, and accessing calendar events, call log, contacts, photos, Wi-Fi encryption keys, and a list of all installed apps

"Tizi apps can also record ambient audio and take pictures without displaying the image on the device's screen," the post said.

The post said that in and after April 2016 vulnerabilities in devices which could have been affected by Tizi were fixed with new software codes.

"If a Tizi app is unable to take control of a device because the vulnerabilities it tries to use are all patched, it will still attempt to perform some actions through the high level of permissions it asks the user to grant to it, mainly around reading and sending SMS messages and monitoring, redirecting, and preventing outgoing phone calls," the post said.

Read More About google detect spy app Tizi 

Bitcoin tops $11,000 barrier after $1,000 surge in 12 hours

bitcoin uses encryption and a blockchain database that enables the fast and anonymous transfer of funds

Markets : Bitcoin zoomed past $11,000 to hit a record high for the sixth day in a row on Wednesday after gaining more than $1,000 in just 12 hours, stoking concerns that a rapidly swelling bubble could be set to burst in spectacular fashion.

After soaring more than 1,000 percent since the start of the year, bitcoin rose as much as 15 per cent on Wednesday.

It topped $10,000 for the first time in early Asia trading, before surging above $11,000 less than 12 hours later to reach $11,395 on Luxembourg-based Bitstamp, one of the largest and most liquid cryptocurrency exchanges, and then dipping back below $11,000.

Bitcoin's rapid ascent has led to countless warnings that it has reached bubble territory in recent weeks. But the warnings have had little effect, with dozens of new crypto-hedge funds entering the market and retail investors piling in.

The world's largest bitcoin wallet provider, San Francisco-based Coinbase, signed up 300,000 new users between last Wednesday and Sunday, during the US Thanksgiving holiday, according to data compiled by Altana cryptocurrency fund manager Alistair Milne. It now counts more than 13 million customers.

The evidence suggests that few of the users are buying bitcoin to use it as a means of exchange, but are speculating to increase their capital.

"What's happening right now has nothing to do with bitcoin's functionality as a currency - this is pure mania that's taken hold," said Garrick Hileman, a research fellow at the University of Cambridge's Judge Business School.

"This is very much a bubble that will very much correct itself at some point and people need to be very careful."

Hileman, who last week gave a lecture to the Bank of England on the risks of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, also flagged the risk of the whole market collapsing entirely.

"There's always the possibility that some fundamental cryptographic flaw that we can't solve craters the whole space, or that regulators unite and decide this represents systemic risk and actually could trigger the next financial crisis," he said.

"Exit Ramps"

Created in 2008, bitcoin uses encryption and a blockchain database that enables the fast and anonymous transfer of funds outside of a conventional centralized payment system.

It has far outstripped gains seen in any traditional asset classes or currencies this year. It rise accelerated in recent months as exchanges such as the CME Group Inc and the Chicago Board Options Exchange announced plans to offer futures contracts for the cryptocurrency.

Read More about Bitcoin

Surprise! OnePlus 3, 3T also had OnePlus 5T's face-unlock feature all along

The face-unlock feature in earlier devices works flawlessly and is almost as quick as the one in the latest flagship

Technology: Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus has been promoting face unlocking as one of the OnePlus 5T, besides other upgrades that the phone brings. The feature is promised to roll out in the OnePlus 5 with the Android Oreo update. However, the yesteryear’s flagships are said to have been kept out from the list of phones that get the feature in the software update.

If you are using one of the earlier OnePlus flagships – OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T – and thinking of upgrading to the OnePlus 5T only for its face-unlock feature, we have a reason for you to stick around for a little more.

It turns out, the face unlock feature has all along been available in the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T devices as well -- sitting within the settings options. And, it works flawlessly -- almost as quickly as the one in the latest flagship.

Here’s how to enable the face-unlock feature in the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T devices running on the Android Oreo operating system:

Step 1: Go to settings and look for ‘security & fingerprint’ option and click on it

Step 2: In the security & fingerprint option, there is another option of ‘Smart Unlock’ under the device security tab

 

Step 3: The smart unlock option provides 5 different ways that can be used to unlock the device – On-body detection, Trusted places, Trusted devices, Trusted face and Trusted voice. Click on Trusted face option to set up the face-unlock feature

 

Read More About OnePlus 3T

Maggi noodle in crisis, again: After lead, now it's ash taking away spice

An FSSAI official said the body was closely monitoring the developments

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Companies: Just when India’s favourite instant noodle brand Maggi was about to claim back its dominance over the market, the iconic brand is under pressure, again. Maggi noodle, which had earlier faced a lot of scrutiny and a subsequent market share loss over an alleged presence of lead, is now under a regulator's scanner over alleged violation of another safety norm.

