General Vo Nguyen Giap, the Legendary Vietnamese Military Commander Died at 102

General Vo Nguyen Giap, the commander who led Vietnam to victory over the US and France, died on 4 October 2013 at Hanoi, Vietnam. He was 102 years old. He was the main commander in two crucial wars- the First Indochina War (1946–1954) and the Vietnam War (1960–1975).

Life History of General Vo Nguyen Giap

• General Vo Nguyen Giap was born on 25 August 1911 in Quảng Bình Province, French Indochina.
• He participated in some of the significant battles such as Lạng Sơn (1950); Hòa Bình (1951–1952); Điện Biên Phủ (1954); the Tết Offensive (1968); the Easter Offensive (1972); and the final Hồ Chí Minh Campaign (1975).
• Apart from being the Military Commander, he was also a journalist as well as an interior minister in President Hồ Chí Minh's Việt Minh government.

• He served as the military commander of the Việt Minh, the commander of the Vietnam People’s Army (PAVN), and defense minister.
• He also remained a member of the Politburo of the Vietnam Workers' Party. The Party eventually became the Communist Party of Vietnam in the year 1976. 
• He is the most prominent military commander of Vietnam apart from Ho Chi Minh.
• He also authored extensively on military theory and strategy. Some of his works included Big Victory, Great Task; People's Army, People's War; Ðiện Biên Phủ; and We Will Win.
• He became a part of the clandestine nationalist movement at the age of 14 years.
• He founded the Viet Minh, which is dedicated to ending French colonial rule in Vietnam.

Moe Set Wine Selected As First Miss Universe Contender to Represent Myanmar in 50 Years

Myanmar’s Moe Set Wine, 25, was on 3 October 2013 selected as thefirst Miss Universe contestant to represent her country in more than 50 years time. The US-educated business graduate was chosen as the first Miss Universe contestant who will represent Myanmar in over 50 years.

She will be seen on the stage at the global beauty pageant in Moscow in November 2013. It is important to note that Myanmar last sent the Miss Universe contender in the year 1961. After being selected, Moe Set Wine explained that she felt like a part of Myanmar’s history. 

The controversy revolves around the dress code. The traditional dress of Myanmar is still mandatory in the high schools, universities as well as most of the state Workplaces. The traditional dress of Myanmar is the demure longyi, which is actually a sheet of cotton or silk cloth wrapped around the waist and stretching to the feet.

Dress designer of Moe Set Wine- Htay Htay Tin, explained that in the past people in Myanmar did not dare to wear the clothes like these, but now the things were improving and so designers got a chance to create what they like.

Geological Survey of India Acquired Research Vessel Samudra Ratnakar for Deep Sea Research

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) on 4 October 2013 acquired a ship named Samudra Ratnakar for around 600 crore Rupees for the purpose of undertaking deep-sea surveys as well as exploration of the minerals lying in the depths of oceans.
 
Features of Samudra Ratnakar

• Samudra Ratnakar was delivered in the month of September 2013 by the Hyundai Heavy Industries, South Korea. 
• It is furnished with latest technological instruments.
• The Geological Survey of India has the plans of keeping around 50 scientists on board Samudra Ratnakar for the collection of data from the deep sea. 
• With Samudra Ratnakar’s induction, the Geological Survey of India for the first time entered into an endeavour to explore deep-sea waters for survey. 
• Samudra Ratnakar has the capacity of 2700 DWT.
• It can sail at a stretch for around 45 days and will be docked at the Chennai port. 
The GSI also entered into an agreement with Shipping Corporation of India for the management, operations as well as maintenance of Samudra Ratnakar. At present, Samudra Ratnakar is docked at Kandla port and will be dedicated to the nation by Mines Minister Dinsha Patel in the third week of October 2013.

It is important to note that as of now, the GSI has already surveyed over 95 percent of 2012 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including around 105000 sq km of territorial waters (TW) of India. These surveys were conducted in the northern part of Indian Ocean, coastal waters of Arabian Sea, Andaman-Nicobar and Bay of Bengal through the fleet of three ships and vessels namely R V Samudra Manthan, R V Samudra Kaustubh and R V Samudra Shaudhikama. 

