The Indian economy is primarily agrarian. Even through the current free market & globalization trends, more than 70% of the country depends on agriculture and related industries based in the heartlands. Asha for Education recognizes gaps in India's efforts to combat the problems in rural India and seeks to fill them by supporting grassroots, community-based NGOs that work to strengthen the educational needs of India's children. Asha for Education volunteers believe that a better standard of living can be achieved for the rural population by increasing access and opportunities to education for all children in India, and children of rural communities in particular. Our 2008 projects are based in rural parts of the country and focus on innovative ways of strengthening the school systems through better infrastructure, teaching methods, adequate supplies and well trained teachers.

WAH is a global fundraising campaign based on a simple, yet powerful concept. Participants in the campaign are asked to symbolically work an hour towards the cause of children’s education by donating an hour’s worth or more of their salary to Asha for Education. For more information about WAH 2008 and the projects supported, visit www.workanhour.org

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

The bears, hand-reared at the CBRC, were undergoing acclimatisation in the wild at Upper Dikarai since September last year.

Following the soft-release protocol known as "assisted release", the bears were taken for daily walks in the wild assisted bytheir caretaker or'surrogate mother'. While the animals were encouraged to feed on their natural food, their diet wasalso supplemented with concentrate food at the deep forestcamp where they spent the nights. Initially, the bears returned to their temporary enclosure for the night, but gradually they began to rest outdoors, indicating signs of independence. As the wild instinct took over, the bears detached themselves from their caretaker, and began exploring the forests on their own.

Says NVK Ashraf, director, Wild Rescue Programme of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), "There are four crucial dates in any animal rehabilitation programme of this kind: their first walk in the wild, the first night they spent outside the enclosure, the first time they are left alone during the day and finally the day the walker stops accompanying them."

Tamo Dadda, field officer, WTI, based at CBRC recalled, "The bears had begun showing reluctance to return to the camp at night after a few months from their first walk. Since April 2008, all but one spent their nights outside their enclosure in the camp, choosing to rest on the trees as they do in the wild. During their walks they foraged on leaves, shoots of bamboo, wild fruits, barks of various tree species and termites."

"The five bears are not all of the same age and obviously not all became independent at the same time. Their release date was finalised only after we were satisfied that each one of them was capable of surviving on their own," said Ashraf.

The bears were radio-collared on June 24. Yaduraj Khadpekar, veterinarian, Mobile Veterinary Service (MVS) Arunachal Pradesh, said, "They are now being monitored by the keepers who are still at the camp. The bears have not returned to the camp but haven't ventured very far either."

"The radio-collars are fitted to provide six to eight months of post-release monitoring data. The collar drops off by the eighth month, before it becomes too tight, by which time the bear is mature enough to survive on its own," added Ashraf.

Found in sub tropicaland Himalayan forests (1200 to 3300 metres)along the Indian sub-continent, the Asiatic black bear is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The species isthreated byhabitat degradation, intensehuman-animal conflicts innorthern India andhuntingfor food and forother cultural usesalong the north-east Indianstates.The bears are also endangered by poachingfortheir gall bladder used in extractingmedicinal bile for Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The CBRC was established to rehabilitate Asiatic black bear cubs orphaned by poachers orrescued from villagers.This isa joint venture of the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and its partner, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

The CBRC situatedon the western bank of Pakke Rivercan hold up to 16 bears andprovidestemporary refuge forrescued cubs.Villagers in Arunachal Pradesh, unaware ofthe bear'sconservation status, traditionallyhunt itfor its meat, skin and other body parts. There havebeen efforts to control this practice but it is still prevalent.Bearcubs are oftentaken home from the forestby villagers,to be kept as petsand handed over to the forest department when they become a liability, as they approach adulthood.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), is a non-profit conservation organisation, committed to urgent action that prevents destruction of India's wildlife.

Its principal concerns are crisis management and the provision of quick, efficient aid to those areas that require it the most. In the longer term it hopes to achieve, through proactive reforms, an atmosphere conducive to conserving India's wildlife and its habitat.

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) was formed in November 1998 in response to the rapidly deteriorating condition of wildlife in India. WTI is a registered charity in India (under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961). It has as its express purpose the provision of rapid aid to wildlife in times of crisis. To learn more about WTI, please log on to: www.wti.org.in

IFAW and WTI formed a partnership in 2000 to strengthen the cause of wildlife conservation and animal welfare in India. The two organizations share concerns for a number of endangered animals, including the Tibetan antelope. Through this collaboration, IFAW and WTI are developing strategies to find solutions to wildlife threats in India and the surrounding region.

The exhibition will be screened until 14th july 2008, while this happens to be the second screening of the exhibition, the first one was held on the sidelines of the "South Asia Peace and Reconciliation conference" Oslo in Norway. This effort happens to be a one of its kind.

The exhibition travels through the pain and sufferings caused by the Left wing seperatism with ample help from Photographs and statistics. Blasted schools that rob the children of their future and childhood, blasted roads and destruction caused in the lives of the peasants whom the Maoists claim to be fighting for are all illustrations of a failed ideology through the gun. Investments in the stock markets by maoists, budgets scaling to crores for ammunition show the loss of ideology of the 'saviours' and puts them in question of their deeds by even their own supporters. The exhibition tries to portray and study the sociological and human rights impact from neutral perspective while giving a benefit of doubt with the argument that "but they are fighting for people", "but they have sacrificed their lives", "but they are committed" and a whole lot of questions. The money and the caste conflicts in the naxal movement are by themselves answers to a lot of questions while maoism fights for a casteless society.

FACT a not for profit trust and has been working to highlight the mindless killings in the name of ideology and religion. Established in 2003 by Francois Gautier the French journalist, indologist and author living in India for the past 33 years. The recent Historical and Artistic exhibition on Aurangazeb by the organisation has run into trouble after Muslim fundamentalists createdtrouble in chennai.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

· Phase-in 100 per cent of its purchases of chicken meat from suppliers which use controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK) – the least cruel form of poultry slaughter ever developed.

· Improve its animal welfare audit criteria to reduce the number of broken bones and other injuries suffered by birds.

· Urge its suppliers to adopt better practices, including improved lighting, lower stocking-density and ammonia levels, and a phase-out of growth-promoting drugs and breeding practices which painfully cripple chickens.

· Form an animal welfare advisory panel.

KFC suppliers worldwide continue to drug and breed chickens to grow so large that many become crippled under their own weight. Birds' throats are cut while they are still conscious, and many birds are scalded to death in defeathering tanks. Investigations around the world into factory farms which supply KFC revealed many abuses. Chickens were stuffed into overcrowded warehouses, and some were immobilised by leg deformities. Injured chickens also went without medical care.

"We are now redoubling our efforts to convince KFC in India and around the world to make the animal welfare improvements which KFC Canada has made", says PETA KFC campaign coordinator Tajinder Singh Vig. "If KFC Canada can improve the lives and deaths of its chickens, KFC in India can too."

PETA's letter to Yum! Restaurants International Managing Director Niren Chaudhary is available upon request. For more information about PETA US's Kentucky Fried Cruelty campaign, please visit KentuckyFriedCruelty.com.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

According to the Progress Report of Children - A Statistical Review December 2007 by UNICEF India, Malnutrition is the underlying cause in up to 50 percent under-five deaths. About 25 percent of children under age five in the world are underweight. In India the underweight prevalence rate is 43 per cent. Average annual rate of decline since 1990 has been 0.9 percent – accelerated progress is needed to meet the solutions of the problem. As this data does not only affect the health status of children but also affect the academic performance of children and later on their productivity. Studies have proven that poorly nourished children are often tired, apathetic, and unable to concentrate on their academic performance, thus results into drop out. Poor enrolment and high school dropout rate are attributed to poor socio-economic conditions, child labor, and lack of motivation and poor nutrition status of the children." she added.

To focus on school health, Government of Gujarat has declared this year (2008) as Healthy School Children year under its SARVA SHIKSH ABHIYAN MISSION. To strengthen this mission, SHARP in association with District Education Council and C.R.C Bakrol has launched a school health checkup program.