The district food and drug administration officials of Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, have sent a legal notice to Nestle India – the makers of Maggi noodle – and its trade partners in the region, seeking Rs 71 lakh as damages and for violation of food safety norms. The notice was issued after the UP FDA found a high level of ash content in the samples of the noodle. According to a PTI report, the Maggi noodle samples were collected from the Shahjahanpur area in November 2016.

While Nestle India is yet to receive a copy of the notice, it told Business Standard that the lab report might have been formed on the basis of quality standards that are now obsolete. However, the question that haunts millions of consumers and its patrons is how the noodle failed a lab test after the matter was settled in 2016, when the country’s apex court had given it a clean chit following stringent tests at independent laboratories across India.

After lead, it's ash:

From the facts that have emerged so far and from a research done by this publication, it prima facie appears that the issue of ash content in packaged food, specifically in case of Maggi noodle, is an ambiguous area. Last time, when Maggi noodle was found to be sub-standard for human consumption, the main issue pertained to the presence of lead in a quantity higher than permissible. This, eventually led to a ban on the products across the country on 5 June, 2015. What followed was a period of uncertainty for the Swiss major in India and elsewhere.

Read full story : Maggie fails lab test inUP

I am LeT's biggest supporter; Hafeez Saeed likes me too: Pervez Musharraf

The former president added he was always in favour of terrorist action in Kashmir

Politics: Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has come out in support of the terror groups, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), saying they were the biggest force against the Indian Army in Kashmir.

Speaking on Pakistan's ARY News, Musharraf said, "I am the biggest supporter of the LeT and I know they like me and the JuD also likes me."

He further said he liked the global terrorist, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, and had met him.

The former president added he was always in favour of terrorist action in Kashmir, and the LeT and the JuD were the biggest forces to take on the Indian Army in the state.

"I was always in favour of action in Kashmir and of suppressing the Indian Army in Kashmir and they [LeT] are the biggest force," Musharraf said.

He also accused India of declaring the LeT and the JuD as terror groups with the help of the United States.

"India got them declared as terrorists by partnering with the US," Musharraf said, adding," Yes, they [LeT] are involved in Kashmir and in Kashmir it is, between, we [Pakistan] and India."

Earlier this week, the US strongly condemned the release of LeT leader Hafiz Saeed from house arrest and called for his immediate re-arrest and prosecution.

Read More: Parvez musharraf on LeT

Bitcoin at all-time high, tops $10,000 in some exchanges

It has soared more than 900 per cent so far this year, posting the largest gain of all asset classes

 

 

Virtual currency bitcoin soared to an all-time high above $10,000 on Tuesday on some smaller exchanges and digital currency indexes, but remained just below that milestone in major trading platforms such as Luxembourg-based BitStamp.

Created in 2009, bitcoin uses encryption and a blockchain database that enables the fast and anonymous transfer of funds outside of a traditional centralised payment system.

It has soared more than 900 per cent so far this year, posting the largest gain of all asset classes, amid increased institutional demand for crypto-currencies as financial and mainstream use has expanded.
On the CEX.IO exchange, bitcoin hit $10,234. On crypto-currency index coinmarketcap.com, it touched $10,050.

On BitStamp, it hit a high of $9,968 and last traded up 1.7 per cent on the day at $9,876.99.
Neither did it reach $10,000 on Coinbase's digital asset US-based exchange GDAX, or on Gemini Exchange, owned and operated by virtual currency entrepreneurs Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

"With bitcoin nearing $10,000, long-time bitcoiners finally feel vindicated that their currency that has been ridiculed for years, is at last being taken seriously," said Sol Lederer, blockchain director at US technology company LOOMIA.

"Bitcoin's future is still uncertain; it faces the same serious technical challenges it has for years and faces stiff competition from newer, more sophisticated blockchains. But even if it were to crash, it's apparent that bitcoin is here to stay."

In some emerging markets, bitcoin has hit well over $10,000. In Zimbabwe, bitcoin traded at $17,875 on Monday. Tuesday's price in Zimbabwe was not available.

In South Korean exchanges, bitcoin was already close to $11,000 or higher. It traded at nearly $11,000 on Tuesday on bithumb after hitting the $10,000 milestone on Monday. At Coinone, bitcoin traded at more than $11,700, and at $11,734 on Korbit.

Bitcoin has been boosted as exchanges such as the CME Group Inc and the Chicago Board Options Exchange announced plans to launch futures contracts for the currency.

Mike Novogratz, a former macro hedge fund manager at Fortress Investment Group, said in a Reuters Investment Summit earlier this month that mainstream institutional investors were about six to eight months from adopting bitcoin.