The Geological Survey of India also included more than 700 cruises for the collection of data on the coastal waters of India. It also maintains its dedicated multidisciplinary marine wing with the offices in Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Gandhinagar, Mangalore, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Cochin.

Bayer Cropscience India Launched a New Multi-Crop Breeding Station in Chandippa

Bayer CropScience India on 3 October 2013 announced that it launched a new multi-crop breeding station in Chandippa, situated around 46 km from Hyderabad. The new breeding station will focus on the breeding and development of germplasm for high performing hybrids in rice, millet and cotton.

Stephan Gerlich, Country Group Head, Bayer in India explained that this was one of the most significant investments made by Bayer CropScience India over the last three years. Chandippa will serve as a strategic site for product development activities in India and Asia-Pacific markets. 
Since 2010, Bayer CropScience India has invested around 100 crore Rupees in different projects. Some of these projects include capacity expansion at its existing Seed Processing plant in Toopran near Hyderabad and a new mustard breeding station in Palwal, Haryana.

Primary Highlights of the new multi-crop breeding station in Chandippa

• The new multi-crop breeding station in Chandippa is spread over 36 acres of land. 
• The breeding station will have all the aspects of R&D infrastructure.
• The station will be equipped with screen houses, fully automated greenhouses, open fields for trials as well as various laboratories. All these facilities will be used for speeding up the breeding cycles.
• The labs of the station will support activities in resistance breeding, qualitative testing as well as tissue culture.
• The new facility will also have a cultivable area of 25 acres for field experimentation.
• The Chandippa breeding station will employ approximately 80 people. 
• The main highlight of the station will be its rain water harvesting pond, which is the first of its kind facility in India. This rain water harvesting pond has been imported from the Netherlands. It is a fully automated system which will harvest the rain water, which in turn will be filtered and utilised for cooling in the greenhouses.

RBI fixed the Reference Rate of Rupee against US Dollar at 61.4050

The Reserve Bank of India on 4 October 2013 fixed the reference rate of rupee against US dollar at 61.4050 and the euro at 83.6790 as against 61.9348 and 84.2360 on 3 October 2013. The exchange rates for the pound and yen against the rupee were quoted at 99.2857 a pound and 63.25 per 100 yen, based on reference rates for the dollar and cross-currency quotes at noon.

The reference rate is based on the noon rates of select banks and the SDR-Rupee rate would be based on this rate.

Tropical Storm Karen touched the US Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Karen on 5 October 2013 touched the US Gulf Coast, with forecasters warning of weekend flooding and heavy rainfall in several states, including Louisiana and Florida. As the system swirled about 385 kilometres south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River, authorities urged residents to stock up on essentials.

Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 18 counties to enable the potential deployment of resources as needed. A tropical storm watch, meanwhile, was issued for areas including metropolitan New Orleans, battered by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Kalpana Devi won Bronze Medal at the Judo Tournament in Tashkent

Kalapana Devi on 5 October 2013 won bronze medal at the Judo tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It was India’s first IJF Grand Prix medal. Competing in 52kg weight category, Kalpana defeated Zarifa Sultonova of Uzbekistan but lost to Gili Cohen of Israel. However, Kalpana jumped back to medal contention through repechage round, where she got the better of Brazilian Raquel Silva.

Kalpana, who is with Indo-Tibetan Border Police, had also won a bronze medal in the Women's World Cup Judo Championships held in September 2010 in Uzbekistan.

India has sent an eight-member team in the IJF Grand Prix Judo Championships, which will conclude on 7 October 2013. The judo players will remain in Tashkent for a one-month training post the tournament.

Rival Groups arrived at an Agreement to end the Political Crisis in Tunisia

In Tunisia, rival political groups on 5 October 2013 arrived at an agreement to end the political crisis in the country. The ruling Islamist Ennahda led Government will step down to allow the formation of a Government of independents in three weeks. It will be followed by the adoption of a new constitution and of holding elections in the country.

Under the deal, an independent Prime Minister will be in place in Tunisia by the end of next week. He will have two weeks to form a new cabinet. The National Dialogue which began on 4 October 2013 will cover groups and parties across the political spectrum over the next four weeks. The new constitution will be adopted in this time and time table for elections will be decided.