The beneficiaries of this project are the underprivileged children of Municipal School in Bakrol. Under this project, health check-up will be conducted for all the students and the collected health data will be stored at SHARP repository. It will be updated regularly by follow up checkup. The health profile of each child will be available on SHARP NGO website at www.schoolindia.org . The children can assess their health profile through ID number allotted to them on their “SHARP Smart Card”. School Health Analysis report will be prepared school wise.

On the basis of this school health data analysis a special camps for mothers will be organized where they will be given education regarding various health issues like malnutrition, sanitation and hygiene, food adulteration and many others issues of day to day life problems of their child health. The mothers of the students will be encouraged to make self help groups (SHG) with the help of Sakhi Mandal Scheme and will be the mothers will be trained to make healthy snacks for children which will take improve the nutritional status of their children and the extra production can be marketed at a local level. The mothers will also be trained to maintain good food hygiene. This will increase the income generating activities for women and will also help to overcome problem of malnutrition.

At the inauguration, Sh. R.N. Joshi, District Collector, Anand, applauded the efforts done by SHARP NGO to promote school health to combat malnutrition. He also appreciated the project conceived by SHARP for Bakrol and would like to replicated the same project in the whole Anand District. He also said that innovative projects like this will surely help Gujarat to become zero malnutrition state by 2010.

According to Ms Urvashi Pande, State Coordinator Gujarat, SHARP NGO, “Our objective of the program is to promote positive health by early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of deficiency and to edify mothers of these children on various issues like problems of malnutrition, unhealthy diet, food adulteration, sanitation and personal hygiene.”

We are proud to be associated with All India Shree LaxminarayanDev Yuvak Mandal, of Shree Swaminarayan Sect Vadtal and Jan Kalyan Mandal, Anand, Who have made it easy task for us by providing the helping hands, financial and moral support in promotion of this project.

“Health is wealth and let our school children enjoy good health with good education, better health with better education and best health with best education.”

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

School Health Annual Report Programme (SHARP) is a non-govt. organization (NGO) with scientifically planned health programme for school children, professionally managed under the guidance of eminent medical experts, sociologists, educationist, psychologists, nutritional specialists and others who have vision of promoting healthcare of children throughout the third world countries. The programme is unique in being the first programme to computerise and place health records of lacs of children on the internet in year 1999. The programme’s innovative approach has made it the most popular school health programmeamongst schoolswith lacs of children taking benefit out of it through its various projects.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Rtn. W. Anand was the Chief Guest. Rtn. Venkat Natarajan, Chairman, Interact, Rtn. S.V. Veerramani, the A.G., Rtn. Muralidhara Venkatesh, the Associate Chairman for Interact, Rtn. Thiagu, Rtn. K.R. Mukundhan, Rtn. A. Mohan, Rtn. K. Natarajan, Rtn. Sriram, Rtn. A.S. Prabakar and other Rotarians were present. Mr. Luke Juran, the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, sponsored by the Dubuque Rotary Club, Iowa, USA, was also a distinguished guest.

The Program started on time at 8.30 a.m. After the prayer by the students, the Interact Co-ordinator from the school welcomed the gathering. She also promised that they would do their best in projects with the help of the Rotary Club of Velachery.

Rtn. Murali Venkat, the Associate Chair- Interact, then took over as the M.C.

Rtn.Venkat Natarajan, Chairman-Interact, apprised the students of the interact movement and the purpose of it. He also explained the procedural aspects of regular meetings at the Club.

Student Shreya was installed as the President of the Interact Club of Bethel 600042, along with other office bearers, by DGE W.Anand. Then Shreya gave the President’s acceptance speech, in which she informed that they are ready for the tree plantation project.

Then the DGE Rtn. W. Anand and AG Rtn.S.V.Veerramani presided over the ceremony to unveil the “Four Way Test Board” in the school premises, with Rtn. Sriram, Director –Vocational Service of the Rotary Club of Chennai Velachery being present.

After the introduction of the Chief Guest by Rtn. K.Natarajan, DGE W.Anand gave an interesting speech. He began with the question “What are these 40 to 60 year old persons doing in the school premises?” and went on to brief the students about the Rotary and Interact movements. Then, Mr. Luke Juran, the Ambassadorial Scholar, sponsored by the Dubuque Rotary Club, Iowa, USA, gave his speech. He began with “Vanakkam” and talked about social issues such as child mortality. Rtn. Prabakar was later seen discussing international projects with Mr. Luke Juran.

Then Rtn Thiagu gave the book for minutes of meeting to student Aloes, the incoming Interact Secretary. The newly installed Secretary, proposed the vote of thanks. The function ended with National Anthem.

Rtn.K. Natarajan, Director -Youth Service, Rotary Club of Chennai Velachery, informed that Rotary Club of Chennai Velachery was the first club to start a project in the Rotary District 3230 for the Rotary year 2008-09.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Implementing the program at four major junctions in the city, AppLabs’ employees made special efforts in educating the passing commuters on key road safety traffic rules by distributing pamphlets and showcasing colorful banners with eye-catching slogans and illustrations. They also helped in regulating and facilitating smooth traffic movement at the busy traffic junctions.

The company’s volunteers were deployed and could be easily spotted in their bright corporate blue t-shirts and caps at the traffic crossroads on the Panjagutta Xing Road, Khairatabad Crossing, KBR Park Crossing and Jubilee Hills Check, where they diligently executed assigned tasks. The program has also got tremendous support from AppLabs’ senior management and saw active participation from some of the executive members, including Reema Sarin, AVP, Marketing & Corporate Communications and Head of CSR as well as Rajesh Patil, Head of Delivery, BFSI at AppLabs..

Speaking on the occasion, Arun Rao, VP – Human Resources, AppLabs said that “As an organization we believe in this program and are very happy to collaborate with the Traffic Police Department of Hyderabad to spread traffic safety rules and regulations to daily commuters affected by the ever increasing number of vehicles on the road. At AppLabs we encourage our employees to participate in such volunteer programs for the good of the society at large.”

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

AppLabs is the world’s largest independent testing, quality management and certification solutions company. With over a decade of experience, AppLabs has become a trusted partner to more than 600 companies, providing both quality assurance and third-party validation. Clients include American Airlines, Experian, JP Morgan, VocaLink and National Australia Bank amongst others. AppLabs goes beyond technical expertise when it comes to IT services and offers customers rigorous risk mitigation processes, a singular focus on quality, expert project management, communication and global delivery capabilities. It is the first software testing company to get appraised at SEI CMMI Level 5, the highest quality standard attainable in software engineering. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the company maintains advanced testing facilities in the US, India and the Europe. For more information, visit www.applabs.com

The following are just some of the abuses that PETA's investigation documented:

· The bullocks are stationed on the main street opposite the Sewree Railway Station. They stand for hours without shelter, and they're exposed to burning sun and all other weather extremes. They are not provided with adequate food or water.

· Injured and sick bullocks receive no veterinary care, even though they are forced to continue pulling heavy kerosene tankers.

· The bullocks are kept in miserable, unhygienic conditions. They're tethered on heaps of dung, urine and muck.

· The bullocks – and the filth they are forced to live in – encroach on an area of the street which is supposed to be used by the public.

"Forcing these neglected and abused bullocks to pull oil tankers through city streets is outdated and cruel", says PETA India’s Chief Functionary Anuradha Sawhney. "Along with our many celebrity friends and the oil companies themselves, we're calling on the controller of rationing to stop such blatant abuse at once."

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

"The population of Greater adjutant storks in Bhagalpur district has increased almost two folds as compared to last year, to at least 157 individuals if not more," said Mishra, who along with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is working to conserve the species in the state.

Mishra, an executive committee member of the Mandar Nature Club in Bhagalpur, discovered the breeding population of the storks along the Kosi and Ganga flood plains in the winter of 2006. Prior to this, they were known only from Cambodia and the north-eastern Indian state of Assam, with the worldwide count of less than 800 individuals.