GES 2017: Make in India for the world, Modi tells entrepreneurs

He said women entrepreneurs received over three-fourths of the Rs 4.28 lakh crore loans under the MUDRA Scheme since 2015

 

economy policy:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited global entrepreneurs to invest and make in India.

“To my entrepreneur friends from across the globe, I would like to say, come, make in India, invest in India, for India and for the world. I invite each one of you to become a partner in India's growth story. And once again assure you of our wholehearted support," he said, inaugurating the Global Entrepreneur Summit (GES) here.

The keynote was given by Ivanka Trump, advisor to US President Donald Trump, who is leading a US delegation to the summit. The event, being hosted by the governments of India and the US, is focused on women entrepreneurship; more than half of the 1,500 participants from 150 countries are women.

ALSO READ: GES 2017: Ivanka Trump bats for women power in business

Listing the several initiatives of his government such as Startup India, the goods and services tax (GST), actions on black money and on bankruptcy and insolvency, he said his government has taken several steps to improve the business environment, leading to a jump in the country’s World Bank’s ease of doing business ranking (to 100 from 130 earlier) and improvement in the country’s ratings by Moody’s. He said the government was not satisfied and would strive to improve further to the fiftieth rank on the World Bank rating. “Our StartUp India programme is a comprehensive action plan to foster entrepreneurship and promote innovation. It aims to minimise the regulatory burden and provide support to start-ups. Over 1,200 redundant laws have been scrapped, 87 rules for FDI have been eased in 21 sectors, and several government processes have been taken online,” Modi claimed.

The PM said an environment of transparent policies and a rule of law providing a level-playing field was necessary for entrepreneurship to flourish. “A historic overhaul of the taxation system has been recently undertaken, bringing in the GST. Our Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is a step towards ensuring timely resolution for stressed ventures. We have recently improved this by preventing wilful defaulters from bidding for stressed assets,” he said, after inaugurating the eighth edition of the GES and the first one to be held in any South Asian country.

Read More: Ivanka trump at GES 2017

Onion brings tears as price skyrockets to Rs 80/kg in Delhi

Onions in other metro cities are being sold at Rs 50-70 per kg depending on the quality and locality

 

 

economy policy: Retail onion prices have touched Rs 80 per kg in the national capital owing to tight supply, while a similar spike is seen in other cities as well, as per the trade data.

Onions in other metro cities are being sold at Rs 50-70 per kg depending on the quality and locality, the data showed.

At Azadpur mandi here, Asia's largest vegetable market, onion prices are ruling at over Rs 50-60 per kg, and the same onion is being retailed at Rs 80 per kg today, a trader said.

Wholesale and retail prices are ruling high because of lower arrivals from the key growing states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

In Maharashtra's Lasalgoan mandi -- Asia's biggest market for onion -- arrivals have dropped by 47 per cent to 12,000 quintal today from 22,933 quintal on the same day a year-ago.

Onion at Lasalgoan is being sold at Rs 33 per kg today as against Rs 7.50 per kg a year-ago, as per the data maintained by the Nasik-based National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF).

Meanwhile, the Centre has asked state-owned MMTC to import 2,000 tonnes of onion and directed Nafed and SFAC to source 12,000 tonnes locally to boost supplies.

A minimum export price of USD 850 per tonne has been imposed to restrict outbound shipment of onion.

Click Here : Onion prices in delhi 

Women first, prosperity for all: What we know of Ivanka's GES 2017 agenda

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit is being held for the first time in South Asia in Hyderabad

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US President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump arrived in India amid tight security early on Tuesday to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), beginning here later in the day. Speaking a day ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), Ivanka Trump said, "as the world's largest democracies... there is much we can and should do together. We share common priorities, including promoting economic growth and reform, fighting terrorism, and expanding security cooperation."

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit is being held for the first time in South Asia in Hyderabad, India, from November 28-30. The event will comprise a line- up showcasing abundant talent, stories of perseverance with a dash of glamour.

Here's all you need to know:

Inaugural session
The inaugural session will be addressed by Prime Minister Modi, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Ivanka Trump. Following this, a session will be moderated by John Chambers, Chairman Emeritus, Cisco.

This will see the participation of Ivanka Trump, Sibongile Sambo, Managing Director of SRS Aviation and SRS Petroleum and Marcus Wallenberg, the Chairman of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB).

Indian bigwigs to attend dinner at Hyderabad's Falaknuma Palace
Hyderabad's Falaknuma Palace has the world's largest dining hall. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the White House advisor Ivanka Trump at this luxurious palace today. The who’s who of India Inc, including Reliance Group Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani would attend the dinner, according to officials. PM Modi and Ms Trump will dine at the Hyderabad Nizam's famous '101 Dining Hall' that can seat can seat 101 guests at a time. 