 The political roadmap was prepared by four mediators led by Tunisia's powerful trade unions confederation, UGTT. The deal is expected to put an end to the simmering tension among the rival groups in the country which was sparked off by the assassination of a secular opposition leader Mohamed Brahimi in July 2013.

India and Bangladesh jointly inaugurated India-Bangladesh Grid Inter-connection

Bheramara:India-Bangladesh Grid Inter-connection jointly inauguarated here

India and Bangladesh on 5 October 2013 jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Grid Inter-connection at Bheramara in Bangladesh. The joint venture was launched through video-conferencing from New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister described today's inauguration as an important milestone in connecting the two countries and the border region through a growing web of cross-border energy links and trade. The Prime Minister also assured Bangladesh that India will remain a steadfast and long-term partner in development efforts.

The transmission line in High Voltage Direct Current, HVDC, in Bheramara, will provide a safe and reliable interconnection between the power grids of the two countries. Dr Singh said, this will enable the supply of 500 megawatts of power from India to Bangladesh.  The initiative undertaken today will strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries and add a new dimension to bilateral relations.

The initiative being undertaken today strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Bangladesh and add a rich new dimension to our bilateral relation. Economic development is the biggest challenge for all countries in South Asia. Our destinies are interlinked and so must our economy be.
Both the Prime Ministers also jointly laid the foundation stone for 1320 megawatt Maitri Thermal Power Project, being developed by Bangladesh-India friendship power-company which is a joint venture of India's NTPC and Bangladesh Power Development Board.

The historic event has taken India Bangladesh relations to a greater height. The 500 MW of power which will become available to Bangladesh in November 2013 will substantially help to bridge the power deficit in Bangladesh.

.

Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) to be continued in 12th Five Year Plan: CCEA

October 5th, 2013

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved continuation of the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) in the 12^th five year plan. It also approved new projects for utilizing the balance of Rs 717 crore left in the 12^thfive year plan allocation, after meeting committed liabilities of the sanctioned 61 parks.

What are the objectives of Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP)?

The main objective SITP is to provide the industry with world classinfrastructure facilities for setting up their textile units. The product mix in these parks would include apparels and garments parks, hosiery parks, silk parks, processing parks, technical textiles including medical textiles, carpet parks and powerloom parks. SITP seeks green field investments in textiles sector on a public private partnership basis with the objective of setting up world class infrastructure for Textiles industry. Each Integrated Textile Park (ITP) would normally have 50 units. The number of entrepreneurs and the resultant investments in each ITP could vary from project to project.

The ITPs may also be set up in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), in which case the special provisions of SEZs would be applicable for them. In case these are set up outside SEZs, proposal may be pursued with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to declare the ITP as SEZ, if it is so desired.

The Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) was approved in the 10^th Five Year Plan (July 2005)  to provide the industry with world-class infrastructure facilities for establishing their textile units by merging the erstwhile Apparel Parks for Exports Scheme (APES) and Textile Centre Infrastructure Development Scheme (TCIDS).

The ‘Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP)’ was launched by merging two schemes, namely, Apparel Parks for Exports Scheme (APES) and the Textiles Centre Infrastructure Development Scheme (TCIDS).

Role of State Government: 

• Providing all the requisite clearances, wherever needed, for setting up the ITP and providing the necessary assistance for Power, Water and other utilities to the ITP.
• Assist in identification and procurement of suitable land.
• The State Government agencies like Infrastructure/Industrial Development Corporations may also participate in the projects by way of subscribing to the equity of SPV or by providing grants.

Funding Pattern:

• The total project cost shall be funded through a mix of Equity/Grant – from the Ministry of Textiles, State Government, State Industrial Development Corporation, Industry, Project Management Consultant and Loan – from Banks/ Financial Institutions.
• The Government of India’s (GOI) support under the Scheme by way of Grant or Equity will be limited to 40% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs. 40 crore.
• GOI support under the Scheme will be generally in the form of grant to the SPV unless specifically decided to be equity.
• The combined equity stake of GOI/State Government/State Industrial Development Corporation, if any, should not exceed 49% if the enhanced ratio of 40:60/49:51 is maintained.
• Central Government will be entitled to place a nominee on the Board of the Park as per scheme guidelines.
• GOI support will be provided @90% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs. 40 crore for first two projects in the States ofArunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim and  & Kashmir.