"We (Mishra and his field assistant Jai Nandan Mandal) found two nests of Greater adjutant storks on a Bombax tree in October 2006 in Motichak, along Ganga diara. In January following year, they had been dismantled. However, we later found 16 more nests in Kadwa Kosi diara," Mishra said.

The initial excitement of the discovery however was stifled by the looming threats facing these storks. Because of their size (about 150 cm), they fell easy prey and were preferred by hunting tribesmen known as 'Gulgulwas'. Their behaviour of nesting in communities, with a single tree holding several nests, also worked against their favour. It was apparent that without protection, survival of these storks in Bihar was doubtful.

In addition, the local villagers, annoyed at the birds dirtying their compounds, resorted to felling the branches of the trees to destroy the nests and scaring the storks away.

Under the Rapid Action Project funded by the WTI, Mishra organised awareness programmes and employed volunteering villagers as watchers to protect the nesting colonies from poachers and other miscreants. He also motivated the forest officials, media, police, panchayat representatives, school teachers and students to support his campaign.

"The villagers of Bhagalpur now worship the stork as 'Garuda'- the steed of Lord Vishnu. They had once found an injured juvenile stork and were actually taking care of it. We provided it with locally available medical facilities but the bird did not survive. It was buried by the villagers following the rituals as in a human death," recalled Mishra.

"Continuous surveillance and awareness programmes conducted with WTI's help have proven very efficient in protecting the storks," said Mishra. "Last year, there were 16 nests and about 81 birds including 25 chicks in Kosi diara alone; this year, we found 32 nests with 62 chicks successfully fledged from both Kosi and Ganga diaras. This increase in the number as well as the range will be crucial for their long-term survival," he added.

WTI has also funded similar projects to protect the breeding populations of these storks in Assam, where about 80 percent of the world's population survive.

Mishra believes that more colonies of these storks may be found in Bihar. "There is an urgent need for a state-wide survey to find more of such colonies. Success in this attempt will prove to be a significant step in the conservation of this endangered stork," he says.

Identified by a loose neck pouch, pinkish bare head, thick yellowish bill and huge dark body, the Greater adjutant stork is classified as 'endangered' in the IUCN red list of threatened species. Sightings in Bangladesh, Nepal and Thailand, experts believe, are results of 'straying away' from the populations of either India or Cambodia.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

The new ad is titled, "Be an Angel for Birds", but petaDishoom wants Abraham and Strings' legions of fans to come up with their own original titles. So the five petaDishoom.com visitors who enter the contest will each win a copy of Strings' new CD album – autographed by the band!

Famous for their top-selling singles "Yeh Hai Meri Kahaani"– the song from the hit movie Zinda – and “Dhaani” & "Sar Key Yeh Pahar", Strings' composer-guitarist Bilal Maqsood and lead singer Faisal Kapadia took time out of their busy schedule to do an exclusive interview with petaDishoom. After talking about their careers and favourite foods and places, both agreed on the importance of protecting animals' wild habitats. "[T]heir eco systems are important to preserving the biodiversity of planet Earth, and they have as much a right to life as we do", says Faisal. The guys also spoke out against the illegal trafficking of wild animals and animal parts. "[The] trade [of banned animal products] is as much due to myth as it is due to ignorance", says Bilal. "Education would be the best way to stop such illegal trading."

Why do Abraham, Strings and petaDishoom want all birds to fly free? Caged birds suffer their entire lives. Both hand-raised and wild-caught birds often become neurotic, pulling out feathers and mutilating themselves, sometimes to the point of death. When ready to breed, many species naturally pluck some feathers to prepare for nest-building and egg-sitting, but when humans interfere with their natural behaviours and disrupt biological and instinctual cycles by confining birds in cages, plucking becomes a destructive compulsion.

Unfortunately, too many people regard birds simply as colourful pets and don't appreciate that birds are intelligent, social animals who feel pain and fear. They are captured by poachers, packed into small boxes and transported on trains. An estimated 60 per cent of them die in transit, usually from broken wings and legs, thirst, hunger and stress. Baby birds are caught in traps and nets, which often results in injury or death.

This isn't the first time that Abraham has teamed up with PETA to speak up for animals. He signed PETA's petition to ban elephants from urban areas, wrote to the Goan government urging it to take action to stop the cruel and illegal backyard slaughter of pigs, and recently co-hosted PETA's eighth birthday bash. In 2005, Abraham shot another ad calling for birds to be free in which he appeared shirtless, holding an empty cage as several birds flew skyward to their freedom.

"When John Abraham speaks up for animals, young people across India listen", says PETA's Simran Kodesia. "His close association with PETA means that the message of compassion for birds and all other animals – that they should never be abused or robbed of their precious freedom – will reach more people than ever before."

To see the ad, read the entire interview and register to win a free Strings CD, please visit petaDishoom.com.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

PETA India focuses primarily on the areas in which the greatest numbers of animals suffer the most: in the food and leather industries, laboratories and the entertainment industry. PETA India’s investigative work, public education efforts, research, animal rescues, legislative work, special events, celebrity involvement and national media coverage have resulted in countless improvements to the quality of life for animals and have saved countless animals’ lives.

The ambitious scheme has taken off with a number of centres already functional and serving their purpose. More are on the anvil as Akshaya Patra Foundation, in coordination and aegis of the Delhi Government encourages and involves the private & corporate sector to be party to the social upliftment efforts. It is acting as the nodal agency to bring in a series of corporate companies, NGOs and institutions like Reliance, Guru Govind Singh Hospital, the Taj Hotels, Haldiram, Batra Hopsitals, to name a few, who have come forward to lend a hand and funds to take the program to the needy.

The latest centre, at the Night Shelter, Shahdara (near Delhi Jal Board office), GT Road, is sponsored by the Neotia Foundation. The Hunger Free Campaign began at 12 noon with the inaugural ceremony by Yoganand Shastri, Welfare Minister, Delhi. Meals were served to the poor and the needy. Meals, on the regular basis will be provided daily between 12 noon to 3 pm.

The Bhagidari effort by the New Delhi Government and Akshaya Patra has opened to a healthy response not just from the target audience of the poor but also from the corporate world with more and more coming forward to be associated with welfare initiative. With Akshaya Patra Foundation playing a positive role, the Government is eliciting a favorable response to adopt many sites for similar purpose.

Even though Mrs Sheila dikshit could not be present herself, she blessed the occasion with her inspiring words and hoped that more would respond and take up the cause of the poor.Akshaya Patra’s Suvyekta Narasimhan Das, Project-in-Charge for the Hunger Free Campaign believed that a good beginning has been made in Delhi but there is a long road ahead. “We are here to play a role of the catalyst and so far the response has been welcome, be it from the private sector, NGOs, hospitals and other institutions, “he said.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

MORE ABOUT AKSHAYA PATRA

Unlimited Food for Education

(NATIONAL LEVEL SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMME)

According to a UNESCO report, around 13.5 million children in the age group of 6-13 years are out of school in India. Despite the trillion-dollar economic growth, a large chunk of India’s younger generation does not have access to schools because of poverty and malnutrition.

To facilitate the education of needy children, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, provides unlimited noon meals in schools in partnership with the Central and respective state governments of India. Currently the program is feeding around 8.5 lakh children in over 4,500 government, government aided schools and anganwadis (day care centers) in 14 locations across India on any given day.

They are Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Bellary, Mangalore and Mysore in Karnataka, Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh, Jaipur, Nathdwara and Baran in Rajasthan, Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat and Puri in Orissa. This is the largest NGO run school meal program in the world.

What makes Akshaya Patra unique?