On the second day of GES 2017, Ivanka Trump will be part of a discussion on increasing women in the workforce through skills training, education, and mentorship. Innovators in workforce development and training will discuss what works and what more can be done to open doors for women at the workplace.

GES 2017 - Day 3
The closing session of GES will bring together key influencers that support, promote and fund women entrepreneurs. Panelists will share efforts to advance women in leadership positions and ensure that women have "seats at the table" while breaking down the barriers that disproportionately affect women's ability to start and grow businesses.

It will also feature a panel discussion themed "Women Win, We All Win: Promoting Inclusive Environments for Women Entrepreneurs", which will be moderated by Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Read  full story : Ivanka trump at GES 2017

Modi wants smog-free Delhi winter; new steps soon to tackle air pollution

The brief for the task force is to ensure that the winter of 2018 becomes pollution free. Remedial action, therefore, is likely in the next few months

Delhi air pollution: A package of measures to reduce air pollution levels significantly in the National Capital Region (NCR) around Delhi by the winter of 2018 is expected to be formulated soon and implemented within a specified time frame.

NCR covers the whole of the National Capital Territory-Delhi (NCT-Delhi) and certain districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, covering about 53,817 sq km.

A high-level task force, headed by Nripendra Misra, principal secretary to the prime minister, has been set up to evaluate the feasibility of these measures. The task force has the Cabinet secretary, secretaries of half a dozen ministries of the Union government, chief secretary of the Delhi government and a couple of environment experts as members.

The brief for the task force is to ensure that the winter of 2018 becomes pollution free. Remedial action, therefore, is likely in the next few months.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is understood to have advised the task force that air pollution level of the NCR should improve to levels that prevail in any city of the developed world.

Among the measures that are likely to be implemented by the task force are complete shutdown of the Badarpur thermal plant, de-sulphurisation of thermal plants in areas adjoining the NCR, like Dadri, opening up of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway from January 2018 and a ban on the import of pet coke.

READ FULL STORY :  SMOG FREE DELHI WINTER

GES 2017: Ambani, Godrej, Adani to join PM Modi at Ivanka dinner

NITI Aayog CEO said summit was meant to help create an enabling ecosystem where entrepreneurs can innovate, forge global partnerships and grow

 

 

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 (GES) that begins on Tuesday in Hyderabad is being seen as an important step in deepening the ties between the US and India.

 

US Ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster on Monday said economic and security relationships between the two countries would have to reinforce each other to make this strategic pact a lasting one. The summit was an important step to further this. Juster also said India should consider itself over a time as the anchor for US business and investment in the Indo-Pacific region, giving greater scope for strategic relations between the two countries.

Co-hosted by the governments of the US and India, the three-day summit is being given utmost importance in the light of US presidential advisor Ivanka Trump’s participation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate the summit while Union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Nirmala Sitharaman and Suresh Prabhu would take part in panel discussions.

The who’s who of India Inc, including Reliance Group Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, would attend a dinner being hosted in honour of Trump at the Falaknuma Palace on Tuesday, according to officials. PM Modi is also scheduled to attend the dinner.

On whether the event would result in any tangible outcome in trade or investments, NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant said the summit was meant to help create an enabling ecosystem where entrepreneurs can innovate, forge global partnerships and grow. 

S Durga review: Not an easy film to watch with a thousand shades of grey

Watching 'S Durga' you may feel at times like a wayward traveler who has lost his way while trying to escape from a situation of oppression

 

 

Film: 'S Durga'; Director: Sanal Sasidharan; Starring: Rajshree Despande, Kannan Nayar; Rating: 3.5

The first 15 minutes of this jolting experiment with truth and nails seems completely unrelated to the rest of the film.

This is what you get when there is no formal screenplay. S Durga (S by the way, stands for 'Sexy' but shhhh!) was shot over one night on a barren highway with no script. The film is a marvel of improvisation. Director Sanal Sasidharan is not afraid to plunge into the abyss of the unknown as he explores the sexual dynamics of caste, gender and religious discrimination on a scarily dark desolate stretch of a road less travelled.

In some unexpected way, the highway becomes a metaphor for the socio-cultural imbalances in our society where the bullies often posing as custodians of the country's moral values take over the destiny of ordinary citizens.

And so it happens with the couple Durga (Rajshree Despande)and Kabeer (Kannan Nayar) who are on the run.