Sachin Tendulkar reaches 50,000-run landmark across all formats

Tendulkar today reached another coveted landmark by completing an astounding 50,000 runs in competitive cricket across all formats. Needing 26 runs on the day to reach the landmark, Tendulkar tucked one towards midwicket for a single off left-arm spinner Yannick Ottley to reach another milestone in his glorious career spanning close to two-and-a-half decades. He scored 35 off 31 balls before edging one to Denesh Ramdin off Lendl Simmons' bowling. Tendulkar now has 50009 runs in 953 competitive matches, which includes 551 List A matches, 307 First-class matches and 95 T20 games. Tendulkar has so far scored 25,228 runs in 307 First-class matches which includes a staggering 15,837 runs in 198 Tests. The 40-year-old has 21,999 runs in 551 List A matches which includes 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs. Having scored 2747 in the 94 earlier T20 matches, the legend today scored the necessary 26 runs with consummate ease. Tendulkar has had an ordinary tournament till the semifinals and could score only 20 runs in four matches with a highest score of only 15. Today, the senior batsmen hit Ottley for two successive sixes – one over long-on followed by a maximum over deep extra cover. The best shot, however, was the deft late cut off Simmons' bowling. The maestro is also standing on the cusp of another rare feat of becoming the first player in the history of the game to play 200 Test matches, which in all likelihood will be completed in the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies.

US commandos nab al Qaeda leader in Libya

US forces on Saturday captured an al Qaeda leader in Libya linked to the 1998 American embassy bombings in east Africa and wanted by the United States for more than a decade, a US official said. The official identified the al Qaeda leader as Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruqai, known by his alias Anas al-Libi. His capture would represent a significant blow to what remains of the core al Qaeda organisation once led by Osama bin Laden. Family members said gunmen in a three-car convoy seized al-Libi outside his home in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Al-Libi is believed to have returned to Libya during the 2011 civil war that led to the ouster and killing of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. His brother, Nabih, said the 49-year-old was parking outside his house early Saturday after dawn prayers, when three vehicles encircled his vehicle. The gunmen smashed his car's window and seized his gun before grabbing him and fleeing. The brother said al-Libi's wife saw the kidnapping from her window and described the abductors as foreign-looking armed "commandos". The US official said there were no US casualties in the operation. The official was not authorised to speak publicly and requested anonymity. Al-Libi is on the FBI's most-wanted list with a $5 million bounty on his head. He was indicted by a federal court in the Southern District of New York, for his alleged role in the bombings of the US embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, on August 7, 1998, that killed more than 250 people. Libyan officials did not return calls seeking comment on al-Libi's abduction and the US issued no immediate statements. His brother said he failed to contact authorities over the matter. Al-Libi was believed to be a computer specialist with al Qaeda. He studied electronic and nuclear engineering, graduating from Tripoli University, and was an anti-Gaddafi activist. He is believed to have spent time in Sudan, where Osama bin Laden was based in the early 1990s. After bin Laden was forced to leave Sudan, al-Libi turned up in Britain in 1995 where he was granted political asylum under unclear circumstances and lived in Manchester. He was arrested by Scotland Yard in 1999, but released because of lack of evidence and later fled Britain. His name was included on the FBI's most wanted terrorists list that was introduced shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks. There were a number of reports of his arrest, which were later denied by US officials. In 2007, Human Rights Watch said it believed he was among about two dozen people who may have once been held in secret CIA prisons. The group said it believed he was held in Sudan, but didn't elaborate, and said his whereabouts were later unknown. Al-Libi's family returned to Libya a year before the revolt against Gaddafi, under an initiative by Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam who sought to reconcile with militants who renounce violence, a close friend said, refusing to identify himself because of security concerns. The friend said al-Libi's son was killed during the civil war as rebels marched on the capital, ousting Gaddafi. His son's name is scribbled as graffiti on the walls of the street where his family resides, in an affluent neighborhood in Tripoli. Since Gaddafi's fall, Libya has been rocked by lawlessness, as militia groups have challenged the central government's power, and assassinations and revenge attacks spread. Last year, militants attacked the US Consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi, killing the US ambassador and three other Americans. According to official documents, al-Libi is not among those wanted for that attack.