1. The Akshaya Patra program uses centralized, automated kitchens for cooking food which is then distributed to schools through special purpose vehicles.
2. Akshaya Patra’s kitchens can cook about 100,000 meals in less than five hours with least human intervention and sustained quality.
3. A three item menu is served to children as per the recommendations ofqualified nutritionists.
4. Due to extensive mechanization of the kitchen, the program is able to offer children standardized, high quality, hygienic meals.
5. The program also offers education and health interventions for holistic child development.
6. Akshaya Patra is a secular, not-for-profit program implemented only in government schools where there is no discrimination whatsoever.
7. The program is independently governed by a Board of Trustees & audited by KPMG.
8. A study in the year 2006 by AC Nielsen Org Marg Pvt Ltd, has vouchsafed for the efficacy of the program in increasing attendance and enrolment in schools, improving nutritional status of these children, enhancing their learning abilities and reducing drop out rates.
9. Akshaya Patra program is run with part subsidies from the government, besides financial support from corporates and individual philanthropists.
10. All contributions to The Akshaya Patra Foundation are eligible for 100% tax deduction under section 35AC/80GGA (bb) of the Income Tax Act1961 in India.
11. With a vision to ensure that no child in India is deprived of education because of hunger, the Akshaya Patra Foundation is striving to end hunger and create a human resources pool that will propel India into the league of developed nations.

Next-generation Mobile WiMAX technology will be deployed in the United States, Europe, and Taiwan this year, and in Japan next year. The initial service will be provided through PC-based mobile broadband access, with simultaneous development of portable devices, smart phones, PDAs, portable games and navigation systems supporting the Mobile WiMAX technology.

The mature software stacks of the chipset have been proven in the previous generation product, and the power management schemes have been optimized at the system level. These advantages enable mobile WiMAX terminal manufacturers to focus on designing attractive user interfaces and service-oriented applications.

“This highly integrated WiMAX chipset features the low power and small form factor essential to the development of attractive mobile WiMAX terminal products,” said Makoto Awaga, General Manager of the Mobile Solution Business Group of Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited in Japan. “Fujitsu Microelectronics has assumed a global leadership position in WiMAX business development, and we have been working with different module vendors to meet market demand.”

Chipset Key Features

MB86K22 is a fully integrated baseband LSI built using Fujitsu Microelectronics 65nm advanced CMOS low-leakage process technology. The operating power of MB86K22 has been reduced by 36 percent from the previous generation. Power-gating technology shuts down the power supply in the unused blocks inside the device, so that the entire mobile WiMAX module consumes only 0.5mA, thereby extending battery life.

MB86K52 is an RF LSI built using CMOS process technology, which supports 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz, and 3.5GHz, covering almost all the frequencies set by the WiMAX Forum. This enables mobile WiMAX terminal manufacturers to introduce their WiMAX devices globally. MB86K52 also supports MIMO and beamforming technology, which is essential for mobile WiMAX Wave 2.

MB39C316 power management LSI eliminates all the complex and time-consuming power management requirements by adopting one-cell battery. This design minimizes the number of external peripheral devices of a module. MB39C316 controls and manages the power schemes of a module at the system level, keeping the power consumption in every operation to the minimum.

Key Specifications

MB86K22 Baseband LSI

Bandwidth

3.5MHz, 5MHz, 7MHz, 10MHz, 20MHz (planned)

Modulation

64QAM / 16QAM / QPSK

FFT size

512/1024 FFT OFDMA

Antenna

2x2 STC/MIMO (MatrixA and MatrixB)

OS

Windows Mobile / Embedded Linux

Host interface

SDIO, SPI

MB86K52 RF LSI

RF frequencies

2.295GHz - 2.405GHz / 2.491GHz - 2.695GHz / 3.295GHz – 3.620GHz

Bandwidth

3.5MHz, 5MHz, 7MHz, 10MHz, 20MHz

FFT size

512/1024 FFT OFDMA

Antenna

2x2 STC/MIMO (MatrixA and MatrixB)

MB39C316 Power Management LSI

Power supply voltage

2.7V - 4.9V, 1 cell Lithium Ion battery

Output

3-channel DC/DC, 4-channel LDO

Sequence control

Power voltage activation/deactivation

Interface

I2C

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd was established as the Asia Pacific Headquarters of Fujitsu Limited Electronic Devices Group in 1986. It provides support, sales and marketing of semiconductors and electronic devices to the Asia Pacific region, including India and Oceania. Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia offers a wide and varied product range like ASIC, ASSPs, Microcontrollers / Microprocessors (FR-V), System Memory (Flash Memory / FRAM / FCRAM) and System LSIs (DVD MPEG Source Decoders / MPEG –2 Encoders).

RED FM, the station for expression, known for its ‘Bajaate Raho!’ attitude, has rolled out an extensive plan to help Mumbaikars deal with the monsoons. Listeners can now ‘VOTE FOR BOAT’ on Red FM if their area is drowning in the downpour. The area with the highest number of votes stands to win the RED FM boat! The boat will be handed over to the civic authority of the area for rescue operations during the monsoons. Red FM will also be providing life jackets and monsoon survival kits along with the boat.

Across the city, at major malls, multiplexes and railway stations, volunteers from Red FM will usher people to buses, rickshaws and trains – with the help of huge Red FM branded umbrellas. This ushering activity will be conducted on the days of heavy rains. Also, to help Mumbaikars cope with the problem of shortfall cabs and rickshaws during the rains, and excessive flooding of low lying areas, numerous Red FM Qualis will pick up and drop listeners to and fro from their destinations.

To bring some fun and excitement to the activities, Red FM will be putting up the Boat at major malls and will do a show of Red FM Khopcha with RJs Neeil and Nyssha from the BOAT! Lucky listeners will also be given a chance to Test Ride the BOAT with the Red FM RJs at a gala event for the same!! At the peak of the monsoon, RED FM will give out the Boat to the Corporator or BMC official of the area with the maximum votes.

Commenting on the initiative, Anuj Singh, National Marketing Head and Station Head (Mumbai), Red FM, said, “Bajaao for a Cause, RED FM’s CSR arm, stands for not only raising issues, but also driving action! After receiving tremendous response and appreciation for our efforts during the July 26 floods and having experienced the same difficulties year after year as citizens ourselves, we decided to go all out this year through our extensive initiatives during the monsoons. With our activities we hope to highlight the plight of mumbaikars during monsoons and sensitize the authorities towards their needs.”

As part of its responsibility towards society, Red FM has been involved in numerous activities that positively impact the lives of Mumbaikars. Red FM has always been at the forefront in raising issues that matter to the city.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About RED FM

Launched in 2002, RED FM first started round the clock operations in Mumbai, followed by Delhi and & Kolkata in 2003. Owned by a consortium of Malaysian conglomerate Astro Malaysia, NDTV India and software company Value Labs, Red FM is known for its attitude of providing a Station for Expression to the common man and playing only Superhit Music. Bajaate Raho! As Red FM likes to shout, is already part of common parlance, and truly represents Red FM’s attitude. Widely appreciated by the Trade as well as the Listeners, as proven by the 21 awards to its credit and the tremendous growth over the last year, Red FM is fast consolidating its leadership position in the industry.

Superhit Music, Superhit RJs, Superhit Movies and Superhit Cricket - that’s what Red FM stands for. Bajaate Raho!

"Sanskrit Voice Digest" is started as an honest effort to compile Sanskrit related blogs and articles under one roof. Currently, it has partnered with nearly 10 blog-authors and a few organizations. With its magazine-like layout, the Digest makes it easy for readers to keep tabs on all Sanskrit related articles in one place.

India is a nation of several Vedic scholars, Sanskrit pandits, and Religious gurus. The need of the hour is to educate the people (esp. the youth) about the wisdom conveyed in the ancient texts, and revive Sanskrit for the modern age. This is also the mission of "Sanskrit Voice". In its latest effort to bring all Sanskrit readers and bloggers together, it launched the "Digest" this week.

In the first week, the Digest has articles in nearly 10 categories that revolve around Sanskrit. It includes "Sanskrit Quotes" written by Kiran Paranjape, who was awarded Indic Blogger Award for best blog in Sanskrit. The wonderful 'subhashitanis' that includes verses from Panchatantra, Bhartrihari's Nitishatakam, and Bhagavadgita are written by Karthik Raman.

In the past two years, blogging in Sanskrit has been well practiced by the pandits and students of Sanskrit. Blogger Himanshu Pota focuses on teaching Sanskrit via his blog "Learn Sanskrit". He told us that his blog shares his Sanskrit learning experience with other Sanskrit learners. He hopes this will encourage the learners to realise that one doesn't have to be a Panini to start reading, writing, and talking in Sanskrit.