The girl is Hindu and North Indian. And the boy is a Muslim from Kerala. Yup, this is the forbidden frightening world of 'love jihad' as seen through the eyes of a director who suffers with the couple and is able to transmute their feeling of growing dread to the audience.

As the couple hitches a ride with four sinister 'strangers' (billed simply as 'strangers') the intuitively improvised narrative gathers its cumulative strength by letting the couple's destiny hang in abeyance.

We never know till the end what will happen to them. When we leave the couple we are given no assurance that they will be safe from predators and perverts. But we do know that the strangers who have given them a ride, are taking them for a ride that is most likely end in a horrible crime. Will the girl be raped? Will they be murdered? Or will the couple be robbed and allowed to escape with their lives?

As the scriptless voyage into the unknown reaches an end, you will find yourself sending up a prayer for Durga--who is sexy because she is not doing what sexy people normally do in films, namely act wounded vulnerable and hysterical under stress--and Kabeer--who is Muslim and in the company of his Hindu soulmate on a desolate highway…can it get any scarier? Can we ever hope for a balanced social order when two young adults can't feel safe together?

"S Durga" is not an easy film to watch. Its aura of uncertainty makes you uncomfortable and quezy.It is thoroughly unpredictable and frequently out of control.

The cinematographer (Prathap Joseph) goes with the couple's fears and insecurities capturing, not the outside world that creates these negative thoughts but the emotions that flow from within the couple as they try to remain calm under stress.

The thing about "S Durga" is, nothing happens to the couple. Not really. Until the end they are unharmed. And the social transgressors who offer them a ride keep reassuring the couple that they are safe in their company.

But are they? Director Sanal Sasirdharan constructs a spiral of terror without actually surrendering to the rituals of horror.

Speaking of rituals the film opens with a lengthy uncut recording of an elaborate Hindu ritual where the fanatic worshippers of the Mother Goddess inflict masochistic pain on their selves just to please the deity. The things we do in the name of the gods, I tell you! And the Goddess whom we whip ourselves for into a bloodied pulp can't be called sexy.

Self-punishment is attractive only when we do 50 shades of grey. This film goes into a thousand shades of black.

Watching "S Durga" you may feel at times like a wayward traveler who has lost his way while trying to escape from a situation of oppression. In doing so, the film creates yet another level of ineluctable terror. Tyranny, oppression, and persecution are inescapable in a society where children are taught to look at the opposite sex with curiosity and other religious communities with caution.

It's not love jihad we should fight. It is the aversion to love-and not just romantic love-- that needs drastic revision in our social order. S Durga in its unrehearsed improvised way tells us why love is such crime on the highway to hell.

Bali volcano alert at highest level, airport closure affects 445 flights

A significant eruption could be imminent: Senior state volcanologist Gede Suantika

The alert for a volcano belching huge plumes of smoke on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali has been raised to the highest level, officials said on Monday, with fears a significant eruption could be imminent.

“The volcano’s alert level has been raised to the highest level,” said senior state volcanologist Gede Suantika. “Constant tremors can be felt.

The closure of I Gusti Ngurah Rai airport on the Indonesian island of Bali due to a volcanic eruption has affected 445 flights, including 196 international routes, its operator said on Monday.

PT Angkasa Pura, the operator, has prepared five alternative airports for airlines to divert their inbound flights, including ones in neighboring provinces, it said in a statement.

Bali airport’s official website showed flights operated by Singapore Airlines, Sriwijaya, Garuda Indonesia , Tiger Air, Malaysian Airlines and Jetstar had been cancelled.

Malaysia Airlines will cancel all flights between Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar-Bali today following the volcanic activity at Mount Agung in Bali.

“The airline is monitoring the situation closely and will adjust its flight operations into and out of Ngurah Rai International Airport when necessary,” a statement by Malaysia Airlines read.

Thereafter, Malaysia Airlines will allow affected passengers to – apart from a full refund or deferment of travel until end of February 2018 – a change of destination (subject to seat availability) to Jakarta, Surabaya or any ASEAN destination the airline flies to.

Jet Airways 9W4622 from Bali Denpasar Airport (DPS) to Singapore has also reportedly been cancelled.

Indonesia has raised an alert for the volcano on the tourist island of Bali and have ordered evacuation of people within 10 kilometres.

The eruption at Mount Agung has become magmatic, the country’s disaster management agency said, warning that a larger eruption could be imminent. As a result, the alert status for the surrounding area has been raised to level 4, the highest level.

Mount Agung spewed smoke reportedly as high as 4,000 m above its summit and disrupted at least 28 flights departing and arriving at the island.

The region around Mount Agung has been on alert since late September when more than 140,000 people were told to evacuate over fears of an imminent eruption.

Mount Agung last erupted in 1963, killing nearly 1,600 people in one of Indonesia’s most devastating eruptions.

 

Health : Secrets for a Healthy Heart

For overall good health it is essential to have a healthy heart.

 

health news : Healthy heart is one of the most if not the most important factor for staying healthy. For overall good health it is essential to have a healthy heart. The older one get, the weaker the heart becomes thus it becomes doubly important for individuals over the age of 40 to care for the health of their hearts. Whether you're eating healthy or are giving up bad habits, there are many ways to take care of your heart. What one eats is the most essential factor that impacts the heart. Thus avoiding junk and oily food and consuming lots of fresh fruits and vegetables along with oats and omega-3 is a good way to nourish your heart.

Mediterranean Diet for a Healthy Heart

There are tons of diets and advice available online and elsewhere regarding what is and what is not beneficial for the health of your heart. Most of these advices aren’t supported by any scientific evidence but some of these are maybe partly true. When it comes to diets and the health of the heart, researchers have given a big thumps up to Mediterranean Diet. Data prove that people on a Mediterranean Diet have a reduced risk of heart diseases and problems. Olive oil which forms an integral part of Mediterranean Diet is believed to be beneficial in controlling blood pressure and cholesterol which are directly associated with the heart’s health. Other than generous usage of olive oil, a Mediterranean Diet also mostly consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, seeds, legumes, moderate serving of poultry and wine and very little amount of red meat.

Prevent Heart Diseases and Improve Heart’s Health Naturally

Heart diseases are also called cardiovascular disease. One of the ways to prevent heart diseases and to gauge the health of the heart is to keep numbers which are associated with the heart in check. These numbers are blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and waist size. The best way to improve the heart’s health naturally is by consuming a healthy diet and by exercising regularly. Cardiovascular exercises on a regular basis can help the heart be stronger and healthier. So, other than the usual tips for a healthy heart what are some of the secrets or lesser known tips that one should know to achieve a healthier heart. Firstly never skip breakfast, have a real and a healthy breakfast everyday for a healthy heart. Oral hygiene is also directly associated with the heart so take oral healthcare seriously and brush twice. Regular sexual intercourse is also a great cardiovascular activity that reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and also helps reduce stress. High endurance sports such as running, cycling, hiking, swimming and more can also help improve and maintain a healthy heart.

Other Tips for a Healthy Heart

Other than diet and regular exercise some lifestyle changes can also go a long way in achieving and maintaining a healthy heart. Reduce or better still quit smoking and usage of tobacco. Stress and lack of sleep also has an adverse impact on heart thus learn to relax and de-stress. Activities such as meditation, Yoga, walking, jogging and swimming can also help one relax and thus are good for the heart. There have been conflicting studies about the impact of alcohol on the heart. But there is no doubt about the fact that excessive drinking of alcohol is bad for the heart. Limiting sodium intake which is consuming less salt is also beneficial for the heart. Replacing saturated fatty acids with unsaturated fatty acids in the daily diet can also help lower cholesterol levels, which is one of the risk factors for heart diseases.

Gujarat polls: Modi in Kutch, Saurashtra today to spearhead BJP campaign

On Monday, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Kutch and Saurashtra region to address four public meetings ahead of the December 9 and 14 elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit poll-bound Gujarat on November 27 and 29 to spearhead the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) campaign for the Assembly elections.

On Monday, he is scheduled to visit Kutch and Saurashtra region to address four public meetings ahead of the December 9 and 14 elections.

He will arrive in Bhuj on Monday morning to address a public gathering at R R Lalan College's ground around 9 a.m.

Also read : Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017

Thereafter, he will visit Saurashtra region's Jasdan and address a public meeting at Vichhiya Road at 11 am.

Around 1 pm, he will visit Chalala and address a public gathering at the Gayatri Mandir Maidan on the Chalala-Dhari Road.

His last public address will be at Kadodra Aankdamukhi Hanumanji Mandir at around 3 pm, after which he will fly back to Delhi. He will return to the state on Wednesday.

 

Tomato prices harden, hit Rs 80 per kg in national capital

The key kitchen staple has become equally dearer in other parts of the country

economy news: Tomato prices in retail markets of the national capital soared to Rs 80 per kg today in view of tight supplies, trade data showed.

The key kitchen staple has become equally dearer in other parts of the country.

For instance, tomato prices in Bengaluru, one of the major producers, are ruling at Rs 45-50 per kg in retail markets. In Aizawl in Mizoram, these are being sold at around Rs 95-100 per kg.

"The availability of tomato is less at present because the crop has been hit badly due to recent rains in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh," said Ashok Kaushik, President of Tomato Merchant Association at Azadpur mandi.