The Digest also compiles the articles on Sanskrit literature written by Kannan Srininvas (the author of Book "Vedic Management") and Venetia Ansell (an English girl from Oxford University). Adding Sanatana Dharma to the context, we hope to pass the ancient wisdom, along with Sanskrit language.

The advances in web technology facilitates the creation of a virtual community just for Sanskrit enthusiasts. The RSS feeds, Widgets and Campaign buttons provide easy ways for readers to follow the updates, or learn Sanskrit glossary every day. You will find all these features packed in the parent site "Sanskrit Voice" hosted on http://sanskritvoice.com .

"Undoubtedly, it is the greatest language ever, and I feel that more initiatives to spread the language, in a written or spoken form, through blogs etc are always welcome", says Karthik Raman - a PhD student at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

"Sanskrit Voice" is a social experiment by Seshu Karthick to revive Sanskrit for the Internet Era

PETA, the ICMR and countless Indian citizens want to ban animal testing of cosmetics because the tests are cruel and old fashioned. The tests cause thousands of rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, rats and other animals to suffer and die needlessly. The outdated and ineffective product tests for which thousands of animals are poisoned, blinded and killed every year were designed in the 1920s as a crude way to test shampoos, cosmetics, hairsprays, and other personal care and household products. These painful and deadly tests are not only cruel but also unnecessary. New technology has made animal testing obsolete. More than 800 companies around the world have pledged not to use animal testing.

Although many companies have already voluntarily abandoned animal testing, the European Union (EU) will implement a complete ban on the animal testing of cosmetics in the EU next year. The ban includes a prohibition against marketing cosmetics products which were tested on animals, even if the products were made and tested outside the EU.

"Poisoning and blinding animals to test lipstick and mascara is not only cruel but also bad science", says PETA's senior vivisection campaign coordinator Dharmesh Solanki. "Caring consumers around the world are demanding an end to these deadly and irrelevant tests, and India must not be left behind."

PETA's joint letter to the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Bureau of Indian Standards is available upon request.

For more information, please visit www.CaringConsumer.com.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

PETA India focuses primarily on the areas in which the greatest numbers of animals suffer the most: in the food and leather industries, laboratories and the entertainment industry. PETA India’s investigative work, public education efforts, research, animal rescues, legislative work, special events, celebrity involvement and national media coverage have resulted in countless improvements to the quality of life for animals and have saved countless animals’ lives.

While medics across the country are busier with larger number of patients flocking their clinics and hospitals, many afflicted folk feel increasingly confident of heading to the nearest chemist store and indulging in self medication. Pharmacists do agree that the trend of self-medication has been spiraling over the past years which often lead to improper consumption of medication. Thousands of medications are freely available to the masses ‘over-the-counter’, and just about anyone from your neighbour to your domestic help will gladly offer you advise on what works best!

Paracelsus (1493-1541), the alchemist-physician, in the 16th century observed that all drugs are poisons – of course if the usage is improper, irregular or irrelevant! What we as consumers must know is that any medication which may be perceived as completely safe and without side effects may lead to several undesirable or unintended consequences in different situations. Thus, our body reacts differently to the same medication under different circumstances.

Let’s take the case of a healthy woman who is now pregnant. She must be aware that many over the counter medication which she has always been accustomed to may affect the growing foetus in ways she won’t even know. Many commonly used antibiotics like tetracycline, streptomycin, painkillers like aspirin – all relatively safe drugs in adults – are best avoided at this stage. Infact even iron and calcium supplements that are routinely prescribed to pregnant women are not to be taken in the first three months of pregnancy when the foetus is the most sensitive to any medication taken by the mother. Even an anti – acne medication with certain retinoid based contents are advised against!

A clear understanding of the medication that they are prescribed for ailments such as cough and cold can help patients to do away with drug interactions, reactions and habituation. For example, Antihistamines are used for allergy symptoms and relief of a running nose but excess may cause drowsiness and sedation. Decongestants are used to relieve nasal stuffiness or congestion but can elevate blood pressure. Cough suppressants such as the Phensedyl, Tossex, Codine Linctus etc. containing the gold standard cough suppressant codeine are used to relieve dry cough, while expectorants are used to cough up mucous secretions but should be taken under a doctor’s guidance.

People with chronic diseases like diabetes and others must also exercise caution while taking random medication for seemingly innocuous disorders. Many of us don’t think twice before taking yet another paracetamol for fever or a diclofenac for pain. But, in such conditions where the body is already ravaged by the disease pathology, it is at a heightened sensitivity and many of these widely used drugs have damaging effects on the liver, kidney and other body organs. Inevitably such people are on chronic medication and interactions may occur if other medication is randomly taken.

Another factor to be taken into account by consumers is the possibility of individual sensitivities or allergies to drugs. Absolutely any medication can cause allergic reactions in any person. Many commonly used antibiotics, insulin-preparations and even aspirin can cause reactions. These may range from irritating or mild side effects such as nausea and vomiting, to allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. What is important is that past history of safe consumption of medication is also not a guarantee against future allergic reactions!

Misuse of medication by the patients even causes problems for the doctors! A common problem being faced by the medical fraternity is the spiraling rate of resistance to most commonly used antibiotics which is often due to improper or incomplete usage by patients. Some times consumers even get habituated to medication to achieve a state of false ‘well being’. People get habituated to a wide variety of medications including pain-killers, sedatives and others. This often leads to popular drugs being labeled as ‘dangerous’, not so much due to the inherent property of the ingredients but more due to misuse by the consumers.

Even though the regulations and standards to ensure the correct prescription based dispensing of medication are in place, they are not properly understood and implemented. It is therefore essential to enhance the levels of patient awareness of the side-effects that improper medication can cause. Often gullible consumers are unable to judge the hazards associated with otherwise harmless medication. It is therefore upto the physicians to make these judgements for him and to advise him. A great English philosopher-physician - Sir William Osler (1849-1919) -said, "One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses when not to take medicines!” Excessive or improper usage of any of them may lead to a host of unwarranted consequences. So, let’s remember to call on the doctor before you ‘pop-a-pill’, yet again!

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

As an extension of the Human Rights program, the Monsanto Fund – the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, announces the launch of the Monsanto Fund Learning Center – a residential learning centre to provide formal, informal and vocational education to the children of Kurnool and Mehboobnagar. The center has been setup with NGOs VORDS and Australian Foundation for People of Asia Pacific (AFAP).

Committed to the protection and advancement of Human Rights, Monsanto established a robust Human Rights Policy in line with the UN ILO Declaration of Human Rights in 2006. Monsanto India's Human Rights program is structured into five pillars.

1. A Child Care Program (CCP) Steering Committee setup to direct the farmer program.
2. ‘No Child Labor’ Clauses in Farmer and Third-Party Contracts.
3. Massive Farmer Awareness Campaign – posters, door-to-door visits, leaflets, post cards;
   a Farmer Social Pledge; and Farm Attendance Record with village, field and labour details.
4. Field Audits - Coordinators, External Auditors, and CCP Members conduct surprise visits to each plot at least 10-12 times during the 45-60 day pollination period. In 2007, CCP Auditors conducted more than 10,000 field visits.
5. Incentive / Disincentive Schemes – Farmers employing only adult labour receive an additional incentive of ~Rs. 5,000 per acre which helps them afford adult labor and discourages the thought of employing child labor in the future. In case farmers are found to violate the Human Rights Clause in their contracts, the child is immediately removed from the field, the farmer becomes ineligible for incentives, and Monsanto discontinues production with the farmer the following season.

These efforts have helped farmers reduce child labor on hybrid cotton seed production fields from 20% in 2004 (prior to Monsanto acquiring its hybrid cotton seed brand) to less than 1% in 2007.

Speaking on the occasion, Deborah Patterson, President, Monsanto Fund said, “The Monsanto Fund Learning Center is our attempt to rehabilitate children from cotton production fields and channelize them towards their basic right to education. Globally, the Monsanto Fund seeks to improve peoples’ lives by bridging the gap between their needs and resources by investing in nutritional well being, environment, science education and communities. The establishment of the Monsanto Fund Learning Center provides children a safe and healthy environment, and is another step in that direction.”

The uniqueness of the Monsanto Fund Learning Center is the Individual Educational Plan (IEP) designed for each child aimed at allowing the children to enter mainstream education. Students will also be offered vocational skills allowing them to have other income generating opportunities. Located at Nandyal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, this residential facility can accommodate and teach 120 students each year.

B. Showri Reddy, Principal, Monsanto Fund Learning Center (VORDS) said, “For the current academic year, the Monsanto Fund Learning Center has registered 70 students. With a team of 10 faculty members, we are eager and equipped to begin coaching and assisting children to get back to mainstream education – ultimately making a difference in their lives.”

Christopher Samuel, Senior Manager – Public Affairs, Monsanto India said, “Monsanto has been partnering with Indian farmers for over 58 years. We are committed to making a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work and hence, have pledged over Rs. 11 crores to the Human Rights Anti-Child Labour program from 2006 till date, which includes the Monsanto Fund Learning Centre. We pledge to continue our commitment to community development initiatives in more such meaningful programs in the future.”

This year the World Day against Child Labour is being marked around the world with activities to raise awareness that education is the right response to child labour. The UN ILO estimated that approx. 165 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are involved in child labour. Many of these children work long hours, often in dangerous conditions. Many poor families are unable to afford school fees or other school costs. The family may depend on the contribution that a working child makes to the household’s income, and place more importance on that than on education. The UN International Labour Organization’s most recent global estimates indicate that the number of children involved in child labour fell by 11 per cent to 218 million, between 2000 and 2004.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Monsanto Fund

Monsanto Fund - the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company was established in 1964. For more than 40 years, the Monsanto Fund has worked to substantially and meaningfully improve the lives of people around the world by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. In 2007, the Monsanto Fund pledged over Rs. 50 crores or US$ 12.6 million to numerous causes across the globe in the areas of community development, environment, nutrition, and science education.

Monsanto India CSR

Over the last six years, Monsanto India has pledged over Rs. 5.5 crores to community development initiatives in the areas of sustainable agriculture, education, healthcare and disaster rehabilitation. In addition, the Company has committed over Rs. 11 crores to its Human Rights Anti-Child Labour program.

As part of the Monsanto Company’s commitment to the communities in which we live and work, various projects have been undertaken in the areas of educational infrastructure (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka), nutrition (Jharkhand), and leprosy eradication (Tamil Nadu). In addition, Monsanto provided relief to the Tsunami-affected in Tamil Nadu via NGO United Way (2005), and contributed to the PM's Relief Fund and International Red Cross Society for Gujarat Earthquake Relief (2001).

Voluntary Organization of Rural Development Society (VORDS)

Voluntary Organization of Rural Development Society (VORDS) is an Andhra Pradesh-based NGO working for the betterment of rural and underprivileged children.

Australian Foundation for the Limited (AFAP)

The Australian Foundation for the Limited (AFAP), established in 1968, is a non-profit organization with headquarters in Sydney, Australia with development programs in the Asia-Pacific Region and Africa. In Asia, AFAP has affiliate offices or representatives in Vietnam, Philippines, Nepal, India, Combodia, Sri Lanka, China and Afghanistan.

The fair organized at Community Center, DDA Flats, Mata Sundari Road, New Delhi was open to all and was attended by men and women alike. Aimed at providing better directions for livelihood, the fair was organized for youth, college drop outs, men & women aspirants who are looking for livelihoods advancement. A team of professional career counselors gave advice on vocational courses, working from home options and entrepreneurial development. Fullerton organized this novel camp with the support of the staff of the company’s branches in New Delhi.

Commenting on the initiative Mr. G.S. Sundararajan, Managing Director & CEO - Fullerton India Credit Company Ltd. said, “Fullerton India’s vision is - we care, and make a difference in the lives and future of our customers. Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of our business. As a responsible corporate entity, we are committed to deep rooted relationships with the communities around which we operate in. New Delhi is a key market for us. This livelihood advancement fair – “Disha” is our way of reaching out to the people here. We look forward to supporting many more community programmes in the future.”

Fullerton India is focused on providing financial solutions to “Mass Market” customers belonging to the middle and lower income segments. Fullerton India has six branches in New Delhi which will support the financial requirements of the community at large offering quick and hassle free assistance. Fullerton’s relationship officers follow a unique model of ‘Neighborhood Financing’ which focuses on providing full range of financial products to its customers.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Fullerton India Credit Company Limited

Fullerton India Credit Company Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Fullerton Financial Holdings, Singapore, is the fastest growing financial services company in India. The company follows a relationship led, community based business model with close proximity & engagement with the customer to effectively reach out to them. In short span of time the company has disbursed over Rs 3200 Crores, opened more than 700 branches spread across 340 locations with more than 13000 employees on its rolls.

More Indians with larger disposable incomes are willing to explore intricacies of their own rich cultural heritage or trying to discover “hidden virgin” spots anywhere on the map. While offshore travel has always been the delight n fancy of the many, yet travel can still be a tedious experience given there is always room for loopholes while devising a well-organized travel plan that includes all principal amenities as well as the “not so often considered” accessories such as dressings and medications to combat an event of mishap. In other words, a well-equipped First Aid Box would prove to be as handy as a purse or tickets. So in case you are confused as to what should be the standard first aid kit and what the essentials are, we dig it out for you.

As recently as 30 years ago, little was known or written about travel stress as a recognizable medical condition. Excessive stress has now conclusively been linked to high blood pressure, ulcers, and a host of other ailments. Travel-stress symptoms commonly include indigestion, headaches, fatigue, respiratory ailments (asthma), and anxiety, all of which can negatively affect the traveller's performance.

Antihistamines on the other hand helps control frequent bouts of sneezing, stuffy or runny nose as well as itchy and watery eyes, symptoms that indicate allergy to pollution, trees, grass or weeds. Again, warning is indicated since commonly available antihistamines are sedative (sleep inducing) and could prove risky if the patient consumes these medications and drives or handles machinery simultaneously. It would be best to consult a doctor beforehand to know more about such drugs.

Another important component of a First Aid box should be an effective painkiller & fever reliever. Here the choice should be Paracetamol (Crocin) due to its safety record for mild to moderate fever and pain.

So next time you leave home don’t leave without your First Aid kit. A little negligence can ruin your holidays and turn the picnic into a nightmare After all bon voyage signifies farewell with best wishes and returning home safely!

FIRST AID KITTY

Wherever you go—even to low-risk destinations.

It’s a good idea to bring a supply of over-the-counter medicines.

Some products to consider taking with you:

ï‚· Pain relievers such as Paracetamol

ï‚· For acidity keep Eno Digesure

ï‚· For Backache keep ointment like Iodex

ï‚· Antacids

ï‚· Diarrhea medicines

ï‚· Motion sickness aids

ï‚· Insect repellant

ï‚· Sunscreen with SPF higher than 15

ï‚· First aid kit

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

The public-private enterprise of Akshaya Patra which runs this mammoth school meal program is aided by central and state governments and private corporations. Commenting on the addition of one of major corporate sponsor to its growing list of stakeholders, Shri Madhu Pandita Das said, “To continue to feed the 8.5 lakh children everyday and also to reach its goal of feeding over a million children everyday by 2010, the foundation is very much dependent upon corporate participation in a big way. We are very grateful to Centum Electronics and to Mr. Apparao Maliavarapu, founder and managing director of Centum Electronics, for having been magnanimous in lending a hand to our efforts,”

“We are happy to support Akshaya Patra which is doing noble work for the welfare of the state and the people. Ours is a small gesture which we hope will prompt many others to do the same. It is important for India to fight illiteracy and hunger as we cannot call ourselves developed unless we can feed and educate all our children,” said Mr Apparao Maliavarapu, who is himself hold a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Dal Tech University in Canada was also a Ford Foundation scholar. He has played a instrumental role in taking his company to the forefront and is today recognised as a leading authority in the industry.