Traders could not source it from Madhya Pradesh as 90 per cent of the crop in the state too got damaged. Farmers have sown again and that crop will arrive in the next 15-20 days, he said.

At Azadpur mandi, Asia's largest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables, the tomato is being sold at Rs 40-50 kg. The same tomato is being retailed at a higher rate.

Tomatoes in Delhi retail markets are selling at Rs 70-80 per kg, depending on the quality and locality, whereas it was available at Rs 30-35 in the year-ago period.

According to Kaushik, tomato supplies in the national capital are less by 25 per cent at present.

On an average, 225-250 tonnes of tomato are traded in six major mandis in Delhi on a daily basis. Now, 170-180 tonnes are being traded. Some quantities are being sourced from Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh, he added.

India, US will work for inclusive growth: Ivanka Trump ahead of GES Summit

Ivanka said 52% of entrepreneurs will be women, attending from 127 different countries

India and the US will continue to work together to increase economic opportunities and inclusive growth, US President Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump today said, days ahead of her visit to Hyderabad for a global business summit.

Ivanka, 36, will lead a high-powered American delegation of officials, women entrepreneurs and businessmen for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017in Hyderabad, a three-day summit beginning November 28.

The summit will be attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs from 170 countries and would have around 350 participants from the US, a large number of whom are Indian-Americans.

ALSO READ: GES 2017: Economics, Ivanka and Hyderabad’s green card-holding rich beggars

Ivanka would deliver the keynote address at the summit, which would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She said that her aim for this summit is to serve as an open and collaborative environment for the exchange of ideas, to broaden networks, and to empower entrepreneurs to take their ideas and passion to the next level.

“The US and India will continue to work together to increase economic opportunities and inclusive growth. I very much look forward to my visit and to seeing Prime Minister Modi and Foreign Minister (Sushma) Swaraj once again,” Ivanka told reporters on Tuesday.

Incredibly excited to be visiting India next week for the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), she said....

Of Padmavati's historical veracity and belligerent sons of Mother India

Since Padmavati has been delayed, we watched the original film that depicted the woman as a mother

The Rajputs in Rajasthan — or rather, a fringe group that claims to represent the entire community — has ensured that Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati is consigned, at least for the time being, to a limbo. Its release has been indefinitely delayed, different state governments have waded into the muddy debate and banned the film or have asked for legal action against its makers, a senior worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party has put out a bounty on the heads of the director and actors and yet continues to roam around freely. The rule of law has been suspended for the time being to satisfy demands of a violent group, as political parties measure what electoral gains can be squeezed out of the current imbroglio.

One of the claims of the belligerent Rajputs is that the 14th-century fictional queen of Chittor, Padmavati, is like their mother. Inherent in this, is a celebration of jauhar. Whether or not Bhansali’s film celebrates this barbaric tradition or is a more feminist retelling will remain unknown for some time to come. For the time being, we have been told by the film’s makers that there is no surreal erotic or romantic scene between Padmavati (Deepika Padukone) and Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh). This sanitisation of the mother figure as asexual is typical of nationalist projects that construct themselves around the presumed honour of women — and the duty of men to protect it. Though such an idea should be immediately consigned to the trash bin of patriarchy, it has been rather popular in Hindi cinema, as we shall see from the three following examples.

The original film that collapsed the difference between motherhood and nationalism was Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957) — a realisation of the Nehruvian goal of merging the political with the popular. Its central character, Radha (Nargis), is an idealised representation of the rural woman, who triumphs over all hurdles to raise her sons but doesn’t hesitate to kill one of them to protect the honour of the land. Radha is larger than life, goddess-like. Her moral uprightness, accompanied by her latent capacity to be justly violent, makes her the ideal Indian woman representing the new India, emerging from the colonial rule. Mother India became one of the most popular Indian films abroad; in India, it was the “national” film, played every Independence Day (August 15) on the national broadcaster, Doordarshan. The film, with its theme, became so popular that in 1965, the government instituted the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.....

Skincare Tips for Glowing and Radiant Skin Naturally

Controlling stress levels and caring for your skin depending upon its type and the surroundings is also important.

Skincare is much more than just cleaning of the skin, factors such as consuming a healthy balanced diet and getting enough sleep are also associated deeply with skincare. Controlling stress levels and caring for your skin depending upon its type and the surroundings is also important. Natural ways to care for the skin includes eating ample amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding food items that cause skin damage such as oily fast foods and including food items such as dark chocolate and healthy fats that are good for the skin in daily diet.