Featured in the 500 most valuable companies in India recently, Centum Electronics Limited Centum is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of electronics products. The organisation is a vertically integrated company with capabilities in design, engineering and manufacturing. The company designs and manufactures products for telecommunications, automotive, industrial and defense and aerospace markets. Centum has received many quality and export awards from major industry bodies and the state and central governments.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

MORE ABOUT AKSHAYA PATRA

Unlimited Food for Education.

(NATIONAL LEVEL SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMME)

According to a UNESCO report, around 13.5 million children in the age group of 6-13 years are out of school in India. Despite the trillion-dollar economic growth, a large chunk of India’s younger generation, does not have access to schools because of poverty and malnutrition.

To facilitate the education of needy children, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, provides unlimited noon meals in schools in partnership with the Central and respective state governments of India. Currently the program is feeding 8,38,000 children in over 4,500 government, government aided schools and anganwadis (day care centers) in 13 locations across India on any given day.

They are Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Bellary, Mangalore and Mysore in Karnataka, Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh, Jaipur, Nathdwara and Baran in Rajasthan, Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat and Puri in Orissa. This is the largest NGO run school meal program in the world.

One of the leading global public health activists, Hemant Goswami has initiated the smoke-free campaigns in India and his efforts turned Chandigarh into the first smoke-free city anywhere in the third world.

Speaking on the occasion, Hemant said that once the science has unequivocally proved, and the framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has endorsed that tobacco causes death and devastation, there was no reason to allow such a product to be marketed commercially with so little restrictions. “We have to think about phasing out tobacco and have to define a clear time-span and strategy to do so. The menace of tobacco can not go on for ever, especially when we clearly know that tobacco kills 5.2 million people globally every year and this century it is going to kill nearly a billion,” Hemant emphasised during his talk.

The award was presented by Professon John F. Banzhaf, professor of public interest laws and an expert in public litigation at the University of Washington Law School. John Banzhaf had brought legal action which required broadcasting stations to provide hundreds of millions of dollars of free broadcast time for anti-smoking messages. Subsequently, after founding Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) he helped drive cigarette commercials off the air, and started the non-smokers' rights movement by getting smoking bans on airplanes and in many other public places.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

A non-profit news agency.

For further information, please contact: - Burning Brain Society/ Mr. Hemant Goswami at +91-9417868044 E-Mail:-info@burningbrain.org

USA Number: +1-415-518-0844

Secretary to Government, Dr Ajaykumar IAS announced that this was for the first time that a campaign has been launched for the promotion of local language computing in India.

Honourable Minister for Vigilance and Tourism Shri Kodiyeri Balakrishnan inaugurated the Malayalam computing webportal (http://malayalam.kerala.gov.in) and Honourable Minister for Health Smt P K Srimati Teacher launched the community portal (http://entegramam.gov.in).

Objective of the campaign

The campaign has two broad objectives 1. Strengthen local language, Malayalam, using the possibilities provided by Information and Communication Technologies 2. Address the linguistic barrier which prevents the people of Kerala from taking advantage of the new technologies.

This campaign will help the common man to get more benefits out of various Internet services like E-Mail, Chat, Blog etc. It liberates him or her from the need of thinking in his or her mother tongue and communicating in a foreign language.

Strategy

1. Campaign

Malayalam Computing initiative of Kerala government will start with a state wide campaign. The campaign will create public awareness on use of Malyalam in Computers. It is a fact that even skilled computer users thinks that English is the only Language for communicating with computers. Though the technologies are available, 90% of computers in Kerala are running with Malayalam support disabled.

The campaign will be carried out through the network of 3000 Akshaya centers around the state. Each Akshaya centre reaches approximately 1200-1500 families. The campaign targets to address about 40-50 lakh households in Kerala over the next three years. The campaign will be carried out in participation with local self governance bodies and other social organisations like village libraries.

2. Capacity Development

Akshaya will offer training program to public on how to enable and use Malayalam in computers. Kerala State IT Mission will develop and provide materials required for this training.

Training for local hardware vendors is also an important aspect of this campaign. Training will be on how to enable Malayalam in various popular operating systems. Software modules and information for this will be made available through a web portal setup as part of this project. Our objective is to make sure that all the computers sold in Kerala to have Malayalam support enabled. Capacity development of support staff in local hardware vendors is an essential step in this regard.

3. Support Materials

Malayalam computing webportal will act as the repository of various information and software tools required to enable Malayalam in a computer. For example, the site will provide fonts for Malyalam, it also contains video tutorials and articles on enabling Malayalam . These materials can be freely distributed. Technical support will be provided through the portal. Support of mass media is expected to reach the information to the entire population of Kerala.

Future

The campaign shall be followed by several activities to increase Malayalam content on the web. We aim to create one Malayalam web portal for every panchayat in Kerala, which would include details of local natural and human resources, local economy, local industry, agriculture and services, discussion forum and such other details as may be relevant. As an incentive, suitable awards shall be granted to the best panchayt portals. An example of one such is a portal developed in Azhikode Panchayat developed with the active participation of the local Panchayat, Akshaya centres in the Panchahat and local community (http://azhikode.web4all.in/). Government will facilitate development of these portals by providing sever space and technical support.

The year 2008 is being celebrated globally as the Mother Language Year by the United Nations. The Government of Kerala is joining the international community with a campaign to promote the linguistic diversity of cyberspace and would be an example for other linguistically diverse societies to have similar campaigns. It would sensitize the global community to recognize the imperative of digital world protecting the distinct cultural richness and heritage as transmitted through centuries, in respective local languages.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Speaking on the on the occasion, Sarita Reddy Executive Director of Gayatri Sugars said, “As the incoming Chairperson of FLO, my team and I would be committed to take the activities of the Hyderabad Chapter to a higher level and bring in new programmes to empower the women in their professional and entrepreneurial endeavours.”

Kamini Saraf, the incoming Young FLO Chairperson, is the Founder of Akshat Events, one of India’s leading Fashion Events Company.

Mrs. Nalini Chidambaram, said “I feel honoured to be present on this occasion amongst women who work towards empowerment of not just women but the community at large. It gives me pleasure to see the growing strength of women entrepreneurs in the country who are breaking tradition and overcoming long-held socio-cultural mindsets.” In her interactions with the FLO members, Mrs. Chidambaram also shared her views on company law & taxation rules and the protection of women and child rights.

Commenting on the commendable work being done by FLO, Mr. P. Ramakanth Reddy, Chief Secretary Govt. A.P. said, “Promoting entrepreneurship and professional excellence in women is an important aspect for improving the society. The number of women-owned businesses have grown steadily nationwide. Organisations like FLO have made substantial impact on the society through their dedicated socially responsible works.”

The FICCI FLO Hyderabad Chapter would have Mrs. Ajita Reddy as Vice Chairperson, Jyotsna Angara as Secretary and Monika Aggarwal, Treasurer.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About FLO:

FLO was established in 1983, as a division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) which is the apex body of industry and commerce in India. Its primary objective was to create a platform that voiced the concerns of women entrepreneurs, businesswomen and women professionals and promote entrepreneurship and professional excellence. As an all India organization for women, FLO has chapters in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Gawhati and Coimbatore with its head office in Delhi. Chapters are in the process of being established in Bangalore and Bhopal. The Hyderabad Chapter of FLO was launched in 2001 and today has over 260 members. FLO endeavors to enhance the various skills of women through its educational and vocational training Programmes, talks, seminars, panel discussion and workshop on a wide range of subject. FLO endeavors to enhance the various skills of women through its educational and vocational training Programmes, talks, seminars, panel discussion and workshop on a wide range of subject like information Technology, taxation, insurance, venture capital, stock market operations, accountancy, marketing, mutual funds, investment planning, entrepreneurship development programmers etc. we also focus on women related legal and social issues like uniform civil code, domestic violence, etc. In its own capacity, FLO interfaces with women in business and the government.

Everyday, afternoon flights will depart Sharjah at 16:36PM and arrive in Mumbai at 21:00AM. Return flights will depart Mumbai at 21:45PM and arrive in Sharjah at 23:05PM. Evening flights will depart Sharjah at 23:35PM and arrive in Mumbai at 04:00AM. Return flights will depart Mumbai at 04:45AM and arrive in Sharjah at 06:05AM.

This step underscores Air Arabia’s commitment the burgeoning Indian market and the city of Mumbai” said AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department, Air Arabia. “, Today, even more people in the large Indian expatriate population living in the UAE and GCC can take advantage of our extensive Middle Eastern network. We currently serve 11 destinations in India and we are keen on continuously providing the best value for money services to this emerging region”

The other destinations Air Arabia serves in Indian are Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmdedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Nagpur, Kozhikode and Delhi.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Air Arabia: Air Arabia (PJSC), listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is the Middle East and North Africa’s leading low-cost carrier (LCC). Air Arabia commenced operations in October 2003 and currently operates a fleet of 15 new Airbus A320 aircraft, serving 39 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and Central Asia through its main hub in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Air Arabia also recently launched a new hub in Kathmandu in order to offer service to new destinations throughout South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Far East.

Air Arabia is modeled after leading American and European low-cost airlines, and its business model is customised to accommodate local preferences. Its main focus is to make air travel more convenient through Internet bookings and offering the lowest fares in the market along with the highest levels of safety and service standards. For further information, please visit: www.airarabia.com

· An USD 1,369,000 loan guarantee for WaterHealth International (WHI), for a financing facility they have established in India to build up to 200 community water systems; WHI is a U.S.-based company that enables the delivery of highly affordable, safe drinking water to underserved communities around the world.

· An USD 60,000 equity investment in Environment Protection Group Limited (EPGL), an India-based company that operates affordable community water filters capable of removing brackish elements from drinking water in addition to harmful bacteria.

· An USD 1,030,000 equity investment in Global Easy Water Products Pvt Ltd. (GEWP), an India-based company that distributes affordable irrigation systems for small-scale farmers.

“Acumen Fund’s water portfolio invests capital and management support in enterprises that increase access to improved irrigation, drinking water, and sanitation technologies for the more than one billion people who currently lack access to safe water for their household needs, subsistence, and livelihoods,” said Jacqueline Novogratz, Chief Executive Officer of Acumen Fund. “Over the past five years Acumen Fund's water portfolio has grown from USD 285,000 to USD 4,800,000 in committed investments, and we look forward to working with our investees to scale their business models to extend the delivery of safe water to even more underserved communities.”

Worldwide, one in five people lack access to safe drinking water, resulting in millions of otherwise preventable deaths each year. In both urban and rural areas of India, most low-income households lack access to affordable, safe water. Families, especially women and girls, spend many hours collecting water from local water sources, and often end up with water that is not safe for consumption. Acumen Fund’s investments in WHI and EPGL seek to address these issues and provide sustainable business models that increase access to safe and affordable drinking water.

WHI's water purification and disinfection technology, combined with its innovative business approach, enables the delivery of highly affordable, clean water to even the most remote and underserved communities. Since 2006, Acumen has been providing a loan guarantee to help WHI access a loan from ICICI Bank, India’s second largest bank, and fund their expansion in India. This allowed villages to finance local WHI systems, which yielded sufficient revenues for the organization to cover this first loan. Building on this success, Acumen provided a USD 1,369,000 follow-on loan guarantee to allow WHI to expand this financing program, help WHI accelerate its growth and further increase the recognition that the WHI team has built a blueprint for delivering safe water to underserved rural areas in an economically viable way. Each WaterHealth Centre is built under a model that facilitates community acquisition and ownership of the facility. Local residents who are hired, trained and supervised by WHI to maintain the highest quality standards operate the Centres. WHI’s rural community water systems have already given over 1 million people in India daily access to safe, affordable water. In 2007 alone, WHI added more than 150 new community water systems.

“Acumen Fund is excited to continue to support the work of WaterHealth International to increase the availability of safe drinking water in India,” said Adrien Couton, Acumen Fund’s Water Portfolio Manager. “We are also encouraged by the growing recognition of the potential of WHI’s model by financial institutions, allowing even greater opportunity to scale.”

Acumen Fund’s USD 60,000 equity investment in EPGL, which has developed affordable reverse osmosis systems for the treatment of drinking water, will help EPGL to scale up its services, initially targeting twenty-three rural communities in Gujarat and two communities in an urban slum area of Delhi. Each system will have the capacity to meet the daily needs of 500 households, together serving over 60,000 people currently without access to safe drinking water. Acumen Fund also funded a local management consultant to help the organization strengthen its operations.

“EPGL seeks to create a model for the provision of affordable drinking water to urban and rural areas throughout India,” said Varun Sahni, Director of Acumen Fund India. “The business has tremendous potential for growth, and Acumen’s investment will help increase EPGL’s capacity to provide affordable access to safe drinking water.”

In addition to increasing access to high quality drinking water, Acumen Fund’s water portfolio also focuses on increasing access to irrigation technologies to poor farmers. In rural India alone, there are 260 million smallholder farmers living on less than four dollars a day. Acumen Fund’s USD 1,030,000 equity investment in GEWP will help the business increase sales of its affordable drip irrigation technology to rural farmers through a scale up across seven states in India.

India is a water-scarce country, with 16 percent of the world’s population but less than 4 percent of the world’s water resources. Increased water use for agriculture is depleting the share of this scarce resource available for human consumption. Unable to afford the modern technologies that efficiently utilize scarce water resources, most small-scale Indian farmers use polluting diesel or electric pumps to extract water from the ground. Recent studies have shown that GEWP's affordable irrigation systems reduce water usage by 30 to 50 percent, energy consumption by 50 percent, and typically increases crop yields by 30 percent, together increasing farmer incomes by as much as USD 400 per year.

“The growth of our water portfolio reflects the growing number of viable businesses that address the critical water needs of these underserved markets,” said Couton. “Given the scale of those needs, we continue to look for opportunities to invest in innovative models that can reach millions of low-income customers.”

To learn more about Acumen Fund and follow the progress of its investments in WHI, EPGL, and GEWP, visit www.acumenfund.org.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Acumen Fund

Acumen Fund is a nonprofit venture fundthat investsin market-oriented approachesto delivercritical, affordable goods and services to the world’s poor. Acumen Fund focuses onthe convergence of philanthropic capital and business expertisetoproduce sustainable, scalable enterprises that reach underserved markets and increase access to the opportunities of the global economy. For more information on Acumen Fund’s activities and investments, visit www.acumenfund.org.

Acumen Fund in India

Acumen Fund has been investing in India since 2001, focusing on a wide range of sustainable, scalable businesses that use market-based approaches to deliver products and services to millions of rural and urban poor. Investments made by Acumen Fund India in local enterprises include high-quality maternal and pediatric healthcare services; safe water for consumption and livelihood; and clean energy. Leveraging strong relationships with local academic institutions and businesses as well as the global Acumen Fund network, Acumen Fund India is actively exploring further investments in healthcare services, as well as potential investments in housing and energy services.

Story reading, rhymes, spoken English, handwriting improvement, clay modelling, painting …a host of joyful learning activities were organised for children in 290 government schools that Naandi works in.

Summer camps were organised as part of Naandi’s Ensuring Children Learn programme. These camps were organised to keep the interest of coming back to school alive in all those children who usually after vacations do not rejoin schools.

“The summer camps and the display work by the children go a along way to prove that government schools are in no way less than any private school”, Shri Sayanna, MLA, Cantonment said, during his speech at the valedictory function of the summer camps at Government Boys Primary School, Picket, Secunderabad. More then 200 children, parents, community members, schoolteachers and head masters participated in the function and shared their thoughts on the benefits of the camp.

Impressed with the work Naandi is doing in government schools, Ms Sita, President, Rotary Club, Secunderabad presented a shield to Naandi at the function.

"Through these camps, we are attempting to transform government schools into joy-filled centres where children eagerly look forward to go everyday," Lalitha Naidu, Deputy General Manager, Ensuring Children Learn, Naandi Foundation.

About Ensuring Children Learn Programme:

In keeping with education right of t