Caring for the Skin on the Face

There are differences and similarities in the way one should care for the skin on the face and on the body. The first step to keep skin on the face and body healthy and glowing is by keeping it clean from dirt and toxins. To clean the face, use a face-wash rich in natural ingredients. Avoid usage of chemicals in form of cosmetics and fragrances. These chemicals can cause damage to the skin and even lead to hormonal issues. Homemade face-wash made using honey and lemon can help moisturize the skin naturally. Facial scrubs using sugar can help exfoliate the skin and remove dead cells. Finally natural face packs are a great way to care for the face rather the skin on the face. One can use a face-mask of oatmeal for 20 minutes and then remove the same using warm water for a refreshed and glowing skin.

Caring for the Skin on the Body

Castile soap which is made using olive oil is good for the skin. Salts scrubs mixed with almonds may be used to massage and clean the body. One can use exfoliating gloves available in the market to scrub the skin clean.

Click Here To Read → SkinCare Tips

UPSC Hiring Scientific Officers. Last Day To Apply November 16

Candidates willing to take up the post can apply for the same till November 16, 2017 (Thursday).

 

UPSC Hiring Scientific Officers: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is inviting applications for the post of Scientific Officer (Chemical) to be hired by National Test House (Department of Consumer Affairs) under Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food & Public Distribution (MCAFPD). Candidates willing to take up the post can apply for the same till November 16, 2017 (Thursday). The number of vacancy is 9 reserved for UR (6), OBC (2), SC (1) and ST (1). The qualified candidate would be paid as Level-8 in the Pay Matrix (Rs.47, 600-Rs.1, 51,100) plus T.A. and H.R.A. as admissible. (Total emoluments excluding T.A. and HRA at the time of initial appointment will be Rs.49, 504/-p.m. approximately). The job location is at the headquarters is in Kolkata but the candidate would be liable to serve anywhere in India. The post carries probation of two years.

Eligibility Parameters:

Age: Not exceeding 30 years for General Category candidates, 33 years for Other Backward Class candidates and 35 years for Scheduled Castes candidates as on normal closing date in case of vacancies reserved for them. Relaxable for Government Servant up to Five years in accordance with the instructions or orders issued by Central Government from time to time.

Educational Qualification Master’s Degree in Chemistry or Master’s Degree in Microbiology or Degree in Chemical Technology or degree in Chemical Engineering from a recognized University or Institute.

Experience: One year’s experience in an analytical or Chemical Testing Laboratory or one year’s Experience of Research Development work or analysis of ores, Minerals, metals or Oil Fuel and various Organic and Inorganic products or paint or polymer materials.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Testing evaluation of concerned laboratory samples and working in connection with the Development of Testing methods for these materials.
• Performing the day to day work of the Scientist B in their absence, including issuing the samples to Scientific Assistants signing the fair Test Certificate.

How to Apply:

• Visit the official online portal of UPSC here.
• Search for the New Registration and click on the same. (Direct link here)
• Fill in the required details and you will get your Registration ID and password.
• Go back to the Existing Vacancies Page and search for the post ‘Scientific Officer (Chemical)’ with Apply Now button. Hit the button.
• Enter your Registration ID and Password along with Captcha code given there.
• Follow the online instructions. (More details on the online instructions here)
  Fees:

Bharat 22 ETF opens today, aims to raise Rs 8,000 crore

Bharat 22 ETF aims to bring broad-based ownership pattern to public sector enterprises: Department of Investment and Public Asset Management

 

 

The Bharat 22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) announced earlier this year as part of the government's disinvestment programme will open for investors on Tuesday and end on November 17.

With the initial issue size of Rs 8,000 crore, the ETF will open for anchor investors on Tuesday, for non-anchor investors on November 15, and close on November 17, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Joint Secretary Anuradha Thakur told reporters here.

"Bharat 22 ETF aims to bring broad-based ownership pattern to public sector enterprises. The disinvestment programme now forms the core of the government's investment strategy," she said.

"While the initial issue size for the ETF is Rs 8,000 crore, we can also consider going beyond looking at the response," she added.

A discount of 3 per cent has been offered to all categories of investors.

The Bharat 22 ETF comprises 22 companies, or investments, from among central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) and public sector banks (PSBs).

"The ETF is well diversified with investments across six core sectors, including industrials, finance, utilities, energy, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) and basic materials, and offers good investment opportunity and expect an overwhelming response to this new fund offer," Thakur said.

No sector crosses the 20 per cent sectoral capping and there is a stock capping of 15 per cent.

An ETF is a traded security that tracks an underlying asset like a group of companies or commodity. The government had earlier approved the alternative mechanism through the ETF route to divest its stake in CPSEs....For more detailes